In a blog, "Hijabs on Western Public Women," I displayed a brood of queens, princesses, first ladies, members of congress, foreign ministers, journalists, and even movie stars looking anywhere from faintly ridiculous to outlandishly bad as they wear some variant of a hijab or more.
It then occurred to me, what about Muslim political women – are they all in hijabs, chadors, jilbabs, niqabs, and burqas? A little research found that at least some of them not only avoid any Islamic apparel but fit a Western standard of beauty and glamor, making a sharp contrast to those Europeans and Americans in their tatty hijabs.
Beyond making this contrast, offering their pictures here suggests that, at least in the highest political circles, the Islamists will meet strenuous opposition from women. So, bring on the sequinned gowns, jeans, jewelery, curling irons, and make-up.
Let's start with Khadiga el-Gamal, wife of Gamal Mubarak, daughter-in-law of Husni Mubarak, and possible future first lady of Egypt.
 Khadiga el-Gamal. |
Queen Rania of Jordan:
 Queen Rania of Jordan. |
Sheikha Mawza (also spelled Mozah), wife of Hamd bin Khalifa, ruler of Qatar, deemed one of the world's best-dressed women by Vanity Fair magazine:
 Sheikha Mawza of Qatar. |
Mehriban Aliyeva, wife of the president of Azerbaijan:
 Mehriban Aliyeva. |
Feb. 21, 2017 update: Azerbaijan's president Ilham Aliyev has named his wife Mehriban, 52, as the first vice president of the country, which is to say the person in line to succeed him as president.
Asma Al Assad, wife of Bashar Al-Assad, ruler of Syria:
 Asma Al Assad. |
 More Asma Al Assad. |
Princess Consort Lalla Salma, wife of Muhammad VI, king of Morocco:
 Princess Lalla Salma of Morocco. |
Princess Haya, wife of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai:
 Princess Haya of Dubai. |
Aesha (or Ayesha) Qaddafi, daughter of Mu'ammar, ruler of Libya:
 Aesha Qaddafi of Libya. |
Princess Amira (also Ameerah) Al-Taweel, wife (and then former wife) of Saudi prince Alwaleed bin Talal:
 Princess Amira Al-Taweel of Saudi Arabia. |
 Princess Amira Al-Taweel of Saudi Arabia. |
Farah Diba, formerly known as Her Imperial Majesty Empress Farah Pahlavi of Iran:
 Farah Diba of Iran. |
Princess Firyal of Jordan, as photographed by Andy Warhol.
 Princess Firyal of Jordan. |
Benazir Bhutto, the late prime minister of Pakistan:
 Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan. |
Gulnara "GooGoosha" Karimova, daughter of the dictator of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov:
 Gulnara Karimova of Uzbekistan. |
Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani of Qatar, daughter, sister, and aunt of emirs and called "the art world's most powerful woman":
 Al-Mayassa Al-Thani of Qatar. |
Sheikha Raya Al-Khalifa, born to the ruling family and married into the Qatar counterpart, is a self-described fashionista and celebrated as such.
 Sheikha Raya Al-Khalifa of Bahrain and Qatar. |
Deena Abdulaziz, wife of a Saudi prince, owns DNA Riyadh (a fashion shop), and dresses the revealing part, Wahhabi mores be damned.
 Deena Abdulaziz, wife of a Saudi prince. |
Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is a karate and taekwondo athlete who represented the UAE at the 2008 Summer Olympics; she is also the daughter of the emir of Dubai.
 Sheikha Maitha Al Maktoum of Dubai. |
