Refusing the Veil:

by Yasmin Alibhai-Brown

This topic divides people � and it will divide readers of this book too. Many Muslims worldwide either support or adopt religious veiling, and those who argue against it are often criticised, or worse. But, according to Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, the veil throws up a number of concerns, from questions of health and freedom of choice to issues of gender and personal identity. She argues that veiling conceals abuse, propagates eating disorders and restricts access to sunlight and exercise. It is imposed on babies and young girls, allows women to be shamed for not covering up, and has become associated with extremist factions. It demonises men, oppresses feminism and presents obstacles to performance and success. It even encourages racism, distorts Muslim values and strips women of autonomy and individuality. Written from a unique perspective and packed with personal experiences as well as public examples, Yasmin addresses the ultimate question of why Muslim women everywhere should refuse the veil.

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion, Politics, Islam, Sociology, Feminism

90 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 27, 2014

Reviews

[Jake · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is terrible. Alibhai-Brown's argument revolves around judgement and her own suspicion of these women. She fails to give them an authentic voice instead creating a straw man argument in favour of the veil which she argues against not with statistics or the testimony of a large number of former HIjabis, but with her own instinct.

The book has many orientalist tropes and plays nicely into the playbook of the right-wing. It uses the it makes me uncomfortable justification, this is made more dangerous by the way Alibhai-Brown uses her adherence of Islam as a qualification to speak.

I am not totally opposed to her recommendations, I think there are some places where a burqa is likely to not be appropriate. But, I don't think it would be right for anyone to be able to ban the hijab. With her clear admiration for what has happened in France it is hard to know where she stands.

I would read this book, but be aware of the many fallacies and poorly evidenced arguments. I was expecting to read a book with a slightly (but not massively) different perspective to my own but ended up annoyed by the dishonesty and poor logic of her argument.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

The message here is important, even if the execution of the argument could be better.

Yasmin Alibhai-Brown is a non-white person. Thank goodness she decided to take on the task of speaking out against the veil, because think what would happen if a white person tried to do it. Would the book ever even get published?

Tommy Robinson left the EDL in 2013, but three whole years later you're still tainted socially and professionally if you endorse a word he says. A word. No matter how tepid and measured that endorsement is. The reason for this is because he's white. He's not allowed to criticise an ultraconservative interpretation of a very old religion because he's white and the followers of it are, invariably, brown. If he says Islam is bad, it must be because he's racist and there can be no other explanation. He likes football, has a regional accent, and didn't go to university so he's probably just some kind of thug anyway.

Somewhere down the line, ignorant, white, suburban, educated people on the radical left decided that the ultraconservative, salafist, interpretation of Islam is the authentic one. If you insult it you're insulting "their" culture and way of life. Oh, and you're racist, obviously.

Alibhai-Brown's book is pointing out this highly problematic state of affairs. But this book is so short it's really just an introduction to a larger topic. It's worthwhile for that reason alone though. The veil needs to be talked about because it's everywhere. Do you really think when you see a woman and her daughters all with black bags over their heads that's a great thing and it's their expression of freedom? Have a word. It's not "diversity", it's oppression and it's ultraconservatism.

If only feminists could stop talking about fictional things and get back to challenging actual women's oppression instead.

[Francis Franklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a difficult subject for anyone to talk about. Criticism of the veil is too often met with strident accusations of racism and sexism. Yasmin Alibhai-Brown dares to confront the issue, writing with clarity and the passion of one who sees a hard-won freedom slipping away.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick interesting read about a delicate subject. The author makes it very clear at the outset that this is her opinion and you should keep that in mind when reading.

[Andrea King · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very personal essay that argues passionately against religious veiling. I can't say I am a fan of Yasmin Alibhai-Brown's writing in general but on this subject I pretty much agree with everything she says. In particular, I found the summary towards the end concise and useful. Unfortunately, much of the book comprises of personal anecdotes and quotes from friends and acquaintances rather than actual facts and figures so apologists for the veil will easily dismiss her argument. I can't help wondering who the book was aimed at. Perhaps just people like me who already agree with the premise.

[Victoria Willis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven’t read a book like this before so found it really fascinating to approach a topic such as this. I appreciated the author’s passion for the subject and the diverse arguments she presents. The only problem is her arguments are presented a little too simplistically and with almost anecdotal evidence such as personal experiences. I think if you are going to make generalisations you should be able to substantiate them with more objective examples. As someone with little experience in this subject I now feel the need to read a counter argument somewhere though, so although I find myself largely agreeing with her arguments, her booked raises as many questions as it purports to answer.

[Sue Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an important book on a very complex subject. It is a personal opinion, one that some reviewers have turned their noses up at. However, it is one that we in the West should read, 1) because of the imposition of Muslim patriarchal culture on increasing numbers of women living in our society and 2) because of the lack of freedom of women in Muslim countries and the draconian laws limiting their education, careers and life choices.

[Felix · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well-argued and sensitive points made. I still admit I feel it is very much "not my lane", as a non-Muslim white trans man, to argue against the veil but equally I can't help agreeing with Alibhai-Brown that no matter how hard we try we cannot prove that every veiled woman dons the veil willingly and out of choice, and therefore the potential for coercion is something we should be wary of.

[Jahnavi Jha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The writing is very powerful and informative. It has really helped me to understand a lot about the veil. I am generally curious about culture and this book has done well to satisfy my curiosity.

[King AJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe this book might be considered offensive but in my opinion, I think this is a very thorough and flawless argument and proposition. A variety of sources and a variety of reasons - very concise argument too. Provocative.

[Marilyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

One educated westernised Muslim woman’s experiences, with a good dollop of history for context, for which I give the two stars

The Saudi Arabian (extremist) influence proposed in the book is frightening, yet completely believable.

[Natasha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Incredibly biased and the author couldn’t get past the encounter with the woman in the park and what their opinions of each other were, felt very targeted towards what might have been a very innocent exchange.

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

More an opinion piece than a convincing argument

[Chris Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never thought I'd agree with Alibhai-Brown on anything, but here we are ...

[Keeley Dennett · Rating 2 out of 5]

questionable opinions and execution

[Emma Louise Stokes · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is less of a discussion and more of a series of allegations against unsuspecting Muslim veil wearers. Of course everyone is entitled to their own opinion of the veil, but in one instance Yasmin Alibhai-Brown accuses a woman she passes - who happens to be wearing a veil - of clearly hating and judging her, despite no words being exchanged or even eye contact being made. In retaliation of this suspected 'attack' Yasmin goes on to mention her throughout the book, insulting hear appearance, ideologies and demeanour. The rest of the book, whilst containing some well thought out arguments, must be viewed with some trepidation due to this early encounter.

[Laura Chase · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting look at why and how veiling of Islamic women happen

[Ranjana · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book that delivers crisp arguments towards eliminating the veil.