One of the arguments, Mahmood mentions in this piece is that feminist theory
argues about patriarchal ideology- where women’s body is objectified and hence
subjected to masculinity systems of representation. How can/do women’s mosque
movement represent themselves through Religion which is male dominated? In my
understanding, Mahmood is trying to explain what “agency” is, and just not a
form of resistance to social norms but as a modality of action.
Mahmood addresses on “subordination” and “change” through
liberal and feminist discourses. She talks about all these women in Egypt, like
Nadia, Sana, Abir, Zaynab Al-Ghazali, Hajja Asma and makes us to alter our
perception from the notion of female piety or modesty to encourage women
subordination but to better understand these traditions in relations to
practical engagements for all these
women who embody it and works as a significant tool for them.
In my opinion, it is very interesting how within macro
feminist discourses, there is so much misunderstanding about inclusion, agency,
embodiment. Patriarchal norms can be very different with in different cultures
and their context. And women don’t necessarily have to play with the same set
of rules in order to gain independence or gain access to power. Again, the
place from where I am voicing out may not fit for another person and their
context, but when it comes to freedom, I think it’s a notion where one feels
“liberated” (fluid term). And to different people, freedom is interpreted in
their own ways, depending upon where they live, what they wear, who they pray,
or not pray, who they are and so on. Saba Mahmood’s reading is tough but
interesting.
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