Redefining status through burqa

Religious transformation and body politics of Indonesia’s woman migrant workers

Dados Bibliográficos

ID21493290
AutoresInayah Rohmaniyah (0000-0002-8513-1207, Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University Yogyakarta), Agus Indiyanto (0000-0001-9850-460X, Universitas Gadjah Mada), Zaenuddin Hudi Prasojo (0000-0002-2663-076X, Institut Agama Islam Negeri Bengkulu), Julaekhah Julaekhah (0000-0003-1727-4393, Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University Yogyakarta)
Ano2022
Volume78
Fascículo4
Data de publicação2022-03-31
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoHTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0259-9422 • E-ISSN: 2072-8050
EditoraAOSIS (PUBLISHER • ZA)
DOI10.4102/hts.v78i4.7270
OpenAlexW4226099288
IdiomaEN
Referências citadas33

Apart from being commonly understood as a symbol of religious identity, full-face veils (burqa) are also a process through which women redefine their bodies and social status. This article investigates Indonesian women’s commitment to wearing burqa after their work migration in Taiwan and Hong Kong. It focuses on the signification and the redefinition of the body through hijrah (transformation). In-depth interviews conducted with nine Indonesian women migrant workers (WMWs) revealed that this hijrah process characterised by the wearing of the burqa is not always motivated by a religiously radical mindset but more likely by practical considerations aiming to create a sense of security and comfort while working overseas. The burqa is perceived as a symbolic shift in body definition: from being a source of harm, to piety and privilege, paving the way for women to join an emerging elite community, rendering them a new noble and influential social status through socio-religious activities. This study recommends that further research on WMWs in the Middle East needs to acquire a more comprehensive picture taking into account its complexity.Contribution: Beyond the symbolic religious identity, burqa wearing is also a form of political participation. It illustrates women’s agency and transformation in redefining their bodies, public space, authority and public recognition

Elite · Indonesian · Piety · Political science · Politics · Public space · Social science · Sociology · Asian Studies and History · Gender and Women's Rights · Gender Studies · Law · Multiculturalism, Politics, Migration, Gender