For my first story on this beat, I am interested in pursuing the idea of religiously-inspired fashion choices. The controversy over the burkini ban in France makes this topic timely, but old stories I researched demonstrate that tension in the world of Islamic fashion has existed for years.
Islamic fashion industry copes with growing pains; Supporters try to provide design choices; detractors call it exploitative. By Shaheen Pasha, Reuters. Published March 5, 2011. Located via LexisNexis.
This article opens with a scene from a Dubai fashion show featuring Islamic fashion. This lede serves as a segue to discussing the world of Islamic high fashion, which was estimated in 2011 to be worth $96 billion globally. Pasha writes that that this world is highly divided between those who would prefer that Islamic fashion feature only traditional clothing such as abayas, while others expand the category to include modest shirts, skirts, etc. decorated with traditional symbols. As different sects of Islam promote various requirements for clothing and modesty, this is not a controversy that is likely to disappear, and is as such highly relevant to my beat.
Forced to be secular (letter to the editor). By Naftalie Lavie to The Globe and Mail (Canada). Published December 20, 2003. Located via LexisNexis.
This letter to the editor demonstrates the outrage of many Muslims and non-Muslims worldwide concerning France’s ban on religious symbols (passed 2004). Lavie illustrated the feelings of many by writing “if the state tries to suppress individual fashion statements, it is not ‘protecting secular principles,’ but engaging in oppression.” As this ban is the root of the “burkini ban” controversy today, this article is useful in demonstrating how long public debate has raged over this topic.
Here’s News for Cowboys: Bandanna Can Be Religious. By Elaine Sciolino for the New York Times. January 21, 2004. Located via LexisNexis.
This article, written at the passing of France’s anti-religious symbols law, illustrates the vaugeness and (arguably) inequity inherent in the ban. “Islamic head scarves, Jewish skullcaps and large Christian crosses” will be banned, as will any other “ostensibly religious” outward symbol (including, potentially, a bandanna or beard). The turban of the Sikhs, on the other hand, would be permitted if it were to remain “discreet.” This article is useful for understanding the particular’s of France’s law, a law which is still in the news today.