The Veil
What event in the author's life does she first bring up?
Her wedding.
What is the author's name?
Rafia Zakaria
What is one stereotype of veils in general (Western veils, Muslim veils, ect.)?
Answers may include: Western wedding veils are associated with purity, Muslim veils are associated with opression, ect.
What are three or more different types of veils?
Answers may include: Hijab, Niqab, Burqa, Wedding Veil, Mantillas, Apostolnik, Chador, ect.
What is the major symbol in the story?
The Veil.
What specific veils does the author mainly focus on?
Full coverage veils such as the Burqa.
What is the authors educational/career background?
She was a human rights attorney and political philosopher.
What stereotype that is particularly perpetuated in the United States does the author argue against and where did it stem from?
The stereotypical fear of the Muslim religion fueled by the events of 9/11.
What are some of the reasons for religious veiling(two or more)?
Answers may include: Respect, modesty, humility, identity, markers of status, ect.
What are some of the things that the veil is symbolic of?
Answers may include: Protection, restriction, rebellion, autonomy, bravery, ect.
What two places does the author mention when discussing law around the veil?
France and Iran.
What life events influenced her writings?
Answers may include: Having an arranged marriage at 17, escaping aforementioned marriage, being raised in Karachi, Pakistan, going to an all-girls school, witnessing girls having their veils forcefully removed ect.
What two opposite stereotypes does the author argue against?
What are two or more religions outside of Islam that use head coverings?
Answers may include: Catholicism, Orthodoxy, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Paganism, ect.
What is one of the main messages from the story?
Answers may include: The veil can symbolize protection, restriction, rebellion, or autonomy, neither wearing nor removing it has one universal meaning, cultural and religious assumptions can limit women's freedom, and respect for women's autonomy requires freedom from judgment and coercion, ect.
What story about her grandmother does the author discuss and what does it reveal about the veil?
She recalls a story of her grandmother covering herself tightly with a veil when approached too closely by men in the market. This story is used to show the veil as not just religious attire, but as a tool to maintains one's safety.
What is one of her other publications?
The Upstairs Wife, Against White Feminism.
What double standard often accompanies veils used for modesty?
Women are judged for covering themselves in favor of modesty but women who do not cover up are also judged for not covering up.
How do Modern Reformist/Feminist views differ from the traditional theologian view of head coverings?
Modern Reformists often regard the head coverings as contextual or optional, it is also regarded as more of a cultural practice as opposed to a religious practice, and as a result of it no longer being regarded as a requirement Modern Reformist belief has begun to challenge the western stigma of these coverings being oppressive and have instead amplified the view of these covering as symbols of connection, empowerment, and individuality.
What is one other message/theme/idea from the story that was not included in the slideshow?
Answers MAY include: Specific parts of the message about western feminism or feminism as a whole, specific details from the author's personal life and what they mean, ect.
What was the author accused of while serving on a human rights delegation?
She was accused of "not being Muslim enough".
What board was she the first Pakistani-American woman to serve on?
The board of directors for Amnesty International USA
What does the author argue about the western view of intervention within largely muslim countries?
The author argues that western powers push the narrative of liberation as a means of justifying their beliefs of cultural superiority.
In traditional (or mainstream) Islamic theology/practice when does veiling typically begin, who is an individual allowed to be around without a head covering, and what are some other rules about religious coverings? (Answer at least two of the questions)
Traditionally modesty practices such as veiling are observed at the start of puberty, women are expected to wear modesty coverings around all males that are not blood relatives until marriage which slightly alters those rules. Beyond head coverings women are also instructed to cover one's chest and wear a loose covering over their clothes as described in Surah An-Nur (24:31) and Surah Al-Ahzab (33:59).
Give two examples of moments in the story where a theme, symbol, or message is highlighted in the story and explain why/how it is an example.
Answers may include: The grandmother using the veil as a form of protection, the full covering being worn at the wedding, the backlash the author faced for choosing not to veil, ect.