Dana Bakdounis has been brought up in conservative Saudi Arabia, but it was as a reaction against conformity that she first removed her veil in August 2011. ‘The veil did not suit me, but I had to wear it because of my family, and the society,’ she says. ‘I did not understand why my hair was covered. I wanted to feel the beauty of the world… I wanted to feel the sun and air.’
By then, she was already following The Uprising of Women in the Arab World page on Facebook.
With nearly 70,000 members, it has become a forum for debate on women's rights and gender roles in the Arab world. Women, and men, from non-Arab backgrounds also comment on its photos.
On 21 October, Dana decided to do something for the page, and for oppressed women and girls around the Arab world by posting a photo of herself. Looking right into the lens, her short-shorn hair in full view, she held an ID picture of her previously veiled self, along with a note that read: ‘The first thing I felt when I took off my veil’ and ‘I'm with the uprising of women in the Arab world because, for 20 years, I wasn't allowed to feel the wind in my hair and [on] my body’.
The image proved hugely controversial, attracting over 1,600 likes, nearly 600 shares, and more than 250 comments. Dana has received much support, and while many of her friends have un-friended her, many more have sent friend requests.
Some previously veiled women have even posted copycat pictures in support, and the Twitter hashtag #WindtoDana has been created as a channel through which to express solidarity.
She has also received hundreds of messages of derision, along with threats. Her mother, with whom relations have cooled because of her disapproval of her daughter's actions, received a death threat against Dana's life.
The debate is growing more nuanced.
One woman comments that opposition to the veil is misplaced, saying instead ‘our fight should be for equality in society… that's what we should be fighting for; when a veiled woman is refused a job because she covers! Take pride in your veil women, it's a blessing!’
For Dana's part, she is pleased to have provided a source of optimism for many of her religious, veil-wearing friends, and strangers alike.
It will take more than threats and barriers to stop 21-year-old Bakdounis.
“I want to take another picture, but from inside Syria, just to show that I could be a fighter against injustice and power. With my camera, I can help the people and support the Free Syrian Army.”
By then, she was already following The Uprising of Women in the Arab World page on Facebook.
With nearly 70,000 members, it has become a forum for debate on women's rights and gender roles in the Arab world. Women, and men, from non-Arab backgrounds also comment on its photos.
On 21 October, Dana decided to do something for the page, and for oppressed women and girls around the Arab world by posting a photo of herself. Looking right into the lens, her short-shorn hair in full view, she held an ID picture of her previously veiled self, along with a note that read: ‘The first thing I felt when I took off my veil’ and ‘I'm with the uprising of women in the Arab world because, for 20 years, I wasn't allowed to feel the wind in my hair and [on] my body’.
The image proved hugely controversial, attracting over 1,600 likes, nearly 600 shares, and more than 250 comments. Dana has received much support, and while many of her friends have un-friended her, many more have sent friend requests.
Some previously veiled women have even posted copycat pictures in support, and the Twitter hashtag #WindtoDana has been created as a channel through which to express solidarity.
She has also received hundreds of messages of derision, along with threats. Her mother, with whom relations have cooled because of her disapproval of her daughter's actions, received a death threat against Dana's life.
The debate is growing more nuanced.
One woman comments that opposition to the veil is misplaced, saying instead ‘our fight should be for equality in society… that's what we should be fighting for; when a veiled woman is refused a job because she covers! Take pride in your veil women, it's a blessing!’
For Dana's part, she is pleased to have provided a source of optimism for many of her religious, veil-wearing friends, and strangers alike.
It will take more than threats and barriers to stop 21-year-old Bakdounis.
“I want to take another picture, but from inside Syria, just to show that I could be a fighter against injustice and power. With my camera, I can help the people and support the Free Syrian Army.”