Twelve centuries after his death, the Persian poet Jalal al-Din Rumi has become the best-selling poet in the United States and gathered a massive popularity globally, following the English...Show moreTwelve centuries after his death, the Persian poet Jalal al-Din Rumi has become the best-selling poet in the United States and gathered a massive popularity globally, following the English translations of his works. Today, numerous brands owe their name to Rumi. Although this trend started in the United States, in the Netherlands, too, the iconic figure of Rumi has been commodified. The aim of this thesis is to elaborate on how Rumi's contested identity is being claimed so as to befit brand identities in the Netherands. An in-depth Analysis of two cases within the Netherlands where Rumi's name served as an identity marker for marketing purposes will aid answering the question.Show less
“So what happens if I eat what I want, and dress as I want? Too much for you?” Leyla, a woman who lives her life with no constraints, uttered this quote in Palestinian director Maysaloun Hamoud’s...Show more“So what happens if I eat what I want, and dress as I want? Too much for you?” Leyla, a woman who lives her life with no constraints, uttered this quote in Palestinian director Maysaloun Hamoud’s film In Between (2016). In Between portrays Arab women in control of their lives who make their own decisions, even if these are frowned upon by their society. This image differs from those in Hollywood films, wherein Arab women have been depicted in groups covered in black robes following their husbands, for example. As these depictions are repeated, audiences may believe the images presented to them, and formulate stereotypes of Arabs. This topic demonstrates that portrayals of Arab women exist in cinema that challenge the stereotype of disempowered Arab women. Furthermore, this topic highlights Arab women’s diversity and the obstacles they face when breaking away from the image expected of them from their societies. Therefore, this thesis will focus on In Between’s portrayal of Arab women to demonstrate that In Between questions the stereotype of disempowered Arab women, and represents Arab women. In order to do so, this thesis will analyze the cultural identities and femininity of Leyla, Salma, and Nour, In Between’s three main characters.Show less
This thesis aims to examine the effects that the Syrian civil war had on the theme of hope in Syrian prison literature. The research is conducted through the analysis of three short stories of...Show moreThis thesis aims to examine the effects that the Syrian civil war had on the theme of hope in Syrian prison literature. The research is conducted through the analysis of three short stories of prison literature, one of which written before the war, the other two written after the war. It will compare the notion of hope in the pre-war and post-war stories.Show less
This dissertation aims to provide comprehensive research on the way in which contemporary Iranian cinema challenges the boundaries of the Iranian Family Law (which is embedded in Sharia) through...Show moreThis dissertation aims to provide comprehensive research on the way in which contemporary Iranian cinema challenges the boundaries of the Iranian Family Law (which is embedded in Sharia) through the portrayal of women’s social challenges with regard to child-custody. For this, three movies focusing on child-custody-rights of women have been selected to analyze the connectedness of cinema with society and law.Show less
The thesis paper provides an analysis of the means in which The Rawiya Collective, as the first collective of all female photojournalists, use their photography to create hybrid spaces “in-between”...Show moreThe thesis paper provides an analysis of the means in which The Rawiya Collective, as the first collective of all female photojournalists, use their photography to create hybrid spaces “in-between” physical and virtual locations. Through the analysis of various exhibitions curated by The Rawiya Collective, this thesis examines the extent to which photography has helped the collective give back a voice to the misrepresented and the oppressed. Since its assemblage in 2009, The Rawiya Collective’s photography has given back a voice to local culture and become the spoken word of media platforms today. As theoretical pillars to this thesis, Spivak’s thinking on the subordinated gender and more specifically the notion of constructed masculinities, is used to guide the first chapter of analysis on Countering Hegemonic Powers. The latter half of the analysis draws from Bhabha’s Location of Culture, providing a structural base for an analogy between his notion of the “in-between” spaces and The Rawiya Collective’s recreation of their own Third Space. Recent literature and research on gender identity is employed to provide a contemporary approach to Spivak’s notion of the gendered subaltern. Recent works from various scholars in media, communications and human geography is used to put into context the notion of a Third Space in today’s world, allowing for a discussion concerning virtual platforms as new spaces for cultural representation. It is through an analysis of what the subordinated gender and its allocated location for existence within The Rawiya Collective’s work, that an understanding of how Spivak and Bhabha’s theories can be applied to a contemporary context.Show less
The thesis aims to contribute to the discussion on social movement theory and Islamic activism by using the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt as an example. The focus lies on the changing relationships...Show moreThe thesis aims to contribute to the discussion on social movement theory and Islamic activism by using the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt as an example. The focus lies on the changing relationships of the Muslim Brotherhood in 2011 that occurred within the movement itself, with the society and the institutionsShow less
