I have a few things to say on the issue. But first, the context.
Controversy was stirred up when a Youtube video was posted, depicting young women wearing the hijab (Muslim headscarf), prancing around to the music of Jay-Z. If a viewer were to watch it for the first time, with no knowledge of the discussion or the controversy, he or she will basically see a bunch of ladies, wearing fashionable clothes, walking or jumping or skateboarding or basically chillin' out. Like the movie montage we'd like to picture ourselves in as we go about our daily lives, especially on a good hair (or hijab) day.
So that's the video. What's the controversy? Basically, some were upset that the girls were not being modest and how it was un-Islamic. Others applauding the effort to disrupt the monolithic image of Islam and its followers, particularly women, and showcase the diversity that there is.
The intention behind the video was probably to break the stereotypes of Muslim women. One speaker asked when will Muslim women be free from the burden of having to break stereotypes and instead be allowed to just live their lives? To this I also ask, why does it always seem like the onus is on Muslim women to break stereotypes?
Muslim women can't seem to escape heavy scrutiny by both non-Muslims and Muslims. The non-Muslim public evaluates how "modern" Muslim women are and whether they are able to integrate with society at large. The Muslim community observes their women folk to see if they adhere to the teachings of Islam and are quick to chastise them under the guise of protecting them. In both cases, the Muslim woman is policed by outsiders and when she so much as expresses a minute amount of individuality, all hell breaks loose.
When are we allowed to live our lives?
My first reaction(s) upon watching the video:
1. Ok, so that's how they do it in America.
2. Technically, they're not being modest. If I am being particularly anal about it.
3. I'm no better. It is between them and God.
4. Wonder how other Muslim women are like in other countries?
My reactions reflect this oscillation between the expectations of a female follower of Islam and the desire & ability to express one's unique individuality as a human being.
What immediately comes to mind is a hadith I've read:
Abu Moosa al-Ash'ari said that he heard Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) say:
"Allah created Adam from a handful which He gathered from throughout the earth, so the sons of Adam vary as the earth varies; some are red, some are white, some are black, and some are of colours in between, some are easy-going, some are difficult, some are evil and some are good."
Quoted from Ahmad, Tirmidhi and Abu Dawood (Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh, 1/36, hadith no. 100)
Now, I am no scholar but just from a quick reading of this, I can tell that Islam perpetuates fraternity, equality, and freedom way better than the French constitution.
We are equal before God as believers, regardless of our gender or colour of our skin or whatever. We are a fraternity precisely because of our shared belief and faith in worshipping one God. We are individuals, each created uniquely by God. Neither of these contradicts one another.
Therefore, I agree that cultural diversity should be celebrated as long as it is within the permissible limits of Islam. One speaker spoke of wanting to promote fashion in a way that you can tell apart a Nigerian Muslim woman from a Malaysian Muslim woman. Both can be equally modest, if they adhere strictly to Islamic guidelines, but cultural uniqueness need not be sacrificed. There are different fabrics, styles and colours that can be displayed.
At the same time, I still hold firmly to the belief that Muslim women should not physically expose themselves too much on social media, just to "break the stereotype". Be like one of the speakers, that is, by going out and participating in society, be it through civic movements or for a political cause. That is how a Muslim woman can break stereotypes. Not just by dressing "uniquely" but being involved in a smart and modest way.
I feel that the Mipster (Muslim hipster) debate is much more uproarious in this case owing to competing parties entering the debate from different points of departure. In other words, one party is coming from a purely religious and jurisprudential perspective while another is coming from a societal and cultural viewpoint. Both have valid arguments but it is hard to reconcile them because of the lack of common ground. Superficially, yes, the common ground would be Islam and Muslim women. But when the lenses used to analyze these two facets differ, then inevitably, discussions will continue to diverge instead of converge.
However, watching AJ's programme, I could sense that it is possible to move BEYOND the Mipsterz debate as described by the title. The host had challenged one of the speaker guests on how there can be a better conversation on this issue that isn't just centered around Muslim women, fashion, stereotypes and religious law. The speaker responded by providing not an answer, but a question that may help to reframe the issue. The question was: What are we doing as a Muslim community [to change monolithism in Islam]?
The phenomenon of Mipsterz shouldn't be viewed as the only movement as it is simply one in a multi-fold Muslim community. Not everyone can be a scholar, not everyone can be doctor, not everyone can be the same thing. It is precisely because of this that Islam is not a monolithic religion. Its believers are testament to that.
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