Aladdin, Jasmine, and the Hijab: Common Western Misinterpretations of Muslim Culture

Erin Addison's article titled "Saving Other Women from Other Men: Disney's Aladdin" explores the film's stereotypes in relation to gender roles. In particular, Addison criticizes the popular belief that Western culture is preferable for women than restrictive Muslim practices. I found one argument in the article to be especially interesting: "Jasmine's tangled personae epitomize the confused Euramerican interpretation of hijab as imprisonment by Muslim men". Like many Americans, I am largely ignorant of the religious and cultural meanings tied to the hijab, equating it with oppression because that is how it is portrayed in the media. Thus, in this blog post I will seek to debunk myths associated with the hijab-- myths that, according to Addison, contribute to the false depiction of Middle Eastern culture in Aladdin.
While the hijab can indeed be viewed as a vehicle through which women are repressed in certain countries such as Saudi Arabia that mandate its use, many Muslim women also consciously choose to wear the hijab as an indication of their faith. The hijab is inextricably linked to the Islamic belief that women should present themselves modestly, encompassing not only their style of dress but also their general demeanor. Covering other parts of the body (except hands, feet, and face) is just as important as covering the head; the hijab is not especially significant as mandated by the Qu'ran, but rather has gained prominence as a symbol that distinguishes Muslim women from women of other faiths. Though the hijab is often viewed by Westerners as an object that limits freedom, Muslim women choose to wear it for a myriad of reasons. Contrary to our beliefs, some Islamic women view the hijab (and the modest style of dress that accompanies it) as liberating in that it allows them to be appreciated and valued for their minds rather than their physical beauty. All of this knowledge helps to shed light upon aspects of Islamic culture that we, as Americans whom celebrate traits such as individuality that seem at odds with modesty, have trouble grasping. Only by looking past these cultural barriers can we hope to begin to understand some of the immense differences that characterize the various belief systems within our world. Films such as Aladdin, though entertaining and seemingly harmless, play a large role in perpetuating misperceptions. Perhaps the time has come for us to reconsider the notion that "The American Way" is always the best way.

http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Islam/Galleries/Why-the-Hijab.aspx