Final Reflection

I have learned a lot more about the entire Muslim culture than I had ever knew I could or even had intended to. Not just topics discussed on my blog but other interesting facts that I found during my research that just didn’t fit into my particular area of study. Initially I had intended to research Muslim women wearing the veil in Iraq because I realized I knew nothing about the country we were at war with. However, after starting I realized this approach was far too narrow, and that it didn’t make sense not to include other Muslim women simply because they weren’t from Iraq, especially considering how similar I found all of their practices to be.
I’ve found many reasons for women to wear the veil. My research gave me a completely new perspective on the entire situation. I never looked at the women wearing the veil as a religious conviction, simply as a symbol of submission and inferiority to men. I never considered it to be on the same level as not engaging in pre-marital sex for Christians, or not eating meat with blood in it like for orthodox Jews. When in reality it is the same thing. It is all culturally relative; their religion has just been integrated into their culture.
The major difference I found however is that members of these other religious groups are not terrorized for not abiding by their rules. Women are living in fear of being attacked for not following the modesty rule and going into public without veiling. Yet, this is seemingly only because of religious extremists who take the Bible literally. This occurs in other religions also though, so it’s unfair to pinpoint just Muslims. More often in the South, some Christians who take the Bible very literally do not accept homosexuality; often times this leads to the assault or murder of homosexuals.
I have learned things are very difficult to understand outside of our own culture. It is no fault of your own; it is just difficult to understand something you haven’t been brought up with. You’ve been raised to follow the social norms and behavioral expectations of our own culture, no one else’s. That is why cultural relativism is so difficult. Comprehending and accepting another culture as if it was your own is not an easy task. Even after all this research on Muslim women I don’t feel I completely understand it, I just know the logic behind it, and as an outsider looking in you cannot expect much more.

General Background and Styles

Styles of veiling depend on area and meaning, three common types are shown above.

Left to right definitions:

Hijab; The hijab is a headscarf that usually is worn by Muslim women for religious reasons. The word hijab is derived from from the Arabic word meaning veil. The scarves are seen as a symbol for womanhood and religion. They come in a variety of colors and styles. In the West, the most common style worn is a square scarf that covers the head and kneck but leaves the face visible.

Chador; The chador is common in Iran and is used to enable women to enter public space. It is a large shawl that covers the hair and entire body, and is often accompanied by a headscarf underneath.

Burqa; The burka is considered the most conservative choice of veils being that it is the most concealing. It is a large robe that covers the entire body, including the head and face, with a mesh covering over the eyes, so its wearer can see and breathe. The burqa is most commonly associated with Afghanistan today.

Veil type and color can tell a lot about it's wearer, for example different styles can indicate where they are from, tribal association, status/rank, the event they are attending such as a wedding or funeral, marital status, and so on. Also, the color, the way it is worn, and how decorative it is, are all forms of expressing cultural identity and self-expression in Muslim society. For example, the color red on the veil is known by many cultures to divert the evil eye.

Generally, the veil is worn out of religious conviction because the Qur'an calls for it. This is shown in the two passages below. Also, the law of hijab is a mandatory code for women to veil in public in parts of the Middle East. Failure to comply can result in imprisonment, harassment or physical punishment.

"O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing womento draw their outer garments around them (when they go out or are among men). That is better in order that they may be known (to beMuslims) and not annoyed..."(Quran 33:59)

"Say to the believing man that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that will make for greater purity for them; and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; and that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what must ordinarily appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands..."(Quran 24:30-31)


I believe veiling for some Muslim women should be consider as typical as American women wearing a shirt or blouse. It has become part of their life. I believe many or most Muslim women would choose to wear the veil even if they weren't required to. Religions have a way of taking over your life; or integrating itself into culture. Like clergy members wear particular clothing to distinguish themselves from society or how orthodox jews will only eat certain meats; I believe it is more of a choice because their religion calls for it.

Citation:
Shirazi, Faegheh. "The Veil Unveiled." 30 April 2008.
http://www.utexas.edu/features/archive/2002/veil.html

Pictures: http://www.skidmore.edu/academics/arthistory/ah369/finalveil.htm

Noteworthy Event

11/21/2008: “Gang – Rape Victim Sentenced to 200 Lashes”

Background:
In November, an 18- year old woman from Qatif, Saudi Arabia, went to meet a male friend, who she had a relationship with in the past, to get back photos that he had been threatening to blackmail her with. The two were standing outside a mall when they were abducted at knife point by several men. The woman was gang- raped 14 times by 7 men, and the male friend was raped also.
When the case was taken to court, the woman who was raped was sentenced to 90 lashes for being in the presence of a man who was not a family member (an offence known as Khilwa in Shariah law). The women believing this was an inappropriate verdict due to circumstances appealed the decision, only to receive an even more severe sentence of 200 lashes and 6 months imprisonment. The lawyer defending her in the appeal has had his license confiscated and could possibly have charges brought against him.
The men who raped the man and woman were sentenced to 1-5 years imprisonment and between 80 and 1000 lashes. Meaning, the woman who was raped was initially given around the same punishment as at least one of the rapists.
The Saudi justice ministry defended the verdict initially saying the woman was guilty of ‘illegal mingling.’ It then supported the appeal decision, and then went on to warn against agitation through the media – which could have been one of the reasons they did not support the woman, they believed she and her lawyer used media to highlight their case.
Amnesty International points this out as obvious flaw in the system, for this panel of interrogators and judges are all males and are insensitive to cases involving private matters and women. They also note that the ‘Khilwa’ law is inconsistent with international human rights standards.

This article highlights abuses of women and their rights in this culture. Even Amnesty International notes one of the problems as being that the entire panel is made up of men. Men who have been raised in this society and made to believe women are inferior to men, and I believe this is shown in the ruling.
The article also brings up Hillary Clinton’s attempt to help the seemingly powerless girl. The question then is when do you stop thinking things are culturally relative and begin to think they are wrong, to the extent that you would feel the need to intervene. Or if that point even exists.
The culturally relative point is that this woman broke the law and anyone who breaks the law is punished; this is true in all societies. Laws are made to keep order, and they are made according to social norms specific to every culture; depending on the conduct and behavior that is acceptable in that society. If there were no penalties no one would abide by the laws.

Read Further: http://www.wluml.org/english/newsfulltxt.shtml?cmd%5B157%5D=x-157-558645

Citation:
“Saudi Arabia: UPDATE: Saudis back lashing sentence of a raped woman.” Women Living Under Muslim Law. 21 Nov 2006
http://www.wluml.org/english/newsfulltxt.shtml?cmd%5B157%5D=x-157-558645