Muslim Women and Nationalism: The Power of the Image

Women are often at the centre of nationalist discourses in Muslim countries. They are used to symbolize both the progressive aspirations of the secular elite and cultural authenticity expressed in Islamic terms. As such, they are central to secular as well as religious nationalism. The impact of western images on the creation of women as symbols of authenticity and cultural resistance within Islamic discourses is apparent. Western views, including those on women, are often regarded as politically or culturally suspect. In Islamism, women are regarded as the embodiment of Islamic originality and as such they have great symbolic value in distinguishing Muslim societies from the West. This conceptual framework creates opportunities for women to acquire a more positive and esteemed identity within both Muslim and western social contexts.