This paper contrasts and compares the Muslim perspectives on gender found within Guests of the Sheik by Fernea and Getting God's Ear by Doumato in six pages. Two sources are cited in the bibliography.
Name of Research Paper File: RT13_SA216two.rtf
Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
quite by accident as her husband was in the country on an anthropological journey, and she found it difficult to adapt to the odd customs she found (1969). At least,
she seemed to feel that things were difficult, but this is largely a culture shock. She was used to the free and easy western lifestyle. The author reports that not
only was she surprise when she first arrived to El Nahra, but she had been the only western woman to ever live there (1969). Fernea (1969) reported on her
feelings when she first arrived in the strange village, and moved into the mud home. It was scary, but her husband appeared to be excited; she feared that the women
there would not accept her (1969). She was right. One can understand her concerns. The place was vastly different as women were covered in veils and rarely ventured out.
People did stare at her (1969). She refused to wear an abayah for awhile, but the pressure would grow and eventually, she decided that her principles were not as firm
as her desire to blend in (1969). From the writing, it appears that it would have been impossible for a woman to come from western society and not conform to
the lifestyle of the Muslims there. Not wearing veils was seen as immoral (1969). If she wanted to have a semblance of a life, while stationed there temporarily, she would
have to conform. Another part of the book that was quite telling about the lifestyle is the way that the people lived. They had rather primitive living quarters. When all
is said and done, it appears that most were poor. At least by American standards, the book reveals a picture that shows the Muslims of the 1950s in Iraq as