The Veil in Kuwait : Gender, Fashion, Identity

The Veil in Kuwait explores the complex reasons behind why women veil and how they are perceived by those that do not veil. Religion, culture, family, tradition, and fashion are all explored to provide insight into this fascinating phenomenon that has received global interest.

The Veil in Kuwait explores the complex and compelling reasons behind why young women in Kuwait wear the hijab, abaya, and/or niqab, analyzing-along the way-the ways in which these women are perceived by those who do not veil. In April 2013, Thorsten Botz-Bornstein and Noreen Abdullah-Khan conducted a survey of Islamic veiling at the Gulf University for Science and Technology in Kuwait. The purpose of the survey was to examine the veil through the prism of recent international developments that have transformed veiling, at least partially, into a fashion phenomenon. The first of its kind, their study considers the embracing of the veil in a fashion context within a unique Muslim society and asks pertinent questions about the intentions and motivations behind its use. In The Veil in Kuwait, the authors examine the findings of this singular study. Among other questions and discussions, they investigate whether or not the present re-veiling wave in Kuwait is an expression of frustration and resentment in the face of broken promises of modernity and whether there is a real desire among young Kuwaitis to return to the values of the past. The important influence of religion, culture, family, and fashion are all explored through the eyes of Kuwaitis themselves; and the study is incredibly unique in its inclusion of veiled and non-veiled participants, as well as males and their perceptions of women who veil. Attitudes towards women, religion, culture, and fashion are carefully examined to provide insight into Kuwaiti society.