Berkley Center

Harmonizing modernization with traditional religious beliefs has created an Egyptian religio-cultural identity that raises more questions than it answers, particularly with respect to expressions of the Islamic faith. In today's Egypt, many women express their piety through conservative dress. Yet they do so in a globally integrated society where they are juxtaposed with magazine racks displaying images of Western models in revealing swimsuits. Many Egyptian women choose to wear the hijab in adherence to traditional religio-cultural dress codes. Yet more and more women are doing so within the context of a modern, consumer capitalist society. For instance, it is not uncommon for a woman to be seen covering her hair in a very contemporary Louis Vuitton headscarf. As per Egyptian Muslim society on the whole, many devout Muslims openly display their faith by going so far as to bow down in worship on busy street corners. Others hear the call to prayer but observe silently amidst business transactions, and some do not observe at all. So what is the twenty-first century Egyptian expression of Islamic faith? It cannot be fairly summarized in this short letter because at the moment I have more questions than uniform, bullet point responses.

Parallel to the creation of the McArabia is the synchronization of the old and the new. Many Muslims are attempting to retain their traditional religious beliefs while adapting to the twenty-first century. This seemingly impossible act is balanced every day; it has to be. Yet, my experiences thus far lead me to assume that tension is rising under these current trends.

I walked into the bathroom the other day as a girl slipped out of a loose black skirt to reveal a pair of sock-covered skinny jeans. Realizing my presence, she shyly slipped the skirt into her bag, tucked in her socks, and rushed out the door. Stunned, my curiosity kicked in. Did she wear the skirt because she took public transportation to school and wanted to avoid excessive harassment caused by nontraditional dress? Or would her parents refuse to let her out of the house in what they deemed to be religiously offensive clothing? Was she worried about retaining a good reputation both on and off campus? Are they not synonymous? Or…

Rarely do I see Western fashion worn on the streets, yet I can't escape it at the American University in Cairo. The students' outfits are conservative in that they do not reveal much skin, yet their fitted styles still attract attention. Have these Muslims successfully adapted their clothing to fit both the traditional and modern worlds? Passionate opinions rage on both sides of the debate as some claim that conservative definitions must and have adapted to today's globally-exposed society, while others adamantly argue that globalization threatens faith through modesty.

The same conformism controversy surrounds the hijab. A decent portion of my female classmates wear the hijab. However, I find myself paying more attention to girls wearing brightly-colored scarves with designer patterns than to those who opt not to cover their hair. Do they wear the hijab out of religious tradition, or has it evolved into a cultural expression? If something is not mundane, is it still modest? Are some of my peers forced to wear the hijab and as such they take the trendy route as a silent rebellion? The answer remains inconclusive and must be tailored to each individual Muslim.

Prayer raises questions with the same answers. Many security guards bow down to pray in the streets, yet I rarely see store owners and employees react to the call to prayer. Whether they engage in silent meditation or are non-practicing, I can't tell. However, it is commonly understood that business interruptions, regardless of their good intent, are rarely efficient and never profitable, especially when your Coptic neighbor remains open.

Regardless of appearances, we must be careful not to assume that lack of traditional external expression represents lack of belief. Along those same lines, a burqa does not equate to superior faith for even it can be used as a façade. Islamic faith expression is not the homogeneous, antiquated picture that guidebooks depict; it is unique to each individual, and in some respect social class. Underlying these different dress codes and worship styles, however, is a common theme of strong devotion.

My Islam course narrates this scene. I am offset by the lack of academic examination, but I marvel at the strength of my peers' conviction. Agreeing that the Prophet Muhammed was a womanizer or acknowledging that the Battle of Uhud was lost for reasons other than disobeying commands is unfathomable to hijab-wearing and European-styled Muslims alike. Me? I'm still attempting to find outside sources. For now, I remain fascinated by the questions that religion has raised. The one thing I can conclusively say is that Egyptian Muslims—like other religious people—are working to harmonize the dichotic noises of globalization and tradition, modern appeals and sacred customs. They are a faithful people, and I am excited to witness their answers.