Includes bibliographical references (pages 215-234) and indexes.

"In the 1970s, often to the consternation of parents and siblings certain progressive young Arab women voluntarily donned the veil. The movement, which rapidly expanded and continues to gather momentum has sparked controversy within Islamic culture as well as reactions ranging from perplexity to outrage from those outside it. Western feminist commentators have been particularly vociferous in decrying the veil which they glibly interpret as a concrete manifestation of patriarchal oppression. However, most Western observers fail to realize that veiling, which has a long and complex history, has been embraced by many Arab women as both an affirmation of cultural identity and a strident feminist statement. Not only does the veil demarginalize women in society, but it also represents an expression of liberation from colonial legacies. In short, contemporary veiling is more often than not about resistance ... This provocative book draws on extensive original fieldwork, anthropology, history and original Islamic sources to challenge the simplistic assumption that veiling is largely about modesty and seclusion, honor and shame"--Jacket.

SACFinal081324