I tried to express my feelings about being an Arab woman by creating an art work in which I made a figure of Middle Eastern female and dressed her as I would have to dress to fit into Arabic society. I tried to show her beauty and make her look glamours, even though she still under control by men and the rules of society . Using the red background as symbolism of her power to resist the control imposed upon her.
Women in the Arab world, have throughout history experienced discrimination and have been subject to restrictions of their freedoms and rights. Some of these practices are based on tradition.
Women in the Arab world, have throughout history experienced discrimination and have been subject to restrictions of their freedoms and rights. Some of these practices are based on tradition.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_Arab_societies
As the Qur’an states: “I will not suffer to be lost the work of any of you whether male or female. You proceed one from another”.(Qur’an 3:195)
Muhammed peace of upon him said that “one to whom a daughter is born and who does not bury her alive, does not humiliate her not prefer a son to a daughter, will be sent to Paradise”.[15] Another tradition of Muhammad makes hell fire prohibited to he who undergoes trials and tribulations due to a daughter and yet does not hate her and behaves well towards her.(Sahih Bukhari, “kitab al-Adab, bab rahmat al-walad wa taqbilihi).
woman is seen as mother or wife to such an extent that her rights of having sexual desire or needs have been ignored or disregarded. it is very common practice among all Middle Eastern and Eastern societies where woman has seen more as mother,sister,wife and daughter. all these titles come to her as a result of relationship to men. In most of the Eastern Culture if woman is not married,nor has no family, she will have no friends and will not be welcomed warmly to any celebration or occasion. Marriage is an important institution and not getting married is a stigma for both men and woman. However with advanced communication tools, and the effects of social media. these societies are changing rapidly. The same is happening to women as well. Women from any part of the world are more aware of their own identity. Self-esteem and existence. However there is still a long way till Middle Eastern women can be recognized as individuals. Hatoum’s and many other artists work in this field can be regarded as a step towards that direction.
