Orientalism, Colonialism and the Representation of Muslim Women. Faculty of Arts Department of Sociology SOC 885: Women and Islam.

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Orientalism, Colonialism and the Representation of Muslim Women
Introduction
In the current world, the issues surrounding religion as it relates to gender predominantly concerns the situation of Muslim women and its indication towards the state of civilization. For instance, the concept of feminist Orientalism is identified by three characteristics that include the assumption surrounding the oppositional binary between the West and the East where Muslim women are victims of oppression (Khalid 15). Conversely, their Western counterparts are considered to enjoy the benefits of full freedom within society. Secondly, the conception that points to the fact that Oriental women are only victims of a male chauvinistic society, therefore, experience no amount of resistance within the social transformations. Such an approach is seen as an attempt to marginalize the Oriental women, therefore, calling for saviors amongst Muslim women. This approach could be a call for the westerners to emancipate Muslim women from Muslim men. The third aspect of feminist Orientalism involves the construction of a monolithic entity of Muslims and therefore, the ultimate belief that Muslim women are subjected under the same condition, therefore, lacking any form of a unique aspect of identity that they can own. Consequently, feminist Orientalism must be perceived within the wider scope and capacity of Orientalism. Orientalism is considered to have the capacity to create not only knowledge but also the very reality that the concept tends to describe. Historically, there have not been major changes amongst the Oriental and Muslim women (Khalid 18). This reveals that various common traditions, as well as stereotypes, continue recurring with negligible or no change at all. There is always a constant and inseparable association between the Orient as well as sensuality since the female Orientals relate to creatures of male power. In this case, they are considered to express unlimited sensuality and appearing more or less stupid and ultimately willing and submissive. The infiltration by Western colonialism led to several overarching changes amongst the Muslim communities politically, economically and culturally.
Objective
This essay focuses on the position of Muslim women in the society, in this case, explaining their religious identities, practices as well as roles within the society as pertains to the various stereotypical notion associated with their experiences. This essay explains the several changes arising from state policies alongside economic changes, ideological and cultural developments that impact the lives of both male and female within the society. In this case, some of the particular significant developments are associated with the treatment of women in Islamic societies. The first instance that openly discusses the issue of women appeared amongst the male intellectuals in Egypt and Turkey. Questions are surrounding the issue of gender as well as religion in many contexts such as abortion, divorce, and polygamy. However, the issue of religion as it relates to gender especially the position of Muslim women and its indication concerning the state of civilization has become predominant in the current globa...