ISIM organized a workshop on “Transnational Circuits: ‘Muslim Women’ in Asia” as part of the conference on Inter-Asian Connections convened by the Social Science Research Council together with the... Show moreISIM organized a workshop on “Transnational Circuits: ‘Muslim Women’ in Asia” as part of the conference on Inter-Asian Connections convened by the Social Science Research Council together with the Dubai School of Government in Dubai from 21-23 February. The conference aimed to launch new, transregional, and comparative research initiatives that go beyond more narrowly defined area-studies approaches and focus on the connections between different parts of Asia. The workshop addressed how women’s subjectivities were transformed in new transnational circuits of labour and consumption. It focused on the involvement of Muslim women in Asia in these circuits, be it as mobile people or as producers, propagators, and consumers of things, ideas, and images on the move. We used the notion “Muslim women” as a heuristic device to move beyond an area studies approach. This focus on Islam and gender turned out to be fruitful in analyzing three major Inter-Asian circuits: migrant domestic labour, transnational marriages, and fashionable styles of Muslim dress. Show less
In Europe, face veils have become the ultimate symbols of Muslim “otherness.” The (presently stalled) attempts of the Dutch government to introduce a burka-ban highlight how misguided arguments... Show moreIn Europe, face veils have become the ultimate symbols of Muslim “otherness.” The (presently stalled) attempts of the Dutch government to introduce a burka-ban highlight how misguided arguments about women's emancipation and national security are used to push a strongly assimilationist agenda. Ironically, while politicians hold on to a singly negative view of face-veils, trends in the fashion industry show that the boundaries between religion, fashion, and everyday social life are far more flexible than the political gaze is able to capture. Show less
The film Submission, written by Hirsi Ali and filmed by the late Theo van Gogh, was aired on Dutch television in the summer of 2004. Some have referred to the film as a work of art while others... Show moreThe film Submission, written by Hirsi Ali and filmed by the late Theo van Gogh, was aired on Dutch television in the summer of 2004. Some have referred to the film as a work of art while others have stressed its offensive nature due to its portrayal of violence against Muslim women. Yet the film is first and foremost striking in its unimaginative resonance with the visual imagery of Orientalism. Show less
The ISIM and the Amsterdam School for Social Science Research (ASSR) jointly organized the workshop, “Muslim Fashions - Fashionable Muslims” which was held 15–16 April. The workshop took place at... Show moreThe ISIM and the Amsterdam School for Social Science Research (ASSR) jointly organized the workshop, “Muslim Fashions - Fashionable Muslims” which was held 15–16 April. The workshop took place at Amsterdam University with additional financial support by the International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS). Show less
