Muslim Women and Veiling

Laney Velazquez

Dr. Lauren Lastrapes

2052 ANTH: Cultural Anthropology

09/18/2016

Muslim Women and Religious Dress: Do they need saving from their own culture?

With 1.6 billion Muslims currently inhabiting all corners of the earth (Lipka 2016), it is not uncommon to see a traditional Muslim woman in religious/cultural dress such as hijabs, niqab or burqas. Westerners often fails to see why modest dress is required to such an “extreme”, though the Quran thoroughly explains gender roles. Not only are men told to avert their eyes from females but women are also called to “…lower their gaze and be modest, and to display of their adornment only that which is apparent, and to draw their veils over their chests, and not to reveal their adornment." (Quran 24:30) From these verses, Muslims derive various opinions on dress code.

While society continues to strive to be all inclusive of different cultures, there is the unspoken prejudice against these traditional women. Islamophobia seems to be only increasing with terror attacks by radicals. This is pushing the public to believe this religion calls for systematic killings of “infidels”, or anyone who does not submit to Islam. Hijabs and other Muslim dress are then viewed negatively as a reminders of a supposedly unaccepting religion. Consequently, modern feminists and conservative media have perceived this dress as oppression, rather than respect of a modest culture. With past and current wars in the Middle East where this ideology is rampant, a questions comes to mind: Should we be saving these women from their perceived “oppressive” culture? To some extent, I believe these women do enjoy their culture and have every reason too! Islamic dress can be beautiful with a rich culture and philosophy behind it. However, it is naïve to believe that some of these women are not forced into this way of life by the incorrect interpretation of the Quran by governing parties. Therefore, certain groups of women are indeed...