The Western Hijab
- Zahra
- Dec 4, 2023
- 12 min read
Exposing the layers of faux activism in the West
“Today, nearly everything is made in China— except for courage, it’s made in Palestine”.
The notable resurgence of this esteemed quote by the late Anthony Bourdain has captured my attention due to a minor yet profoundly significant oversight concerning another exception to Chinese-made commodities. This one is indisputably crafted in the West — and that’s the art of hypocrisy. A finely tailored creation, this masterpiece has intricately woven itself into the very fabric of Western democracy, subtly worn from crown to toe by the pseudo-leftists and liberals —also known as the performers in the theatre of the ‘free world’.
The Genesis
The entire spectacle of ‘wokeness’ became apparent to me like a cultural shockwave a few years ago when I crossed over to Europe. Turns out it’s quite the trend there, while back in the East, we were blissfully oblivious to such phenomena. We would engage in meaningful experiences when the occasion demanded, relish the flavours of animal meat in our meals without turning it into a philosophical debate; we would playfully trade racial banter because thick skin is our forte, and we would confront challenges with actions instead of empty words when pushed too far.
The motivation for composing this article traces back to a recent evening in Paris, where I found myself in the company of two French bourgeois women, ostensibly progressive feminists in their mid-50s. In social introductions, the first question I’m usually asked is about my place of origin because it appears that the way I speak causes confusion about my identity, despite the evident Eastern Asian physical features that I possess. In response, I choose to emphasise my ethnic origins, steering clear of any reference to my inclination towards an Arab identity — at least in the beginning. This approach arises from a keen awareness of the Western fascination with East Asian allure and the prevailing stereotypes about Arabs and Muslims. With this in mind, my objective is not to sow confusion as conversations unfold, but rather to foster an environment for candid dialogue when the topic shifts to matters related to Arabs.
As discussions with the two French women persisted, the inevitable subject of the ongoing events in Gaza came up. Seizing the moment, I assumed the role of the curious enquirer to invite their perspectives first, and to little surprise, their responses mirrored the societal paradoxes I sought to validate — one which aligned with misinformed narratives. The crux of their stance rested on a distorted belief indirectly supporting Israel’s claim to ‘self-defence’ — a perspective rooted in the notion that any resistance movement composed of Muslims are false emissaries who depict broad strokes of oppression toward their own people, particularly the women. This revelation underscores a concerning trend — the inclination of the Western ‘left’ to view the intricacies of foreign cultures through a single, monochromatic lens of information.
This encounter served as a real eye-opener that confirmed the need for a deeper understanding and empathy for cultural differences. It exposes the cracks in the foundation of purportedly liberal mindsets and reveals the severe consequences of deception on the delicate balance of global perspectives. As I continue to navigate the social landscape in Europe, my commitment to driving genuine and educational conversations about Arab and Muslim cultures will remain rock solid — a tiny move in the grand scheme to break down the walls of misunderstanding between East and West.
The Revelation
Decoding narrow-mindedness doesn’t demand a genius. Apart from the evident peculiarities supporting any conclusion about the Western ‘left’, their liberal use of the ‘terrorist’ label is particularly perplexing for anyone with even a moderate understanding of Middle Eastern social, political and cultural infrastructure.
Here’s a fun fact: when any politically-illiterate person mentions Hamas, they are essentially echoing Western news headlines and tossing it around as if it’s the buzzword of the year. I base this conclusion solely on their unsolicited condemnation, particularly in response to the actions of the Palestinian armed resistance on October 7th. Their exclusive focus is on entities like the Al Qassam Brigades — Hamas’ armed wing — and various other Palestinian resistance groups, including entirely independent ones, each with its own claim to fame. Interestingly, these moral arbiters seem to reserve their vocal condemnation exclusively for Hamas, demonstrating a lack of awareness regarding the distinctions, let alone the existence, of other resistance groups.
Hamas as an umbrella organisation, unfairly utilised by Western narratives to characterise the antagonist in their propaganda campaigns, represents a much broader movement. This movement consists of various coalitions within political and social subgroups, all collaborating to form a comprehensive governing body for Palestinians in Gaza. To simplify it for the average Joe, Hamas is like a potluck with various factions – all of which have been assembled to be the Avengers or Justice League of Palestinian governance, particularly in Gaza. Whether there’s unanimous positive sentiment for Hamas as a macro political regime is probably debatable. Nonetheless, one indisputable truth persists: every Palestinian throughout all of Palestine harbours profound respect for Hamas’ armed resistance wing — the Al Qassam Brigades… particularly in these times. The masked crusaders of the Al Qassam Brigades, prominently showcased in parallel with other resistance groups in captivating images trending across the internet, are the real rockstars. Beyond the valid perception that they are the sole saviours genuinely striving to liberate their nation from occupying forces, there’s an undeniable symbolism of heroic rebellion encapsulated in a meticulously styled kufiya and the profound gaze of eyes that radiate indomitable courage — a readiness to face martyrdom for the noble cause of reclaiming Palestine for its rightful owners.
The October 7th Intifada reveals a significant unmasking moment for a large portion of the self-proclaimed left, especially within Western circles. The domino effect of Washington’s Hamas narrative revealed the blatant hypocrisy and mere pretence of liberal ideals that champion ‘wokeness’, anti-racism, freedom, feminism, and ‘cancel culture’ — just to name a few. Amidst nearly two months marked by warfare, a faint silver lining emerges: the potential demise of pseudo-leftism and liberalism.
The Eastern Femininity: Uncensored
Ah, the exquisite art of ersatz liberals in making assumptions about cultures they’ve never touched! Allow me to embark on a little debunking adventure.
The true masterpiece here is the impeccably biased selectivity of these self-proclaimed leftists and liberals. On one hand, they, who have as much connection to Palestinian or other Eastern roots as a snowflake in the Sahara, wrongfully but confidently declare, “Hamas doesn’t represent the Palestinians.” Yet, in the same breath, they’re sprinting to assume that every woman in the Middle East is drowning in oppression due to the tragic death of Mahsa Amini in Iran back in 2022. Such statements, along with the elusive origins of such presumptions, compel the rest of us to reluctantly subscribe to an impression that echoes the ignorant and manipulative portrayal that the West tends to impose on any culture beyond its borders — one which reduces men as either animals, thugs, or terrorists, while painting women as submissive, powerless victims of oppression.
Returning to that evening with the two French women — when I disclosed my connection to an Arab identity, they gracefully posed the question, “What was it like for you as a woman residing in the Middle East?” Sensing their attempt to validate their inadequately-grounded perspectives which are mainly fuelled by Western media propaganda, I spared no truth in my response.
In the arena of femininity, us Eastern ladies (or at least most of us) proudly flaunt our authentic selves without the need to be guided by a faux-feminist playbook. We navigate life with sincere independence, embracing the unapologetic expression of our feminine instincts. Even for those of us who are bound by the presence of a hijab on our heads, we steadfastly refuse to be defined or sanctioned by imported norms. Whether we’re rolling in dough or counting pennies, our relationships are characterised by a sincere dynamism of give-and-take, which means we’re cool with footing the bill or gifting our men when the money river flows, but we’re equally gracious in welcoming their old-school chivalry when the river runs dry.
Engaging in timeless acts of loving service— like whipping up a meal or massaging our man’s feet after dinner — isn’t a sign of weakness for us; it’s a bona fide display of affection. Don’t get me wrong — we’re not completely handing over the reins of thinking for ourselves. That said, we’re generally open to and appreciative of honest conversations that prioritise mutual respect and happiness. Oddly enough, being asked to dress a certain way doesn’t feel like objectification to us— wearing the hijab is a conscious act of faith, not a form of oppression, and it doesn’t need to be justified through a feminist manifesto. And in the whirlwind of enjoying all these quirks, here’s an unreserved confession: when we shop for clothes, accessories and makeup, we don’t lose sleep over how many animals might have been harmed in the process.
Without meaning to stir-fry the wok or provoke our ‘woke’ Western women (and the myriad other genders currently in vogue), it’s not an exaggeration to claim that living without the theatrics of modern feminism seems to bestow nights that are, dare I say it, peacefully ordinary. The secret sauce? The sheer authenticity of not drowning in performative activism. Just a thought — it might even be the magic behind the East’s longer lifespans.
These are just a few instances that serve as glimpses into the mystery of why the concept of ‘wokeness’ seemingly took a U-turn upon reaching the Eastern gateway during its global conquest.
Meanwhile, those vocal advocates of liberal, race-reductionist, and female-superiority feminist ideologies who have consistently been rallying people to “decolonise your mind” over the past decade or so, appear to be orchestrating their own disconnected symphony, far from the authentic endeavours of oppressed communities who are working towards genuine freedom.
Confronting the reality of the absence of true democracy in the West suggests that governing bodies may not authentically represent the people. This stands in contrast to Gaza, where Hamas, besides garnering electoral support, is deeply ingrained in various facets of society, rightfully signifying its legitimacy as a representation of Palestinians. This brings us back to the question of why individuals, even when their governments lack popular backing, permit these regimes to shape their concepts of freedom. Is it merely a convenient justification to rationalise ignorance or assert superiority over those who they perceive as originating from inferior, underprivileged societies?
My intent in unravelling the intricacies of the Eastern culture, especially concerning women, was not only to dispel the two women’s misconceived notion of oppression that supposedly prevails across all Arab states, but more precisely, to launch an exposé that reveals the actual perception of ‘freedom’ for individuals like them.
At that dining table, it wasn’t I who lacked the freedom to break free from the shackles of oppression. From my vantage point, the genuine faces of oppression locked eyes with me, fervently seeking information deliberately kept from them. They were the ones questioning the world beyond the confined walls chaining them to a singular perspective. These were the silent witnesses to global atrocities, fearing persecution or societal rejection if they dared to speak. Despite being endowed with abundant resources, they found themselves constrained from accessing them properly. If they had yearned to be held and perceived as women upon returning home that night, and if they had wished to skip a few hours at work the next day, they might have felt compelled to reject those feelings due to self-inflicted pressure to consistently advocate for equality and avoid having a (willing) man shoulder their burdens.
Thus, the true seat of freedom, from where I sat at our dinner table, lay conspicuously before them.
The Muted Uprising in Modern Times
As global news continues to fill our screens with images of bombings, dead bodies, and the displacement of people, it becomes increasingly clear that individuals who passionately advocate for equality and human rights the loudest have either lost their voice or are notably cautious and selective in articulating their perspectives on the Palestinian cause. The sharp difference between their energetic activism on various issues and their lukewarm response to the challenges faced by Palestinians leaves the rest of us puzzled.
This evident disparity raises a pivotal question about the dedication of liberal Westerners and those shaped by Western ideologies in championing universal justice. It leads anyone to wonder whether their activism hinges on aligning factors with their preconceived narratives, which in turn, prompts an enquiry into whether their involvement is authentically motivated by a commitment to human rights or if it is coloured by geopolitical biases.
I, for one, wonder: What do they believe is the appropriate course of action for the Palestinians, who have endured decades of brutal occupation and faced multiple rejections in all their attempts at peaceful resolutions? Pseudo-leftists conspicuously abstain from addressing this matter, despite clearly insinuating that nonviolence is ostensibly the ‘correct’ and ‘proper’ path. They have, however, baselessly expressed that the people of Gaza should simply ‘vote better’ for their governing body, once again parroting that Hamas “does not represent the people of Palestine”.
As the ongoing discourse unfolds, it becomes imperative for these self-proclaimed justice seekers to align their declared values with their actions, and for the public to remain vigilant in holding them accountable. The Palestinian Intifada serves as a powerful reminder that the quest for justice demands steadfast commitment — regardless of ethnic, religious, geographical, or political affiliations.
The Timeless Precision of Western Neutrality
In the context of genocide, the choice to take a stance should be as unmistakable as the contrast between night and day. Opting for neutrality in the face of manifest evil is tantamount to siding with the perpetrators.
Contrary to the proclamations of cable news pundits, the situation in Palestine between the occupation and the occupied is neither ‘complicated’ nor ‘confusing’. The enduring objective of Israel has consistently been the total eradication of the Palestinian people — a goal now cynically exploited by the global unity of Zionist governments following the October 7th attacks.
Fortunately, on the flip side, there remains a sizeable vocal segment challenging the creators of false narratives, upon which neutral individuals often base their statements rather absurdly. The repeated targeting of civilian-dominated communities, hospitals, refugee centres, and schools appears to have been the catalyst for this vocal segment to abandon the politically correct approach and, if necessary, radicalise people. The effort was initially aimed at helping individuals identify the side deserving of justice, with the hope that they would ultimately adopt a more assertive stance when speaking up. Thankfully, this also played a role in encouraging various prominent figures, including history-illiterate celebrities, to reassess their stance and express a more critical perspective — or at least make an attempt to do so.
Drawing The Era of ‘Wokeness’ to a Close
Let this moment symbolise the long-overdue farewell to ‘woke’ socialism and politics. Over the past two decades, the influence of liberal ‘wokeness’, intertwined with phenomena like ‘cancel culture’ and ‘privilege-checking,’ has proven to be a stumbling block for the left. It has sown discord and disarray within leftist circles, where the prioritisation of a perceived rebellious identity seemed to have taken precedence over a unified sense of class solidarity. This, in turn, has continually challenged the purpose and authenticity of a working-class revolutionary movement meant to address the disorders and failures of capitalist, colonial, and imperialist powers.
This signifies not only the conclusion of my humble, extensive reflections but also signals the dawn of transformative dialogues, woven for purposeful movements. Let us elevate solidarity over divisions, so that the pursuit of justice may finally become a collective and authentic journey. Let us firmly condemn race-reductionist, Western-influenced opportunists masquerading as leftists and liberals, and reveal the true faces concealed behind their pretty veils: petty-bourgeois apologists for imperialism.
A hypocrite is a person who refuses to apply to himself the standards that he applies to others.
— Noam Chomsky
Disclaimers
While I typically refrain from justifying my publicly stated opinions solely to avoid causing offence, I want to assure readers that the views expressed here do not reflect my overarching perception of the personalities of the individuals mentioned. Furthermore, these views do not extend to encompass my general perception of citizens from any specific state or nation* in the world.
In the realm of global writers and bloggers, unless expressly identified as a factual account or a comprehensive biography, each composition is grounded in elements — whether tangible, personal, or circumstantial — that ignited the inspiration to convey a specific insight or experience relevant to the topic at hand. In the specific context of this article, the aim is to foster awareness of cultural differences by selectively highlighting aspects of my encounters that underscore the underlying message.
It is my earnest request that readers immerse themselves in any given literary piece with the same spirit as Rumi: seeking the profound truths hidden within the verses, much like unravelling the mysteries of the soul through the language of poetry.
While I could attempt to write numerous other articles to convey positive sentiments about individuals whom I’ve portrayed in an honest but controversial light, it’s essential to understand my selective approach. I draw inspiration to write exclusively about subjects that deeply resonate with me. If any confusion arises regarding my assessment of someone in my writings, I encourage revisiting the core title or message of the piece. This will remind you of the specific context that prompted me to address that particular individual.
I genuinely appreciate your commitment in reading this far.
(*The reference to the concepts of ‘state’ and ‘nation’ does not include any existing apartheid state for the former, nor does it deviate from the conventional definition of the latter as an entity unified by a common ethnic group, culture, language, religion, territory, political aspirations, and history. In acknowledging these criteria as the cornerstone for substantiating these concepts, it is essential to highlight that the explicit context in which they were cited categorically excludes the apartheid state of Israel, owing to its lack of legitimacy in aligning with either of these foundational principles.)
Comments