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It's Not About the Burqa
When was the last time you heard a Muslim woman speak for herself without a filter?
In 2016, Mariam Khan read that David Cameron had linked the radicalization of Muslim men to the ‘traditional submissiveness’ of Muslim women. Mariam felt pretty sure she didn’t know a single Muslim woman who would describe herself that way. Why was she hearing about Muslim women from people who were neither Muslim, nor female?
Years later the state of the national discourse has deteriorated even further, and Muslim women’s voices are still pushed to the fringes – the figures leading the discussion are white and male.
Taking one of the most politicized and misused words associated with Muslim women and Islamophobia, It’s Not About the Burqa is poised to change all that. Here are voices you won’t see represented in the national news headlines: seventeen Muslim women speaking frankly about the hijab and wavering faith, about love and divorce, about feminism, queer identity, sex, and the twin threats of a disapproving community and a racist country. Funny, warm, sometimes sad, and often angry, each of these essays is a passionate declaration, and each essay is calling time on the oppression, the lazy stereotyping, the misogyny and the Islamophobia.
What does it mean, exactly, to be a Muslim woman in the West today? According to the media, it’s all about the burqa.
Here’s what it’s really about.
In 2016, Mariam Khan read that David Cameron had linked the radicalization of Muslim men to the ‘traditional submissiveness’ of Muslim women. Mariam felt pretty sure she didn’t know a single Muslim woman who would describe herself that way. Why was she hearing about Muslim women from people who were neither Muslim, nor female?
Years later the state of the national discourse has deteriorated even further, and Muslim women’s voices are still pushed to the fringes – the figures leading the discussion are white and male.
Taking one of the most politicized and misused words associated with Muslim women and Islamophobia, It’s Not About the Burqa is poised to change all that. Here are voices you won’t see represented in the national news headlines: seventeen Muslim women speaking frankly about the hijab and wavering faith, about love and divorce, about feminism, queer identity, sex, and the twin threats of a disapproving community and a racist country. Funny, warm, sometimes sad, and often angry, each of these essays is a passionate declaration, and each essay is calling time on the oppression, the lazy stereotyping, the misogyny and the Islamophobia.
What does it mean, exactly, to be a Muslim woman in the West today? According to the media, it’s all about the burqa.
Here’s what it’s really about.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published February 21, 2019
About the author
Mariam Khan
5 books85 followersMariam Khan is an intersectional feminist, diversity-in-books pusher and freelance writer. She is the editor of It’s Not About the Burqa, an anthology of essays by Muslim women.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,009 reviews
January 15, 2020
I got into this book because of Mona Eltahawy’s writing and she did not disappoint. That’s literally the only thing that didn’t disappoint about this book. I love her militant, non-apologetic feminism and her unabashed criticism of the religion that’s patriarchal in its core. I think this book suffers from a severe case of what Ali Rizvi (His book The Atheist Muslim is a superb read) calls Islamophobophobia. I understand choices and people’s need to make their own but I also understand whitewashing serious issues with a patriarchal religion for the sake of the First World readers’ limited experience with said religion. I come from a Muslim majority country. I was raised with and was taught Sharia Law in a Muslim country with Islamic laws. It’s great that so many of these authors are successful and satisfied with their choices and their lives. I appreciate that. What I don’t appreciate is being told that that success and satisfaction is because of Islam not despite it. What I don’t appreciate is being told that men and women are equal in this religion when I inherit half my brother, my witness in court is half a man and my husband can have 4 legal wives while I can only have 1 husband. I’m not gonna get into custody laws and guardianship of women by male family members and honor killings and the rest. If there is a whole chapter about Khadija, Mohammed’s first wife, and how successful she was and what a role model she is but there is no mention of Aisha, Mohammed’s child bride and last wife, and how so many child marriages are sanctioned by the religious leaders because of this, something is wrong. I understand the need to educate others but I don’t appreciate parts of history or religion being ignored because the author is afraid how it might be used by Islamohobes. This book is put together for a white, non-Muslim reader who needs a reason to support Muslim women’s choice and religion, and not the Muslim woman whose rights are trampled every day in a patriarchal, Muslim majority country with no way out and no voice to tell her stories I guess and that was disappointing.
February 26, 2019
Actual Grade: 4.5/5
I delayed writing my review, to allow my thoughts to marinate for a few days, before finally putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard). My only hope being that my appraisal of this anthology can somehow translate raising awareness and more importantly interest in a book I feel should be read by all.
I admit non-fiction is not my usual cup of tea, this book however joins my ever-growing list that gives me cause to reconsider that stance. The audacious title: It’s Not About the Burqa was much more than an attention grabber. For me it was a promise of a thought-provoking discourse that it certainly lived up to.
Mariam Khan, through the experiences and resulting perspectives of her contributors, sought to construct a collage that simultaneously defined and dispelled the concept of the ‘Muslim Woman’. Despite the near impossible task of representing every nuance of their culture, the balanced presentation on several issues provides a fair depiction of the experiences as they exist for a wide cross-section of the female Muslim population, and dare I say women as a whole.
In most collected works there are hits and misses, Burqa was no different. Post completion examination of my own biases however, highlighted my preference for less academically inclined, personal essays which is not a generalizable mark against the ‘misses’. Numbered amongst my favourites were:
1. Immodesty is the best policy – Coco Khan: Coco’s amusing personality shone throughout her essay. The mom-daughter feature entertained and elevated the discourse to the top of my list.
2. The First Feminist – Sufiya Ahmed: Sufiya’s essay was beautifully courageous. It served as an effective reminder that even with a brave face and positive attitude we are all affected by the world and its stressors.
3. On Representation of Muslims – Nafisa Bakkar: The constant struggle for representation by minority groups is called into question in this essay. What constitutes being truly represented on a societal scale and what goes into determining who and what defines a people made this conversation perhaps the most enlightened of the series.
4. Feminism Needs to Die – Mariam Khan: I enjoyed this essay not only for the wealth of information it provided on topics such as Intersectional feminism but the many questions it raised, which no doubt can and will serve as a platform for further discussion. This should be staple reading for young persons interested in feminism but who are unsure of the labels and variety that exists under the heading.
5. Not Just a Black Muslim Woman – Raifa Rafiq: A well written composition tackling the minority trifecta of being Black, Muslim and a Woman. Feminists out there will realize the challenge with each of these titles and Raifa’s honesty in these regards was refreshing
6. A Woman of Substance – Saima Mir: The only note scribbled in my book here is “LOVED”. It lifted the curtain displaying the sometimes harsh truths about marriage, divorce, the guilt and self doubt experienced in divorce, starting over and the concept of hope and doing the right thing for oneself. This story was an utterly brave one to write and one I know will inspire readers who face the same issue. I appreciate you Saima, for sharing this.
These six embody what I loved about this book. My copy, now fit only for my personal perusal owing to my many notes colouring the pages, is evidence of a trip traveled with these women through their thoughts and lives. I am not Muslim but I do identify with many of the circumstances that permeate their stories. This collection is a definite must- read, not only for minorities to have experiences to identify with but for a society at large which understands so little of this unique and often misrepresented people.
Thanks is extended to Panmacmillan and Picador for my ARC. It was given to me in exchange for an honest review.
I delayed writing my review, to allow my thoughts to marinate for a few days, before finally putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard). My only hope being that my appraisal of this anthology can somehow translate raising awareness and more importantly interest in a book I feel should be read by all.
I admit non-fiction is not my usual cup of tea, this book however joins my ever-growing list that gives me cause to reconsider that stance. The audacious title: It’s Not About the Burqa was much more than an attention grabber. For me it was a promise of a thought-provoking discourse that it certainly lived up to.
Mariam Khan, through the experiences and resulting perspectives of her contributors, sought to construct a collage that simultaneously defined and dispelled the concept of the ‘Muslim Woman’. Despite the near impossible task of representing every nuance of their culture, the balanced presentation on several issues provides a fair depiction of the experiences as they exist for a wide cross-section of the female Muslim population, and dare I say women as a whole.
In most collected works there are hits and misses, Burqa was no different. Post completion examination of my own biases however, highlighted my preference for less academically inclined, personal essays which is not a generalizable mark against the ‘misses’. Numbered amongst my favourites were:
1. Immodesty is the best policy – Coco Khan: Coco’s amusing personality shone throughout her essay. The mom-daughter feature entertained and elevated the discourse to the top of my list.
2. The First Feminist – Sufiya Ahmed: Sufiya’s essay was beautifully courageous. It served as an effective reminder that even with a brave face and positive attitude we are all affected by the world and its stressors.
3. On Representation of Muslims – Nafisa Bakkar: The constant struggle for representation by minority groups is called into question in this essay. What constitutes being truly represented on a societal scale and what goes into determining who and what defines a people made this conversation perhaps the most enlightened of the series.
4. Feminism Needs to Die – Mariam Khan: I enjoyed this essay not only for the wealth of information it provided on topics such as Intersectional feminism but the many questions it raised, which no doubt can and will serve as a platform for further discussion. This should be staple reading for young persons interested in feminism but who are unsure of the labels and variety that exists under the heading.
5. Not Just a Black Muslim Woman – Raifa Rafiq: A well written composition tackling the minority trifecta of being Black, Muslim and a Woman. Feminists out there will realize the challenge with each of these titles and Raifa’s honesty in these regards was refreshing
6. A Woman of Substance – Saima Mir: The only note scribbled in my book here is “LOVED”. It lifted the curtain displaying the sometimes harsh truths about marriage, divorce, the guilt and self doubt experienced in divorce, starting over and the concept of hope and doing the right thing for oneself. This story was an utterly brave one to write and one I know will inspire readers who face the same issue. I appreciate you Saima, for sharing this.
These six embody what I loved about this book. My copy, now fit only for my personal perusal owing to my many notes colouring the pages, is evidence of a trip traveled with these women through their thoughts and lives. I am not Muslim but I do identify with many of the circumstances that permeate their stories. This collection is a definite must- read, not only for minorities to have experiences to identify with but for a society at large which understands so little of this unique and often misrepresented people.
Thanks is extended to Panmacmillan and Picador for my ARC. It was given to me in exchange for an honest review.
January 18, 2020
Overall, I just couldn't like this book. As it is a collection of essays written by different people, some essays were really good (The first feminist, Feminism needs to die, A woman of substance, and On Representation of Muslims in particular), and I really admired some of the authors, but I can't deny that the essays I did not like blinded my overall judgement.
Some essays in this book showed how much their writers lack proper knowledge about some of the basic provisions of Islam, which made arguments about sexuality and sex in particular absolutely futile and groundless to me.
For instance, I can't fathom how any Muslim woman can rationalize bisexuality, call for the justification of sex outside of marriage (just because of how amazing and guilt-free she felt after having it), claim that it's okay not to pray as long as you have faith in your heart, or say: "I hope that we banish the word 'haram' from our dialogue and can be a little kinder to one another, a little softer, and a little more understanding", knowing that as a Muslim adult of sound mind you're going to be held accountable for your actions. "Haram" is not a word that should be feared and frowned upon among Muslim societies when even prophet Mohammed peace be upon him used it to explain to his Ummah what is permissible and what's not.
I'm not talking about deep Islamic knowledge here, these are some of the basic provisions in Islam and they are easily accessible to anyone with basic research skills.
We all commit sins, we're not angels, but regardless of how grave or minute our sins are, there is a difference between committing them and blatantly justifying them as part of one's Muslim identity while trying to prove to someone that Muslims are not submissive. There is a difference between what it means to be submissive to men and submissive to Allah!
I salute Mariam Khan and all the other women involved in writing and editing this book for their intention and efforts to raise their voices and defend all Muslim women. It's just that I'm not sure it represents Muslim women whith their beliefs and values very well. It surely, nonetheless, proves how Muslims view and understand Islam differently.
Some essays in this book showed how much their writers lack proper knowledge about some of the basic provisions of Islam, which made arguments about sexuality and sex in particular absolutely futile and groundless to me.
For instance, I can't fathom how any Muslim woman can rationalize bisexuality, call for the justification of sex outside of marriage (just because of how amazing and guilt-free she felt after having it), claim that it's okay not to pray as long as you have faith in your heart, or say: "I hope that we banish the word 'haram' from our dialogue and can be a little kinder to one another, a little softer, and a little more understanding", knowing that as a Muslim adult of sound mind you're going to be held accountable for your actions. "Haram" is not a word that should be feared and frowned upon among Muslim societies when even prophet Mohammed peace be upon him used it to explain to his Ummah what is permissible and what's not.
I'm not talking about deep Islamic knowledge here, these are some of the basic provisions in Islam and they are easily accessible to anyone with basic research skills.
We all commit sins, we're not angels, but regardless of how grave or minute our sins are, there is a difference between committing them and blatantly justifying them as part of one's Muslim identity while trying to prove to someone that Muslims are not submissive. There is a difference between what it means to be submissive to men and submissive to Allah!
I salute Mariam Khan and all the other women involved in writing and editing this book for their intention and efforts to raise their voices and defend all Muslim women. It's just that I'm not sure it represents Muslim women whith their beliefs and values very well. It surely, nonetheless, proves how Muslims view and understand Islam differently.
April 27, 2021
After noticing this paperback stacked in popular bookstores, plastered all over friends bookstagrams and discussed in online blogs, I was drawn to pick up a copy for myself. The title was certainly intriguing, yet the blurb made me wary. After recently coming to terms with my own personal stance on feminism and what it means to be a Muslim woman, I have to admit I was highly sceptical of what this book would offer.
Principally affirming that there is no such thing as one “Muslim woman” identity - that Muslim women are not a single monolithic entity that lack diversity and differences, this collection succeeded in doing exactly what it set out to do: showcasing the diversity and voices of Muslim women.
It indulges the reader in the nuances of identity and gives a preview of how, for many women, navigating their faith, womanhood and physical space in the twenty-first century proves to be a challenge, but not one they aren’t willingly to battle head-on whilst holding true to their faith.
A lot of the stories were engaging and relatable, but there were a handful that simply did not sit well with me, particularly those authored by women who are not as orthodox or practicing of their faith. Diversity is a virtue, absolutely, but not when it involves compromising the fundamentals of your faith. Diversity should be celebrated 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯 the sphere of Islam rather than as a concept inclusive of those who fail to believe in or follow the basic tenants of their faith.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the frank and unreserved stories of these remarkable Muslim women. Needless to say I was pleasantly surprised by what this book had to offer and would recommend it to those interested in a candid take of Muslim women.
Principally affirming that there is no such thing as one “Muslim woman” identity - that Muslim women are not a single monolithic entity that lack diversity and differences, this collection succeeded in doing exactly what it set out to do: showcasing the diversity and voices of Muslim women.
It indulges the reader in the nuances of identity and gives a preview of how, for many women, navigating their faith, womanhood and physical space in the twenty-first century proves to be a challenge, but not one they aren’t willingly to battle head-on whilst holding true to their faith.
A lot of the stories were engaging and relatable, but there were a handful that simply did not sit well with me, particularly those authored by women who are not as orthodox or practicing of their faith. Diversity is a virtue, absolutely, but not when it involves compromising the fundamentals of your faith. Diversity should be celebrated 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯 the sphere of Islam rather than as a concept inclusive of those who fail to believe in or follow the basic tenants of their faith.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the frank and unreserved stories of these remarkable Muslim women. Needless to say I was pleasantly surprised by what this book had to offer and would recommend it to those interested in a candid take of Muslim women.
Read
January 15, 2020Deeply intelligent, thought-provoking collection of essays on a variety of topics, by Muslim women of all backgrounds and traditions: an absolute must for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding.
May 7, 2020
It's Not About The Burqa is an anthology of poignant, thought-provoking essays by Muslim women who have fallen prey to racism, misogyny and homophobia. I had already started reading this book on my kindle at the start of Ramadhan. These stories are nuanced and passionate and compelling. With a cast of strong women to deliver such a powerful punch this book deserved to be placed on my shelf right next to Girl, Woman, Other. If you know me, you know what a praise this is.
I cannot explain my anger, my joy whilst reading their experiences. I actually wrote down my own experiences on a piece of paper and added it to the book myself. Why? Because those stories are a few of thousands. I am one of thousands and my story matters too.
After 9/11 a very disturbed young man spat at me at London Bridge station for wearing the hijab. My sister in law and I were hurled abuse at and told to and I quote 'take that rag of your head' and gosh was I close too. But I didn't. I didn't let the ignorance of few change my identity and who I am.
My hijab is my identity. It is who I am and I am bold and strong and I am successful. I am a mother, an educator, a successful book blogger, a restaurant owner, a friend, a wife, a sister, a daughter, a sister in law. I hold all those titles happily and my faith is what makes me stronger.
This book is not just for muslim women - No. That misconception should be removed from your thoughts. Just like Why I No Longer Speak To White People About Race was not just written for people of colour.
This book is your manual, to educate you and what it feels and means to be a Muslim in todays society.
We have a duty to learn new things and progress. This book is a learning curve for all.
I cannot explain my anger, my joy whilst reading their experiences. I actually wrote down my own experiences on a piece of paper and added it to the book myself. Why? Because those stories are a few of thousands. I am one of thousands and my story matters too.
After 9/11 a very disturbed young man spat at me at London Bridge station for wearing the hijab. My sister in law and I were hurled abuse at and told to and I quote 'take that rag of your head' and gosh was I close too. But I didn't. I didn't let the ignorance of few change my identity and who I am.
My hijab is my identity. It is who I am and I am bold and strong and I am successful. I am a mother, an educator, a successful book blogger, a restaurant owner, a friend, a wife, a sister, a daughter, a sister in law. I hold all those titles happily and my faith is what makes me stronger.
This book is not just for muslim women - No. That misconception should be removed from your thoughts. Just like Why I No Longer Speak To White People About Race was not just written for people of colour.
This book is your manual, to educate you and what it feels and means to be a Muslim in todays society.
We have a duty to learn new things and progress. This book is a learning curve for all.
February 7, 2020
“Contrary to what we are represented with, there is not one type of Muslim woman.”
Important, powerful, and humbling: this collection of essays shook me awake with every lesson that it taught me. “It’s Not about The Burqa” tells the stories and arguments of Muslim women who are so much more than the hijab they wear. It is high time the world starts to listen.
Although there are some references to English politics, the situations described by these authors are universal. Which (queer) person didn’t have a hard time dating, had to compete in the workplace, or struggle to form an opinion on feminism?
It is the same for these women, and yet the world rather focuses on negative stereotypes or beautiful Muslim fashion models. Neither represent the Muslim community right.
“I do not take kindly to being told that only when Western fashion deems it acceptable and worthwhile, will I be allowed to showcase and wear my religion proudly on my head. Islam has been made into a brand, and I am no part of this brand.”
Each eloquent essay is inspiring. When Salma Haidrani writes about her fear for Charlie Hebdo-scenarios whenever she publishes an article, I felt her terror in my gut. As Saima Mir explains the difference between Guild and Shame, tears came into my eyes. And Salma El-Wardany's plea for safe spaces for Muslim men(!) and women to talk about sex deserves all the support.
“Feminism is no good to me if it doesn’t fight for every different type of women.” These essays taught me that and more, and so I can only highly recommend this collection to others.
Important, powerful, and humbling: this collection of essays shook me awake with every lesson that it taught me. “It’s Not about The Burqa” tells the stories and arguments of Muslim women who are so much more than the hijab they wear. It is high time the world starts to listen.
Although there are some references to English politics, the situations described by these authors are universal. Which (queer) person didn’t have a hard time dating, had to compete in the workplace, or struggle to form an opinion on feminism?
It is the same for these women, and yet the world rather focuses on negative stereotypes or beautiful Muslim fashion models. Neither represent the Muslim community right.
“I do not take kindly to being told that only when Western fashion deems it acceptable and worthwhile, will I be allowed to showcase and wear my religion proudly on my head. Islam has been made into a brand, and I am no part of this brand.”
Each eloquent essay is inspiring. When Salma Haidrani writes about her fear for Charlie Hebdo-scenarios whenever she publishes an article, I felt her terror in my gut. As Saima Mir explains the difference between Guild and Shame, tears came into my eyes. And Salma El-Wardany's plea for safe spaces for Muslim men(!) and women to talk about sex deserves all the support.
“Feminism is no good to me if it doesn’t fight for every different type of women.” These essays taught me that and more, and so I can only highly recommend this collection to others.
June 16, 2020
If I am tired of how Muslim women are often perceived by non-Muslims, presented in the media and how much their identity is reduced to clichés, I can’t even begin to image how exhausted Muslim women must feel. “It’s Not About the Burqa”, a collection of phenomenal essays by 17 contributors, British Muslim women, offers thoughts on an array of aspects of a female Muslim identity. The authors - intelligent, inquisitive, sharp, sensitive and strong women - write about sexuality and sexual education, queerness, patriarchy within Muslim communities, their own journeys towards feminism, dealing with conservatism on their parents-in-law side, reductive beauty standards and wearing a hijab, Muslim representation in public life, hijabi influencers in social media, systemic racism and discrimination and much more.
Nafisa Bakkar about L’Oréal’s infamous campaign with Amena Khan: “(...) the message was clear: We want your hijabs but we don’t want your thoughts; we only want diversity for the pictures. (...) What is the point of being represented if it is only our image that is invited to the table? Is a Muslim woman being in a fashion campaign the end in itself?”. This is also the issue that made me queasy, in relation to Muslim women as well as to black or Asian people. Brands want them only for campaigns to tick off the boxes “diversity” and “inclusion”, but dismiss those people’s opinions, their pain, their dreams. In hundreds of companies across the Western world the only black, Asian or Muslim women employed are those in positions of diversity managers. This is where many companies’ diversity begins and ends.
Another extremely important issue described by Mariam Khan in her essay is the lack of solidarity from white so-called feminists. The fact that there are women dismissing other women’s right to wear what they want, believe in what they want and lead the lifestyle they wish, is heartbreaking. I share Khan’s frustration with the character assassination of Muslim women, with fact that people supposed to empower others still ascribe identities and sentiments to them based on prejudice and bias.
I could spend hours dissecting every single essay from this collection; they are all marvellously thought-provoking and engaging. I would urge everyone to read “It’s Not About the Burqa” and try to build a bridge between yourself and others. I can find countless similarities between myself and the authors of the essays and the fact that I am not Muslim is of little relevance in my wish to support them, learn about them and be friends with many of them.
Nafisa Bakkar about L’Oréal’s infamous campaign with Amena Khan: “(...) the message was clear: We want your hijabs but we don’t want your thoughts; we only want diversity for the pictures. (...) What is the point of being represented if it is only our image that is invited to the table? Is a Muslim woman being in a fashion campaign the end in itself?”. This is also the issue that made me queasy, in relation to Muslim women as well as to black or Asian people. Brands want them only for campaigns to tick off the boxes “diversity” and “inclusion”, but dismiss those people’s opinions, their pain, their dreams. In hundreds of companies across the Western world the only black, Asian or Muslim women employed are those in positions of diversity managers. This is where many companies’ diversity begins and ends.
Another extremely important issue described by Mariam Khan in her essay is the lack of solidarity from white so-called feminists. The fact that there are women dismissing other women’s right to wear what they want, believe in what they want and lead the lifestyle they wish, is heartbreaking. I share Khan’s frustration with the character assassination of Muslim women, with fact that people supposed to empower others still ascribe identities and sentiments to them based on prejudice and bias.
I could spend hours dissecting every single essay from this collection; they are all marvellously thought-provoking and engaging. I would urge everyone to read “It’s Not About the Burqa” and try to build a bridge between yourself and others. I can find countless similarities between myself and the authors of the essays and the fact that I am not Muslim is of little relevance in my wish to support them, learn about them and be friends with many of them.
August 2, 2019
Khan is able to collect the stories of various female Muslim writers who cover a variety of topics; from race, to sexuality, to fashion and the media, the common thread which runs through all of them is the perception-or lack of-of Muslim women in modern Britain. Frequently marginalised, perpetually fetishized, forever seen via the narrow prism of their burqa, alternatively used as the stick with which to beat Muslim men for their perceived innate misogyny or for their lack of integration, we are forever hearing stories about Muslim women, but never hearing from Muslim women themselves and even when we do, their stories are so sanitised that they are rendered completely artificial.
A number of key themes are explored within the various articles in the book. One of the central ones is the commodification of the burqa in the fashion industry, one where the promotion of Muslim women in fashion outlets is driven by making money rather than from a sincere desire to diversify the representation of non-white women in fashion. The other key theme is around the expectations set around Muslim in the media. They are either expected to have some sort of ‘Muslim agenda’ or are expected so bland or neutral in their political leanings or opinions that any deviation from this leads to their immediate castigation; they are allowed to have an opinion so long as they don’t upset the apple cart, any sympathy or views they express, however nuanced, outside of the immediately leads to their demonisation, to their association with Islamic terrorism or of being anti-Western.
As one of the writers states, Muslim women experience the triple barrier of being a woman, being an ethnic minority and being Muslim-a fourth one could be added of-for those who wear one-the burqa and all of the stereotypes and negative connotations it brings. So book such as this, which allow Muslim women to express themselves and give them a voice, which allow them to break free from the stereotypes which constrain them, are vital in allowing others to understand the issues and concerns they experience and for them to regain their sense of humanity.
A number of key themes are explored within the various articles in the book. One of the central ones is the commodification of the burqa in the fashion industry, one where the promotion of Muslim women in fashion outlets is driven by making money rather than from a sincere desire to diversify the representation of non-white women in fashion. The other key theme is around the expectations set around Muslim in the media. They are either expected to have some sort of ‘Muslim agenda’ or are expected so bland or neutral in their political leanings or opinions that any deviation from this leads to their immediate castigation; they are allowed to have an opinion so long as they don’t upset the apple cart, any sympathy or views they express, however nuanced, outside of the immediately leads to their demonisation, to their association with Islamic terrorism or of being anti-Western.
As one of the writers states, Muslim women experience the triple barrier of being a woman, being an ethnic minority and being Muslim-a fourth one could be added of-for those who wear one-the burqa and all of the stereotypes and negative connotations it brings. So book such as this, which allow Muslim women to express themselves and give them a voice, which allow them to break free from the stereotypes which constrain them, are vital in allowing others to understand the issues and concerns they experience and for them to regain their sense of humanity.
September 9, 2019
just read it
June 23, 2019
4.75 STARS
It's not about the Burqa is a book that includes a collection of essays by 17 women. muslims women from all around the world, mostly living in the UK.
They talk about their experience of living as a muslim woman in a non-muslim country, some talk about feminism:, some talk about masculinity:, others talk about love, marriage, divorce, sex, technically: everything on our mind.
some wrote it like an essay while talking to an audiance about a particular issue, others wrote it like story, a personal one, a life journey( that was my favorite kind).
The whole book is a must-go-thro journey, it talked about a lot of topics, that we do not speak of loudly enough, or maybe at all.
The best thing about it, was that it never mis-represented my religion ( a lot of muslims writers tend to do that sometimes)
It was honest, and it was true, it was like finding a voice after a lifetime of silence.
The authors of these essays, the 17 one of them are amazing human-beings, i googled every single one of them, contacted a few, saying how much i loved their essay, and i was fascinated.
Mashallah, such young women, Proud, successful and they speak LOUDLY, which what i admired about them.
each one of them poured her heart into a 5-7 pages essay, some of them got personal and others kept it proffesional and on point.
It was truly wonderful, getting to know them.
so about these essays, I can never talk about all of them, i just can't but, i will talk about a couple of favourites, Annnd if we're gonna do so. then we need to add subcategories here.
1)Closest piece to my heart :
The First Feminist by Sufuya Ahmed, it was a piece of Joy, because it was about khadija bint khuwaylid The very first muslim feminist in our world. (he first wife and first follower of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.(PBUH) )
2)The realistic :
On the Representation of Muslims: terms and condititons apply.
it was so realistic it felt like a buckle of ice has been thrown over my head, like suddenly i'm seeing more clearly what's happening around me, it was like YES I know what she's talking about but i never paused to think about it, not for a minute.
3)The inspirational ::
Life was easier before I woke by Yasmin Medhat Abdel-Magied.
4)The relatable ::
There's no such thing as Depressed Muslim by Jamilla Hekmoun; this one was so relatable almost cried.
5)The eye-opener ::
Feminism needs to die by Mariam Khan
6) The soul Touching ::
A women of substance by Saima Mir, this one was such was such a personal essay, i really admire Saima for sharing it, it touched my soul, and it spoke to my fear.
7)The Loud-truth :
A gender denied: Islam, sex and the struggle by Salma el-Wardany.
I wish i could talk more about each one of them, but i feel like if i did i will ruin the surprise of starting a new chaper in the book and getting to know its author :)
The only thing that stopped me from giving this gem a 5 stars is that:
In a couple of essays, in order to proove a few points, some of the authors called out other women by their names and quoted what they said, only to proove how wrong they handled a certain situation, oh how wrong their believes were.
and while i do see how it may be important as an argument or to proove a certain point, i don't like the idea of being talked about in a book at the other side of the argument because i tweeted something "wrong", or said the "wrong" thing in a particular situation. The whole act goes against what i believe in.
It's not about the Burqa is a book that includes a collection of essays by 17 women. muslims women from all around the world, mostly living in the UK.
They talk about their experience of living as a muslim woman in a non-muslim country, some talk about feminism:, some talk about masculinity:, others talk about love, marriage, divorce, sex, technically: everything on our mind.
some wrote it like an essay while talking to an audiance about a particular issue, others wrote it like story, a personal one, a life journey( that was my favorite kind).
The whole book is a must-go-thro journey, it talked about a lot of topics, that we do not speak of loudly enough, or maybe at all.
The best thing about it, was that it never mis-represented my religion ( a lot of muslims writers tend to do that sometimes)
It was honest, and it was true, it was like finding a voice after a lifetime of silence.
The authors of these essays, the 17 one of them are amazing human-beings, i googled every single one of them, contacted a few, saying how much i loved their essay, and i was fascinated.
Mashallah, such young women, Proud, successful and they speak LOUDLY, which what i admired about them.
each one of them poured her heart into a 5-7 pages essay, some of them got personal and others kept it proffesional and on point.
It was truly wonderful, getting to know them.
so about these essays, I can never talk about all of them, i just can't but, i will talk about a couple of favourites, Annnd if we're gonna do so. then we need to add subcategories here.
1)Closest piece to my heart :
The First Feminist by Sufuya Ahmed, it was a piece of Joy, because it was about khadija bint khuwaylid The very first muslim feminist in our world. (he first wife and first follower of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.(PBUH) )
2)The realistic :
On the Representation of Muslims: terms and condititons apply.
it was so realistic it felt like a buckle of ice has been thrown over my head, like suddenly i'm seeing more clearly what's happening around me, it was like YES I know what she's talking about but i never paused to think about it, not for a minute.
3)The inspirational ::
Life was easier before I woke by Yasmin Medhat Abdel-Magied.
4)The relatable ::
There's no such thing as Depressed Muslim by Jamilla Hekmoun; this one was so relatable almost cried.
5)The eye-opener ::
Feminism needs to die by Mariam Khan
6) The soul Touching ::
A women of substance by Saima Mir, this one was such was such a personal essay, i really admire Saima for sharing it, it touched my soul, and it spoke to my fear.
7)The Loud-truth :
A gender denied: Islam, sex and the struggle by Salma el-Wardany.
I wish i could talk more about each one of them, but i feel like if i did i will ruin the surprise of starting a new chaper in the book and getting to know its author :)
The only thing that stopped me from giving this gem a 5 stars is that:
In a couple of essays, in order to proove a few points, some of the authors called out other women by their names and quoted what they said, only to proove how wrong they handled a certain situation, oh how wrong their believes were.
and while i do see how it may be important as an argument or to proove a certain point, i don't like the idea of being talked about in a book at the other side of the argument because i tweeted something "wrong", or said the "wrong" thing in a particular situation. The whole act goes against what i believe in.
January 27, 2021
I've a simple policy:
1. Never trust people who become too offensive about religion.
2. Never trust people who become too defensive about religion.
Unfortunately, at least half of the essays in this book fell in either of the above two categories. It seems targeted at a very narrow set of readers, thereby missing out on the golden opportunity to speak to all women across religions and regions.
While all the seventeen essays are written by Muslim women of colour, I enjoyed only those that narrated their personal experience of living as a Muslim believer in a Muslim family in a non-Muslim nation.
What I wanted from the book was an insight into life as a modern Muslim woman. Only a few essays satisfied this curiosity. Yes, there are moments of fun and pain, moments of motivation and desperation, even a couple of moments that are eye-opening and brilliant. But these appear in bits and pieces, with vehemence and aggression being the more dominant emotions. When will people realise that pushing down others doesn't elevate themselves?
Hence this ended up as a mixed bag for me. Maybe I just expected more. Or maybe, the book delivered less than the potential it had. It just feels like a wasted opportunity.
*************************************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
1. Never trust people who become too offensive about religion.
2. Never trust people who become too defensive about religion.
Unfortunately, at least half of the essays in this book fell in either of the above two categories. It seems targeted at a very narrow set of readers, thereby missing out on the golden opportunity to speak to all women across religions and regions.
While all the seventeen essays are written by Muslim women of colour, I enjoyed only those that narrated their personal experience of living as a Muslim believer in a Muslim family in a non-Muslim nation.
What I wanted from the book was an insight into life as a modern Muslim woman. Only a few essays satisfied this curiosity. Yes, there are moments of fun and pain, moments of motivation and desperation, even a couple of moments that are eye-opening and brilliant. But these appear in bits and pieces, with vehemence and aggression being the more dominant emotions. When will people realise that pushing down others doesn't elevate themselves?
Hence this ended up as a mixed bag for me. Maybe I just expected more. Or maybe, the book delivered less than the potential it had. It just feels like a wasted opportunity.
*************************************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
June 23, 2019
It would feel disingenuous in me to give this book anything other than five stars, mainly because I don't feel it's right to judge how people write about their lived experience. This is a book that I learned things from, that made me address misconceptions that I had about Muslim women. I think this book should be widely read, so that everyone can be faced with their incorrect assumptions, and hopefully adjust their views accordingly.
Khan and her contributors highlight the vastly different ways to be a woman and Muslim in Britain in the 21st century. Some contributors write about the tension between their identity and their faith, whether that identity is related to their sexuality or their awareness that they have been marked as 'other' in a post-9/11 world. Other contributors are keen to differentiate between the teachings of Islam and the interpretation of those teachings by patriarchal society.
I was particularly struck by this tension between what Islam says and how it's interpreted, because the contributors who discussed this highlighted that Islam has been misinterpreted by certain Muslim men and by white westerners who accept that interpretation as 'proof' that Muslim women are oppressed (and that 'all' Muslim men are oppressors and terrorists). The contributors here ask us to delve deeper, and not see all Muslim women as figures to be pitied because they're 'so oppressed' by their men.
Islam, these contributors point out, actually grants rights to women. Women are meant to be cared for by their fathers. Having a daughter is considered a blessing in Islam. Women are granted rights to work, and even to divorce their husbands if they don't like them.
I confess, these ideas surprised me. Like many in the west, I don't know enough about Islam. I considered the wearing of the hijab to be imposed by Muslim society. I did consider it a symbol of oppression, that the women wore it because it was forced on them by men. I consider myself educated, but I'm very clueless about many things, and this book really highlighted how clueless I can be. The hijab, to be clear, is a religious symbol, worn to express faith, and it's something that some Muslim women have a tense relationship with. Women talk about wearing or not wearing their headscarves, depending on where they are in their relationship with their religion. Other women don't have the same doubts or tensions about their faith, and wear the hijab to express their relationship to it. These women are no different from Christian women wrestling with the symbols of their faith. Instead of seeing them as 'other', this book helped me understand that.
There are also discussions of sexuality here. Women agonise over whether they can be bisexual and a good Muslim. For another contributor, it's her anxiety that causes her to have a difficult relationship with her faith. There are also discussions of race. Muslim women from many countries relate their realisation of being seen as different both because of their skin colour and their religion. Some have difficulties reconciling their skin colour with their religion and choose to be identified by one rather than the other. And then there's an examination of the 'acceptable' Muslim woman, the one that's used to represent a variety of women, who don't all necessarily see themselves represented in the image on the screen or the magazine page.
What this book does really effectively is highlight how many shades of grey there are when it comes to the lives of Muslim women. We have been too apt in the west to put every Muslim woman into a box and call her oppressed. Of course, it should be obvious that there are many kinds of Muslim woman, but, somehow, we don't seem to see it. We have been brainwashed into putting them all together because we lack the proper knowledge and representations of their experiences.
Even feminists don't see all the shades of grey, and, too often, don't care, and don't account for the diverse experiences of Muslim women in the same ways that they care for and account for the diverse experiences of white women. It takes women like Khan and the contributors here to talk about their diverse experiences before we get it. This book is so important for beginning the discussion about our western prejudices and misconceptions about Muslim women. I'm so glad I read it. I'm so glad it forced me to look at my own assumptions. I hope others read it too, and do the same. Only when we educate ourselves can we understand and accept, and understanding and acceptance banish prejudice and fear, and, hopefully, help foster peace.
Khan and her contributors highlight the vastly different ways to be a woman and Muslim in Britain in the 21st century. Some contributors write about the tension between their identity and their faith, whether that identity is related to their sexuality or their awareness that they have been marked as 'other' in a post-9/11 world. Other contributors are keen to differentiate between the teachings of Islam and the interpretation of those teachings by patriarchal society.
I was particularly struck by this tension between what Islam says and how it's interpreted, because the contributors who discussed this highlighted that Islam has been misinterpreted by certain Muslim men and by white westerners who accept that interpretation as 'proof' that Muslim women are oppressed (and that 'all' Muslim men are oppressors and terrorists). The contributors here ask us to delve deeper, and not see all Muslim women as figures to be pitied because they're 'so oppressed' by their men.
Islam, these contributors point out, actually grants rights to women. Women are meant to be cared for by their fathers. Having a daughter is considered a blessing in Islam. Women are granted rights to work, and even to divorce their husbands if they don't like them.
I confess, these ideas surprised me. Like many in the west, I don't know enough about Islam. I considered the wearing of the hijab to be imposed by Muslim society. I did consider it a symbol of oppression, that the women wore it because it was forced on them by men. I consider myself educated, but I'm very clueless about many things, and this book really highlighted how clueless I can be. The hijab, to be clear, is a religious symbol, worn to express faith, and it's something that some Muslim women have a tense relationship with. Women talk about wearing or not wearing their headscarves, depending on where they are in their relationship with their religion. Other women don't have the same doubts or tensions about their faith, and wear the hijab to express their relationship to it. These women are no different from Christian women wrestling with the symbols of their faith. Instead of seeing them as 'other', this book helped me understand that.
There are also discussions of sexuality here. Women agonise over whether they can be bisexual and a good Muslim. For another contributor, it's her anxiety that causes her to have a difficult relationship with her faith. There are also discussions of race. Muslim women from many countries relate their realisation of being seen as different both because of their skin colour and their religion. Some have difficulties reconciling their skin colour with their religion and choose to be identified by one rather than the other. And then there's an examination of the 'acceptable' Muslim woman, the one that's used to represent a variety of women, who don't all necessarily see themselves represented in the image on the screen or the magazine page.
What this book does really effectively is highlight how many shades of grey there are when it comes to the lives of Muslim women. We have been too apt in the west to put every Muslim woman into a box and call her oppressed. Of course, it should be obvious that there are many kinds of Muslim woman, but, somehow, we don't seem to see it. We have been brainwashed into putting them all together because we lack the proper knowledge and representations of their experiences.
Even feminists don't see all the shades of grey, and, too often, don't care, and don't account for the diverse experiences of Muslim women in the same ways that they care for and account for the diverse experiences of white women. It takes women like Khan and the contributors here to talk about their diverse experiences before we get it. This book is so important for beginning the discussion about our western prejudices and misconceptions about Muslim women. I'm so glad I read it. I'm so glad it forced me to look at my own assumptions. I hope others read it too, and do the same. Only when we educate ourselves can we understand and accept, and understanding and acceptance banish prejudice and fear, and, hopefully, help foster peace.
August 17, 2021
*PSA I’m not a Muslim reviewer so please seek out own-voices reviewers as well!*
This was such a brilliant collection of essays from so many different women, I loved it. So well written and covers such a broad range of topics, there’s really something for everyone to learn from. A must read.
This actually opened my eyes to a lot of British history, law and politics I was just completely oblivious to. For example about the dangers of the current marriage laws, traps of immigration and the shocking amount of political scandals. I didn’t even know that the first university was founded by a Muslim woman. Every essay brought something new to the discussion and a fresh way of looking at different issues which I loved. It was a book that constantly made me stop and think. It really hammered home the idea that you can’t paint all Muslim women with the same brush the way the media commonly does through single minded representation - because all Muslim women have different beliefs, thoughts and ideas and completely different ways of living. I think it also did a great job of highlighting the difference between culture and religion, as this is something so often used interchangeably when it’s not the case.
It was eye-opening and educational while being so packed with emotional moments and humour. I can’t do this one justice with a review - it goes through so much in such a short space and to do it justice you really have to read it yourself. In various forms we had discussions on misogyny, racism, islamophobia, homophobia, mental illness - and how sometimes you can be at the centre of all of this and how exhausting it is to navigate. Every single essay was amazingly written and engaging, and had me so engaged. Just an all round brilliant read.
This was such a brilliant collection of essays from so many different women, I loved it. So well written and covers such a broad range of topics, there’s really something for everyone to learn from. A must read.
This actually opened my eyes to a lot of British history, law and politics I was just completely oblivious to. For example about the dangers of the current marriage laws, traps of immigration and the shocking amount of political scandals. I didn’t even know that the first university was founded by a Muslim woman. Every essay brought something new to the discussion and a fresh way of looking at different issues which I loved. It was a book that constantly made me stop and think. It really hammered home the idea that you can’t paint all Muslim women with the same brush the way the media commonly does through single minded representation - because all Muslim women have different beliefs, thoughts and ideas and completely different ways of living. I think it also did a great job of highlighting the difference between culture and religion, as this is something so often used interchangeably when it’s not the case.
It was eye-opening and educational while being so packed with emotional moments and humour. I can’t do this one justice with a review - it goes through so much in such a short space and to do it justice you really have to read it yourself. In various forms we had discussions on misogyny, racism, islamophobia, homophobia, mental illness - and how sometimes you can be at the centre of all of this and how exhausting it is to navigate. Every single essay was amazingly written and engaging, and had me so engaged. Just an all round brilliant read.
September 6, 2019
A superb and much needed collection of essays written by Muslim women as they deep dive into a range of topics including but not limited to race, sexuality, faith, marriage, gender, mental health and the need for feminism to be intersectional.
Each essay is written beautifully, giving new and diverse insight into what it means to be a Muslim woman and perfectly portraying how no one person’s experience can sum up the experiences of all.
A true must read and the audiobook, with the majority of essays being narrated by the authors themselves was wonderful.
Each essay is written beautifully, giving new and diverse insight into what it means to be a Muslim woman and perfectly portraying how no one person’s experience can sum up the experiences of all.
A true must read and the audiobook, with the majority of essays being narrated by the authors themselves was wonderful.
February 11, 2020
I read in English but this review is written in Bahasa Indonesia
Aku lupa siapa yang sempat mengunggah foto sampul ini di Instagram, tetapi sejak saat itu aku menjadi penasaran. Awal masuk ke Indonesia masih dengan format hardcover hingga akhirnya masuk edisi paperback.
It's Not About the Burqa sebenarnya berisi kumpulan esai yang ditulis oleh para muslimah yang tinggal di negara-negara dimana menjadi umat Islam merupakan sebuah minoritas. Tetapi tidak cuma itu. Ada juga beberapa yang menggambarkan bagaimana praktik patriarki berkedok agama terjadi di komunitas mereka. Mulai dari keluarga dekat hingga ketika mereka kembali ke negara asalnya. Para penulis ini sudah kenyang berkali-kali dilabeli "terlalu barat" ketika berusaha menyuarakan apa yang menjadi hak-hak dasar wanita. Tidak main-main, mereka pun tahu bagaimana seharusnya wanita sesuai dengan kaidah Islam sebagaimana tertulis di Al Quran dan Hadis.
Mereka tidak berkutat dengan sistem patriarki yang kemudian diberi bumbu mengatasnamakan agama. Ada juga yang membahas bagaimana rasisme terjadi ketika mereka hidup di negara barat dan mereka adalah seorang muslimah. Seringkali mereka mendapat pandangan yang kurang menyenangkan. Ada juga yang masih merasa bahwa representasi mengenai umat Islam cepat sekali digeneralisasi. Padahal dalam Islam sendiri ada beragam kultur. Mereka yang hidup di Timur Tengah berbeda dengan mereka yang tinggal di Afrika. Tidak begitu saja bisa dipukul rata.
Sebagian besar dari tulisan-tulisan mereka menarik untuk diikuti. Untukku pribadi yang masih minim preferensi mengenai feminisme di Timur Tengah dan menjadi muslim di negara Eropa dan Amerika Serikat, membaca It's Not About the Burqa bisa dikatakan memperluas penglihatanku terhadap sebuah isu. Ternyata, memang, menjadi wanita itu sulit. Padahal agama Islam sudah menuliskan bahwa wanita itu bebas menentukan nasibnya sendiri.
(tambahan: baca juga Our Women on the Ground ya!)
"They push you to behave a certain way, which they say is the right way, but why is the right way always less than a man?"
-Immodesty is the Best Policy by Coco Khan
Aku lupa siapa yang sempat mengunggah foto sampul ini di Instagram, tetapi sejak saat itu aku menjadi penasaran. Awal masuk ke Indonesia masih dengan format hardcover hingga akhirnya masuk edisi paperback.
It's Not About the Burqa sebenarnya berisi kumpulan esai yang ditulis oleh para muslimah yang tinggal di negara-negara dimana menjadi umat Islam merupakan sebuah minoritas. Tetapi tidak cuma itu. Ada juga beberapa yang menggambarkan bagaimana praktik patriarki berkedok agama terjadi di komunitas mereka. Mulai dari keluarga dekat hingga ketika mereka kembali ke negara asalnya. Para penulis ini sudah kenyang berkali-kali dilabeli "terlalu barat" ketika berusaha menyuarakan apa yang menjadi hak-hak dasar wanita. Tidak main-main, mereka pun tahu bagaimana seharusnya wanita sesuai dengan kaidah Islam sebagaimana tertulis di Al Quran dan Hadis.
"The book my father gave me celebrated Khadija. It celebrated her wealth, and most importantly it celebrated the fact that she was reliant on no man. Her feminism was about a woman's right to be independent of anyone else. Khadija's business and her money belonged to her, and that gave her freedom.
-The First Feminist by Sufiya Ahmed
Mereka tidak berkutat dengan sistem patriarki yang kemudian diberi bumbu mengatasnamakan agama. Ada juga yang membahas bagaimana rasisme terjadi ketika mereka hidup di negara barat dan mereka adalah seorang muslimah. Seringkali mereka mendapat pandangan yang kurang menyenangkan. Ada juga yang masih merasa bahwa representasi mengenai umat Islam cepat sekali digeneralisasi. Padahal dalam Islam sendiri ada beragam kultur. Mereka yang hidup di Timur Tengah berbeda dengan mereka yang tinggal di Afrika. Tidak begitu saja bisa dipukul rata.
Sebagian besar dari tulisan-tulisan mereka menarik untuk diikuti. Untukku pribadi yang masih minim preferensi mengenai feminisme di Timur Tengah dan menjadi muslim di negara Eropa dan Amerika Serikat, membaca It's Not About the Burqa bisa dikatakan memperluas penglihatanku terhadap sebuah isu. Ternyata, memang, menjadi wanita itu sulit. Padahal agama Islam sudah menuliskan bahwa wanita itu bebas menentukan nasibnya sendiri.
"Islam is a religion that empowers women. And yet, for many young Muslim girls, their understanding of Islam comes entirely from a series of cultural interpretations of their faith dictated by the patriarchy."
- Feminism Needs to Die by Mariam Khan
(tambahan: baca juga Our Women on the Ground ya!)
September 1, 2019
This is another example of a book I want only to cheer on because it taught me a lot and highlighted so many important things (seriously I went through this with an actual highlighter). However, like many essay collections, it became repetitive and while around half of these essays were flat out amazing, others I felt were lacking by comparison. This is one I'm still gathering thoughts on but would definitely recommend.
February 21, 2019
A full review can be found on my blog, Headscarves and Hardbacks!
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review!
This is one of the best anthologies I’ve ever read and a much-needed collection of essays from Muslim women on a diverse range of topics including faith, feminism, sexuality and race. Every voice and topic is incredibly distinctive and yet united by a single thread that binds the whole thing together; that is, the experience of being a Muslim woman.
As can be expected from an anthology that has been curated for the sole purpose of dismantling a narrative around Muslim women and the clothing that has become synonymous with our identities, there were a select few essays - from Coco Khan, Afia Ahmed and Afshan D'souza-Lodhi - that dealt with these ideologies.
Even though the book does not represent the experiences or issues faced by all Muslim women, it’s interesting to note how each essay engages with a triad of oppressions we encounter on a frequent basis. Racism, Islamophobia and misogyny stand out as key themes within each essay; some recall the struggles of navigating the male-dominated workplace as a woman (never mind as a woman of colour and a Muslim woman of colour), whilst others offer an insight into the layers of oppression Muslim women face, not from the number of items of clothing they wear but due to the misogyny within their own communities from radical Islamists and the bigotry outside of these spaces from white supremacists.
Malia Bouattia’s essay, in particular, is a must-read in light of the current discourse surrounding Shamima Begum. It examines the fine line between victimisation and criminalisation of Muslim women with and without agency and hones in on the overall message the anthology conveys – that Muslim women are always talked about but never invited to the discussion.
Like all anthologies, I had particular favourites and these are the essays I will read over and over again, the ones I will reference whenever any conversation surrounding these issues crops up and the topics I will, undoubtedly, research in more depth. Sufiya Ahmed and editor Mariam Khan’s essays, for example, engage with feminism in relation to Islam, a religion that promotes gender equality and protects women’s rights. Furthermore, Jamilla Hekmoun’s essay addresses the stigma surrounding mental illness in the Muslim community and how it can be caused by the anxieties we have about our faith and conforming to the image of the ideal Muslim.
Finally, Raifa Rafiq and Saima Mir discuss how the factors of oppression faced by Muslim women are not mutually exclusive, and Nafisa Bakkar's essay was probably the most thought-provoking piece, discussing the token representation of Muslims in various industries and how these images only exist when they conform to Western beauty standards.
It’s needless to say that this anthology achieves what it sets out to do, dismantling the narrative of the traditionally submissive Muslim woman by amplifying the diverse voices of seventeen Muslim women who are cut from the same cloth but made of more than just the clothing they wear. Out-spoken, honest, and sometimes angry, Mariam Khan has curated a compelling collection of essays from the voices we so desperately need to hear from rather than those we only ever hear about.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review!
“Every essay in this book is unfinished, because each one is the beginning of a very necessary conversation.”
This is one of the best anthologies I’ve ever read and a much-needed collection of essays from Muslim women on a diverse range of topics including faith, feminism, sexuality and race. Every voice and topic is incredibly distinctive and yet united by a single thread that binds the whole thing together; that is, the experience of being a Muslim woman.
As can be expected from an anthology that has been curated for the sole purpose of dismantling a narrative around Muslim women and the clothing that has become synonymous with our identities, there were a select few essays - from Coco Khan, Afia Ahmed and Afshan D'souza-Lodhi - that dealt with these ideologies.
Even though the book does not represent the experiences or issues faced by all Muslim women, it’s interesting to note how each essay engages with a triad of oppressions we encounter on a frequent basis. Racism, Islamophobia and misogyny stand out as key themes within each essay; some recall the struggles of navigating the male-dominated workplace as a woman (never mind as a woman of colour and a Muslim woman of colour), whilst others offer an insight into the layers of oppression Muslim women face, not from the number of items of clothing they wear but due to the misogyny within their own communities from radical Islamists and the bigotry outside of these spaces from white supremacists.
Malia Bouattia’s essay, in particular, is a must-read in light of the current discourse surrounding Shamima Begum. It examines the fine line between victimisation and criminalisation of Muslim women with and without agency and hones in on the overall message the anthology conveys – that Muslim women are always talked about but never invited to the discussion.
Like all anthologies, I had particular favourites and these are the essays I will read over and over again, the ones I will reference whenever any conversation surrounding these issues crops up and the topics I will, undoubtedly, research in more depth. Sufiya Ahmed and editor Mariam Khan’s essays, for example, engage with feminism in relation to Islam, a religion that promotes gender equality and protects women’s rights. Furthermore, Jamilla Hekmoun’s essay addresses the stigma surrounding mental illness in the Muslim community and how it can be caused by the anxieties we have about our faith and conforming to the image of the ideal Muslim.
Finally, Raifa Rafiq and Saima Mir discuss how the factors of oppression faced by Muslim women are not mutually exclusive, and Nafisa Bakkar's essay was probably the most thought-provoking piece, discussing the token representation of Muslims in various industries and how these images only exist when they conform to Western beauty standards.
It’s needless to say that this anthology achieves what it sets out to do, dismantling the narrative of the traditionally submissive Muslim woman by amplifying the diverse voices of seventeen Muslim women who are cut from the same cloth but made of more than just the clothing they wear. Out-spoken, honest, and sometimes angry, Mariam Khan has curated a compelling collection of essays from the voices we so desperately need to hear from rather than those we only ever hear about.
April 11, 2020
I read this as part of my O.W.L.s readathon, Charms subject, a book with a white cover.
November 8, 2022
A really great collection of essays written by Muslim women, covering a broad range of subjects (including sex, marriage, hijab, representation, feminism, queer idenity, etc). I learned a lot and I know it's made me think more critically! Would highly recommend.
April 5, 2021
I LOVED this book, and I do not say that lightly. It taught me so much, more than I had anticipated, and was a deep reminder of how much more learning I still have to do. Without realising what I had absorbed, I had ingrained stereotypes of Muslim Women - especially regarding the fashion industry - and this book woke me up to the media's and society continual Westernisation of Muslim Women. I think the thing I took away the most from this book was how many companies and agencies pride themselves on sticking Muslim women with a Hijab on the front cover, and yet don't involve Muslim women in the process of this portrayal, and instead project their own view as to what the modern Muslim woman should look like. It was a stark reminder that while the world acts like its become accepting of Muslim women, the actuality is, we've become accepting of an extreme and reflective of whiteness Muslim Women, rather than realising Muslim Women cannot be lumped together under one image, nor can we define the terms for what is acceptable and what isn't.
I could go on about this book - maybe just go read it for yourself!! On a side note, I listened to the audiobook of this, and while not every author read their own chapter amazingly, it was a powerful thing to hear each women's voice telling her own story.
I could go on about this book - maybe just go read it for yourself!! On a side note, I listened to the audiobook of this, and while not every author read their own chapter amazingly, it was a powerful thing to hear each women's voice telling her own story.
February 19, 2022
"It's Not About the Burqa" is an anthology of essays by British Muslim women, edited by Mariam Khan. As the February reading for my #FaithAndFemininity book club, I found myself with... very mixed feelings about it!
My initial reaction was one of kneejerk disgust - the opening essay was by Mona Eltahawy, whose takes are without fail vomit-inducingly annoying. This one was vapid, somehow trying to convince readers that Muslim women who swear are being subversive & challenging the patriarchy. It was stupid & devoid of substance.
Tbh about half the essays sucked - "Immodesty is the Best Policy" (also devoid of intelligent thought); "Hijabi (R)evolution" (proggie garbage, resentment that Islam won't accept homosexuality as halal, weakly trying to tie it into author's hijab experiences); Salma El-Wardany's obsession with zina & trying to make Muslims accept zina... again, no meaningful spiritual or social content, just people trying to justify their Nafs & project it onto all other Muslims.
Other essays were better but fell somewhat flat &; occasionally performative ("The First Feminist," Sufiya Ahmed). A few personal essays were genuinely unique & enjoyable reads: "Not Just a Black Muslim Woman" (Raifa Rafiq) & "Daughter of Stories" (Nadine Aisha Jassat).
The truly shining essays were @nafisabakkar 's "On the Representation of Muslims: Terms & Conditions Apply," Malia Bouattia's "Between Submission & Threat: the British State's Contradictory Relationship with Muslim Women," & Afia Ahmad's "The Clothes of My Faith."
These essays were hard-hitting looks at how Muslim women's representation & identities are used, manipulated, & weaponized in multiple contexts; particularly discourses surrounding hijab. I especially loved Nafisa's detailed examination of incidents involving individuals like Amani al-Khatahtbeh & Amena Khan.
All in all, 2.5/ 5 🌟 Would only recommend specific essays, don't bother buying the whole book at regular price.
#Bookstagram #Muslimbookstagram #hijab #MuslimWomenWriters #anthology #essays #MyMuslimShelfSpace #WeNeedDiverseBooks #OwnVoices #MuslimRepresentation #authenticrepresentation #MuslimReads #IGReads #MuslimWomen #Islamophobia
2.5/ 5 in total.
My initial reaction was one of kneejerk disgust - the opening essay was by Mona Eltahawy, whose takes are without fail vomit-inducingly annoying. This one was vapid, somehow trying to convince readers that Muslim women who swear are being subversive & challenging the patriarchy. It was stupid & devoid of substance.
Tbh about half the essays sucked - "Immodesty is the Best Policy" (also devoid of intelligent thought); "Hijabi (R)evolution" (proggie garbage, resentment that Islam won't accept homosexuality as halal, weakly trying to tie it into author's hijab experiences); Salma El-Wardany's obsession with zina & trying to make Muslims accept zina... again, no meaningful spiritual or social content, just people trying to justify their Nafs & project it onto all other Muslims.
Other essays were better but fell somewhat flat &; occasionally performative ("The First Feminist," Sufiya Ahmed). A few personal essays were genuinely unique & enjoyable reads: "Not Just a Black Muslim Woman" (Raifa Rafiq) & "Daughter of Stories" (Nadine Aisha Jassat).
The truly shining essays were @nafisabakkar 's "On the Representation of Muslims: Terms & Conditions Apply," Malia Bouattia's "Between Submission & Threat: the British State's Contradictory Relationship with Muslim Women," & Afia Ahmad's "The Clothes of My Faith."
These essays were hard-hitting looks at how Muslim women's representation & identities are used, manipulated, & weaponized in multiple contexts; particularly discourses surrounding hijab. I especially loved Nafisa's detailed examination of incidents involving individuals like Amani al-Khatahtbeh & Amena Khan.
All in all, 2.5/ 5 🌟 Would only recommend specific essays, don't bother buying the whole book at regular price.
#Bookstagram #Muslimbookstagram #hijab #MuslimWomenWriters #anthology #essays #MyMuslimShelfSpace #WeNeedDiverseBooks #OwnVoices #MuslimRepresentation #authenticrepresentation #MuslimReads #IGReads #MuslimWomen #Islamophobia
2.5/ 5 in total.
March 31, 2023
many point of views and discussions about muslim woman, the muslim community and all the fights from wearing the hijab, marriage and divorce, to being queer, and sex toys.
although i don't agree with some point of views and practices (to each their own, and each experience differs from one another which make our ummah so rich and beautiful), i found all the conversations, nuances, and points given very interesting. many points stuck with me, i felt perceived and understood.
overall, i highly recommend this book !
although i don't agree with some point of views and practices (to each their own, and each experience differs from one another which make our ummah so rich and beautiful), i found all the conversations, nuances, and points given very interesting. many points stuck with me, i felt perceived and understood.
overall, i highly recommend this book !
January 10, 2022
One of the best books I have ever read .I think every woman actually men too should read this book .
It's educational and interesting at the same time .
It said everything that's going through my mind .
The best lesson to learn from this book is no matter what your religion is or your faith everyone is judged if it's not about religion it will be about your race or your gender at one point or another you will be judged or bullied you mustn't take it personal .
This book focuses on Muslim women of different races who are now living in another country not their home land and it's a really emotional topic to talk about especially for women who are objectified .
To summarize the book ,don't blame religions for cultural behaviour . We should all support each other.
It's educational and interesting at the same time .
It said everything that's going through my mind .
The best lesson to learn from this book is no matter what your religion is or your faith everyone is judged if it's not about religion it will be about your race or your gender at one point or another you will be judged or bullied you mustn't take it personal .
This book focuses on Muslim women of different races who are now living in another country not their home land and it's a really emotional topic to talk about especially for women who are objectified .
To summarize the book ,don't blame religions for cultural behaviour . We should all support each other.
May 3, 2020
[3.5/5]
The title, turns out have hardly anything to do with anything I thought it would be representing (yet in a way it did as if saying Burqa is not the only thing we are made up of, there are so and so qualities, feelings and struggles that come along with it)
🌸
When I read a book on Muslims by Muslims, especially women, I expect the best representation ever. The true side of ours, the struggles majority of us face, our needs, our morals etc. Now as the book was a collection of essays by so many women it becomes even harder to tell what I feel about it because there are some Essays that I'd be quoting for the rest of my life, that I ABSOLUTELY LOVED but then there were those that I simply didn't agree with, most of the times it had to do with their perspective of the topic rather than the topic as a whole.
Words have the power to influence people & shape their thoughts about something & I don't want especially non muslims to read it and think this is how everyone feels. Many of us do not want to have sexual relationships before marriage and we are happy to wait until one and even after one if we are not ready. As much as I respect the persons desires who crave love I definitely don't want a white woman to think of us as "oh poor muslims can't even enjoy the pleasures of life" which IS the default thinking of theirs unfortunately. While I do feel some paras could do bit more of responsible way of writing I loved the other essays.
Especially wanna applaud @nafisabakkar for her essay in representation. It was hands down the best!💖
The title, turns out have hardly anything to do with anything I thought it would be representing (yet in a way it did as if saying Burqa is not the only thing we are made up of, there are so and so qualities, feelings and struggles that come along with it)
🌸
When I read a book on Muslims by Muslims, especially women, I expect the best representation ever. The true side of ours, the struggles majority of us face, our needs, our morals etc. Now as the book was a collection of essays by so many women it becomes even harder to tell what I feel about it because there are some Essays that I'd be quoting for the rest of my life, that I ABSOLUTELY LOVED but then there were those that I simply didn't agree with, most of the times it had to do with their perspective of the topic rather than the topic as a whole.
Words have the power to influence people & shape their thoughts about something & I don't want especially non muslims to read it and think this is how everyone feels. Many of us do not want to have sexual relationships before marriage and we are happy to wait until one and even after one if we are not ready. As much as I respect the persons desires who crave love I definitely don't want a white woman to think of us as "oh poor muslims can't even enjoy the pleasures of life" which IS the default thinking of theirs unfortunately. While I do feel some paras could do bit more of responsible way of writing I loved the other essays.
Especially wanna applaud @nafisabakkar for her essay in representation. It was hands down the best!💖
February 28, 2019
I have very strong feelings about this book. If I would rate this book based on it's impact, I would give it a 5, as the essays that left an imprint far outweigh the ones I felt a bit shaky about. But there were bits and pieces that I didn't agree or jam with and made me waver between 3 or 4 stars, so 4 seems like a good middle ground.
This is a very personal book to me on so many levels. I won't get into all the aspects but it hit home and younger me would have really appreciated reading this and finding comfort instead of scouring the internet trying so very hard to find something to connect with or to help me understand.
This is a book that shares the experience of diverse Muslim women. Most of these women are British but not all. From the introduction Mariam Khan writes, "here are essays about the hijab and wavering faith, about love and divorce, about queer identity, about sex, about the twin threats of a disapproving community and a racist country, and how islam and feminism go hand in hand." She continues by saying how this book and this conversation is far from finished, so much more can be said and shared. More diverse voices are still needed. This is ultimately a collection of personal stories so I wouldn’t go into it expecting words and ideas to be backed up by verses and hadith or to have academic context.
There were a couple of parts in this book where I have added question marks or have written "hmm" on the side note to express how I either didn't see this a valid point that made sense to me, or it seemed that it contradicted with the message that was being said, or something that maybe I should look into. There's so much taboo-ness in Muslim communities about questioning and being curious and I can see how even those aforementioned parts would comfort younger people or those blissfully ignorant who are starting to look for answers.
And there are as well numerous parts where I felt solidarity and acceptance shine through. I highlighted a lot of parts. I smiled. I felt understood. I related frequently to what's in here. And it introduced me to a lot of great women that I started to follow.
Having such diverse people in an anthology collection you're bound to have a hit and miss. But the very idea that even though these women might have different perspectives here and there, they've all agreed to be in this collection that showcases a lot of different aspects, and to me that says a lot. Not just about the writers themselves, but about how different readers can find themselves and can find a middle ground and acceptance if they want to.
This is a very personal book to me on so many levels. I won't get into all the aspects but it hit home and younger me would have really appreciated reading this and finding comfort instead of scouring the internet trying so very hard to find something to connect with or to help me understand.
This is a book that shares the experience of diverse Muslim women. Most of these women are British but not all. From the introduction Mariam Khan writes, "here are essays about the hijab and wavering faith, about love and divorce, about queer identity, about sex, about the twin threats of a disapproving community and a racist country, and how islam and feminism go hand in hand." She continues by saying how this book and this conversation is far from finished, so much more can be said and shared. More diverse voices are still needed. This is ultimately a collection of personal stories so I wouldn’t go into it expecting words and ideas to be backed up by verses and hadith or to have academic context.
There were a couple of parts in this book where I have added question marks or have written "hmm" on the side note to express how I either didn't see this a valid point that made sense to me, or it seemed that it contradicted with the message that was being said, or something that maybe I should look into. There's so much taboo-ness in Muslim communities about questioning and being curious and I can see how even those aforementioned parts would comfort younger people or those blissfully ignorant who are starting to look for answers.
And there are as well numerous parts where I felt solidarity and acceptance shine through. I highlighted a lot of parts. I smiled. I felt understood. I related frequently to what's in here. And it introduced me to a lot of great women that I started to follow.
Having such diverse people in an anthology collection you're bound to have a hit and miss. But the very idea that even though these women might have different perspectives here and there, they've all agreed to be in this collection that showcases a lot of different aspects, and to me that says a lot. Not just about the writers themselves, but about how different readers can find themselves and can find a middle ground and acceptance if they want to.
December 28, 2019
“No one woman can speak for all Muslim Women - for that rich and varied tapestry of experiences, practice, belief and ways of being” - Nadine Aisha Jassat
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#theguywiththebookreview presents It’s Not About The Burqa
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The quote above from Nadine came on the last page of the book and I think it reaffirms my original decision to not review this book the way I usually try to critically (although amateurly) look at the contents.
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17 Muslim women from a wide range of backgrounds share their thoughts about what it is like to be a Muslim Woman, sometimes very visibly so (Muslim Women who wear hijab) and sometimes not as visibly.
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A few of the essays here were fascinating to me as someone who has lived most of my life where ‘normal’ to me is a lifestyle circled around Islam and practicing Muslims; the Muslim identity has always been the default. Where segregation of sexes is the norm and where things go to a halt when it is prayer times (All shops close for 20-30 minutes during the 5 prayer times in Saudi Arabia)
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There were essays I favoured more than others, and some that were truly enlightening. One in particular by Saima Mir choked me up.
.
But without a doubt my absolutely favorite of all the essays came very early in the collection: On the Representation of Muslims *Terms and Conditions Apply by @nafisa_bakkar Her writing made a super lazy reader like me get up and grab my highlighter. I went crazy highlighting the stuff she’s written! Absolutely on point!
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I would recommend this to readers across the board, Muslim or Non Muslim with a very small note that this book is about the lived experiences of Muslim women in the west, it’s not a guidebook to being Muslim.
.
#theguywiththebookreview presents It’s Not About The Burqa
.
The quote above from Nadine came on the last page of the book and I think it reaffirms my original decision to not review this book the way I usually try to critically (although amateurly) look at the contents.
.
17 Muslim women from a wide range of backgrounds share their thoughts about what it is like to be a Muslim Woman, sometimes very visibly so (Muslim Women who wear hijab) and sometimes not as visibly.
.
A few of the essays here were fascinating to me as someone who has lived most of my life where ‘normal’ to me is a lifestyle circled around Islam and practicing Muslims; the Muslim identity has always been the default. Where segregation of sexes is the norm and where things go to a halt when it is prayer times (All shops close for 20-30 minutes during the 5 prayer times in Saudi Arabia)
.
There were essays I favoured more than others, and some that were truly enlightening. One in particular by Saima Mir choked me up.
.
But without a doubt my absolutely favorite of all the essays came very early in the collection: On the Representation of Muslims *Terms and Conditions Apply by @nafisa_bakkar Her writing made a super lazy reader like me get up and grab my highlighter. I went crazy highlighting the stuff she’s written! Absolutely on point!
.
I would recommend this to readers across the board, Muslim or Non Muslim with a very small note that this book is about the lived experiences of Muslim women in the west, it’s not a guidebook to being Muslim.
February 10, 2019
I think in times like these, where fear, hate and misunderstanding is shoved down our throats everywhere we look, this collection of essays is an important, must read for everyone. It brings together the views and experiences of a variety of muslim women, in regards to their faith and how it relates to every aspect of being a woman. From their clothes to their sexual identity. In a world full of white middle aged men telling us how they are mistreated and opressed. This excellent collection of essays tells us in nonuncertain terms, how it really is.
June 30, 2019
Absolute gem! Brilliant, modern and very important book, not only for muslim women, but for all of us (& especially those authors who are writing about women). #mustread
January 26, 2023
It's Not About The Burqa is a series of essays by primarily British Muslim women about what it is like to live as a Muslim and as a woman in a country that basically discriminates against both. For too long, non-Muslims and men have defined what it is like to be a Muslim woman, talking about them being brainwashed as terrorists, having hijab forced on them, and living a life of oppression. But most women in these essays will tell you that they refuse to be defined as such and want people to stop discriminating against them just because they choose to cover themselves. They have their choices, opinions, ideas, and sexuality, and that's what makes them human, not less of.
The burka - and hijab - have been politicized and have been one of the biggest arguments used by Islamophobes. This book talks about Muslim women being misrepresented in a racist country and a discriminating community. These essays talk about love, mental health, politics, sexuality, divorce, and so much more.
While I liked most parts of the book, some of the essays I was unable to resonate with some, maybe because I did not feel like the target audience for them. Regardless, it is an insight into the lives of Muslim women who are trying to live their lives in a country that refuses to let them be. Some essays will break your heart, with others you'll be nodding your head in agreement. All in all, a pretty good book.
The burka - and hijab - have been politicized and have been one of the biggest arguments used by Islamophobes. This book talks about Muslim women being misrepresented in a racist country and a discriminating community. These essays talk about love, mental health, politics, sexuality, divorce, and so much more.
While I liked most parts of the book, some of the essays I was unable to resonate with some, maybe because I did not feel like the target audience for them. Regardless, it is an insight into the lives of Muslim women who are trying to live their lives in a country that refuses to let them be. Some essays will break your heart, with others you'll be nodding your head in agreement. All in all, a pretty good book.
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