Unveiling and Veiling in Modern Arabic Literature: Writers' Positions between Support, Opposition, and Ambivalence

Abstract

This study explores the controversial issue of unveiling in modern Arabic literature by examining the views of a wide range of prominent writers. Using a comparative textual analysis of literary works—particularly poetry and essays—the study classifies authors into three groups: supporters of unveiling, opponents, and those with ambivalent or evolving positions. Advocates such as Jamil Sidqi al-Zahawi and Ma'ruf al-Rusafi viewed the veil as a social constraint rather than a religious imperative, while opponents like Mustafa Sadiq al-Rafi‘i and Ahmad Muharram considered veiling a safeguard for morality and social stability. Meanwhile, poets like Ahmad Shawqi and Hafiz Ibrahim expressed a desire for social reform while hesitating to endorse complete departure from tradition. The study contributes to our understanding of the ideological struggles between tradition and modernity in the Arab world, revealing how literature functioned as a platform for negotiating social transformation, gender roles, and cultural identity. It highlights the role of modern Arabic literature not only as a mirror of social debate but also as a rhetorical and political tool in shaping public consciousness.