Conclusion
LOWERING THE GAZE /
BEHIND THE VEIL
The veil represents an ideal much greater than a simple head/body covering. What if we as the Western audience got the opportunity to experience the power of the veil through the eyes of a Muslim woman? Would
our perspective on the issue change from a notion of oppressi on to an acceptance of equity amongst all people
and appreciation for different cultural and religious values?
For years Muslim women have been seen as the target of their own religion. Entering the 21st century
discourses on Islam, terrorism, and women’s issues in Muslim dominant countries were a central topic
in media. However, the working discourses on topics of Islam are poorly timed and uninformed topics.
Factually speaking, the burqa was a specific style of the religious covering introduced by the rise of the
Taliban in 1997 that was used to reinforce male-dominance and oppress the power of women in society 3.
Veils on the other hand and various other forms of modest dress have existed historically throughout the
world, not only in the Middle East 4. So what is it that we can gather from this? Foremost, Muslim countries cannot be labeled as a single entity. History has shaped the majority of Muslim countries differently
throughout the globe. Islam is a religion that as any other religion has key characteristics and values, none
of which are centered on the promotion of violence and inferiority of women to men. Taking the time to
defeat ignorance in favor for perceptivity will make the difference in challenging the Orientalist perspective
and understanding how Muslim women wearing the veil think of themselves and their religion.
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