Mission Challenge
I believe many of you are already aware of the LBC’s reality show: Mission Fashion. A competition between young Arab designers as well as Arab models, all under the supervision of the extremely talented Lebanese Designer Elie Saab and a group of professionals.
Now I must admit I’m no big fan of reality TV. But sometimes I watch out of curiosity or when I have nothing to do. One day I tuned to LBC and got to watch an episode of Mission Fashion. Ever since then, I got really addicted and tried to watch it as often as I can.
The reason of my addiction was a contestant: Soulafa. 
This Saudi lady designer. I really watch the whole thing just for her sake. Why? Because this woman is a physical display of the word challenge.
Coming out of the extremely conservative community of Saudi Arabia that gives women still few rights compared to other Muslim societies, makes it really hard to participate in such a show as simple as that.
For a woman from that society to take part in a reality TV, is something out of question to so many, now, not only is she taking part in any reality TV, but a fashion show. And it doesn’t stop here, she’s also a mother of a little baby who’s totally dependant on her and who accompanies her throughout the whole show.
So this Soulafa is:
1. In a Reality show.
2. Within A fashion competition.
3. Being a designer and a mother at the same time.
4. In a mixed environment.
5. Wearing the very conservative Saudi Islamic clothing (all black, and covering the face) every second of the show.
Now regardless of the fact that I’m totally against this rather extremist Islamic clothing (I don’t believe Muslim women should wear only black and cover their faces), but still, I can’t but admire her courage for taking part in this show. It’s really not as easy as many may think. On one hand, her society must have many who are against her and who might even consider her a rebellious woman who broke the Saudi taboos. On the other hand, it must be really difficult to stick to her Islamic clothing while being surrounded by models wandering around in mini-skirts and sleeveless shirts all the time.
And she’s really doing GREAT! She’s being up to the challenge in all ways and her designs are improving by the day. I just love watching her succeed and go on in this show, because she really proves that being a strict Muslim doesn’t contradict with being a successful member of society in any field that does not require breaking the Islamic rules.
I congratulate her, and the LBC for having her, and most importantly, I congratulate her husband who supported her and stood by her side till she got to this level.
Soulafa is a source of pride to Muslim women in general, and Saudi ones in specific.
Greetings young sister … I think you hit the nail on the head with this part:
Although I haven’t really watched much of the show, I myself found a great deal of appeal in Sulafa’s presence. It is cool that stereotypes are being broken- Arab tv is finally stepping out of the fake “reality” into something more real. I like.
Looks like my previous post got truncated, (mr Admin … ehm ehm!!)
I was talking about this part:
“being a strict Muslim doesn’t contradict with being a successful member of society in any field that does not require breaking the Islamic rules.”
Basically, very true, I totally agree. Being a good Muslim doesn’t mean one would take long prayer breaks while people are waiting in line for him to finish. Or to make people suffer because he’s fasting.
Work is also worship, as Muslims, we were encouraged to do a great job.
Imagine if Muslims didn’t have to fight or defend their lands because “they’re fasting”!
Anyway, Ranting aside, I think it’s going to be a real challenge for the veiled lady, but I salute her courage and her determination.
Qwaider, thanks for the comment. I don’t know why didn’t your first comment appear in full. I usually have to moderate only new comers, once you’re approved you can write whatever you like without my approval for the next times. Anyway, I couldn’t agree more with your opinion, and I believe that the disaster of the Muslim world today is one of two: either Muslims have nothing to do with Islam and are Muslims by name, which leads to practicing things that do not represent Islam but still the world thinks it’s pure Islamic giving Islam a very bad reputation. Or Muslims have this wrong understanding of Islam believing that it’s all about after-death, and so they totally ignore life and and turn their lives into prayers and take these prayers as excuses for others to leave them alone or to understand why they’re tired or busy…etc.
I believe a Muslim isn’t a Muslim until (s)he can maintain a certain balance between religious practice and lifestyle.
Roba, “It is cool that stereotypes are being broken- Arab tv is finally stepping out of the fake “reality†into something more real.”
Couldn’t put it in a more perfect way. Finally we’re starting to watch part of the real thing!