Treatment of Muslim Women

One of the primary themes in Finding Nouf is the life of Muslim women. In the nation of Islam, women and men are separated in most situations. Women are to wear burqas which cover their bodies, hair, and faces. Even the burqa itself inhibits the women. On numerous occasions, the novel mentions that women have a difficult time seeing from their peripheral vision when wearing the burqa. And the novel ends with a discussion between Nayir, Katya and the ophthalmologist who suggests that women wear glasses to help them see better and Nayir says that Katya already can see perfectly. This is symbolic because he means literally, but he also means figurate.

Like the burqa covers the eyes, many other customs prevent women from "seeing" or experiencing life. Katya describes the Shrawi women's days as long days sitting in a white room on couches that...