VELASQUEZ, STEPHEN M.

BIT- COM-TECH-1-16

From the Movie that I’ve watch entitle “stoning of soraya”. I can say that if it is
“objectifying” and “misrepresenting” Muslim women, as a reaction to a recent spate of “save
the Muslim damsel in distress” media like that which surrounds the European burqa ban
debacle. The movie, however, turned out to be powerful in its message; incredibly moving and
certainly not a damsel in distress tale. Instead, it is about extraordinary womanhood and moral
courage in the face of injustice. The story revolves around the extremely controversial issue of
the (highly questionable) punishment in Islamic law of death by stoning for adultery. While this
is not a platform to debate or discuss Islamic law and theology, it should be pointed out that
stoning is, at best, a contentious issue within Islamic discourse and a practice that has largely
survived through cultural heritage. Through Soraya’s aunt Zahra, we see a Muslim woman using
her mind, conscience, and voice for long-term good. Zahra is a fiercely devout Muslim woman
who realizes her faith by facing up to so-called “men of religion.” Her constant reference to
God, prayer, and ultimate justice symbolize “true Islam,” as opposed to the version followed by
the men in the movie, who use religion for their own selfish gains. Zahra is portrayed as
fearless, and strong both physically (when she slaps the mayor) and spiritually (when she
declares that “God is great” after helping the journalist escape with her story).

The important issue of patriarchy and moral hypocrisy is brought to the fore through the
character of the village mullah. He is a complete fraud, and his religious vigor is offset by
references to his past and how easily he is blackmailed into going along with the plan by
Soraya’s husband. The important issue of patriarchy and moral hypocrisy is brought to the fore
through the character of the village mullah. He is a complete fraud, and his religious vigor is
offset by references to his past and how easily he is blackmailed into going along with the plan
by Soraya’s husband. The women, on the other hand, are portrayed with moral integrity. This
radical opposition between the men and women is problematic in that it is too polarizing, and
possibly alienating, suggesting that men and women are opponents and never on the same
side. Nowrasteh tries to balance this with a few women characters that support the men’s
decision, and the village mayor, who is trapped between his role as a leader and his sense of
moral righteousness.

The Stoning of Soraya M. is a strong indictment against the hypocrisy and double-
standards displayed by some Muslim communities with regard to men and women, but the
movie itself is not Islamophobic and, though overly-melodramatic at times, does not objectify
Muslim women as meek and helpless creatures.