Houria Abdelouahed on the Erotics of the Veil in Islamic Tradition
Houria Abdelouahed, a psychoanalyst and professor at Université Paris-Diderot, explores the concept of the veil (hijab) in Islamic texts, arguing that its original metaphorical meanings have been reduced to a literal garment that enforces gender hierarchy. She traces the Arabic term 'hijab' in the Quran, noting it appears as a metaphor for spiritual separation or a curtain for the Prophet's wives, not as a prescribed dress for all women. Abdelouahed contrasts theological interpretations by exegetes like Tabarî (9th century) and Râzî (13th century) with mystical perspectives from Ibn Arabi (13th century), who viewed the feminine as the most perfect mirror of the divine. She critiques contemporary fuqahâ' (jurists) for silencing mystical, poetic, and philosophical traditions, and links the veil to male anxiety about female sexuality and castration. The article also references exhibitions by artists Ghazel (Vienna, Brasília) and Héla Fattoumi/Éric Lamoureux (France).
Key facts
- Houria Abdelouahed is a psychoanalyst and professor at Université Paris-Diderot.
- The word 'hijab' in the Quran is metaphorical, meaning 'curtain' or 'separation', not a garment.
- Tabarî and Râzî interpreted Quran 2:187 as describing the erotic dimension of skin as a 'garment' (libâs).
- Quran 33:53 instructs speaking to the Prophet's wives behind a hijab (curtain).
- Ibn Arabi wrote that 'the feminine is what circulates in the world' and 'woman is the most perfect of mirrors'.
- Abdelouahed argues the veil (especially burqa) disrupts the reciprocity of seeing and being seen.
- She criticizes contemporary jurists for rejecting human rights and reducing Islamic tradition to legalism.
- Exhibitions: Ghazel at Academy of Fine Arts Vienna (Nov-Dec) and Espace Ecco Brasília (March 2011); Héla Fattoumi/Éric Lamoureux at CDC Bourgogne (Dec 5), Le Cube Villenave d'Ornon (Dec 10), Théâtre Le Quai Angers (Jan 18-19).
Entities
Artists
- Houria Abdelouahed
- Tabarî
- Râzî
- Ibn Arabi
- Rûmî
- Adonis
- Ghazel
- Héla Fattoumi
- Éric Lamoureux
- Jacques Berque
- Henry Corbin
- Denise Masson
- André Chouraqui
- Maurice Merleau-Ponty
- Jean-Pierre Vernant
- Sigmund Freud
- Michel de Certeau
- Maître Eckardt
- Ibn Manzûr
Institutions
- Université Paris-Diderot
- Academy of Fine Arts Vienna
- Espace Ecco
- CDC Bourgogne
- Le Cube
- Théâtre Le Quai
- Mercure de France
- Gallimard
- Seuil
Locations
- Paris
- France
- Vienne
- Austria
- Brasilia
- Brazil
- Villenave d'Ornon
- Angers
Sources
- artpress —