...overall practice. Although many people trace veiling back to the Islamic world, its practice is known to have begun long before Islam. According to Paul, an early Christian writer, veiling was common to all women who chose to pray/prophesize in churches(Tariq 2013, 498). Veiling was argued to have started as a sign of privilege and modesty during early Greco-Roman civilizations, and it served as a way of concealing the erotic parts of the female body. Whenever it comes to the topic of burqas, most would readily agree that it is an item of oppression that reinforces patriarchal control. This opinion revolves around the notion that, women are usually forced by men to wear the garment in certain parts of the world such as Iran, Afghanistan, and Saudi Arabia, and usually due to fear of being beaten, imprisoned, or killed, many of these women submit to wearing it(Auchter 2012, 380). Where some are convinced that the burqa is an “automatic representation of a woman’s submission to a man,” others maintain it has several other meanings( Heider 2012, 94). I strongly believe the burqa should be a personal choice for all women, regardless of where they live and not an...
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...Muslim Women and the Veil For this critical review analysis paper, I have chosen to do set four of the project. I will begin to analyze and break down the fundamental themes in each of the articles from the sources provided by the professor. My examination of the texts, Islamic and Body Politics by Asma Barlas and Rethinking Muslim Women and the Veil by Katherine Bullock, will be purely academic. Both these articles share similar views of the concept of veiling and portrayal of the female body by opposing the monolithic and secular views given to the veil by the majority of the world. The view given to the veil is simple and is explicitly cited in Rethinking Muslim Women and the Veil, it is that "the popular Western notion that the veil is a symbol of Muslim women's oppression is a constructed image that does not represent the experience of all those who wear it." My stance on the subject of veiling will be in support of: those who wear the Veil (or as I will interchangeably mention it in this paper, "Hjiab" - Arabic term for head scarf) do it so by their own will and not to represent the view of oppression that has been deemed on it, also, to reiterate that the Qur'an or any other Islamic text do not support the views of oppression of women. Through my investigation of the two given articles, I will support my view with the help of three different articles that share the same type of commentary on the issue of Veiling. My inclusion of the article Eastern Veiling, Western Freedom...
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...issue with women wearing the veil in public. French people justify wanting to ban the veil by saying that it affects their identity, is threatening, and stands for oppression of women. A lot of statistics are used to prove that what they are claiming is incorrect. I will also be supporting my argument with stories of women who are affected already from credible sources like books. As a woman who wears the veil, I want people to think about the impact that this ban can have on women like me. Even though I do not live in France, countries around France are beginning to act similarly, and so sooner or later it will affect me and the women around me. “In our country, we cannot accept that women be prisoners behind a screen, cut off from all social life, deprived of all identity,” he said to rolling applause. “The burqa is not a religious sign, it’s a sign of subservience, a sign of debasement – I want to say it solemnly: It will not be welcome on the territory of the French Republic” (“Sarkozy speaks out against burka”, 2009) is what French president Nicholas Sarkozy said on March 2004, according to BBC News. What happens if the ban is applied is that women who are seen wearing the veil in public will be fined 15o euros (£119). 30,000 euros and a one-year sentence to jail will befall men who force their women to wear the veil (“French Senate Votes to Ban Islamic Veil in Public”, 2010). The word people use to describe the veil differs from a group to another. Muslim women in France...
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...Western View: Are Muslim Women Really Oppressed? Jacque Brotherton George Fox University 20 June 2013 Abstract The Western world attributes the oppression of women in Islamic society to the religion itself but before that can be done the religion has to be fully understood. The mistreatment of Muslim women is justified as the accurate interpretation of what is stated as Shari ‘a law about their role in life. This paper examines the view of the western world and its belief in that Muslim women are oppressed. Muslim women are not allowed to work, receive limited education, and are often denied health care. The use of the veil is viewed as a sign of oppression and backwardness. This paper will also address the Qur’an and how it portrays women. Finally, the view that the Muslim women have of the western world will be discussed. On September 11, 2001, a spotlight was placed on the world of Islam. After the events of that day, there was an immediate increase in interest of the Islamic way of life. The western world has formed the opinion that Islamic society is oppressed by its religion and government, which tend to work hand in hand in its mistreatment of Muslim women. While Muslim women themselves do not feel oppressed, western bias and society portray them as such (Awde, 2005). This is because of their racial differences in regards to the way they live their lives. The...
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...different.. Everybody focuses to Muslim women worldwide as oppressed, more specifically the Muslim Women of Afghanistan. The media shows us how oppressed the Muslim women are there and people start linking three words in their minds: ‘Islam,’ ‘women’ and ‘oppression.’ Therefore, they think that Islam commands oppressing women. People often fail to distinguish between culture and religion, two things that are completely different. In fact, Islam condemns oppression of any kind whether it is towards a woman or in general. Now, the Qur'an is the sacred book by which Muslims live. This book was revealed 14 centuries ago to a man named Muhammad who would later become the Prophet. Fourteen centuries have passed and this book has not been changed since, not one letter has been altered. In surah number 33, entitled Al-Ahzab (Arabic for 'The Clans'), on verse 59, it says: “O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw cloaks all over their bodies. That will be better as they shall be known (as free respectable women) and will not be annoyed. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most-Merciful.” This verse shows that Islam makes wearing a Hijab necessary, Hijab is the word used for covering, not only the headscarves (as some people may think) but also wearing loose clothes that are not too bright. Sometimes, people see covered Muslim women and they think oppression. This is wrong. A Muslim woman is not oppressed, but she is liberated...
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...Assess the view that women are no longer oppressed by religion There are some aspects that show that women are no longer oppressed by religion as they are given more roles and responsibilities for example The Church of England has allowed women to be become priest since 1992. But in everyday life female followers of world religious leaders are often significantly more limited than males with regards to where they can go with whom they may associate. In this essay I am going to examine both views and examine whether women are no longer oppressed by religion. Everybody focuses to Muslim women worldwide as oppressed, more specifically the Muslim women in Afghanistan. People often fail to distinguish between culture and religion, two things that are completely different, In fact, Islam condemns oppression of any kind where it is towards a women or in general. Sometimes, people see covered Muslim women and they think oppression. This is wrong. Muslim woman are not oppressed, but they are liberated. This is because they are no longer valued for something material such as their good looks or she shape of her body. They compel others to judge her for her intelligence, kindness, honesty and personality. Therefore, people judge her for who she actually is. Women cover their hair to be modest. When they wear loose clothes, they are trying to be modest. In fact, nuns cover their hair out of modesty. Also, when we see the frequent pictures of the Virgin Mary, she is covering her hair...
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...Stephanie COM 242 Book Analysis: My Forbidden Face One distinctive theme of this Communication Culture course is the balance between oppression and privilege. These very opposite concepts are seen in almost all of our course readings, films, and discussion board assignments. According to the Fabric of Oppression Theory, privilege is when an individual experiences certain advantages that are based on their race, class, sex, religion, sexual orientation, and able-bodiness (FOOT handout). “The privileged groups have opportunities not provided to other groups because of the current social system in place and may not recognize that they ‘benefit’ from the system” (FOOT handout). Oppression is on the other end of the spectrum and involves an individual lacking the same opportunities as someone who is privileged because of the same sub categories of race, class, sex, religion, sexual orientation, and able-bodiness. Latifa’s novel My Forbidden Face is one that shows many strong examples of oppression for Latifa and her family. Not only do we see disadvantages in her life based on her sex and religion, but the Taliban goes even further to control the people of Kabul by providing restrictions on the media and their everyday routines. Throughout My Forbidden Face, we see the main character of Latifa being oppressed from the very beginning, especially because of her female sex. Outlined by FOOT, we see several “isms” that could be taken out on a person, or group of people. One...
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...Picture Through discriminations of class and gender This photo displays physical activity inequity and is supported through the incorporation of class and gender discrimination. This photo is an example of physical activity Class discrimination Shoe Inequity in Opportunity? Ahead inequality of condition; (ii) inequality of opportunity Gender discrimintaition Symbolize inequity in power – holding all sports Ahead start why? – inequality of capability. Write a four-page essay based on the photo. In the body of your essay, begin by explaining how the image symbolizes inequity. Next, argue for what you believe to be the ultimate cause/causes of the inequity. Finish off the body of the essay with a brief account of what you think should be done to help resolve the inequity. The body of your essay should make up about three and a half pages. Finally, write a short introductory paragraph in which you briefly describe the circumstances under which you took the photo and state your thesis (in a sentence or two) about the ultimate cause/causes of the inequity, and a short conclusion paragraph in which you emphasize what you believe to be the most important points in the essay. Intro Over time the types of physical activity inequities in sports have become better understood and recognized by our changing society. I took this photo because it captures inequity of ‘condition’ and ‘opportunity’ on a basketball court in the west end of Toronto...
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...Woodhead, Armstrong etc Criticism and strengths. Evaluate postmodernist explanations of the role & functions of religion in contemporary society (33marks) (Plan and case) Evaluate postmodernist explanations of the role & functions of religion in contemporary society (33marks) (Plan and case) Feminists see religion as a patriarchal institution; maintaining male dominance over women by allowing them to believe that it is their divine right to dominate. As well as this, they believe that religion functions as a patriarchal ideology that is a vehicle that perpetuates inequity and such beliefs legitimizes female subservience and oppression. El Saadawi, says that religion is distorted to acquiesce patriarchal domination in which they exploit women in multiple ways; prostitution, slavery and abortion. However, functionalists believe otherwise and argue that its function is not to oppress women but necessary as to keep society stable whilst Marxists believe that religion oppresses the working class and serves capitalism not females and patriarchy. Feminists argue that women’s oppression is shown in almost every religion as they criticise that in almost all the religions; ambiguity of deities are clarified as being male in sacred text, feats of male prophets and men being the ones who write or interpret scripture. They argue that this bias in religion is continued in religious organisations where there is a...
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...White Feminism: the Self-Appointed Savior of the World The movement of (Eurocentric) feminism has been superglued to its privilege ever since the term “féminisme” was first coined in 1837 (source). Marked by its relentless, unapologetic, prioritization of the voices of middle-class, cisgender, heterosexual, white women over the experiences of queer women, women of color (third world women) , transgendered women; the movement has become an obstacle for equal rights in the broader sense. While “white” feminism is absolutely vital today and has produced outstanding achievements for women in the Western world, the byproducts of its undeniable privilege has been detrimental, to say the least, to women of third world countries in particular. Western...
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...research report, to provide a stronger sense of understanding and receptiveness that I now have for other religions to the reader. Misconceptions of Islam In order to discuss the misconceptions that surround Islam, we must first delve into understanding what the word “Islam” actually means. “The word "Islam" means peace and submission. Peace means to be at peace with yourself and your surroundings. Submission means to submit to the Will of God. A broader meaning of the word "Islam," is to achieve peace by submitting to the Will of God” (Athar, 2012, Common Misconceptions about Islam, para.3). There are two main misconceptions that I have had towards Islam. These include the support and promotion of terrorism through Islam, and the oppression of women within the Islamic faith. Both of these misconceptions are something that I have struggled with and have now begun to understand why they are simply not true....
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...Part II In this section, I will examine veiling practices among Muslim women from an emic perspective. As Crapo (2013) describes it, “An emic description or analysis—that is, an insider’s or native’s meaningful account—may be written for outsiders but portrays a culture and its meanings as the insider understands it” (p.27). In her book chapter entitled The Veil in Their Minds and on Our Heads: Veiling Practices and Muslim Women, Hoodfar (1997) examines misconceptions and stereotypes surrounding this practice. From an emic perspective, Muslim women face unwarranted scrutiny over their choices from people who often have no understanding of the many reasons why women wear the veil. The reasons for wearing the veil may differ from individual to individual and from culture to culture (Hoodfar, 1997). In any culture, it is typical for motivations to vary in this way. For example, in America, wearing revealing clothing may signify confidence in one’s body for some and insecurity for others. There is rarely a one-size-fits-all explanation for any behavior. Despite this, Hoodfar (1997) notes that Muslim women living in North America and Europe often face harsh criticism over their choice to wear the veil, even though many people do not fully understand the practice, and admit to this when engaging Muslim women in conversation about the practice. Muslim women feel harassed and attacked about their choices no matter what they say, and are sometimes afraid of...
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...questions that I have been asked is why does Islam make hijab mandatory for women? Islam has introduced hijab as part of the decency and modesty in interaction between members of the opposite sex. Verse 59 of chapter 33 quoted previously gives a very good reason; it says, “This is more appropriate so that they may be known [as Muslim women] and thus not be harassed [or molested].” Men, whether they confess it or not, are slaves of lust and desire. • Hijab protects women from such men; it symbolizes that she has been sanctified to one man only and is off-limit to all others. • Hijab contributes to the stability and preservation of marriage and family by eliminating the chances of extramarital affairs. • Finally, it compels men to focus on the real personality of the woman and de-emphasizes her physical beauty. It puts the woman in control of strangers’ reaction to her. Commenting on the attire of women in North Africa and South East Asia, Germaine Greer, one of the pioneers of the women’s liberation movement, wrote: “Women who wear cortes or huipiles or saris or jellabas or salwar kameez or any other ample garments can swell and diminish inside them without embarrassment or discomfort. Women with shawls and veils can breastfeed anywhere without calling attention to themselves, while baby is protected from dust and flies. In most non-Western societies, the dress and ornaments of women celebrate the mothering function. Ours deny it.”1 Note that she also specifically...
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...France is not justified in banning the hijab. I agree with Hebah Ahmed that women should not be limited in their clothing choices based on other people's beliefs. Both Hebah and Mona share the belief that woman should be able to wear what they want; they are both fighting for woman's rights! The real debate is whether or not woman are choosing to wear hijab or if they are forced to. Mona describes many woman who are forced to wear hijabs and believes that it equates piety with the disappearance of women and women's rights. On the other hand, Hebah makes it clear that there are many woman, such as herself, who do not see the hijab as oppressive, but rather as a path to empowerment. The reality is that both of these situations exist. Banning...
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...legitimising female subordination. Feminists believe that religion oppresses women and that religion is also a way of justifying female subordination by giving better promises of greater rewards later in a sexless life . However, functionalists argue that its function is not to oppress women but to keep society stable.and Marxists believe that religion oppresses the working class and serves capitalism not women Feminists argue that women’s oppression is shown in almost every religion and criticise the religious organisations,places of worship,sacred texts and religious laws and customs of all religions. They argue that women put most efforts into religious organisations yet it is quite male dominated .Armstrong uses Judaism and Catholicism as good examples of where women are forbidden from priesthood . Places of worship today still remain segregated between both men and women and e.g. in Islam , women tend to pray behind men in prayers while women cannot preach or lead prayers while men are present,in Islam menstruation is considered as “unclean” and are not allowed to touch the Quaran during menstruation. sacred texts are also quite male dominated as they mostly feature male gods and are usually red and interpreted by men most of the time. In most religion laws and customs women did not have as many male rights e.g. in divorce and the way to dress. All these teachings of religions make it clear that women are inferior to men in society today and it seems that religion justifies...
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