(Part of the University of Rhode Island's 23rd Annual Diversity Week)

Presented by Erika Holshoe, M.S. candidate, Department of Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design

In the socio-political climate of the post 9/11 world, veiled Muslim women have become a visual identifier of their religion in the U.S. and Europe. In non-Muslim majority countries, many  face negative stereotyping based on the way in which they abide by their religion's dress code. This presentation will unpack stereotypes surrounding Islamic religious dress to understand why and how Muslim women dress and explore how, through social media, Muslim women have been able to build supportive communities, expand ideas of modest dress and promote acceptance and understanding of modesty practices and their religion, while also exploring how their personal identities are often split between cultures.