Essay 1 (Final)

Jackson Barackman

RWS 200

Christoffer Werry

Februray 23, 2015

Veiling Under Judgment

The religious headdress known as a veil, also known as a burqa, has become a highly debated symbol of freedom or oppression. Abu­Lughod and Maysan Haydar share their opinions from their personal views on the matter. Abu­Lughod shares her opinion in her article, ​The Muslim Woman,​ written in 2006, and Haydar explains her personal view in her article ​Veiled Intentions: Don’t Judge a Muslim Girl by Her Covering​, written in 2004. Haydar is a Muslim women with a unique story about her head dress. Haydar received her headdress after seeing a board game in a store that she wanted, but wanted to get it for free, so she made the excuse that she was getting veiled so she could get the game for free. Abu­Loghod gives her own opinion about the burqa and its purpose. Abu­Lughod supports her argument with historical facts and research she has found on her own. Haydar speaks to teenagers and tries to appeal to the new generation, whereas Abu­Lughod tries to appeal to high scholars for an educational stance in the argument. Both Abu­Lughod and Haydar defend the culture of the head dress and explain that it is an optional garment that has benefits to women who wear it. In this essay, I will comparing the views of both authors and the views of the feminist groups.

Haydar uses personal anecdotes to demonstrate her view of how an American woman views her head dress and her culture, based on her head dress. Hayday explains how we should redefine how we see the burqa and stop the harassment of people who wear them. Haydar says

On a New York bus a couple weeks ago, i sat with another woman, also veiled, but wearing a traditional Jihab (a cloak that women wear over their clothing). A girl two seats over remarked to her friend, while flipping her hair for effect, that she couldn’t understand how we could dress this way. “Me I got to be free.” (Haydar 260)

Haydar explains that she is free and feels more free that the girl who commented on her dress. Haydar tell the reader that the teenager seems less free because of the way the teenager dresses in tight jeans and lots of make­up. The veil is a sign of modesty and freedom to people who wear it. It gives the women who wear it confidence that they are seen for their mind and not for their body, as like being seen as “20 piece chicken dinner.” The intended audience is the female teenager of America. The teenage audience is more advanced now and may see the view of Haydar in a more clearly minded manner. This relates to the claim that our view on the burqa should be changed because the women who wear it get the free choice of whether they wear it or not. It is a personal choice and is not required by men or religion. Haydar creates an ethical appeal to her audience by giving a personal anecdote, as for only Haydar would know everything she has been through. Haydar’s appeal to ethos is also a good use of pathos, allowing the reader to understand the mind of how covered women feel. Haydar feels her covering is a good way to make a stronger bond with others, including the opposite gender.

 Abu­Lughod appeals to the claim that even with the American support in the eastern countries, women who wear burqas are not wearing “channel suits.” Abu­Lughod tells the reader to beware pity of the comment on burqas and to accept that the burqa is a choice for women saying 

Liberals sometimes confess their surprise that even though Afghanistan has been liberated from the Taliban, women do not seem to be throwing off their burqas…Did we expect that once “free” from the Taliban they would go “back” to belly shirts and blue jeans, or dust off their Chanel suits?  (Abu­Lughod 3)

Abu­Lughod makes the points that the Taliban did not invent the burqa and that it was a local form of dress that was used by Pushtan women. Abu­Lughod wants them to accept the burqa as a women’s choice of modesty and respect. Abu­Lughod’s example makes a strong logos appeal because the reader must understand that the burqa is a choice and has a proper use in the eastern countries.

Burqas are becoming more frequent to see in a free country such as America, we should be more understanding of veiled people’s views on their style of clothing. Instead of opposing the idea of covering up we should ask them why they dress that way and accept their answers, and then take our opinions to ourselves. I have learned about the culture of the Muslim people and how they live their lives under the cover of a veil to protect their modesty and dignity in public. I believe that Haydar and Abu­Lughod both make great points to their side of the argument, however after reviewing Abu­Lughod’s article I noticed she used a quote from an Al Qaeda extremist. Abu­Lughod critically damages her appeal to any American who believes Al Qaeda is a risk to America and must be stopped at all costs. I do not disagree with Abu­Lughod, however to the average American the quote she uses from Osama Bin Laden would make her argument completely invalid. I believe to improve Abu­Lughod’s article she must look at the view of how an American citizen would read this. To improve Haydars document I believe that some facts are necessary to validate her opinions. Personal anecdotes only take a small effect on an author’s ethos. In conclusion, Abu­Lughod and Haydar are personal experts of the burqa, having worn them, and should be recognized for their feminist actions in their culture.