Muslim Women Portrayal - Essay Example

? Muslim Women Portrayal Introduction The inside hatred of anti-Islamic powers reached zenith after the 9/11 attacks. Previously Muslims were target in diverse ways but twin towers incident empowered Islamic phobia majority to humiliate Muslims through media too. The impact on Muslim women was colossal as most of them remain in their conventional dress code. The problems for Muslim women were created such as that why they cover their faces; wear Burqa (piece of cloth that covers body) and do not indulge with men. Movements against Muslim community have been going on since then and a couple of years ago some of the European countries such France has banned Burqa wearing. The issue has been in the lime light for more than two years and considerable authorities have talked against this unnecessary ban but French officials are determined to make it eternal part of the law. Heavy fines on Muslim women have been imposed because of wearing Burqa (Ferracioli, 2013). There are several movies and T.V shows that have showed Muslim culture as conservative, hesitant and old-fashioned. Women’s are not given autonomy and are to keep inside their houses. Muslim women are not allowed to roam around out and visit bars. They have to cover their body properly and not to indulge with other men. For instance Matlin Margaret in her book talks about the Afghan Muslim women that were forces by the Talibans to wear burqas and eventually they have to beg for money when no employment opportunity was granted to them to prohibit freedom at any level (Matlin 61). The purpose of this paper is to discuss the role of media on Muslim women. What are the factors that merge up to create abhorrence against Muslims? How movies demonstrate this issue and what actually is the reality behind this dilemma. Concise details about Burqa ban in France in also elucidated in the paper. Burqa Ban in France The population of Muslims in France is increasing which is a huge threat for the French authorities. Muslims are the biggest minority in the country and have been working for the progress and prosperity of the country for many years. The current issues of intimidation and terrorism occurring all around the globe allowed French officials to make their move against Muslim majority. Ban on Burqa by France was laid in April 2011 which indicated that no women would be allowed to cover herself with Burqa or Hijab in public place. The target remained Muslim women because of their dress code. French Muslims prefer to wear Burqa as it covers their whole body and they can easily perform their everyday endeavors. Moreover there is an overwhelming women majority in the organizational workforce. This ban was not welcomed by Muslims and even believers of all faiths stood against this action. The ban measure is implemented so that Muslims would be cut from the mainstream workforce. The boom of bringing secularism and liberalism in the society remains the intention of French government due to which they have disgraced Muslim women by not allowing them to wear burqa (Tourkochoriti, 2012). French officials’ report that the measure is taken in the best interest of the country as burqa does not allow to indicate that who actually the person is, it is against modesty and the country believes in liberalistic procedures. The measure impacted on Muslim women colossally as they cannot stop fulfilling their religious obligation because of government measure. Great opposition from the world was also recorded but France remained determined to continue this move throughout the country. Heavy fines are imposed to the women who wear Burqa and even though they are humiliated in public (Rustici, 2011). This measure has actually revealed the hatred of west against Muslims as the theory of liberalism elaborates that every individual has the right to live his/her own life according to his own choice. Burqa ban is basically playing with Muslim religious beliefs which are morally and ethically incorrect (Parvez, 2011). Media Impact Media remains the front line player to evolve the Burqa ban issue. French media collided with government and responded that Muslims living in France should respect and follow all the orders given by French government. The west media reported as the victory of liberal and secularism. The fact remains that media is not willing to talk about Christian Nuns and Jewish women who cover themselves too. The material they wear is almost the same as Burqa but they are never targeted or brought in lime light. The problem of western media has been significant against Muslims. They do not leave any report to disgrace Muslims and cover all the sins and bad deeds of other religious groups. The impact of 9/11 attacks is actually the backbone to flourish this hatred. Media has the power to stimulate people ideas and perceptions which the western media is doing it so (Epstein, 2011). Due to the reporting of western media against Islam, majority of the people have created wrong image about Islam in their mind. They disgust and want to keep distance with the Muslim community. Muslims are not given preference in jobs or at any place. Especially Muslim women are targeted as they do not expose their body and do not please men. The burqa ban measure was the triumph of media too as they succeeded to depict that burqa is not important to wear and it creates problems. Moreover feminism topic was brought in and Muslim women were forced to make moves against their conventional conservative religious setup. Feminism theory believes in full women autonomy and power; no strings attached. Because of the wrong media reporting, many people were influenced by feminism and hatred against Islamic values increased (Tourkochoriti, 2012). Depiction in Movies and T.V shows The entertainment industry also contributed in the cause to shake Muslims religious foundations. Several movies and T.V shows were and are telecasted to make certain Muslims that their religion has several flaws and shortcomings. The conservative living setting is the biggest one and they should reform their life styles as soon as possible. The Muslim women are actually portrayed as insane who do not know about anything happening in the world. They are revealed as if women are only relying on husbands entirely and do not have the authority to talk or converse with other people. The Family Guy and South Park are renowned American T.V shows that have been revealing Muslim women’s in sarcastic ways. The agenda shows trying to implement are that Muslim women’s are backward minded, indecent and conservative. Citizen Khan, a British show also targeted women Burqa and divulged that Muslim women actually hate to wear it. Burqa is showed as the cloth which can lead to terrorist attacks. Movies against Muslims have been created for many years. Recently Innocence of Muslims was created by Hollywood in 2012 which brought great reaction of Muslims throughout the world. The movie portrayed Muslim practices negatively and women were the prime target. Women were depicted as if they are slaves. The Dutch movie Fitna was released in 2008 which portrayed Muslim beliefs wrongly. Fun of the verses of Holy Quran was made and Muslim women were depicted as if they are the major cause of wrong doings happening in the world. Burqa issue was the primary one and they focused to play with the women psychology. Consequences After the inauguration of anti-Islamic measures, Muslim women continued to strive for the best. Their religious beliefs were strengthened and they continued to wear it. Most of the women prefer to give fine and continue to wear Burqa. Muslim men are happy and proud of the initiative taken by women and some of the well known French Muslim businessmen have taken the responsibility to pay fines of Muslim women’s for wearing Burqa (Ferracioli, 2013). Muslims believe that Burqa is the integral part of their religion and this measure by French government is actually to take us away from our religion. Practice of religion explicitly is allowed in every democratic country but French democracy has made its own dimensions and limitations. References Epstein, M. (2012), Look Who’s Talking: The Burqa Ban in France. France. Ferracioli, L. (2013). “Challenging the Burqa Ban”, Journal of Intercultural Studies, 34(1), 89-101 Parvez, Z. F. (2011). “Debating the Burqa in France: the Anti politics of Islamic Revival”, Qualitative Sociology, 34(2), 287-312 Matlin, Margaret W. The Psychology of Women. Belmont, CA: Thomson-Wadworth Publisher. 2008. Print. Rustici, C. (2011). “France Burqa Ban Takes Effect; Two Women Detained”. The Huffington Post Tourkochoriti, I. (2012). “The Burka Ban: Divergent Approaches to Freedom of Religion in France and in the USA”. William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal, 20, 791-852. Read More