Islamic veils does not prevent Arabic women from normal human behavior. A symposium hold on August 24, 2007 (Khatt Kufi Kaffiya | Symposium on Arabic Visual Culture, see here), shows Arab lingerie in Syria.
(Syrian Lingerie - Image for the publication “The secret Life of Syrian lingerie: Intimacy and Design” This book will be published together with Scalo Publishers by the end of 2007. Photo by Omar al-Moutem)
“The Arab street – its vibrancy, innovativeness, traditions of design and contemporary expression – has been obscured by geopolitical issues. Any attempt to deviate from the established line that the region is a place of war, religious fundamentalism or terrorism becomes virtually impossible particularly within the context of mainstream Western commercial publishing.”
“My recently co-edited books, The Secret Life of Syrian Lingerie, with Rana Salam, Transit Tehran – Young Iran and Its Inspirations, with Maziar Bahari, and Kaveh Golestan – Recording the Truth in Iran, with Hengameh Golestan, provide ample examples of the challenges facing books that show a different side of the Middle East.”
…..”However a more insidious problem exists. Books on the Arab and Iranian street, showcasing authenticity, are almost impossible to get published”…See more.
In an article ‘What lies beneath’ by Malu Halasa , published in the ‘NEWSTATESMAN’ on the 05 June 2006, I read:
“Syria – A conservative culture has produced some of the world’s most explicit – and bizarre – lingerie, as Malu Halasa discovers… In Damascus, sex is rarely discussed in public. Yet veiled women regularly appraise the contents of window displays featuring feathered bras, knickers and one-piece crocheted bodysuits with”…see more
Update.
Lingerie Laws – Men Banned From Selling Lingerie in Sharjah, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait…”Ultra-conservative countries have passed new laws barring men from working in lingerie shops. Only women can be hired as salespersons and shops who fail to comply are being shut down”…..”There are similar rules for Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, however, shopkeepers complain that it is difficult to find women salesmen for the job in such a conservative atmosphere. (lingeriemagic.org) “, (see more).
Fitnah Lingerie in Damascus see here.
Pingback: Dangerous Lingerie Under the Veil in Syria « Hunting Prairies
Pingback: Here « korzacsol
Well being a muslim. i can tell you that the veil is only to guard our modesty in front of strange men, ie men who are not our brothers, fathers, uncles and husbands.
But what we wear underneath is entirely our perogative. The muslim woman is meant to look unattractive when in the outside world, as a protection for her dignity and honour. However, she should beautify herself for her husband and if she is a plus size, as many ara women are, then plus size lingerie is just what she needs to impress her husband. After all she is still a woman.
I fully agree with you. My article pointed to the biased western view about the meaning of the veil in Arabic culture. What you said about women in the Muslim world that..” she should beautify herself for her husband and if she is a plus size, as many ara women are, then plus size lingerie is just what she needs to impress her husband. After all she is still a woman.”..could be a good advice for women everywhere.
Thanks for the comment.
Islamic veils DOES prevent men and women from vicious human behavior thus preventing the environment from a lot of dirty things. The beauty of the woman is hidden from those who are not allowed to see her beauty.
“your women are your fields and you go there as you wish”.
And a women has a duty to beautify herself for HER MAN NOT FOR OTHER MEN.
so my dear writer, wearing a lingerie or whatever is a personal affair WHICH IS UNDER THE VEIL. thus hidden from evil eyes and available to admire but the rightful person.
It saddens me to think that you assume so much evil in so many. How can every eye outside of the home be an evil one? The men walking the streets are all fathers, sons and uncles. Do you assume that if the men in your house hold saw a women outside of the family, their first instinct would be to rape her? I know I’m a woman so I cannot speak for men but I honestly, deeply hope in my heart and soul that that is not the case. If it is I will have lost all hope for humanity.
Aleem,
In principle I fully sympathize with your point of view. But this is the view of a man. There my be situations where women in the Islamic world have their own point of views…knowing how to defend themselves from evil eyes…
Pingback: Let’s see that Syrian Lingerie.. « korzacsol
Just a quick comment from a western woman. It’s the inequality factor, why shouldn’t men be modest and uphold their families honor in public as well? In any case it should be an option to cover/hide yourself and not a law as it is/has been in many countries. Or at least that is the general point of view here. I will never look down on a woman for making a personal decision but I will always look down on a society for accepting gender inequalities.
I am a strong pudgy woman, I’ve had men try to force themselves on me and those men have met with very sudden pain. These attempted assaults weren’t when I was scantily clad as I have been many of times.
I’ll just never understand it, I really won’t but I do accept and encourage any woman that is happy with that lifestyle to continue or start. I’m as proud of my body as I would be of a nice ring or a new shirt. I appreciate knowing that I won’t get punished for feeling that way, as should everyone else in my opinion. Your body is your own and no one should tell you what to/not to do with it. There it is, plain and simple.