The veil and Muslim women’s identity: Cultural pressures and resistance to stereotyping (original) (raw)

This study compares Muslim women’s justification of wearing the scarf in a Muslim majority society, Indonesia, with the Muslim minority in India. Depth interviews exhibit significant differences between the two: Majority women argue in terms of convenience, fashion, and modesty with little or no reference to religion as reasons for veiling. Muslim minority women show diversity: Their account of veiling stretches from religiously inspired arguments via convenience to opposition against stereotypes and discrimination, most seeing the veil as a way of affirming their identity. We argue that religious minorities are pressed to construct their cultural identity by means that flaunt their group belonging and selfhood. This may be motivated either by falling back on religious resources or by using ethnic markers to conspicuously oppose endemic prejudice. No such identity issue exists in Muslim majorities. This contradicts the dominant view in non-Muslim countries where the female scarf is primarily considered a sign of religious fundamentalism and oppression.