jennifer bryan
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immigrants had not learned to read Arabic in their native countries, this is a time consuming
undertaking. While a few have been reading the Qur’an individually, a number of men have
taken up reading the Qur’an with an imam or a sheik, while others have initiated small reading
groups, which are separate for men and women. The collective nature of reading and discussing
this difficult text has served as a community building activity as well as a means of religious
identity reconstruction.
There has also been an emphasis on continuing to maintain Islamic dress for both women
and men. Before September 11
th
, a substantial number of Muslim women were already covering
and wearing the hijab with distinct Egyptian styles. For the most part, this has persisted even
though passages in the Qur’an state that it is acceptable for women to take off their covers (and
for men to shave their beards) in hostile times. For many women, maintaining their covers is a
way to counter what they see as a gross misrepresentation of Muslim women as oppressed,
docile victims who are forced to cover. The women I met emphasized that covering is
something they sincerely want to do.
Admittedly, some Muslim women have taken off their covers in response to their
precarious positions as illegal immigrants in a city under intense FBI investigation and public
scrutiny. This is especially true among some very poor women who have found it necessary to
take off their covers to counteract employment discrimination related to their “Muslim”
appearance. Yet, such actions have not undermined their allegiance to construct identities and
practices in line with the “true Islam.” These women have taken off their covers to support their
families during difficult times, and, as noted, the Qu’ran states that women may do so if wearing
a cover will harm them.
Another way Muslims have sought to honor a sense of “the true” Islam has been through
traditional Islamic weddings where men and women remain in separate rooms. Before
September 11
th
, weddings had become more Americanized, as couples were renting wedding
halls with mixed gender groups. Lavish and mixed gender weddings are now considered haram
(or forbidden) especially in light of poverty and suffering overseas. In addition, there has been a
renewed importance placed on praying at the mosque beyond the Friday prayers. The practice of
Muslim men sleeping at the mosque has also become more common. This is seen as a way to
earn the highest level in Paradise; it also fosters ties among men who pray together.
Convention