Behind the Veil:

Western & Muslim attitudes regarding Muslim clothing and its role in creating gender inequity

Using all the visual cues you’ve learned from

American media, let’s play a game where you get to guess the religion of the

following women.

Queen Noor of

Jordan

Muslim

Shirin Ebadi

Nobel Peace Prize Winner, 2003

Iranian

Muslim

Hanan Ashrawi

Palestinian Spokesperson

Christian

                                                                        

Benazir Bhutto

Prime Minister of Pakistan

1988-90, 1993-96

Muslim

Indira Gandhi

Prime Minister of India,

1966-74, 1980-84

Hindu

Mother Teresa

Macedonian

Christian nun

Laila Ali

Boxer & Model

Muslim

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

First Lady of the United States,1961-63

Christian

Rebiya Kadeer

Leader of the Uighur Ethnic

Minority, China

Muslim

                         

                                  

Tansu Çiller

Prime Minister of Turkey,

1993-95

Muslim

Marjane Satrapi, Persepolis

The image that many associate with typical Iranian dress is that of the full chador — where any appearance in public is under a shroud of black. Generally this means the woman is more traditional in her representation of proper hejab.

Both of these women are acceptably veiled, but black is considered more respectful.

School girls are inevitably uniformed, frequently in lighter colors. This hood-like headcovering is called a maghnaeh. It has the advantage of not slipping — and of course, showing less hair than a scarf.

Scarves do slip (and all that evil hair shows), and you have to re-tie them. And

they slip again... and again.

There is some room for interpretation... and always a way to show your independence.

If you are interested in making a fashion

statement in Iran, you start with the feet.

This woman is a

well-to-do professional who dresses fashionably,

but within the rules.

Attitude.

Hejab can't discourage a determination for style.

Not long ago it was against the law to wear backpacks — too "western." Now they're everywhere... and there's no going back.

Iran is a mix of many cultures and ancient traditions.

Throughout the country — even in rural villages —

there is the ever-present head covering, but otherwise the clothing is as diverse as the

people.

Headscarves are required at the age of nine, and become an accepted part — more or less — of what females wear, as well as a suggestion of who they are. What it means to be a good Muslim woman is subtly debated with each woman's representation of proper hejab.

The veil is a “symbol” that stands for many things, including:

•Religious status

•Economic status

•Protection

•Privacy

•Honor

•Respectability

What might be considered some

Western equivalents of the

Veil?

Eugene Delacroix, Sketch for the Women of Algiers 1832

Eugene Delacroix, Women of Algiers in their

Apartment 1834

Pablo Picasso

Study, The Women of Algiers, After Delacroix 1954-55

Pablo Picasso, Women of Algiers I, 1955

10 resolutions against discrimination are drafted at a women's conference in Tehran.

Tehran University allows women to enroll! Reza Shah Pahlavi forbids women to wear the veil, a western-influenced plan that backfires…. the

majority of Iranians are scandalized by immodesty and women stay home.

Ayatollah Khomeini, a Muslim religious leader, overthrows the Shah. Women, who strongly supported the revolution, are not rewarded for their efforts...the marriage age lowers, polygamy is legalized and abortions are banned.

Hejab (Islamic veils and dress) becomes law. The sexes are segregated, women singers and actors are prevented from performing and women are banned from certain professions.