VEILED: PERSPECTIVES
Contrary to the popular Orientalist perspectives of oppression through the veil, hijab makes you feel liberated. Amal finds that with the hijab she is deflected away from societal materialistic expectations of dress
and the body. Her body belongs to her and her belief in God, everything past that is insignificant in her
eyes. Modesty is certainly a relating factor in her decision to wear hijab religiously but it was her devotion
to her beliefs that motivates her to continue wearing hijab.
In terms of modesty, the idea of lowering the gaze takes away any expectations one may have of their sexually desired other. It’s a natural human tendency to be attracted sexually to another person but as Islam
puts it into perspective, one should not let their sexual desires lead and overpower their intellectual standing. Islam puts personalization and intellectualization over sexuality. Sexual attraction is promoted between the loving companionship between a husband and wife. This also brings forth the notion of respect
others. Look at someone’s eyes and their personality rather than glancing over their figure’s silhouette and
mere physical beauty. Beauty is encouraged to be admired, but it is important to not forget that beauty
comes from within and that is the first beauty that should be visualized by another.
Western society tends to be hypersexualized from media and mass advertisements. Taking away that sexualizations allows people to look at each other at equal levels of identity and individuality rather than the
body’s physical differences. A person’s value is greater than what is initially seen and in order to comprehend another’s values and beauty, people must interact with a respectful and appropriate intention with
proper etiquette and mannerisms.
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