The Hajib is such a contested piece of clothing for two primary reasons. First it is an open and stark contrast to popular western attire, signifying itself as different and abnormal. Second, and more profoundly, that difference has come to carry with it the stigma of mistreatment and abuse of women’s rights in the eyes of the majority of westerners.

They are, as shown in “The Politics of the Veil” Conspicuous showings of one’s religion that may offend others, and as a result banned in public schools. The book goes in detail as to the particular wording chosen to be prescribed to law in regards to the matter because it is in a lot of ways a farce, justified by reason, and limited by self-interest as well as an understanding of realistic reactions by a majority of people. In other words the lawmakers understood that a broader wording of the law would inflame the Christian majority of its citizenry as affecting them distinctly, so it created an ambiguous wording loophole that would avoid affecting most of christiandom, but would still universally affect Muslims who resided in the nation of France. By this means this law, is in reality created solely to, perhaps not discriminate against Muslims, not by its intent, but by its effect; and to encourage the assimilation of Muslims in the nation to a more Western frame of mind.

Sexuality enters the discussion by how the two cultural mindsets differ in their approach to it. For westerners sexuality is supposed to be free and open, and not a basis for discrimination, even if that is not the reality. For Muslim’s sexuality is seen as an instinctual urge to be controlled as the only means of sustaining a civilized society, and to do that they hide the bodies of their women in the public eye who are seen as the object of masculine lust and desire. They are two approaches to a similar topic, and there is something wrong with both, but also the two antagonize one another. For a westerner the sudden difference that a hajib presents can be seen as a source of sexuality, not because it is revealing but because it sharply brings the topic to the surface. It hides and leaves to the imaginations of onlookers the appearance of those beneath, but most importantly it subtly raises the issues of what sexuality means for a woman and a man. By contrast to a Muslim society, accustomed to hajibs and openly hiding or suppressing sexuality of women, and by extension in small part of men, a sudden change to see women open and “on display” for lack of a better phrasing would be seen as highly sexual. Even barbaric. Through “The Politics of the Veil” chapter five on sexuality we come to understand how the contrasting natures of the approaches come to highlight the very topic both try to downplay as a non-issue. Sexuality.

This is why the hajib is such a controversial topic in france, how sexuality is the driving force of the conflicts and debates of the differences between the cultures, and why Islam’s old idea’s shaped their views today to be what they are.

Assimilation, Inegration, Insertion, and Acculuration have similar but not identical meanings. Assimilation is to pick up social and psychological mindsets of a group. To think and behave as they do. Integration is to become a part of. In the instance of a culture/race in dealing with a country that can be accomplished by assimilation. But it can also be a case of a culture/race being accepted as a part of the nation’s heritage and what is considered “normal”. So, either becoming “normal” or being accepted as “normal”. Acculturation is when individuals adopt cultural traits and social patterns of another nation. It is shallow, and often an imitation that occurs almost naturally through time spent with another culture. An example would be how one can pick up a regional accent for their language that is not considered normal for them simply by spending time in another area or region where it is considered normal. This concept extends to other language groups and their mannerisms. Azouz Begag from Shantytown Kid would have brushed with each of these concepts, if perhaps unknowingly, but most strongly with Assimilation and Inegration.

The case for Assimilation can be made with how the French created, and reinforced an atmosphere to support it. People from the Shanty town experienced daily the contrast between their society and their perception or experience of French society. Their town was poor, cruel, and harsh a place to live for some. Everyone had less. By contrast the French were wealthy, had better educations and stadards of living that showed. One of the natural conclusions of this was a perpetuation of a sense of French superiority. That, for everyone, reinforced the idea the French were the best and everyone should want to be “French”. With this message some, such as Azouz, began to adopt, or try to adopt, French ways of thinking, mannerisms, and social conducts. Others outright rejected them, seeing their culture as free of fault and the French as the sole cause for their circumstance. That conclusion led to harsh treatment of those who tried to assimilate and become more “French”, often treating them as Traitors as it was for Azouz at times. That is assimilation.

Integration is hard to do in practice, because realistically the only way for a cultural group of people to consider themselves and be considered a part of any nation is for their lifestyle to be accepted as normal, unfortunately in practice with colonial nations this was never really applied. Instead it was attempted through assimilation, a self-defeating practice and therefor never really succeeds on a intended scale. In Shantytown kid you can see the failure of integration through assimilation that results in heightened tensions in the region between two distinct groups of people convinced their right, and anyone who tries to become more like the other or sympathize is ousted for it. As happened to Azouz with his community.

Quote 1: “I never saw in my life so many fine heads of hair. I have counted a hundred and ten of these tresses of one lady, all natural. But, it must be owned that every beauty is more common here than with us.” Pg 70.

This quote would likely have served to very much reinforce some of the preconceived notions that Christians might have had of the Turkish lands. Seeing it as opulent, wealthy, and filled to the brim with beauties unrivalled hidden in personal harems of the sultan. That is not of course what was described in the letter, merely an abundance of beauty was mentioned, but it does serve to fuel such idea’s as most stories are often exaggerations in the extreme.

Quote 2:” ‘Tis very easy to see they have more liberties than we have, no woman, of what rank so ever being permitted to go  in the streets without two muslims, one that covers her face all but her eyes and another that hides the whole dress of her head , and hangs half way down her back…” pg 71

This quote was written in regards to the liberties of women and their supposed greater freedom in the Turkish lands. ‘Supposed because this alone is a claim made with poor support in the lines around it and may confuse many who try to understand how exactly the aforementioned is greater freedom. It is with the next quote shortly after that things can see some light in this regard.

But it’s in this quote that we see how many of the stereotypes conceived of the turk’s mistreating women had been misunderstood or exaggerated by a lack of knowledge.

Quote 3:”…that there is now distinguishing the great lady from her slave and ‘tis impossible for the most jealous husband to know his wife when he meets her, and know man dare touch or follow a woman in the street.

This perpetual masquerade gives them entire liberty of following their inclinations without danger of discovery.” Pg 71

This quote brings closure to the last in the claims of greater liberties for woman found in Turkish lands than in Europe for those times. It does well to challenge the thought that Woman were in many ways possessions of men, unfortunately in many ways they still were, but it challenges the degree to which the notion pertained, and method to which it was applied.

Quote 4:”She has no black eunuchs for her guard, her husband being obliged to respect her as a queen and not enquire at all into what is done in her apartment…”

This quote is part of a greater, very long for a quote, context that signifies the fact that she, the Sultana, was the leader of the nation not a man who came to be her husband after the Sultan’s passing. This would fly in the face of many European preconceptions of a woman’s place in society, let alone a woman’s place in muslim society. Yet it was so, and done respectfully.

Quote 5:”This is but too like, says you, the Arabian tales; these embroidered napkins, and a jewel as large as a turkey’s egg! You forget, dear sister, those very tales were writ by an author of this country and, excepting the enchantments, are a real representation of the manners here.”

This final quote is rather obviously and redundantly a confirmation of many possible preconceptions well-read Europeans may have formed from the well-known stories of the Arabian Tales.

Welcome Seasoned Traveler!

To the magnificent Ottoman Empire! Home too many wonders of the world!

The Hagia Sofia of the late Byzantine Empire!

The Dome of the Rock!

The Topkapi Palace!

And so much more!

The vast and powerful Empire is also home to many lucrative resources!

Spices!

Coffee!

Sugar!

Incense!

All this is open to trade for those savvy enough to recognize it! Before you go however, this guide can help you with information on all the best locations for trade and the Do’s and Don’ts

Metro Museum of Art, Jerusalem book of the Holy lands

Geography

There are several important trade centers that Europeans may have access to depending solely on your diplomatic capacity, Istanbul, Jerusalem, and Alexandria are among the most important that you have access to. Each has their own benefits and wares.

Istanbul as the Capital is home to many of the most lavish luxuries as well as some of the most significant architecture that can stun the world with its grandeur! It is from here you’re most likely to have access to the greatest diversity of trade opportunities. It’s here the most wealthy buyers will be stationed and the highest quality resources will be found.

Jerusalem is a good location as well, despite being inland it is a frequent site for pilgrimages that brings in wealth and prosperity to the region. It’s also the reason why it is good to trade either in the city itself or in the surrounding cities with other merchants who have more regular access to the region and would be more than willing to be parted from their coin for the right goods. It also serves as a good middle ground that can redistribute your good across the region with ease, which attracts even more willing merchants.

Alexandria is much like Istanbul for its importance, connecting many goods from Africa and southern aspects of the Ottoman Empire with a deep history dating back to Ancient times. Many relics can be found here.

Trade Goods and Cultures

The regions of the Ottoman Empire are steeped with different ethnicities and religions. Each with their own customs and expectations for interactions.

On a general level however it is most important to recognize the differences between your and the dominant faith in the region, and be sure to not let your own misconceptions stand between you and good business.

So some things to avoid. Do not try to woo any of the women unless you know for certain that you may. It would be bad for your business and relations where you to speak to a married woman to whom you should not speak freely. Their faith places many restrictions on how women may interact with society, therefor it would be wise to speak with the male figure of a house first.

There are other things that generally do not need to be said to avoid but are a good idea to avoid. Avoid making religious differences an issue, so generally keep it low key. If you see what you believe to be religious in nature respect it. Praise, Respect, and Mutual Benefit will be your best friends anywhere you go.

The paper, “Neighboring Faiths” highlights very well the mentality of Christians, and I would argue all people in general. For Europe Islam came to be a unifying force ‘kind of’. ‘Kind of’ because to say that in that time period or even today people could be unified is laughable, even more so by the reasoning behind this particular ‘unification’. For Christian Europe Islam was a direct threat to their power, in an era of god fearing people where might is right could be understood as the prevailing mentality and as justification by god, Islam forced Christianity to be its enemy if those in power wanted to remain in power, if those who have lived their lives as Christians could look at their lives an say I was a good person because I followed god well, not for their actions towards other people.

Europe began to emerge as a more and more Christian centralized identity. The Papacy garnered more strength and influence. The crusades came to be a crystallization of that power, as it gave them the ability to raise armies of many Christian nations to wage war against enemies of Christianity, it justified churches imposing a tax on its followers, the crusades created connections and alliances between nations as well as enemies and rivalries that would not have otherwise emerged. Ultimately the conflict with Islam would have ramifications for centuries to come, but it’s hard to say that without them those supposed ramifications would not have occurred anyway. The crusades created a precedent for conquest and violence against other religions. The crusades were a direct reaction to Islamic Jihads and conquests of Christian lands that threatened the Authority of the Papacy because of the mentality at the time that allowed for only two possibilities. “Either Christianity was an incorrect religion that should be abandoned in favor of Islam or Christians were indeed correct in their religious choice but were being punished by an angry god.” Pg 16.

European and Islamist conviction in their respective beliefs allowed for no one to yield to the other without seeming weak, losing resources and followers to the other as a result. It is in fact the same dance that has been played by every kingdom politics and factionalism powers only on a larger scale. That larger scale played into the hand of those who guided their respective religion, it was an unavoidable conflict between powers.

https://prezi.com/7pibbb_omj67/college-project-1-key-aspects-of-islam/

I created this presentation with the history of Islam in mind. As I have come to understand the history of the region it became far too apparent to me how intertwined the religion is with their government and culture, a stark contrast to the government I’m used to with the United States. Of course it would be inevitable for everything in people lives to influence their belief systems though. This short project and presentation takes a look at some of the factors that allowed Islam to persist, and expand, though it is not in any way an in depth look at the subject; Glossing over some aspects of their growth and development not mentioned in the sources, or ignoring others because of similarities to previously made points. For this part of the world everything is about the religion, everything in effect is their gods will, and that mentality is extremism. However, it is important to note, Islam is not about peace, never in its history has it been about peace. It’s about conformity, peace for Muslims, death or discrimination towards everyone else. If it were about peace there would be no need to seek extremes, no need for modern nations to censure their media, their libraries, to oppress their women, to wage war on Infidels. There are extremists in every culture and every region, but that does not excuse the inaction of those supposed “Moderates” who allow it. Muslim culture, by its nature and its history encourages extremists. For those who would argue that it is not my culture, not my religion, not my ethics, therefor I cannot judge them, YOU ARE WRONG. There is nothing in the world that prevents me from my judgments, to say otherwise is to prove my point’s right. Muslims are defensive of their actions, their ways, for the same reason any religion ostracizes anyone who might suggest their propaganda is wrong, because they are afraid. People create groups, instinctively, naturally and seclude themselves from opposing thoughts without realizing it. But I digress, the point, lost though it may be, is that Islam, like every religion promotes both peace and conflict. That, unfortunately one cannot look at any religion without looking at the politics it controls, and creates. For the Islamic world a lot of conflict and controversy is generated by blinding opinions, by the loudest, not wisest voices.