The increasing number of women wearing the hijab has brought about a radical change in the image of the Egyptian woman. As young, urbane women increasingly take the veil, age-old associations between hijab and the traditional religious conservatism dissipate. “It’s not a matter of old women getting veiled, just out of a habit,” says Nesrine Samara, project manager at the new English-language magazine Jumanah , a fashion bible for veiled women due to launch this month. “It’s not a matter of just covering up; it means a lot of other things.” Ms Samara, a 27-year-old marketing executive, is a political science graduate of the American University of Cairo. Smartly dressed in camel boots, a long coat and a bright orange scarf, she resists the notion that being veiled is simply about being modest. Women are increasingly taking the veil as a way of identifying with the larger culture of Islam, she argues.
The increasing number of women wearing the hijab has brought about a radical change in the image of the Egyptian woman. As young, urbane women increasingly take the veil, age-old associations between hijab and the traditional religious conservatism dissipate. “It’s not a matter of old women getting veiled, just out of a habit,” says Nesrine Samara, project manager at the new English-language magazine Jumanah , a fashion bible for veiled women due to launch this month. “It’s not a matter of just covering up; it means a lot of other things.” Ms Samara, a 27-year-old marketing executive, is a political science graduate of the American University of Cairo. Smartly dressed in camel boots, a long coat and a bright orange scarf, she resists the notion that being veiled is simply about being modest. Women are increasingly taking the veil as a way of identifying with the larger culture of Islam, she argues.
This is part of a much bigger trend that is still under-studied: the commodification of Islam (Google cached page, original is gone.)
Hi I would like to tell u that i watched a program on deutshe welle tv (dw tv) the german channel and they were featuring jumanah fashion and i was really impressed cause i’ve been veiled for a long time and im studting to be a fashion stylist and i beleive that we should support modern clothes for veiled girls but the problem is i cant reach jumanah fashion so if anyone has an email or a phone number to reach them i would be very greatful
Dear Reem:
I’m not sure what Jumanah fashion is doing now — their recent fashion show never happened — but here is their number in Cairo: 02-760-0714.
Good luck!
I watched about Jumanah Fashion on direct tv, Link channel 375. My husband and I both were extremely pleased to see the impressive new ways fashion has progressed into bold statements without loosing the meaning behind the purpose for wearing the hijab.
I don’t think there is anything wrong with applying style while keeping modest as first priority. I would like to see more Fashion Shows displaying the absolute art and beauty of Islamic wear.