Abstract
The “Modernization” that Oman has undergone since 1970 has influenced not only the economic, but also political and social spheres. Concerning the status of women, their circumstances have changed across all levels of society, from the increase in school attendance and social empowerment, to the procurement of suffrage. It is the new middle class women, highly educated, living and working in the capital, who have benefited from this “modernization”. This essay clarifies one aspect of their status connected to the recognition of Islam and feminism, focusing on their family life and the act of veiling.
The presence of foreign housemaids has wielded a big influence on family life. By employing a housemaid, most new middle class women are able to balance both home and work life.
Regarding the practice of veiling, almost all Omani women wear the veil (mainly one or two of four kinds). Those are lahaf and hijab, both of which cover the hair, niqab, which covers the whole face, and 'abaya, a black overcoat. They wear the veils mostly because of religious reasons but this is not necessarily the only reason. They recognize that wearing niqab and 'abaya is a regional tradition while they are certain that the act of covering their hair is a religious one.
Finally, I discuss social empowerment and veiling from the viewpoints of Islam and feminism. Middle class women are familiar with not only Western, but Arab feminism to some extent. Nevertheless, they feel that they do not need feminism in Oman, because they are satisfied with present conditions. They emphasize that Islam ‹religion› is always correct, and the problem, if any, is its interpretation and practice ‹tradition and culture›. Thus, the new middle class women distinguish between the influences of tradition and religion upon veiling and social empowerment.
