"A Way of a Woman is Beyond Our Understanding"

Western interpretations of the Middle East, as explained and depicted by Homa Hoodfar, and Tania Kamal-Eldin, have objectified and degraded Muslim women. Hoodfar, through “The Veil in Their Minds and on Our Heads: Veiling Practices and Muslim Women,” discusses the ignorance the Western feminists have towards Muslim traditions and society: “As Muslim feminists have often asked must racism be used to fight sexism?” (422). Just because there is a lack of understanding, Western feminists judge Muslim women for their traditions, specifically their veils. Rights and suffrage are different to everyone, men and women, people of different races and beliefs.

Hollywood Harems depicts Muslim women as exotic and provocative, enjoying the constraints placed on them by patriarchal society. Even the relationships between men and women are misconstrued, portraying a fantasy world. Hollywood used Middle Eastern plots to bend sexual censorship, like in Arabian Nights and Cleopatra. The damsels in distress scenes heightened the view of white, Western males as saviors. Hoodfar also touches on the falsification of Middle Eastern traditions and women’s roles. In many cases women live in rural areas, working in the home and fields, but travelers claim those instances are the exception and the elitist habits are actually the norm (426). Similarly, the traditions and styles of the veil have changed, but Western media has not changed its interpretation of the veil.

Western interpretations of the Middle East do not recognize the differences in value systems and traditions. Feminism has a different meaning to every woman in the West, just as it does around the world. To judge how a woman views her equality and rights without understanding her daily life, traditions, values, and religion is ignorant and degrades her since of self.