Behind the Veil: Western & Muslim attitudes regarding Muslim clothing and its role in creating gender inequity

Using all the visual cues you’ve learned from American media, let’s play a game where you get to guess the religion of the following women.

Queen Noor of Jordan Muslim

Shirin Ebadi Nobel Peace Prize Winner, 2003 Iranian Muslim

Hanan Ashrawi Palestinian Spokesperson Christian

Benazir Bhutto Prime Minister of Pakistan , Muslim

Indira Gandhi Prime Minister of India, , Hindu

Mother Teresa Macedonian Christian nun

Laila Ali Boxer & Model Muslim

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis First Lady of the United States, Christian

Rebiya Kadeer Leader of the Uighur Ethnic Minority, China Muslim

Tansu Çiller Prime Minister of Turkey, Muslim

Marjane Satrapi, Persepolis

The image that many associate with typical Iranian dress is that of the full chador — where any appearance in public is under a shroud of black. Generally this means the woman is more traditional in her representation of proper hejab.

Both of these women are acceptably veiled, but black is considered more respectful.

School girls are inevitably uniformed, frequently in lighter colors. This hood-like headcovering is called a maghnaeh. It has the advantage of not slipping — and of course, showing less hair than a scarf.

Scarves do slip (and all that evil hair shows), and you have to re-tie them. And they slip again... and again.

There is some room for interpretation... and always a way to show your independence.

If you are interested in making a fashion statement in Iran, you start with the feet.

This woman is a well-to-do professional who dresses fashionably, but within the rules.

Attitude. Hejab can't discourage a determination for style.

Not long ago it was against the law to wear backpacks — too "western." Now they're everywhere... and there's no going back.

Iran is a mix of many cultures and ancient traditions. Throughout the country — even in rural villages — there is the ever- present head covering, but otherwise the clothing is as diverse as the people.

Headscarves are required at the age of nine, and become an accepted part — more or less — of what females wear, as well as a suggestion of who they are. What it means to be a good Muslim woman is subtly debated with each woman's representation of proper hejab.

The veil is a “symbol” that stands for many things, including: Religious status Economic status Protection Privacy Honor Respectability

What might be considered some Western equivalents of the Veil?

Eugene Delacroix, Sketch for the Women of Algiers 1832

Eugene Delacroix, Women of Algiers in their Apartment 1834

Pablo Picasso Study, The Women of Algiers, After Delacroix

Pablo Picasso, Women of Algiers I, 1955

10 resolutions against discrimination are drafted at a women's conference in Tehran.

Tehran University allows women to enroll! Reza Shah Pahlavi forbids women to wear the veil, a western-influenced plan that backfires…. the majority of Iranians are scandalized by immodesty and women stay home.

Ayatollah Khomeini, a Muslim religious leader, overthrows the Shah. Women, who strongly supported the revolution, are not rewarded for their efforts...the marriage age lowers, polygamy is legalized and abortions are banned.

Hejab (Islamic veils and dress) becomes law. The sexes are segregated, women singers and actors are prevented from performing and women are banned from certain professions.