As Australian Muslim Women We Don't Have To Be Told What We Can Wear
20 February 2018By Lydia Shelly
For an exclusive brand of white mainstream feminism the only acceptable Muslim
woman is the one where her 'Muslimness' is erased the rise of "modest
fashion", both in Australia and overseas, is part of a larger fashion
revolution which understands the economic incentives of diversity. CoverGirl
features hijabi beauty vlogger Nura Afia as their model, while Mariah Idrissi
became the first model wearing a hijab for H&M in 2015. It is a lucrative
market. The modest fashion empire is set to be worth over $368bn by 2021. It's
a market that holds untapped opportunities for Australia's cotton and clothing
industries, industries that would welcome growth.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Dfat) recently issued a press
release highlighting that they had facilitated an Australian fashion
exhibition focusing on modest clothing in one of south-east Asia's major
consumers of modest fashion.
There was swift criticism by those who continue to hold ill-informed and poor
understandings of terrorism and radicalisation, by those who lack a basic
understanding of soft power and diplomacy, by the prejudiced and those
ignorant of intersectional feminism (in some criticisms, all four were
apparent). Former prime minister Tony Abbott, urged Dfat to "focus on
mainstream Australia". This is the same man who politicised national security
and not only ignited, but poured gasoline on the relationship between
Australian Muslims and law enforcement (one which is still being rebuilt).
The photograph of the 14 young, smiling and beautiful Australian women issued
as part of Dfats's press release was soon appropriated and splashed on the
front page of a mainstream newspaper with the catch cry that it "does not
represent us". The criticisms perfectly demonstrate how there is an incessant
fetishisation of Muslim women in Australia; how multiculturalism is now viewed
as a dirty word. The "war on terror" has made what Muslim women wear a
constant accusation of misogyny and violent extremism as instrumental in
orgies of violence and terror. It's an accusation that despite what mainstream
media and self-elected community leaders demand, Muslim women have no onus to
defend or explain. It has been painful to watch the various public
performances acted out by Australian Muslims as a means to demonstrate their
humanity: date a Muslim, hug a Muslim, wear a hijab and dress as a Muslim,
handing out roses and sausage sizzles.
The accusation that religious garments are a precursor to radicalisation or
violent extremism is one that has no grounds in the extensive body of
terrorism literature. Respected terrorism experts have found that there are no
links between modest clothing and violent extremism or terrorism; indeed, that
religion is not a sole or major contributor to violent extremism. The fact
that this is so widely believed and espoused by politicians and other
stakeholders reveals just how pervasive the politicisation of national
security has become, risking the continued use of national security policy
being a political play thing or a way to raise revenue for mainstream
publications. This is dangerous, divisive and frankly unacceptable. If
religion is believed to be the precursor for radicalisation and terrorism and
adopted as a policy by security and law enforcement agencies, it would result
in discriminatory practices. Arguably, Australian Muslims are already at the
receiving end of such practices.
Australian Muslim women live in a country where national security policies
intersect and collide with feminism with increasing regularity. Our bodies and
clothing are a form of currency and radicalisation indicators, traded for
countering violent extremism grants and the sale of newspapers and votes.
Australia has many faces that we show to the world. It is increasingly
becoming one of racism; where "whiteness" is seen to be in peril, in danger of
being diluted or driven to extinction.
It is common for female public figures in Australia to build their careers and
their egos off the backs of Muslim women. Where they talk of liberation while
being silent on Nauru, Manus or even Yemen or Syria. Where they talk about the
public display of violence, but are silent about our country exporting arms.
Where they talk of being enlightened, but are silent about the noose being
placed around the neck of press freedoms in our country. Where they talk of
the liberation and freedom of Muslim women, but are silent on . We know that
this exclusive brand of white mainstream feminism isn't really about an
all-inclusive sisterhood. It is also increasingly common for Muslim women to
point the finger at more conservative Muslim women in the community, so eager
are they to be seen as "one of the good ones", as an example of how it is
possible to be both Australian and to wear the veil. We know that for these
feminists, the only acceptable Australian Muslim woman is one where her "Muslimness"
is erased.
Australian Muslim women have done very well without being told what they can
wear, "from day dot", as Caroline Overington puts it . And indeed, it is
because Australian Muslim womanhood is "robust, hands-on, shoulder to the
wheel". We are resilient and savvy in negotiating political waters. Fashion
has always been avant garde. When does fashion represent a far more inclusive
and collaborative face of Australia than its social and political
institutions? In 2018, apparently.
• Lydia Shelly is a lawyer and student in terrorism and security studies
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