Abstract
This article explores how contemporary Muslim women poets engage with the theme of hijab, transforming it from a symbol often perceived as oppressive into a site of complex agency and subversive artistic expression. Drawing on a qualitative analysis of selected poems, the study investigates the poetic strategies employed to redefine narratives of veiling and unveiling. The research identifies recurring themes where the hijab is reclaimed as a personal choice, a marker of identity, and a form of resistance against both external pressures and essentialist interpretations. Findings reveal that poets utilize rich metaphor, imagery, and narrative voice to articulate multifaceted understandings of the veil, challenging monolithic representations and asserting individual and collective selfhood. This work contributes to feminist poetics and cultural studies by highlighting the nuanced ways Muslim women artists leverage their creative practice to negotiate identity, challenge stereotypes, and expand the semiotics of the hijab within contemporary global discourse. The study underscores the vital role of poetry in fostering a more complex and empowering understanding of Muslim women's experiences.
Keywords
Hijab, Poetics, Muslim Women, Veiling, Unveiling, Contemporary Poetry, Cultural Identity, Subversion