Nine Parts of Desire: The Hidden World of Islamic Women

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1994

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Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologue-Chapter 2

Chapters 3-5

Chapters 6-8

Chapters 9-11

Chapter 12-Conclusion

Key Figures

Themes

Index of Terms

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

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Discussion Questions

Chapters 6-8Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 6 Summary: “Jihad Is for Women, Too”

Brooks focuses on the participation of women in military roles within the context of Islamic history and contemporary Muslim societies, specifically the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The chapter begins with a reference to the following Quranic verse: “O true believers, if ye assist God, by fighting for his religion, he will assist you against your enemies; and will set your feet fast” (107). This sets the stage for a discussion about women’s roles in jihad (referring here to the military struggle against enemies of Islam), traditionally seen as a male domain.

Hadra Dawish, born in 1967 into a conservative Muslim society in the UAE, is featured prominently. Initially apprehensive about military training, she excelled and became the first woman from an Arabian Gulf country to enroll for officer training at the British military academy, Sandhurst. Her transformation from a therapist working with handicapped children, where she adhered to traditional dress codes including the abaya and niqab, to a military officer in camouflage fatigues symbolizes a significant shift in the role of women in her society.

Hadra’s motivation to join the military was fueled by her love for her country, especially after witnessing the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq in 1990. The UAE, facing similar threats due to its small size and wealth, was encouraged by Sheika Fatima, the wife of the Emirates’ president, Sheik Zayed, to recruit women into the military. Sheika Fatima, although not Zayed’s first wife, significantly influenced his policies and was a strong advocate for women’s education and participation in public life. This initiative, driven by the need to defend the country, led to the establishment of a women’s military academy. The training program, though initially met with skepticism, demonstrates the capability and adaptability of female recruits.

In Eritrea, Brooks explores women’s participation in the guerrilla movement during the war with Ethiopia. Female fighters contributed significantly to the struggle, challenging traditional gender roles. Post-war, however, these women face challenges reintegrating into a society that often reverts to conservative norms.

Chapter 7 Summary: “A Queen”

Brooks delves into the role of Queen Noor, the American-born wife of King Hussein of Jordan, highlighting the intersection of personal, political, and cultural realms in the Middle East. The chapter reflects on the societal perceptions, challenges, and the influential position of Queen Noor against the backdrop of broader Middle Eastern politics and societal expectations.

Brooks recounts her experience covering a riot in Maan, Jordan, an event that unexpectedly brings Queen Noor into the spotlight of public discourse and scrutiny. The demonstration, while initially about economic grievances, reveals deeper layers of societal concerns, including questions about Queen Noor’s background, her religious sincerity, and her influence on the king. Brooks notes the diverse and often contradictory accusations against the queen, ranging from doubts about her faith and heritage to conspiracy theories, reflecting the complex web of cultural, religious, and geopolitical factors that influence public opinion in the region.

The chapter then delves into King Hussein’s own political journey, marked by challenges, resilience, and adaptability. Brooks narrates the king’s strategic response to the riots, emphasizing his role as a mediator between tradition and modernization. The narrative provides a window into the personal life of the royal couple, detailing Queen Noor’s background, her entry into the Jordanian royal family, and the challenges she faces as an outsider navigating a highly scrutinized public role.

Brooks’s portrayal of Queen Noor is multifaceted, illustrating her as a figure of both controversy and admiration. The queen’s initiatives in areas such as women’s rights, education, and cultural exchange are highlighted, showcasing her active role in societal development and her efforts to bridge cultural divides. However, the resistance and criticism Queen Noor faces is also acknowledged, both from traditionalist elements within Jordanian society and from external observers.

Chapter 8 Summary: “The Getting of Wisdom”

Brooks visits Birzeit University in the West Bank, where she meets female professors who, despite acknowledging problems in women’s education, seem in denial about the challenges posed by rising Islamic movements. These movements, gaining momentum across Middle Eastern universities, represent a shift from earlier secular, nationalist ideologies to a more religiously-rooted perspective.

The influence of Saudi-style interpretations of Islam is particularly concerning for Brooks, as it represents a repressive model that could potentially stifle women‘s progress. In Saudi Arabia, women like reporter Faiza Ambah, who works at Arab News in Jeddah, are challenging societal norms by working in unsegregated environments. However, the societal system in Saudi Arabia is highly restrictive for women, requiring male permission for travel and enforcing strict dress codes.

Brooks also discusses the living conditions of Saudi families, where extended families often live together following tribal patterns. Women are increasingly competing for jobs in sectors like medicine and education, but their employment opportunities are constrained by societal norms and restrictions, such as men objecting to jobs they feel are inappropriate for women. An example is Adela, a Saudi woman, who had to take up a clerical position in a girls’ school, which was below her qualifications, due to restrictions on working in environments that involve contact with men. Businessmen like Hussein Abudawood express frustration with the inefficiencies and contradictions caused by segregation in Saudi Arabia.

Brooks contrasts the situation in Saudi Arabia with other Muslim countries like Turkey, where women have made significant progress in various fields. In Egypt, for instance, women are visibly present in the workforce, but there remains an ambivalence about their working outside the home. Islamic revolutions, like in Iran, have had mixed impacts on women’s roles. While some opportunities have opened up for women in segregated environments, there are also ongoing struggles to reform personal status laws to achieve gender equality. In Kurdistan, female parliamentarians have campaigned for legal reforms, such as outlawing polygamy and changing inheritance laws to favor equal rights.

Chapters 6-8 Analysis

Brooks continues to delve into the multifaceted roles of women in Islamic societies, with Chapters 6-8 focusing on their participation in military roles, political leadership, and the education sector. The Role of Women in Islamic Societies reflects the evolving status of women, shedding light on the challenges, contradictions, and gradual shifts in societal perceptions.

In these chapters, Brooks explores the concept of agency within constraints, illustrating how women navigate, resist, and sometimes redefine the boundaries set by cultural and religious norms. The participation of women in the military, as seen through the transformative journey of Hadra Dawish, challenges traditional gender roles and showcases the capacity of women to excel in domains traditionally dominated by men. This narrative thread underscores the evolving nature of women’s roles in public life and their contribution to national identity and defense. The narrative implicitly critiques the underutilization of half of the population’s talent and potential due to rigid gender norms and emphasizes the need for a more inclusive approach that recognizes and harnesses the capabilities of women.

Brooks’s depiction of women in military roles also raises questions about the notion of agency within constraints. The narrative suggests that while cultural and religious norms often delineate the roles and behaviors considered acceptable for women, these norms are not static. Women like Hadra Dawish navigate these norms, finding ways to express their agency and fulfill their aspirations, even within a framework that may seem restrictive. This aspect of the narrative operates on the assumption that agency can be exercised in various ways, sometimes through overt resistance and at other times through more subtle negotiations and redefinitions of traditional roles.

However, it’s essential to recognize that Brooks’s narrative celebrates the achievements and resilience of women like Hadra while operating within certain assumptions about empowerment and progress. The narrative assumes that participation in traditionally male-dominated roles, such as the military, is inherently empowering for women and a marker of societal progress. This perspective can be critiqued for potentially overlooking the complex, multifaceted nature of empowerment and the diverse ways in which different societies and cultures understand and value women’s roles and contributions.

In Islamic societies, “empowerment” is often understood through a framework that balances individual agency with religious and cultural values. This understanding acknowledges that empowerment does not necessarily equate to mirroring Western paradigms of gender roles or public participation. Instead, empowerment can manifest in various forms, respecting the cultural and religious ethos of the society. For instance, gaining education, having a voice within the family and community, and contributing to societal development in ways that are harmonious with one’s faith and cultural values are also seen as significant forms of empowerment.