Soft Feminism: The Interplay Between Feminism, Digital Media, and Creative Expression in Saudi Arabia
Raghad Alkhattabi
In my experimental film, set in New York City, I explore Saudi Muslim women's complex identities and strengths. Through
a personal conversation with my mother, I challenge misconceptions about silence, portraying it as a powerful stance.
The film integrates traditional elements like floral motifs, Arabic calligraphy, and the concept of Tawaf to symbolize
unity and the blend of history with personal identity. Employing hybrid media, I weave a narrative that honors Saudi
women's resilience and evolving strengths, highlighting their unique experiences and the spiritual continuity in their
diverse lives.
Tawaf
Decontextualizing the rhythm of the Muslim women circumambulating around the Kaaba and crafting intricate scenes becomes a profound representation of the intersection between womanhood and spirituality. This is a metaphor for spirituality, highlighting the resilience and transformative nature ingrained in women's experiences. By deconstructing and reconstructing the ritual of Tawaf in unconventional ways, it offers a personal commentary on the intricate complexities of womanhood and the spiritual journeys they undertake.
Arabic Calligraphy
Mu'annisat al-Haram translates to "The Women who find Comfort in the Sacred Mosque" The "Mu'annisat al-Haram" tradition ensures that the circumambulation area around Allah's Sacred House does not remain empty. Amplifying its symbolic significance. In subtle, nearly imperceptible Arabic script, the words "مؤنسات الحرم" emerge in the video.
Women of the haram
I began experimenting with filming a Saudi female, aiming to gain a deeper insight into her life as a Muslim woman living in New York. This process led me to reflect more profoundly on which aspects of my research I should pursue. How much control did I have over her story? Additionally, it prompted reflections on the contrast between the past and the future. Throughout the creation process, I found writing to be a powerful form of expression. As I shaped the narrative, my reflective conversation with my mother helped me a lot, I was seeking to unearth layers of our shared womanhood—how her past, my present, and the potential of our future are intertwined, particularly through the lens of our identity as Muslim women. Each question I asked is a step deeper into understanding myself, a dedication to the collective resilience and evolving strength of women in our faith, and an acknowledgment of the unique struggles we navigate.
Thesis Book
My thesis book is conceptualized to embody the evolving narrative of Saudi women through its structural design, comprising three distinct but interconnected pieces. Each piece symbolizes a pivotal moment in the journey of Saudi women, crafted to reflect the progression from constraint to openness, mirroring their expanding roles. Embracing and honoring the flower symbolism in books for Muslim women, which I noticed often had flower-themed covers while growing up, resonates widely. These designs, serving as guides for navigating Islam, symbolize beauty, delicacy, and grace.
Thesis Book
The design intentionally allows one piece to nest within the next, symbolizing the layered experiences of Saudi women and the complexity of their stories. To further enrich the narrative, I incorporated the visual element of circumambulating around the Kaaba as a metaphor for women's resilience and identity. This motif is woven throughout the layout.