FEMEN, a feminist Ukrainian protest group founded in 2008, is infamous for organizing topless protests. Most recently, FEMEN angered Muslims worldwide with topless protests in support of Amina Tyler, a young Tunisian activist who posted onto FEMEN’s Facebook page a topless photograph of herself with the Arabic words for “FUCK YOUR MORALS” written on her chest. In response, Islamic extremists threatened to kill her.
In reaction, FEMEN activists took to the streets. They declared April 4 “Topless Jihad Day.” Activists stood in front of a Paris mosque and set fire to a flag bearing the Arabic words, “La ilaha illallah,” which mean, “There is no god but God” — the unifying profession of faith for all Muslims. Additionally, FEMEN staged topless protests outside masjids around the world with signs reading, “FUCK YOUR MORALS,” “FREEDOM FOR WOMEN,” and “NO ISLAMISTS.”
Anger over the outcry regarding Amina Tyler is understandable. Even reasonable. But FEMEN’s threatening and offensive actions are over the top and rightfully angered many Muslims around the world. To make matters worse, FEMEN has acknowledged the outcry from Muslim women especially who feel their struggles are being unfairly and offensively appropriated, but has chosen to ignore it.
While Tyler resides in predominantly Muslim Tunisia, Muslims are a marginalized group in the majority of European countries where FEMEN staged its protests. In countries like France and Germany, for example, where FEMEN called for a “topless jihad” and issued the cry to “fuck Islamists,” Muslims face serious socioeconomic disadvantages, as well as increasing political disenfranchisement, including but not limited to “hijab bans” and other onerous laws targeting religious minorities.
There is something intensely problematic — in fact, violent — about carrying out such protests against a population that remains a disenfranchised minority in many countries. It ceases to be simply a complaint against a particular attitude or perspective and instead becomes reactive, personal and incredibly menacing.
Burning flags bearing the Islamic creed in front of masjids that have been recently vandalized, where worshipers that gather may face physical attacks and daily discrimination, is an act that is less a protest and more a hate-filled rally. It tells European Muslims that they are unwelcome. Unwanted.
Even more unfortunate, FEMEN displayed a stunning disconnect about the complicated nature of Islam.
Case in point — as part of Topless Jihad Day, half-naked FEMEN activists staged a protest directly in front of the doors of the Ahmadiyya-Moschee, the oldest Ahmadiyya masjid in Berlin. Ahmadiyya Muslims are a minority sect within Islam, and are unfortunately regarded by many Muslims as heretics. They are subject to discrimination, attacks and death worldwide. Saudia Arabia does not even allow Ahmadi Muslims to perform Hajj.
That FEMEN members chose to stand on the steps of an Ahmadiyya masjid with its “FUCK YOUR MORALS” signs shows their absolute ignorance as to the true significance of their actions. Not only did they seek to insult an already targeted minority in Europe, but they chose to insult one of the most internally persecuted members of that minority. Incredible.
Additionally, FEMEN’s message is lacking in logic. While the message behind the topless protest should have been that there is nothing inherently sinful about the feminine form — which is absolutely true — that message was obscured by FEMEN activists.
FEMEN’s calls for a “topless jihad” strongly implied that the modest clothing mainstream Islam recommends for men and more visibly, women, is oppressive and backwards. Member actions imply that the liberation of Muslim women can be achieved through baring the feminine form in defiance.
Defiant exposure of the body may very well be how some women feel empowered, but it is ignorant to presume that this is true of all women. This is especially true of female Muslims, who can be shamed by both outsiders and fellow Muslims because of the way they chose to dress.
The discussion of modesty, clothing, and how both relate to spirituality within the world of Muslim women is far too complex and charged to be reduced to “a topless jihad” that equates the naked feminine form with empowerment.
In reaction to the protests, Muslim women from across the world took to social media, posting pictures of themselves holding signs addressed to FEMEN. These Muslim women appeared in various forms of Islamic dress — some in hijab, some in jilbab, some in the niqab and others in more secular clothing .
The messages were loud and clear. “NUDITY IS NOT LIBERATION.” “I SPEAK FOR MYSELF.” “I DO NOT NEED SAVING.” And the incredibly powerful, “FEMEN STOLE MY VOICE.” The images tell a straightforward narrative: Muslim women possess the agency to dress in any way they choose.
FEMEN’s crucial mistake was acknowledging the resistance of Muslim women to their actions and then choosing to dismiss it — in essence employing the same patriarchal techniques that it condemns.
Aleksandra Shevchenko, who established FEMEN Germany, told the Huffington Post, “They write on their posters that they don’t need liberation, but in their eyes it’s written ‘help me.’”
Little surprise then that Muslim women are distrustful of other (usually white) women who try to “liberate” them. In fighting for the liberation of Muslim women, non-Muslim women rarely engage Muslim women in a way that allows Muslim women to keep their own agency. Instead, non-Muslim women try to “liberate” Muslim women through control — imposing Western perspectives and in essence, causing Muslim women to become invisible in their own battle.
And what about Amina Tyler, the young Muslim whom FEMEN members are rallying around? When asked about FEMEN’s actions, Amina Tyler had the following to say: “I am against [FEMEN’s recent actions]. Everyone will think that I encouraged their actions. They have insulted all Muslims everywhere and it’s not acceptable.”
But such condemnation, even from the very person for whom FEMEN purports to fight, is unlikely to have any impact. FEMEN will still pose as the defender of Muslim women, making it clear that it does not understand a basic principle — “no” means “no.”
Huma Rashid is a criminal defense attorney living and working in Chicago. For even more Huma, follow her on Twitter.
yeah, it’s complicated. but is it complicated when conservative christians oppose ‘marriage equality’? not really. the issue here is incommensurability between different cultures. which is fine. let’s just keep separate and let each society go its merry way. but i want to stop hearing all the whining about how the west needs to intervene in syria or we need to support egyptian feminists in their campaigns about female genital mutilation (yeah, some things aren’t complicated). they can take care of their own crap in their own complicated primitive fashion.
femen are juvenile and distasteful. but muslim women are backward and superstitious. just my uncomplicated opinions 🙂
Does it all sounds western for you? This are woman who support Amina… not all of them of course
Aliaa Magda Elmahdy, Egyptian Nude Photo Revolutionary
Alina Isabel Pérez, Filmmaker
Amanda Brown, We are Atheism Founder
Annie Sugier, President of Ligue du Droit International des Femmes
Arash T. Riahi, Film Director
Caroline Fourest, Writer and Journalist; most recent film: “Our Breasts; Our Arms”
Darina Al-Joundi, Lebanese Actress and Author of “The Day Nina Simone Stopped Singing”
Deeyah, Music Composer and Filmmaker; most recent film “Banaz: A Love Story” about an honour killing
Elia Tabesh, Iranian Women in Support of Nude Photo Revolutionary Calendar
Equal Rights Now – Organisation against Women’s Discrimination in Iran
Fariborz Pooya, Iranian Secular Society
Farzana Hassan, Writer
Fatou Sow, President of the Groupe de recherche sur les femmes et les lois au Sénégal
FEMEN
Fiammetta Venner, Filmmaker and Writer
Greta Christina, Writer and Blogger
Houzan Mahmoud, Spokesperson of Organisation for Women’s Freedom in Iraq
Inna Shevchenko, FEMEN Spokesperson
International Committee against Execution
International Committee against Stoning
Jacek Tabisz, President of Polish Rationalist Society
Joseph Paris, Radical Cinema
Kareem Amer, Egyptian Blogger
Kian Azar, Communist Youth Organisation
Marian Tudor, President of Romanian Association for Workers’ Emancipation
Marieme Helie Lucas, Algerian Sociologist and founder of Secularism is a Women’s Issue
Maryam Namazie, Campaigner and Spokesperson for Equal Rights Now – Organisation against Women’s Discrimination in Iran and initiator of Nude Photo Revolutionary Calendar
Mina Ahadi, Spokesperson of International Committee against Stoning and International Committee against Execution
Nadia El-Fani, Tunisian Filmmaker; most recent films “Neither Allah nor Master” and “Our Breasts; Our Arms”
Nahla Mahmoud, Sudanese Researcher and Human Rights Activist
Nina Sankari, President of European Feminist Initiative Poland and Secularist
Richard Dawkins, Scientist
Rumy Hassan, Writer
Safia Lebdi, Co-founder of Neither Whores nor Submissives
Secularism is a Women’s Issue
Soad Baba Aïssa, Women’s Rights Campaigner
Sohaila Sharifi, Iranian Women’s Rights Campaigner
Sundas Hoorain, Pakistani Human Rights Lawyer
Tarek Fatah, Writer
Taslima Nasrin, Bangladeshi Writer
Riiight. So you pulled a list of people (half of whom ARE westerners) out of your arse, who are either paid shills of western interests or people employed by paid shills of western interests to act legit. Big deal. Do any of them (most of whom I’ve never heard of) have ANY credibility? Do they have any legitimacy? These people seem to do nothing but make money exploiting people’s suffering without doing anything about it. Oh look, one of them wrote a book on Nina Simone – am I supposed to care?!! The fact that they even support a fraudulent group like FEMEN is reason enough to doubt their credibility.
“.Amina Tyler had the following to say:
“I am against [FEMEN’s recent actions]. Everyone will think that I
encouraged their actions. They have insulted all Muslims everywhere and
it’s not acceptable.”
Dear author, Amina was a hostage of her relatives, what would you say if you were Amina ? Amina has denounced that statement in this video and told about the mistreatment she was subjected to. By the way Amina is an atheist. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhLWKG0pedA
Muslims burn various flags worldwide during their protests , do you criticize such deeds in such a passionate manner ? I was following Femen’s posts during the campaign. From the beginning they stressed that they targeted religious extremism and islamism as an oppressive political ideology. You perfectly know what the black banner with shahada symbolizes – a holy war. There were a lot of people killed under the various banners and in the name of god and nowadays this black banner with shahada is used by extremist militant groups worldwide. So they burnt it protesting against religious extremism.
If you feel personally targeted and have your sensibilities hurt by such protests It makes me think that you are a religious fundamentalist denying basic human rights. But in this case I don’t understand your concern with Ahmadis being persecuted. Definitly Femen was not targeting Ahmadis specifically.
So I refuse to accept your “no” means “no.” Because I think that you have no right to say that “no” on behalf of all Muslim women. As global citizens we are free to express our solidarity with women worldwide especially with all those being bullied into silence, deprived of possibilities such as education, speaking English, Internet access to express their opinions like you do.
exacly!! just wanted to write it
So? Who cares if she is an atheist? Did her sh*t stop stinking just because she woke up today and decided she doesn’t believe in any higher power? And please stop talking and making assumptions on her behalf – we don’t need any more westerners patronizing third-world women by pretending to talk for them while pushing an agenda – they can stand on their own very well, thank you!
will not agree with-“Burning flags bearing the Islamic creed in front of masjids that have been recently vandalized, where worshipers that gather may face physical attacks and daily discrimination, is an act that is less a protest and more a hate-filled rally. It tells European Muslims that they are unwelcome. Unwanted.-”
What they did was actually burning salafists flag infront of the Mosque in Paris as a symbol of women’s fight with wild religious extremism. Arab Sextremist gave a sign of womens standoff to those who kill and rape in the name of Allah. The recent call of Tunisian salafist to stone Tunisian activist AMINA was the last point before big women’s riot. http://femen.org/en/gallery/page/4#post-content
First of all, most of those ‘Salafists’ are trained, armed and given refuge by The CIA and Mossad. These Salafists NEVER attack Israel and yet keep on launching attacks on SECULAR Middle Eastern countries like Libya and Syria (where Christians and other minorities are safe) with weapons given to them by The US and British governments! You claiming to be against them while covertly supporting them is ludicrous and hypocritical. Why don’t you launch a protest against their backers like The Mosssad and The CIA. Oh wait, how can you protest against the very SAME peopel who are funding you?!!!
I love how racist and sexist Muslim people try to accuse feminists trying to liberate Muslim women of racism. Islam itself is a sexist and racist ideology. The whole point of the hijab is because women in Islam are viewed as aurat or a walking sex object so tempting to men that they must cover from a ridiculous extent including such things which have nothing to do with sexuality such as the hair and/or face. If women do not cover these things then it is viewed that men will be so over come with lust that they can not respect the women and that such women are whores that deserve to be raped. Nudity and love of the body is liberating as it shows self love and respect for your body. Muslims are taught that a woman’s body is aurat or a shameful genital and there is a hadith that says just this. It is also ridiculous to say that Muslim women have a choice in the hijab. Muslim women are told regularly from the cradle to the grave that they are sex objects and if they do not veil then they deserve to be raped and that non hijabi women go to Hell and are whores. I also love how the racist author of this piece says that the majority of non Muslims trying to liberate women from Islam are white when many are from Muslim nations like Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Maryam Namazie etc. Hell Maryan Namazie took part in a Femen rally. I also love how she says that gender equality, sexuality and body love as well as the ability to not embrace the Madonna/Whore concept advocated by Islam are “Western concepts.” When in reality it is universal human rights.” Muslim women like all patriarchal women believe they are free when in reality they are shackled by unequal treatment and bigotry and women who oppose this evil in the Islamic community are frequently labeled as whores and apostates.
i could be more constructive with my reply, but your post doesnt warrant it. i suggest you educate yourself with the actual unadultared teachings of Quran because constructing views on the observations of those that claim to be followers fuelled with ignorant hearsay (quote hadiths and surahs instead of being ambigious) leads to tunnel vision
Quit trying to talk sense into drug addicts. Most of these creeps defending FEMEN are Hasbrats (Israeli internet provacateurs employed to attack and insult people on the internet) – We’re wasting our valuable time by acknowledging their presence and giving them more publicity. Just ignore them and they’ll leave.
Excuse me..but what the hell do you no about Islam? nothing. you just base your points on your ignorant opinions about Islam. shall i tell you something? do you know that women are just as equal to men and they are not told or aren’t only here for a sexual desires. no rather the Muslim females are the princesses of Islam, they are precious gems. and for your information before Islam women were just a object to men they weren’t even considered human..yep thats exactly what im saying the Greeks, Christians,Jews,pagans,and Arabs all loathed her. islam gave her her rights, islam made her staus go higher. one last thing, before you start sayiing stuff i would really like to suggest that you go do some through research FIRST ok. “paradise lies under the feet of your mother” oh yh islam for your info means PEACE!
Oh look, another creep pretending to be a woman who thinks that feminism means doing what HE wants – not what grown women (who may hold differing views) desire!
So anyone who does not walk around like a cheap ho like the ex-prostitutes of FEMEN are ‘racist’ and ‘sexist’! Wow! Does this idiot even REALIZE what the meaning of ‘sexism’ is?
Please protest Israel’s forced sterilization of female Ethiopian refugees before you mouth off about other people, you bleedin’ HYPOCRITE!!!
FEMEN are a total fraud of a group. Their organizer and main source of funding is one Victor Svyatski – a Ukranian Jew with ties to organized crime. This charming fellow once said, “These girls are weak. They don’t have the desire to be strong. Instead the show submissiveness, spinelessness, lack of punctuality, and many other factors which prevent them from becoming political activists.’ He also complained that the Brazilian protestors were ‘too fat’. Once while coaching them he not just called them bitches, he practically screamed the word at them. Wow. What Feminists!!!
It’s no coincidence that that most of the members of FEMEN are former prostitutes, escorts and ex-models with bad drug habits. Why do you think they are always composed of skinny, attractive blondes who look like ex-models?
FEMEN was started as a response by Russian Gangsters (all of whom were Jewish) to Vladimir Putin cleaning up Russia and jailing them or sending them to exile in Israel. They couldn’t attack him on facts, so they decided to embarrass him through various publicity stunts. Pussy Riot is another off-shoot of these deviants; they are NOT a ‘punk rock’ band – they cannot play a single musical instrument and have NEVER staged a concert – they are merely another group of weirdos desperate for publicity through publicity stunts. And they ALWAYS manage to blame Putin (a man who was not even responsible for the law that put them in prison) for their problems – since most of their backers are against the Russian leader. Interesting note: Most of FEMEN’s backers are Jewish fraudsters wanted for organized crime in Russia; many of their checks come via Israel and you NEVER see them picket any synagogues now, do you?
It’s incredible that ANYONE with any common sense would think that FEMEN are a ‘feminist’ group – all they do is shock tactics and mouth obscenities to gain publicity – nothing more.