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Papers by Bat-sheva Haas

Religions

Religions , 2020

This article, part of an evolving and large project, examines the relationship between clothing, ... more This article, part of an evolving and large project, examines the relationship between clothing, freedom and choice, and specifically Islamic dress in shaping the identity of Dutch Muslim women after the Burka Ban that was voted into law on 1 August 2019 in the Netherlands. It discusses the debates before and after this date, as well as the background to the ban. A veil covering the face is a garment worn by some Muslim women to adhere to an interpretation of hijab (modest dress). It can be referred to as a burqa or niqab. In the aftermath of the Burka Ban that prompted considerable public alarm on the part of Muslim men and women, niqab-wearing women, as well as women who do not wear a veil, but are in solidarity with their niqabi sisters, raised a number of questions that form the basis for the analysis presented here: how do Dutch Muslim women shape their identity in a way that it is both Dutch and Muslim? Do they incorporate Dutch parameters into their Muslim identity, while at the same time weaving Islamic principles into their Dutch sense of self? The findings show how Islamic clothing can be mobilized by Dutch Muslim women to serve identity formation and personal (religious) choice in the Netherlands, where Islam is largely considered by the non-Muslim population to be a religion that is oppressive and discriminatory towards women. It is argued that in the context of being Dutch and Muslim, these women express their freedom of choice through clothing, thus pushing the limits of the archetypal Dutch identity and criticizing Dutch society while simultaneously stretching the meaning of Islam to craft their own identity.

Religions, 2019

This paper focuses on the relationship between clothing and identity: specifically, on 9 Islamic ... more This paper focuses on the relationship between clothing and identity: specifically, on 9 Islamic dress as shaping the identity of Dutch Muslim women. How do these Dutch Muslim women 10 shape their identity in a way that it is both Dutch and Muslim? Do they mix Dutch parameters in 11 their Muslim identity, while at the same time inter-splicing Islamic principles in their Dutch sense 12 of self? This study is based on two ethnographies conducted in the city of Amsterdam, the first 13 14 combines insights taken from in-depth interviews with Dutch Muslim women and observations in 15 gatherings from Quranic and Religious studies, social gatherings and one-time events, as well as 16 observations in stores for Islamic fashion and museums in Amsterdam. This study takes as its 17 theme clothing and identity, and how Islamic clothing can be mobilized by Dutch Muslim women 18 in service of identity formation. The study takes place in a context, the Netherlands, where Islam is 19 largely considered by the populous as a religion oppressive and discriminatory to women. This 20 paper argues that in the context of being Dutch and Muslim, through choice of clothing, these 21 women express their agency: their ability to choose and act in social action, thus pushing the limits 22 of archetypal Dutch identity while simultaneously stretching the meaning of Islam to craft their own 23 identity, one that is influenced by themes of immigration, belongingness, ethnicity, religious 24 knowledge and gender. 25

Societies , 2018

This research focuses on Dutch Muslim women who chose to practice Islam, whether they were born M... more This research focuses on Dutch Muslim women who chose to practice Islam, whether they were born Muslim ('Newly Practicing Muslims') or they chose to convert ('New Muslims'). This study takes place in a context, the Netherlands, where Islam is popularly considered by the native Dutch population, as a religion oppressive to women. How do these Dutch Muslim women build their identity in a way that it is both Dutch and Muslim? Do they mix Dutch parameters in their Muslim identity, while at the same time, inter-splicing Islamic principles in their Dutch sense of self? This study is based on an ethnography conducted in the city of Amsterdam from September to October 2009, which combines insights taken from in-depth interviews with Dutch Muslim women, observations from Quranic and Religious classes, observations in a mosque, and one-time events occurring during the month of Ramadan. This paper argues that, in the context of being Dutch and Muslim, women express their agency, which is their ability to choose and act in social action: they push the limits of archetypal Dutch identity while simultaneously stretching the meaning of Islam to craft their own identity, one that is influenced by themes of immigration, belongingness, religious knowledge, higher education and gender.

talks and international conferences by Bat-sheva Haas

pre-AAR expert meeting ‘Contested Conversions, November 2019, San Diego, USA (Part of the Beyond Religion vs. Emancipation project), 2019

IPRA Summer doctoral school "Religion and atheism in pluralist societies", 2019

ISSR SISR, Barcelona, Spain , 2019

XIX ISA World Conference, Toronto, Canada, 2018