Muslim people are frequently subjected to a variety of preconceptions. From the’silly shrouded feminine’ that is portrayed as an oppressed prey in need of a christ, to the notion that women who wear veils are unable to suppose for themselves or do not have any ambition. These stereotypes are dangerous in their portrayal of a society, but also in the means that they https://wellcomecollection.org/ deny the trailblazing work of women function versions across the area. Whether it is the first female mayor of a capital in Iraq or the many Arab female lawmakers, these women are a clear concern to the tale that has been created that says Arab women are useless and may consider charge of their own lives.
Research https://asiansbrides.com/iranian-brides conducted by George Gerbner, father of Cultivation Theory, shows that bad prejudices are cultivated through repeated advertising representations. This is particularly true when it comes to the Arab media. During the coronavirus pandemic in 2019 for example, a large percentage of jokes circulated on social media sites reflected negatively about arab women. The’silly veiled female ‘ image was the most prominent one. Other negative images included women being illiterate, limited in intellectual capability, immoral, materialistic or opportunistic.
Dr Balaa highlights the importance of countering these stereotypes with positive portrayals of Arab women and how these are achieved in literature. She uses the example of Firdaus in Saadawi’s novel The Book of life where she is able to rebel against her rapist and show ‘ a different type of femininity.’ This is important as it illustrates that women can face multiple forms of oppression at the same time that are not solely related to their religion or their ethnicity as Arabs.
