Qatari writer and entrepreneur Maryam Al-Subaiey was a guest on France 24's Arabic channel last week. She was the first woman from the country to be interviewed on the Paris-based channel in 10 years.
She was interviewed in an episode of Hadath al Yowm (Today's News) about Qatari women. She appeared without hijab. Some are up in arms about this, in spite of the pretty powerful PR she gave the country during the show.
Al Arab 's Qatari columnist Noura Al Msefri wrote :
"A genuine Qatari woman does not dare appear unveiled in a conservative society that respects its religion and holds high all traditions that adhere to that religion."
The criticism stands in sharp contrast with Subaiey's position on the importance of women in the State of Qatar. On the show, Subaiey praised Qatari women's status in society and listed women's successes in branching out from traditional roles into politics and entrepreneurship.
She even countered Western stereotypes about sexism in GCC countries. "The Gulf countries are specifically stereotyped as patriarchal which is problematic and untrue," she said .
Still, the backlash was heavy, and it wasn't restricted to her hijab, but also to her insertion of English terminology.
It's my belief that the Qatari woman is the one who belongs to the Qatar that everyone knows, and this is as a Muslim Arab country. For this reason, the Qatari woman should be covered up and wear the hijab as a symbol of Islam. She should express herself in the Arabic language (Qatari dialect) devoid of Western vocabulary and expressions which doesn't indicate that she is cultured as much it reveals a weakness and the effect of an exported culture to which this terminology belongs. Though I believe that mastering a Western language is a strength, I believe that the eloquence of the Arabic language is even stronger, and is bigger than mixing with scattered vocabulary.
"Education is no good if it results in disobeying God's orders. I'm not honored by this unveiled Qatari woman, despite her level of education."
Some criticism were more sisterly, so to speak
I would have hoped that the hijab would be part of your identity, sister. The hijab doesn't prevent progress and development. God bless you.
Many came to her support with the hashtag #ShukranMaryamAlSubaiey
The Women's Society at Georgetown University in Qatar stood by her
And others, too
Proudly calling her an "honorable representation"
The irony
By stating some facts
And pointing the unfortunate fact of the situation
"#ShukranMaryamAlSubaiey for representing Qatari women. It's unfortunate that some people care more about her appearance than her thoughts and achievements."