The Strengths and Weaknesses of Veiled Intentions

The Strengths and Weaknesses of Veiled Intentions by Maysan Haydar 

 Veiled Intentions by Maysan Haydar was a very interesting reading that I enjoyed. Hayar was very successful for getting her point across in a clear and appropriate way. She wanted her audience to understand the truth about being a Veiled Muslim woman. Haydar has many strengths in her reading that really catches the reader’s attention. When she states, “I've been covering my hair, as is prescribed for Muslim women, since I was twelve years old. And while there are many good reasons for doing so, I wasn't motivated by a desire to be different, to honor tradition, or to make a political statement.” Haydar is trying to express how she enjoys being covered and that she isn’t being forced because it is a part of her religious tradition. Most people assume that all Muslim women dread being veiled, when really that’s not the case according to Haydar. When she says, “I embrace the veil's modesty, which allows me to be seen as a whole person instead of a twenty-piece chicken dinner.” She wants the audience to realize that it is better to be covered than wearing skimpy clothes, which most of society dresses like today. She believes it is unfortunate for the people who don’t respect themselves rather than the people who do. “In Sunclay school, girls are taught that our bodies are beautiful”. Most people say the Muslim traditions want to keep to women from appreciating their bodies, when they really were taught to love what they look like. Allthough Haydar has many strong points, she also has week assertions. In her reading, she is speaking only among herself. Even though she may honor and respect being veiled, not all women feel that way. She doesn’t really have any facts to back up her statements and thoughts. Haydar uses a lot of “I” rather than “we” which makes me question if other Muslim women feel the same way as her. Haydar also uses quotes that don’t indicate who is saying them. She uses mostly pathos instead of logos and ethos.