Exploring the Burqa as a Metaphor

by rumana husain | August 20, 2009 at 08:08 pm

286 views | 56 Recommendations | 14 comments

"The obsession with burqa, face-veil, niqab, hijab, parda has very little to do with religious beliefs and everything to do with the patriarchal, tribal, feudal mindset and value system," says The Ajoka Theatre regarding its ultra-controversial but hilarious play called Burqavaganza, which I had seen some months ago when it was performed in Karachi for the first time. The play had stirred up much interest as it had been banned previously but Ajoka continued to perform it in defiance of the ban and eventually the ban was lifted.

LAHORE: Alhamra Hall-II was full of audience on Wednesday when Burqavaganza was staged on the second day of Theatre for Peace festival, being organised by Ajoka Theatre in collaboration with the Lahore Arts Council and Rising Pakistan.

The play explores the burqa as a dramatic device and uses it as a metaphor.

It is the story of young lovers who are determined to defy the hypocritical values of an ultra-conservative society in the time of jihad.

Like all lovers they want to spend time together only to be interrupted and harassed by the moral police and the stick-wielding burqa brigade. The love blooms with the help of popular film songs and under various forms of burqas, while the world outside is falling apart because of the war on terror and a search for ‘Burqa bin Batin.’ It is a world where lovers are persecuted and terrorists worshipped, where new technology is used to promote outdated and retrogressive ideas.

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158

at 20:36 on August 20th, 2009

Sounds like an interesting play.

Irawwan

at 20:44 on August 20th, 2009

Very interesting. If you see, in India too a muslim scholar opined that wearing burqua is not necessary as per Islam. Link

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/burqa-not-a-part-of-islam-say-scholars_100235383.html

[ Fareeda Khan, who is also an Islamic scholar and teaches in the capital’s Jamia Millia University, echoed the views. “The burqa has become the symbol of rigidity and has nothing to do with Islam. You should accept that the burqa, a part of subcontinental culture, has been misused for suicide bombings. Why not avoid the burqa? Burqa is not part of any Islamic dress code,” she said. “I also suggest to my students to not wear a burqa in the university. What is the big deal about it?” Fareeda, who is also the daughter of Wahiduddin Khan, said. ]

sara star

at 03:41 on August 21st, 2009

Irawwan, thanks for this

New Delhi, Aug 20 (IANS) The Karnataka college that disallows its students from wearing either burqas or headscarves has found unexpected support amongst a section of Islamic scholars who say rules should be followed because Islam is not particular about imposing any dress code.

“Burqa is not a part of Islam. It is a part of culture, the culture that the people of the subcontinent have been following since ages. Nobody can enforce a dress code in the name of Islam. It is categorically un-Islamic,” renowned Islamic scholar Maulana Wahiduddin Khan told IANS.

rumana husain

at 20:57 on August 20th, 2009

yes, 158, it does bring to fore a lot of issues related to women's freedom. irawwan, thank you for your comment and related post.

sara star

at 03:32 on August 21st, 2009

This would be interesting to see. Do you think it may ever play in other countries such as Canada?

Paschen

at 03:49 on August 21st, 2009

Great post Rumana.

rumana husain

at 04:00 on August 21st, 2009

thank you sara star and paschen. regarding the play's performance in canada, i guess if they can find sponsors they would. groups such as tehrik-e-niswan and ajoka theatre (see my post http://my.nowpublic.com/culture/theatre-activism) have been active in the country for the last many years, trying to promote peace, tolerance and harmony as well as takng up rights issues

t k kidwai

at 04:08 on August 21st, 2009

Religious controversies are unlikely to die down because of hard stances of Mullahs on such issues.In Islam there is no concept of priesthood and thus no clergy or priest class.

What Islam makes mandatory is modest dress.The Islamic jurists' interpretations of modest dress varied and according to one jurist covering body from head to toe is compulsory for Muslim women.Those who subscribe to that particular school of jurisprudence wear Burqa, tailored accordingly.In Yemen I noticed every women.young or old wore Burqa,only eyes were visible. In Yemen there is no feminist movement to raise voice and demand changes in obsolete customs.

Burqa,in my opinion,is symbol of matriarchical dominance order which places women at lower social status.A good many men still entertain outdated view that if a women goes out without Burqa men cast evil eyes and her modesty and chastity are vulnerable to men's lust.

In Pakistan the play would have been banned because of opposition of clergy and conservative elements including women groups.

Those who wear it must be first one to discard it,burn it as symbol of subjugation to men's interpretation of scriptures.Let the initiative come from women groups.

a211423

at 08:55 on August 21st, 2009

t k kidwai

"Those who wear it must be the first to discard it...."

I agree that until women are ready to free themselves, the subjugation will continue. Similar to foot binding in China, and even the restrictive dress of nuns.

During the election in Afghanistan, I learned women who wear the burqa do not allow their picture to be taken either. This modern practice cannot emanate from the Koran, yet women have either created this restriction or have had it imposed upon them. I hope the same pride with which they displayed their inked figure will allow them to seek freedoms they truly want.

Barry Artiste

at 04:33 on August 21st, 2009

http://my.nowpublic.com/culture/world-burka

Here is a link to my story on Denmark Banning the Burqa

Barry Artiste

at 04:34 on August 21st, 2009

Good story Rumana, I have linked your story to mine on Denmarks proposal to Ban the Burqa

Maireid Sullivan

at 04:42 on August 21st, 2009

Wonderful to see that the actors are not afraid, which indicates an element of freedom has entered the culture. The inevitability of multi-culturalism is challenging for all relationships - especially when it comes to understanding courtship protocols– but wonderful too, especially in the arts.

During my childhood, in Ireland, Catholic nuns wore a full-length 'habit' covering everything but the face, –much like the burka - and from the same cultural roots. In one generation, it has nearly disappeared. We just need to be patient as we get to know other traditions. As I understand it, the original intention was to show respect and protect women from 'barbaric' predators.

info.star

at 19:18 on August 24th, 2009

Oh my Oh my Oh my how many more times do I need to say the same thing.

I usually wright a huge post regarding this, but I will not this time as nobody seems to pay attention, I will say only this from the holy QURAN,

" Say O Muhammad, to your wives, daughters and the believing woman, put on your outer garment (cloke) when you go abroad (outside) so as you be known and not be molested"

What do you all think this is talking about?

There are also a number of Hadiths on the matter of the Hijab, Burka.

For those with no understanding a Hadith is a saying or action or good (Halal) thing aproved of by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

sara.umer

at 13:03 on September 24th, 2009

Info.Star

Gone are the days when men was superior because he was 'superior in muscles'. Now people are civilized enough that they don't rape every girl they see. and they have experienced that putting 'outer garment' on their wives and daughters doesn't solve the problem. Did it solve the problem in pakistan or anyother muslim country. i don't think so.

In saudi arabia a ganged raped women severely beaten by the police because she was seen in the car of those people who were kidnapping her. according to islam a women can't sit in Namuhrum's car. Who cares if she was in the car by force or not. she was in the car so beat her!!!. She was not out without donning abaya.

Try thinking sometime if its a good idea to apply 100s years old rules. Think if someone comes to you and say whenever i need help in my studies i go consult my granny who's never been to school even.