Interpretation of hijab in the Middle East: Policy discussions and social implications toward women

• Main Authors: Abdul Razak, Rafidah, Rokis, Rohaiza, Ahmad Tajuddin, Bazlin Darina
• Format: Article
• Language: English; English
• Published: IIUM Press 2017
• Subjects: HQ1101 Women. Feminism; HQ The family. Marriage. Woman
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/65331/1/al%20Burhan.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/65331/6/65331%20Interpretations%20of%20Hijab%20in%20the%20Middle%20East.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/65331/; http://journals.iium.edu.my/al-burhan/index.php/al-burhan/article/view/89/31

Discussions on ÍijÉb or veil in the Middle East is highly controversial and debatable even until today. Although the majority of the population in the Middle East countries are comprised of Muslims, yet the policies and laws regarding the wearing of ÍijÉb by women, vary. Except for Iran and Saudi Arabia, other Middle East countries did not set the clear rulings for ÍijÉb, in fact some governments restrict its wearing in certain occupational sectors like what had been practiced in Turkey. This article aims at examining the implications of ÍijÉb policies in the Middle East in terms of the reactions and interpretations the societies make including the Western analysts towards ÍijÉb. While the famous assumption about ÍijÉb often lies at its symbolic representation as a form of men‟s oppression against women, many Muslim women in the Middle East see it as a symbol of power and freedom. In order to achieve the objective, a secondary research that involves collecting of information and data from existing resources on the topic of ÍijÉb was applied. As found, the different implementation of ÍijÉb policies in the Middle East led to various interpretations and influenced women – Muslimah or not – around the globe. ************************************************************Isu ÍijÉb atau tudung kepala di Timur Tengah sering menimbulkan kontroversi dan hangat diperbicangkan sehingga hari ini. Walaupun majoriti masyarakat di Timur Tengah adalah beragama Islam, namun polisi dan undang-undang berkaitan pemakaian ÍijÉb berbeza diantara satu sama lain. Negaranegara di Timur Tengah, kecuali Iran dan Arab Saudi, tidak menetapkan perundangan yang jelas tentang ÍijÉb, malah sesetengah negara mengehadkan pemakaiannya di beberapa sektor pekerjaan sepertimana dipraktikkan di Turki. Artikel ini bertujuan untuk memahami implikasi daripada pelaksanaan polisi ÍijÉb di Timur Tengah dari segi reaksi dan penilaian masyarakat termasuk penganalisa barat terhadap ÍijÉb. Biarpun ia sering dikaitkan sebagai satu simbol penindasan oleh kaum lelaki ke atas wanita, ramai di kalangan wanita Islam di Timur Tengah menganggap ÍijÉb sebagai satu simbol kekuatan dan kebebasan. Bagi mencapai objektif, penyelidikan sekunder telah dijalankan melalui pengumpulan maklumat dan data daripada bahan bacaan berkaitan ÍijÉb. Hasil daripada penyelidikan mendapati pelaksanaan polisi ÍijÉb di Timur Tengah telah mengundang pelbagai reaksi dan mempengaruhi wanita – Muslimah atau tidak – di seluruh dunia.