The voices behind behind UAE-produced The Tainted Veil

Five young women are sitting in a park at the University of Damascus. Some – but not all – are wearing the hijab.

“It’s a protection against indecent stares from men,” says one. “Perhaps I see myself as more stylish in a veil,” adds another, lightening the mood.

Then their friend, long hair flowing over a leather jacket and looking every inch the wannabe rock star, shrugs her shoulders. “I might wear the hijab at a funeral because of tradition, but otherwise, no.”

This lively exchange is at the beating heart of The Tainted Veil, a documentary from the Abu Dhabi-based Anasy Media. A fascinating look at the way the hijab is portrayed both within and outside of the Arab world, it aims to open up the debate surrounding women who choose to cover themselves and explores what the hijab has come to represent, both politically and religiously.

“It’s funny you should pick up on those girls in Syria,” says Emirati filmmaker Nahla Al Fahad, one of the directors, at the London premiere last week, “because we really wanted to show that actually it’s normal to talk about these things in the Arab world. I am covered. My friend is not. When we meet as women, we discuss these things, too. So these young girls might disagree, but the important thing is that it’s a healthy, public debate they enjoy having.”

Original article by Ben East

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The voices behind behind UAE-produced The Tainted Veil