In what ways does the author offer insights and challenges into the contemporary religious and cultural practices?

In home fire as well as the photographs by Yumna Al Arashi explore the empowerment of woman and both the pieces of work have a recurring motif of the Hijab.  However the way the hijab has been portrayed in both bodies of work can be interpreted differently.

In home fire, the symbolism of hijab is seen through the help of plots, as it illustrates the hardships and sterotypes faced by muslim women. Eamonn’s perspective on hijab represents the society and the stereotypes it holds. From Eamonn’s behaviour and reactions to everything Aneeka does, and asking her multiple questions shows us that he is ignorant of the significance of hijabs and holds these stereotypes because he has been influenced by society. Aneeka is represented as a woman who challenges the oppression faced by women who wear hijab. She is shown as a confident girl who is a leader not a follower. Aneeka practices personal faith, this is shown as Eamonn found her praying in the same room as she had sex in. The fact that Aneeka did that she does not see anything wrong in doing both, having sex and praying which contradicts the stereotypes society holds. The author emphasises on the idea that the contemporary society is uneducated on stereotypes and how to behave around religious representation, highlighting the ignorance of society and how this book is important in modern society.

The photographs taken by Yumna Al Arashi also emphasis on the empowerment of women who wear a hijab. Yumna Al Arashi uses the help of landscape and constumes to emphasis on the importance. She uses the the burkha, which is the traditional dress of muslim women to show the significance of strenghth and power exemplifying the religious beliefs of muslim women. Through the landscape of the photographs she highlights the firmness of one’s values and beliefs and it can also be interpreted that the rocky canyon symbolises the sterotypes faced by muslim women in society.

To what extent does the impact of the text shape our implicit perception of a troubling world?

Both bodies of work throw light on the significance of empowering women who wear hijab however the portrayal of hijab is is interpretted differently. In home fire the stereotypes of society are conveyed through the perspective of Eamonn as well as the plot and climatic devices. In contrast to photographs by Yumna Al Arashi which allows us to have our own interpretation of the photographs. Both bodies of work use the subject as strong, confident and independent woman who aim to challenge the stereotypes of society.