Submitted for your approval:
many of these images were found at the website of Kristina Ask, who has collaborated with Tesnim Sayar and appears in many of the photos with her:
http://www.kristinask.net/ASK_TESNIM/TAQWACORE.html
images also found here:
http://mydisguises.com/2011/08/25/muslim-punk-fashion/
and here:
http://www.google.com/search?&q=tesnim%20sayar
And here is a portrait of Tesnim Sayar by Nadia Karroue:
And here is an article about Tesnim Sayar written by a "Buddhist Geeky Feminist":
http://postmodernismruinedme.tumblr.com/post/22164193206/taqwaacore-tesnim-sayar-is-a-muslim-punk-she
Excerpt from the above:
“I go with it, because I think it’s cool and fits me. I have not designed it to provoke. But my message is also that one should refrain from thinking that Muslim girls are sitting at home and are boring,” says Tesnim in the Youth House on Dortheavej in Copenhagen.
Flag design by Kristina Ask:
It would be interesting to engage her in conversation about her stance on the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which the members of the Arab and Muslim countries have not signed. Do some aspects of fiqh have to be reformed? Like the practices on blasphemy and apostasy?
ReplyDeleteWhat about the fusion of politics and Islam, according to which Islam is to dominate all others?
Gender equality? Freedom to choose your mate?
Huh. I'm not sure what to make of this. I think the enire concept of hijab is fucking bullshit, if you'll pardon the language. But if someone is subjugated like that, then the head covering at least allows her to go out in the world and hold down a job, which affords a small measure of power and material benefit they wouldn't have had if they'd been stuck at home. And this seems to be an assertion of individuality, which is a tiny step in the right direction (and which might lead to more!). Plus, it kind of looks like a cartoon horse's mane!
ReplyDeleteIn conclusion: Feh, hijab. Yay, horses!
@Mary: I think you raise very pertinent questions. I think that to some extent this artist is trying to have it both ways: she wants her Islamic "identity" and also the freedom to express herself as an individual. But I think this is a good thing, because of course a person should have the freedom to belong to whatever religion they choose AND to still have the same basic freedoms that everyone else assumes. So this raises the question: is Islam compatible this simple, and very justified, desire? I think it is a good thing that this young artist is pushing the envelope. But I also think there is a good chance that she will end up having a very rude awakening.
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