Justin Timberlake goes to the Middle East to perform a concert last year, in December 2007, at a hotel in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Most would assume that he is going to support the American troops, but this was just another concert for his Sexy Back tour. Christina Aguilera performed just two months ago, in the same arena with the same popular reaction that Timberlake received. The fans loved them so much in fact the only complaint was the show being to short. Bahrain is even hosting concerts for Columbian pop star Shakira, who has gained notoriety for her lewd belly dancing. America’s popular influences are now spreading to the Middle East, and it’s not just popular singers and celebrities.
For the actual website go to: http://www.missarabworld-eg.com/
Miss Arab World started in 2006, and is very similar to Miss American pageant, where they judge women solely on physical beauty. However this pageant which consisted of seventeen women from fifteen different Middle Eastern countries is extremely conservative. Unlike the Miss American pageant their pageant did not include a swimsuit event. For example the 2007 winner, Wafaa Ganahi, a 23 year old teacher from Bahrain University is wearing a veil, but her face was exposed. The veil indicated that she did not have to reveal every aspect of her physical body, and could still win. Even though these women were in full attire some of their homeland countries, such as Saudi Arabia, may not condone this behavior. Some countries have harsh punishment for not wearing a veil in public. The event has created the illusion that these women have power, when in reality; this is just another exploitation of their roles as women. In fact this is more of an American exploitation then a Middle Eastern exploitation, such as suicide bombing. Even their own countries have not transgressed into a modern generation where this is acceptable, and having these women parade in a public event where they show their faces and skin, may cause a violent reaction towards them in their own countries.
Wafaa Ganahi receiving her crown in Miss Arab World 2007.
“The feminine veil has become a symbol: that of the slavery of one portion of humanity.” Germaine Tillion. This is a classic example of how most European and Western cultures view the veil of the Middle East. There is a boundary that is created a difference of superiority between men and women. In today’s society educated women are now turning to a conservative “Islamic” dress, not because they are forced to, or for the same reason their previous generations wore a veil, but because they are defining their identity. This cannot be said about all countries in the Middle East: Saudi Arabia, North Yemen, and some areas in Afghanistan and Pakistan do not allow women to be present in public or in another man’s presence, besides her families. However countries such as Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Jordan and Egypt do not enforce a rule about women wearing a veil. This piece of clothe is not the danger; however the values it represent can be dangerous. The role it plays for women in the family deems inequality with divorce, child custody, and inheritance.
Ironically in Egypt the women have created a new style of a milaya (head scarf), that is a simple expression of modern day garments. Middle and upper class, which are educated and working women, view the veil and wardrobe as professional. As one medical student states, “I think of Islamic dress as a kind of uniform. It means I am serious about myself and my religion but also about my studies.” Ironically she even points out that she can be taken more seriously because her physical appearance is not exposed. The third reason is because of their Muslim faith, and tradition with wearing a veil. Finally, wearing the Islamic garment stresses the importance their religious values, so their families may be more lenient with their actions, such as having a later curfew.
The veil is a piece of fabric that has created so many complex values and symbols that can have multiple implications and different impacts. When manipulated in the wrong way, it is easy to see how other cultures have a negative view of Islamic dress. However like so many issues regarding women in the Middle East it’s not always black and white.
For More Information:
http://books.google.com/books?id=KzRX9E_-yp0C&pg=PA151&lpg=PA151&dq=the+veiled+revolution&source=web&ots=GMgahqHFAH&sig=mbmV1FCrrRUJBt3w7xVdDCss0Fc
