“Feminist Theory, Embodiment, and the Docile Agent: Some Reflections on the Egyptian Islamic Revival” explores the dynamic between feminism and the Islamic Revival in Egypt. It talks about women’s roles in regards to societal norms and their roles within religion. It argues that women within the Islamic Revival movement in Egypt challenge patriarchal society in their own ways, particularly through religion and God’s demands.
The part I enjoyed the most about this article is the conversation with the four lower-middle class working women. The conversation was based on haya, shyness, and modesty, the hijab in particular. One of the women, Amal, talked about how it is important for Muslim women to be shy and practice haya (act and dress modestly). Amal mentioned how she was “particularly outspoken and confident”, and often struggled with the concept of shyness, as she felt hypocritical acting in a way she didn’t actually feel. Amal then drew attention to Surat Al-Qasa, verse 25, which talks about a woman shyly walking towards Moses to ask him to approach her father for her hand in marriage, and Amal realized that shyness was amongst the good deeds, and that eventually your inside learns to have haya too. I found this story very beautiful as it also drew my attention to the Surah and the story of Moses with the woman. The way Amal phrased it, “the sense of shyness (al-haya) eventually imprints itself on your inside”, I was able to make me have the same realization as she did.
I also enjoyed Nama’s input on the hijab, another one of the four women, who talked about the hijab. She highlighted on points that every hijabi at one point struggled with: societal perception. She mentioned how in the beginning, when first wearing the hijab, one might be embarrassed. You’re suddenly perceived differently, people judge you, and you get treated differently as well. But the most important thing Nama touched on is that we must wear the veil, as it is. a command from God, and when you begin to wear the veil, “you inside learns to feel shy without the shy, and if you were to take it off your entire being feels uncomfortable”. I really liked how these two women were able to show how God’s commandments were better for them and by trusting God, they were able to find themselves as well.
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