A Thousand Veils Discussion Group discussion

In contrast to Chapter One in which Fatima, as a child, was treated no differently than her brothers, in Chapter Two, as she enters adolescence, Fatima discovers what it means to be a female in a very conservative Muslim society. First, she is persuaded by her father to take the veil, even though it is counter to her inner sense of herself and her soaring, independent spirit. Then, she is forced into a marriage with a much older, abusive cousin.

Both the veil and arranged marriages are virtually the norm for women in the most conservative Muslim countries. However, there are exceptional women who have resisted these conventions and forged their own independent paths. Can you name any well-known Muslim women authors or books about Muslim women, who have grown up in very traditional families but have succeeded in establishing their own independence? What seems to be the reason in common for their success?

Please also feel free to post your own comments or questions about this chapter.

I am going to get the discussion underway by responding to my own question. Whenever I think of a strong, independent Muslim woman, Nawal El Saadawi comes to mind. She is an Egyptian author who has written many books, including Memoirs from the Women's Prison, the story of her imprisonment by President Sadat for her political views.

I recently finished A Daughter of Isis: The Autobiography of Nawal El Saadawi, the story of her early life. Just like Fatima in A Thousand Veils, Nawal's parents wanted to arrange a marriage for her. She was presented with a series of suitors, all of whom she refused to marry. Her father was infuriated and would barely talk to her. However, he did not force her to marry someone against her will and allowed her to continue her education. She eventually won his pride when she excelled at her studies and graduated from medical school.

Another example of a strong, independent Muslim woman is Ayaan Hirsi Ali, author of Infidel. She was born in Somalia but grew up in Kenya. Her father arranged a marriage for her, but she fled to the Netherlands where she was granted asylum, learned Dutch, received her university degree and was elected to Parliament, all within ten years.

What Fatima, Nawal El Saadawi and Ayaan Hirsi Ali had in common is that they were well educated as compared to many women in their societies. All three resisted arranged marriages. Nawal and Ayaan were able to avoid these marriages because Nawal's parents did not force her to marry against her will while Ayaan at the age of 22 had the maturity and experience to escape and establish a new life for herself.

If Fatima had been older, she probably would not have allowed herself to be forced into a marriage she did not want. Also, three of her brothers would have supported her in this decision. However, since her oldest brother Omar was in the US, her second brother Majid was, in effect, the head of the family after the death of their father. A deeply religious man, he thought that Fatima, at the age of sixteen, was ready for marriage , and their cousin Abdul should have first claim on her. Despite her resistance, what alternative did Fatima have than to be married to this man against her will?

I am reading Infidel. It is compelling.

Catherine wrote: "I am reading Infidel. It is compelling."

I agree, Catherine. Ayaan Hirsi Ali has amazing courage. Her life story reads like a novel.