Zelenius
Muse
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2008
- Messages
- 908
As part of a research project, I'm curious to know how Muslim women see their bodies compared with western women, and compared with non-Muslim minorities living in Muslim countries. How, in particular, has Islamic fundamentalism influenced the way women see themselves, especially when it comes to their bodies?
I'm particularly interested in Iran, and if the Islamic revolution of 1979 greatly altered the way women saw themselves after the revolution due to strict Sharia law. Tehran, Iran is considered to be the nose-job capital of the world, but why is this? Is it a result of the Islamic revolution and an obsession with the face since women have to hide their curves? Many young Iranian women in Iran are getting tattoos from underground tattoo parlors, and it even seems anorexia and drug use is on the rise. How does Sharia influence the way they dress both outside(obviously it does) and at home(less obvious)? Is there a correlation between how religious a woman is and her body image? How are Iranian Muslim women or Iranian women regardless of religion, different from Arab Muslims when it comes to body image, if at all? How do women use their bodies, clothing, make up, or body art to rebel in these countries where they are forced by law to hide themselves?
Information about women in Afghanistan under the Taliban would be useful as well. Also of interest is why the Muslim world in general seems to be so obsessed with hiding women, especially in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Afghanistan, parts of Pakistan, and I even see women in full black burqas in the Muslim parts of town here in New York City. Although this may only be a recent phenomenon, why, in contrast, is it socially acceptable for women to show off their bodies in Mediterranean and Latin American countries? Obviously, patriarchal values are thought to be behind Islamic sharia laws(which also apply to men, for instance, men can't wear short-sleeved shirts in Saudi Arabia and I think Iran). But how did patriarchal values lead to strict Sharia in the Muslim world, and much more openness in the Latin world? We would like to explore attitudes in regard to rape in Muslim society. Also, how are sharia and female genital mutilation interrelated, and what does this procedure say about womens attitudes? Although it predates Islam, female genital mutilation is very common in many African and Middle Eastern Muslim countries.
The confusing history of how the Muslims developed hijab/sharia might help(I've read that even the early Anglo-Saxons had something like sharia, but it died out). I'd be interested in hearing from Iranians, current and ex-Muslims especially, or anyone who has a good understanding of feminist theory or womens studies when it comes to Muslim countries. Any facts you can share, studies, personal observations or experiences, unique perspectives, anecdotes or opinions are welcome. Share whatever you want that you think might help. I'm not easily offended or a prude, and I'm an atheist. It's a large project and this is just part of it, sorry if this seems vague or confusing, thank you. If you want to send anything in private, go ahead.
This seems to be a decent start: http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2004/apr/22/islam.religion
I'm particularly interested in Iran, and if the Islamic revolution of 1979 greatly altered the way women saw themselves after the revolution due to strict Sharia law. Tehran, Iran is considered to be the nose-job capital of the world, but why is this? Is it a result of the Islamic revolution and an obsession with the face since women have to hide their curves? Many young Iranian women in Iran are getting tattoos from underground tattoo parlors, and it even seems anorexia and drug use is on the rise. How does Sharia influence the way they dress both outside(obviously it does) and at home(less obvious)? Is there a correlation between how religious a woman is and her body image? How are Iranian Muslim women or Iranian women regardless of religion, different from Arab Muslims when it comes to body image, if at all? How do women use their bodies, clothing, make up, or body art to rebel in these countries where they are forced by law to hide themselves?
Information about women in Afghanistan under the Taliban would be useful as well. Also of interest is why the Muslim world in general seems to be so obsessed with hiding women, especially in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Afghanistan, parts of Pakistan, and I even see women in full black burqas in the Muslim parts of town here in New York City. Although this may only be a recent phenomenon, why, in contrast, is it socially acceptable for women to show off their bodies in Mediterranean and Latin American countries? Obviously, patriarchal values are thought to be behind Islamic sharia laws(which also apply to men, for instance, men can't wear short-sleeved shirts in Saudi Arabia and I think Iran). But how did patriarchal values lead to strict Sharia in the Muslim world, and much more openness in the Latin world? We would like to explore attitudes in regard to rape in Muslim society. Also, how are sharia and female genital mutilation interrelated, and what does this procedure say about womens attitudes? Although it predates Islam, female genital mutilation is very common in many African and Middle Eastern Muslim countries.
The confusing history of how the Muslims developed hijab/sharia might help(I've read that even the early Anglo-Saxons had something like sharia, but it died out). I'd be interested in hearing from Iranians, current and ex-Muslims especially, or anyone who has a good understanding of feminist theory or womens studies when it comes to Muslim countries. Any facts you can share, studies, personal observations or experiences, unique perspectives, anecdotes or opinions are welcome. Share whatever you want that you think might help. I'm not easily offended or a prude, and I'm an atheist. It's a large project and this is just part of it, sorry if this seems vague or confusing, thank you. If you want to send anything in private, go ahead.
This seems to be a decent start: http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2004/apr/22/islam.religion
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