Synopsis:
The above cartoon focuses the appearance of veiled women versus the Christian nuns, and how the West portrays each of them by applying a double standard, a standard where everything Muslim is oppressive and wrong, while everything Christian or Jewish is part of the Western tradition and history.
This cartoon is taken from the cartoon movement website, which emphasizes on the idea that there is more than one truth, and how the public must always look behind the stereotyping imposed by the state countries. The same idea was mentioned by Lila Abu-Lughod in her book “Do Muslim Women Need Saving”, where she reveals that the veil is, in fact, a symbol of modesty and respectability.
Rationale:
I choose this cartoon as it represents the reality veiled women are facing nowadays. Watching the world news, I can see that veiled women are being targeted for their appearance in many western countries, to the extent that some governments try to ban the veil in their official institutions, such as France.
As a veiled woman, I find this notion unacceptable, especially that it comes from countries that promote freedom of expression and the individual right to practice his/her religion without fear and without being targeted. Finally, I believe that all religions must be respected, and all human beings must have the freedom to exercise their religion or belief publicly or privately, alone or with others.
Keywords: Veiled women, Christian nuns, Double standard
Author: Jadal
I appreciate that you chose to address this comic, as I have often brought up this exact double-standard with many islamophobic people. The oppression, hatred, and willful misunderstanding that most veiled women experience in western countries is violent and the antithesis of the true purpose of the veil. I really like how you tied the theory behind this cartoon back to a class reading as well. I feel that it gave me more context for your rationale.