The Veil in Kuwait Gender, Fashion, Identity

by Abdullah-Khan, Noreen; Botz-Bornstein, Thorsten

• ISBN13: 9781137487414
• ISBN10: 1137487410
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2014-08-29
• Publisher: Palgrave Pivot

Summary

The Veil in Kuwait explores the complex and compelling reasons behind why young women in Kuwait wear the hijab, abaya, and/or niqab, analyzing—along the way—the ways in which these women are perceived by those who do not veil. In April 2013, Thorsten Botz-Bornstein and Noreen Abdullah-Khan conducted a survey of Islamic veiling at the Gulf University for Science and Technology in Kuwait. The purpose of the survey was to examine the veil through the prism of recent international developments that have transformed veiling, at least partially, into a fashion phenomenon. The first of its kind, their study considers the embracing of the veil in a fashion context within a unique Muslim society and asks pertinent questions about the intentions and motivations behind its use. In The Veil in Kuwait, the authors examine the findings of this singular study. Among other questions and discussions, they investigate whether or not the present re-veiling wave in Kuwait is an expression of frustration and resentment in the face of broken promises of modernity and whether there is a real desire among young Kuwaitis to return to the values of the past. The important influence of religion, culture, family, and fashion are all explored through the eyes of Kuwaitis themselves; and the study is incredibly unique in its inclusion of veiled and non-veiled participants, as well as males and their perceptions of women who veil. Attitudes towards women, religion, culture, and fashion are carefully examined to provide insight into Kuwaiti society.

Author Biography

Thorsten Botz-Bornstein received his Ph.D. from Oxford University, UK, and his 'habilitation' from the EHESS of Paris, France. He undertook research in Finland, Russia, Japan, China and the Middle East and is now Associate Professor of philosophy at The Gulf University for Science and Technology in Kuwait.

Noreen Abdullah-Khan completed her studies at Queen Mary and Westfield College, London, and Middlesex University, UK. She has taught at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels in all aspects of Sociology and Criminology, and she has served on numerous Select Committees for the Metropolitan Police Service on Sexual Violence. She currently lives and teaches in Kuwait.

Table of Contents

PART I: INTRODUCTION
1.1. Significance of the Study
1.2. Previous Research
1.3. Kuwaiti Society
1.4. Gulf University for Science and Technology
1.5. Methodology
PART II: THE SURVEY
2.1. Survey Measures
2.2. Family Background
2.3. Limitations
2.3.1. General Context and Difficulties of the Survey
2.3.2. The 'East-West' Problem
2.4. Preliminary Conclusion
PART III: RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
3.1. The Central Question: Why do you Veil?
3.1.1. First Findings: Answers of 'Covered Girls'
3.1.2. Second Findings: Answers of 'Uncovered Girls'
3.1.3. Third Findings: Answers of 'Male Students'
3.2. The 'Protect Women from Men' Argument
3.3. The Feminist Argument
3.4. Preliminary Conclusion
3.5. Religion as a Factor
3.5.1. Praying Attitudes
3.5.2. Knowledge of the Scriptures
3.5.3. The Qur'anic Passages
3.6. Social Interactions and Mutual Perceptions
3.6.1. Culture and Religion
3.6.2. Perception and Self-Perception
3.6.3. Respect and Virtue
3.6.4. Different Perceptions of 'Male Attention'
3.6.5. Combining the Hijab with Western Clothes and 'Veiling Fashion'
3.6.6. Does the Hijab Enhance the Woman's Beauty?
3.6.7. Preliminary Conclusion: Unequal Perceptions and the Question of Tolerance
PART IV: THE GUILT/SHAME PARADIGM
4.1. Modesty and Fitna
4.2. Shame and Guilt in Islamic Culture
5. Conclusion
5.1. The Paradox of Veiling Fashion
5.2. Overall Evaluation of Responses
Bibliography
Appendix: The Questionnaires