Hijab-ing Dissent: Responses to Javeri's Hijabistan and the Limits of Academic Discourse in Pakistan

Abstract

This article is a case study of the critical response generated by Sabyn Javeri’s anthology of short stories Hijabistan in Pakistan, as gleaned from locally published literary and research publications. It argues that these responses, while often methodologically flawed, offer a valuable window into the prevailing ideological landscape of Pakistan. The stories are seen to be fuelled by ‘liberal Western values’, and are claimed to be demonising the hijab and, by extension, devout Muslims. In some cases, the course correction proposed is a reeducation in true Islamic teachings for local women, including Javeri herself. We situate such reactions in their larger ideological backdrop, claiming that they spring from a hesitancy to acknowledge and examine the challenge of modernity. The result is a tendency to essentialise the veil, and a reluctance to engage with the complexities of Javeri’s work. The article also highlights counterarguments to its main proposition, while emphasising the need for a more nuanced understanding of the hijab and its representations in literature. Ultimately, the article calls for a deeper engagement with internal contestations within Muslim societies regarding modernity, identity, and women’s rights.