Veiling

By: Zeina Jabali

Amira Jarmakani’s Veiled Intentions focuses on the mythology of the veil- how it is perceived as a way for the patriarchal structure of Islam to oppress and victimize its women- and how such a bias was born and manipulated by the US to benefit their own “National Security” and National Agenda. She uses the Afghan girl case study to bring this point home. Here, a girl is photographed and is instantly labeled as a woman who is victimized by the men in her society, which is directly seen through her veiling. Gula’s picture was first taken in 1985 when McCurry visited Afghanistan and then in 2002 where National Geographic funded a documentary in search of the Afghan Girl. Instead of this documentary focusing on the “changing geopolitical dynamics that had impacted this young woman’s life” they focused on her plight “reinforce[ing] dominant US notions about the passivity and victimization of all Muslim woman at the hands of Muslim men…” (Jarmakani 141). This, coincidentally, took place soon after 9/11 and was used as a tool by the bush administration to convince congress and the American public that intervention in Afghanistan was necessary because it was the US’s duty to liberate and emancipate the oppressed Afghani women.

Annie Lebovitz’s picture of Lamis Srour features Srour wearing a Burka standing in front of a grey backdrop. While Annie Lebovitz book aims to end stereotypes of woman around the world, this specific picture tries to defy the stereotype by showing how she’s a teacher, but in order for the audience to understand that they must understand the biases of Arabs to begin with: meaning that this picture has perverse effects. Also, the fact that Srour is pictured in front of a grey backdrop while all the other women in the book are photographed in their natural environment expresses how she sees Srour’s culture as one that is “trapped within the shadows of an old tradition, especially when it comes to the treatment of women” (Jarmakani 153). With this picture she decides that the Veil is a direct result of the failure to modernize and so there lies a direct connection with visibility of the body to liberation and emancipation. Jarmakani then goes on to analyze advertisements such as the Reebok commercial and Benetton as evidence for her argument.

Hannah Wilkes’ case study proves that there exists a “virgin/whore dichotomy” in perceiving veiled women. While Wilkes is concerned with the feminist reclamation of power which is directly associated with the act of unveiling. “However, in attempting to dismantle one form of oppression, Wilke succeeds in reinscribing another by appropriating an orientalist narrative about Arab and Muslim womanhood” (Jarmakani 164). This transitions us into the perceptions of the Harem and its sexualized and eroticized stereotype that is seen in a “Dessert Odyssey” where the characters such as the greedy oil Sheik also exist. The character of the oil Sheik is perceived as greedy where his “appetite for indulgence was voracious and unquenchable” (Jarmakani 171). Around the same time as this archetype was born, the oil embargo was organized by OPEC. Again the US is using the media to birth mythologies of the Arab and Muslim world to benefit their national security and agenda.

I really enjoyed reading Jarmakanis article; I think it was the most interesting article/chapter we read this semester. It reinforced a lot of previous beliefs; for example, I was aware of the way the US was manipulating perceptions on the Middle East for their own benefit. I still get asked if I go to school riding a camel, or if we live in tents or even if we celebrate the forth of July. Ignorance about the Middle East and other Islamic countries is very much alive and this article proves that. I do wish that Jarmakani took more time to explain the reason behind some of the acts of veiling and how it is not always used to oppress women.

France is a separatist state, one that advocates freedom of speech and tolerance for all religions and belief systems, yet they expelled three girls for wearing the headscarf to school. Here lays the problem: France is conflicted about when and how to intervene with the oppression of women they think universally exists. As Caitlin Killan states, “Muslim religious writings are not entirely clear on the question of women veiling” (Killan). Islam does call for women to dress modestly and here in lies the problem because it creates an opportunity for different interpretations to come into play. Veiling is a practice that predates Islam and was used as an indicator of economic status, where the wealthy were able to cover themselves and the poor were not. We see how the act of veiling does not inherently imply a negative situation because veiling is essentially meant to protect the woman. Over time, however, the meaning has been socially constructed- as seen through Jarmakanis article- to emit a situation of victimization and oppression.

            While the Islamic population now has rules to regulate its behavior and dress, Jewish and Christian groups were able to come to a compromise with the government and now schools serve fish on Fridays for Catholics and do not give exams on Saturday to respect the Jewish Sabbath. Francois Bayrou said that the school must ban “ostentatious religious symbols”, but why are yarmulkes not considered to be ostentations while veiling is? Warda, a 58-year- old Algerian woman made a very powerful point when she said that society should care more about a woman receiving her baccalaureate at the end of her schooling rather than what she wears. This reminded me of the video Miss Representation where society was more focused with how Hilary Clinton appeared rather than on her ideas and her intellect.

            It is important to be respectful of people’s religions and cultures, especially in school because it is an environment of education and understanding. Respecting people different from you is a life trait that should be embedded into everyone’s mind from a very young age. It shocked me to read that 75% of the French were opposed to wearing the veil in school. France is facing a very complicated issue because there are so many shades of grey. Even I cannot form a completely set opinion about it; both sides have valid opinions. For example I do understand that the goal of school is to educate but there is more than one way to educate. I understand that to be Muslim does not mean you must wear the veil, but there is more than one way of expression. I do believe that girls should be allowed to do as they please, but at that age are they really the ones who are deciding whether or not to wear the veil. After reading this article I am as conflicted as ever.