Aina Nor Halim

Muslim women, particularly those who cover themselves with hijab, are oftentimes portrayed as oppressed. The truth is far from that though, as the women of Islam are free to choose the way they dress themselves. They are condemned by society no matter how much or how little they wore to cover the parts of their body. The two portraits illustrate the juxtaposition between two women in how they dress; the first model, who covers her aurah (parts of the body that needs to be covered) fully in accordance with the Holy book, and the second model, who left parts of her body exposed. Batik is used in this project as the garment is integral to the Muslim community in Malaysia, used for various cultural and religious occasions, significantly seen used in daily prayers. With this work, I would like to portray that with the difference in the way we dress along with all our distinct personalities, covering up does not discourage us and wearing less does not make us any less Muslim.