Sacred threads: how muslim women rewrite jihad and veiling in the shadow of empire

This article explores the cultural, religious, and political implications of Jihad and Islamic women's attire (Niqab, Burqa, Chador), highlighting their roots in the Quran and their evolution as symbols of identity and resistance. The aim is to analyze how Jihad and Islamic dress have been reinterpreted in modern contexts, emphasizing their role in Muslim identity and their use as tools of resistance against the Western gaze. The study examines Jihad in its traditional sense—as spiritual striving (greater Jihad) or defense of the faith (lesser Jihad)—and how it has been distorted by movements such as Wahhabism and global actors to justify conflicts. Islamic dress, associated with modesty (haya), is a manifestation of faith and decolonial resistance. The article critiques the imposition of Western feminism, which disregards local realities and undermines the agency of Muslim women, whose choice to wear the veil (Hijab) is often an assertion of identity rather than a sign of submission. Case studies in Venezuela illustrate how distorted feminist narratives can perpetuate gender-based violence. A historical analysis reveals the impact of colonialism on perceptions of Islam. The study underscores the need for an interdisciplinary approach to fully understand these practices, recognizing their role in cultural and political resistance.