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Beyond beards and stilettos
In Pakistan, behind the veil of extremism, there is sex, alcohol and high fashion.
The writer holds a master’s degree in political science from National University of Singapore and has worked as an associate sub-editor for The Express Tribune. She tweets @MariaWaqar
Over the last decade, a stereotypical image of Pakistan has crystallised over a span in the Western media. For most people abroad, Pakistan is a haven for bearded, gunslinging extremists gung-ho about blowing places up and imposing Sharia law. Contrary to this depiction are some alternative stories about Pakistan that have been making headlines abroad.
Recently, Declan Walsh’s piece, “In a Troubled Country, Still Time for High Society” (published June 24, 2012) in The New York Times, about the high society in Pakistan, offers a glimpse of a world of Louboutins and designer lawn. Walsh’s article is heralded by many similar efforts, which show ‘the other side’ of Pakistan: Adam Ellick’s report in The New York Times, “Lacy Threads and Leather Straps Bind a Business” (April 27, 2009), on the manufacturing of sex toys in Karachi, Jonathan Foreman’s article “Ale under the veil: the only brewery in Pakistan” (March 24, 2012) in The Telegraph on the brewing industry in Pakistan and the countless headlines on Veena Malik’s nude photo shoots in every top Western publication.
The underlying idea in most of these works is the same: in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan — the stronghold of radical forces — there are startling contradictions. Behind the veil of extremism, there is sex, alcohol and high fashion. And strongly depicted in many of these stories is a clash between the liberal cohort and the extremists. The brothers who manufacture sex toys in the ‘Islamist stronghold’ of Karachi were apparently threatened by the Taliban. Veena Malik vowed to challenge death threats by Islamists and brewing beer is a dangerous job in ‘one of the world’s strictest Islamic states’. Notice the similarity in the narrative?
Thus, for the audience abroad, Pakistan seems like a burka-clad woman wearing the skimpiest bikini underneath. There’s no better metaphor to describe the tantalising spectre of Pakistan’s liberal-conservative dichotomy that captivates the Western imaginary. Even though some might criticise this as blatantly stereotyping a country, it’s actually clever journalism because it gets people talking.
However, Pakistanis themselves have started mistaking this powerful image of their country as its reality. Clash of civilisations might be a shoddy theory but for educated Pakistanis, it actually has great resonance. They think that their country is nothing but a grand battlefield for two opposing worldviews. Countless op-eds have been published on the conflict between modernity and tradition, moderate Islam and extremism and liberalism and radicalism that has supposedly gripped our country. This type of writing reveals a typical mindset, which considers that Pakistan is defined by the clash between liberals and extremists. Yet, in reality, the two groups hardly cross paths; it’s not exactly Pakistan’s privileged lot that gets targeted in suicide bombings.
And so, when we want to show the ‘soft side’ of Pakistan to the world, we immediately think of touting the glamorous haven of fashion, music and parties that exists on the margins. We, too, want to project the paradox of Pakistan to salvage our image. But by negating one stereotype, we reinforce another.
So, let’s look around us and gauge the authenticity of this polarity. I, for one, don’t just see bearded mullahs and stiletto-wearing liberals.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 3rd, 2012.
Reader Comments (45)
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Refreshing write-up. Kudos
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Nothing is wrong in what you say, but the reason why all ‘haram’ things are done in privacy is the fear of the fanatics. Furthermore, drinking and gambling relates o large towns. Pre marriage romantic relations are common bit since many young girls do not get the opportunity to meet people outside the family circle,things happen with cousins and so on inside family homes.
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great
you have carefully described how we are swinging between two extremes
we need to come to rest
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while one certainly does not see any stiletto wearing liberals i do see a lot of bearded mullahs. i dont know why you ignore in every article the blatant reality that their is so much wrong with our country.
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For 80 percent lower and lower middle class, the disputes between liberals and conservatives are a non-issue. In rural areas, people don’t even know what it drone, strategic depth, Afia Siddiqui issue, Asia bibi blasphemy case etc. Their life is a constant struggle to make two ends meet. Their concerns are inflation, employment, clean water, education, health, roads etc. The liberal conservative divide mainly manifests itself in the middle class. Middle class can dominate the local media but their influence on state policy is negligible; social media gives a false sense of empowerment.
The bad image of the country is mainly an outcome of state policy. When gun totting mullahs of banned organizations are allowed to hold public rallies, it provides insight into state priorities which international media cannot ignore. Recommend
Waste of time, so many write ups on veils, mullaism, brothels etc…… and every one writes on it to gain attention, or they have nothing else to do, so they think, oooh lets write on this… Crap piece
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Good to see a different narrative for once.
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Behind the veil of extremism, there is sex, alcohol and high fashion.
I have heard this quite often with reference to Arab countries, so it appears nothing new; well, not entirely – somehow in Pakistan, this metamorphisizes into a liberal vs extremist debate. I don’t like labels, and probably wouldn’t classify myself as a liberal; In India to be classified as a liberal you really have to be a closet-leftist, whereas in Pakistan, you just need to stand still and the constant rightward shift in society will ensure that you are a liberal either now or sometime in the future. This is where the big difference between India and Pakistan lie: In Pak, liberals must be painted as hedonistic heretics, and the rest of the space is occupied by the Islamists or their apologists of various denominations – some more in-your-face than others; and in India, anything that is remotely Hindu must be trashed as intolerant and anti-secular, and the rest cohort freely with other organizations that equally fit the bill. Interesting to see the diametrically different directions that we have gone since independence.
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@sideen, do you live in pakistan? There are a lot more stilletos than beards. but the vast majority, in our rural areas and our urban areas is that of the middle picture, which is precisely what the author is talking about. there are n beards, burkas and honor killings but neither are there parties, alcohol and illicit sex. This class has the hallmarks of modernity and values, with education, careers, jeans and hangouts at cafes flourishing alongside religious knowledge and family values.
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Wonderful, Maria. Tthe beard is the look of our beloved Nabi (PBUH), so that is most praiseworthy (I have a nice-looking beard like that too), but great to read about stilettos.
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Nice topic. Pakistan is 190 million plus. Taking a snap shot at both ends of the social rainbow and then labelling the country is decidedly hasty. Pakistan exists between the stiletto and the burqa and even today is open minded and moderate.
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You make a fine point but such contradictions , as in Pakistan, exist in every Islamic theocracy from Iran to Saudi Arabia. The opium of religion is for the poor masses.
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The problem is not just the imagery, the clothes and the beards. Its also the attitudes that such overly glamorizied events and magazines symbolize which is essentially exploitative. Designers quoted as saying how they were left in tears as their tailors unionizied and how she had to fire them or boasting how excellent cloth work can be made on the cheap while selling at a massive markup. These attitudes are not confined to the fashion world, but are a ubiquitous part of the wider elite. The issue is that those in the fashion elite, have more oppourtunities to voice them.
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I agree with the article, but it’s just the scenario of the Urban cities in Pakistan, mainly Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. While 80% of the population belongs to Rural areas, where they have there cultures, values, traditions other than the religion. But we in cities, have forgot our Values, cultures, traditions etc. OR I must say that we in cities have none of them. We are brought up by our parents with the pressure to end up being educated to earn the respect in the society. We are not taught the moral values, but the western culture. And that is why we end up in two extreme paths, criticizing one another for not following what he/she wants.
We must FIRST end up following our culture and values and then start another debate on BEARD and STILETTOS.
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Talking about 2% of pakistanis, on each side of the extreme. Writing about the controversial, non-issues has become people’s favorite pastime at ET.
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A woman studying in a foreign university, that happens to be in a “liberal” country, is also “haraam”. Under Pakistani veil of right-wing lies deep hypocrisy.Recommend
Much ado about nothing. Sure, you can find some examples of alleged liberalism but the overwhelming trend is towards greater orthodoxy, socially & politically. The few examples are isolated cases motivated by a desire for publicity or profit, or both. In any case, liberalism is much more than simply boozing or anything risque, only in Pakistan is it reduced to this. A teetotaler who dresses modestly can be a fine liberal, while an imbiber can be a severe reactionary; in fact, there are many of the latter type in Pakistan.
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Hi Maria, A nation will be recognized by it’s common people and not by it’s elite and rare liberals.
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@BlackJack,
Given your many attacks and insults against Pakistanis and Muslims, I don’t know whether you are a liberal or conservative, but know exactly than you are an Indian.
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at last this type of article prove what western countries wants with Islam. I have heard that some Zionist or members of Illuminati wants to destroy Islamic countries religious values but Now I am damn sure they are true. every day Express Tribune post every article against of Pakistan, Pakistan Army, Islam, etc…. and always try to promote negative part of it especially nudity. for all Pakistani peoples of Express Tribune Shame on you!.
you want democratic govt. instead of Islamic Shariah then compare democratic nations with those in past following Shariah during caliphate of Hazrat Umar(R.A) and Hazrat Abu Bakr(R.A).
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@kaalchakra:
You should not only have a nice beard, but you should also dye it in mehndi. You do that, don’t you ?
btw, I am your great fan, you’re the best satirist ever !
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@Blackjack : “whereas in Pakistan, you just need to stand still and the constant rightward shift in society will ensure that you are a liberal either now or sometime in the future.”
Superb! Many times the comments are much better than the main article.
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Great piece. My sentiments EXACTLY.
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Pakistan has become a society of hypo-crates. Religious leaders, Politicians, teachers, burocrates, Financial institutes, Law enforcing agencies, Military dictators, Poets, Artists, Businessmen, Doctors, Engineers, Industrialists, Army etc have miserably failed to deliver. Thus the extremists are all out to destroy every thing which is symbol of a civilised society in the name of Islam some-where and liberalism on other place. A common man is un-educated and have nearly no awareness. Money is every thing and can buy anything. We have no leadership and no certain path to travel for betterment. Worst part is that we are not a nation in any way.
Iss Qaum ka khuda hi hafiz.Recommend
Thank you Maria, for giving us something other than stilettos and beards to think about. The world views us Pakistani’s very rigidly and we have begun to do the same.
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Alas!!! the writer has seen nothing than liberals and extermism. Before write further, please revise the definition of liberal and extermism. There are more extermists out in Europe and America. Please write something about the professionals, writers, scholars, poet, scientists which are still working hard for the good sake of country.
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@Zeeshan
Given your many attacks and insults against Pakistanis and Muslims, I don’t know whether you are a liberal or conservative, but know exactly than you are an Indian.
Your analytical skills are definitely mindboggling!
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@Blackjack
how come, every time you hit sixer
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@x:
“There are a lot more stilletos than beards.” what??? i do live in pakistan, have done all my life and i can vouch for the opposite.
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“Pakistan seems like a burka-clad woman wearing the skimpiest bikini underneath”
Epic line.
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Honestly, in world press there are more pictures of bearded dishevelled people with shalwars hiked above ankles. People seem so medieval and evil!
Ofcourse the stilletos are parts of every society too. However its the attitudes that are disturbing in pakistan. everyone seems a part time mullah.
Maria must have often visited Kuala lumpur and other malaysian and indonesian towns. Does she see a different socital mix there as compared to pakistan?
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Great piece! I am glad someone wrote about this
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Look like Pakistan is going to be Lebanon of South Asia . .
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Ummm…the bearded men with shalwars above the ankles bothers you. But when the women do the same they are called empowered, bold and progressive and having the right to wear what they like etc……. Very hypocritical of you.
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This culture of “sex, alcohol and high fashion” is only limited to urban metropolis of Lahore, Karachi and Isloo. There is a Pakistan beyond these cities and the reality on the ground in majority of the country is very harsh – poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, lack of access to proper food, water, health facilities and most important of all, Justice. Its easy to miss these realities of our country whilst living in privilege in an urban area. I think Pakistan is depicted in the correct light in the International media; a few fashion shows, boutique launches, underground dance parties here and there represent no more than 5% of the population only.
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Where would you fit quadri killing the governor?
You need to see ahead…
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@Hairaan:
Women look good and sexy! but Men..look awful…
Sure women are progressive, but men indeed look ancient and dated.
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Look guys, Faisal has written a most beautiful piece in the same issue; why isn’t there any excitement about it? Why are we enamoured by stilettos and the Burqa? Or, is she really right when she entices us with the fancy branding while actually suggesting that neither is true! Clever.
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@ You know what
She is offering a nuanced stance on a more interesting issue. There have been 900 previous articles on democracy in ET by Faisal and others. Nobody wants to read the same things over and over again.
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@Hunter punter
Brilliant take on @Hairaan.
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bravo!
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It reminds me one of my grannies story of five blind.all the of them came to an elephant. Somebody told them that it was an elephant. The blind men asked, ‘What is the elephant like?’ and they began to touch its body. One of them said: ‘It is like a pillar.’ This blind man had only touched its leg. Another man said, ‘The elephant is like a husking basket.’ This person had only touched its ears. Similarly, he who touched its trunk or its belly talked of it differently.
Sometimes writer are prejudiced. And they act like the blind fellows and they paint as want may be unconsciously
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May the good Lord have mercy on our (and all) people. May we (and all) be blessed and free and modern and loving towards one another. May God not humiliate us (or anyone)- may we (and all) be fair from the inside and out and may we (and all) be kind towards one another and may we love all life.
May there be an end to conflict and bloodshed and warfare amidst our people and may we (and all) embrace the most wholesome, most loving, most uplifting, most improving ways.
May we (and all) be merciful and forgiving towards one another and may we (and all) be open to kind and gentle and loving correction and instruction and edification.
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Crap piece…don’t know what ur talking about..the reality for majority of Pakistanis is very different miss Maria waqar..u should get outside and smell the stink of life of the normal person
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You mean this ‘Republic of the Pure’ is not different from any other lesser ‘Nation’?
What a let down.
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