In a recent feature, the public broadcaster Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR) glorifies Islamist fashion and portrays the veiling of women as a ‘counter-trend’ to airy summer fashion. In this promotional piece for Islamism, a man is also allowed to claim, unchallenged, that women must be protected by veiling ‘like a mobile phone case’.
“As temperatures rise, many people’s clothing becomes skimpier again. They show skin and thus attract attention. A counter-trend: modest fashion. Fashion that shows less skin and largely covers the body. Selda Dastan has created a space for this trend in Nuremberg.” These euphemistic words open a BR report in which Islamist veiling is glorified.
The report is about a shop in Nuremberg; the owner, Selda Dastan, also wears a headscarf. “Modest fashion is a guideline that encourages people to cover themselves,” and “there are many reasons for choosing modest fashion,” explains the narrator.
Finally, Selda Dastan’s husband also has his say. He reports that whilst neighbours initially had ‘prejudices’ against the shop, they now attract ‘customers from all over the world’.
He then explains to the viewer: ‘In the Islamic faith, women must dress modestly. The face, hands and feet below the ankles are actually permitted. What is important should also be protected. Just like a mobile phone that is protected by a case. A woman is also very important, with all her body parts, and that is why a woman should also be protected. She should not be an object for other men.” The presenter leaves this promotional piece for an Islamist, misogynistic view of society completely unchallenged.
To emphasise that modest fashion is no longer intended solely for Muslim women, a customer is then given the floor. “I was curious to see what new things were being created here. Now I’m delighted that there’s something here for me too,” she says. She adds by way of explanation: “I don’t want to be guilty of cultural appropriation.”
The spokesperson goes on to elaborate on the promotion of Islamic fashion: “Since the 2012s, modest fashion has developed into a global fashion trend. The market is growing steadily and is now estimated to be worth several billion euros.” He concludes: “Perhaps that is precisely the message behind modest fashion: it’s not about how much skin you show, but how.”