According to Islamic teachings, there is a code for conduct and code of dress required by both men and women to help create a more respectful, pious society. The Islamic veil is the headscarf worn by Muslim women as part of a wider concept of dressing modestly, which is also applied to the rest of their clothing. The veil is related to the word hijab as well, which translates directly into “barrier” or “screen”.

The play around notions of the veil, screen, seen and unseen, the other side and barrier all developed to conceptualize the experience inside the installation space. Upon entering the space visitors, encountered a wall “screen” with overlapped projections of portraits of Muslim women wearing the veil overlapping urban life footage in Edinburgh in which you can spot Muslim women walking by. In the background, there was a sonic collage of people’s thoughts and reflections about the Islamic veil. The visitor is encouraged to walk, go to the other side and get closer to the screen. By getting closer to the screen, visitors created shadows that obstructed one of the two projections and unveiled more details from either of the two projections. The aim of this installation is to create a more intimate experience of understanding and appreciating “the other” through the concept of the veil.

This project was supported by:

• Kate Grey, artist | One Mile project | Collective Gallery
• Edinburgh Central Mosque
• Sahdia Raja and the rest of the Muslim women featured
• Marco Secchi, professional photographer | Sithean Photography