Burning the Veil

Burning the Veil The Algerian War and the 'Emancipation' of Muslim Women, 1954-62

Hardback (10 Nov 2009)

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Publisher's Synopsis

Burning the veil draws upon sources from newly-opened archives, exploring the 'emancipation' of Muslim women from the veil, seclusion and perceived male oppression during the Algerian War of decolonisation. The claimed French liberation was contradicted by the violence inflicted on women through rape, torture and destruction of villages. This book examines the roots of this contradiction in the theory of 'revolutionary warfare', and the attempt to defeat the National Liberation Front by penetrating the Muslim family, seen as a bastion of resistance. Striking parallels with contemporary Afghanistan and Iraq, French 'emancipation' produced a backlash that led to deterioration in the social and political position of Muslim women. This analysis of how and why attempts to Westernise Muslim women ended in catastrophe has contemporary relevance and will be important to students and academics engaged in the study of French and colonial history, feminism and contemporary Islam.

Book information

ISBN: 9780719074738
Publisher: Knowledge Unlatched
Imprint: Manchester University Press
Pub date:
DEWEY: 965.046
DEWEY edition: 22
Language: English
Number of pages: 416
Weight: 822g
Height: 240mm
Width: 166mm
Spine width: 38mm