Talk to the SCARF, Cause the FACE ain't listning

Sofia Niazi
2006
SOAS Art Society
Limited Edition, Paperback








The Muslim head scarf and its place in our societies: a hot topic contended by states and religious communities alike, but a debate invariably dominated by men on both sides. Here is an amusing and comic insight into a young British Muslims relationship to her scarf. This little gem from a girl who's hijab, I have it on good authority, has long doubled as a ninja disguise!

A mistake often made, seems to be a monolithic concept of the "scarf issue" which fails to acknowledge or capture diversity of opinion and belief and more often than not to be for or against the scarf without serious reference to women's own relationships and beliefs. Here Sophia Niazi raises her voice on the subject as naturally and unpretentiously as a child -  another take, just one voice, her voice, and that is what I love about it.

Describing the conception of her work, Sofia says:

" 'Talk to the scarf’ is short a illustrated account and exploration of the headscarf from the point of view of the young Muslim girls that you don’t hear about on tv or see in the papers. It looks s at the scarf as a functional and interesting feature of Muslim dress. It is a collection of ideas that focus on the imagination of individuals and potential of simple materials. I made the book around the same time that a lot of controversy was emerging about the niqab and hijab (head scarf) and I thought that it had been portrayed as a very serious thing by people who were not Muslim when in reality it’s a mundane piece of cloth that you’ve decided you will put on your head so people can’t see your hair. I made the book to give to my sisters and friends, who inspired me. It’s a pretty simple book in a scrap book style, it was fun to make and girls who are around 15 seem to like it a lot."


Finding this book:
This book is now available through Foyles, Charing Cross Rd. London
http://www.foyles.co.uk/

As well as at The ICA bookshop and Gosh (That famous comic shop next to the British museum).

Anybody interested in ordering a copy or getting in touch with the artist, can get in touch through this site.

Also anybody familiar with Sofia's book with something to say feel free to post here.

New edition now out. Photo details etc. may be forthcoming. Watch this space.

Links

SOAS Societies Contacts Page
http://www.soasunion.org/display/soas/Your+Societies+pages