ATIF ATEEQ: HALAL/HARAM
After the launch of his controversial HALAL/HARAM hats,TBG got in touch with photographer turned hat-designer, ATIF ATEEQ, to discuss fashion, religious boundaries and that photo. Take a peak into the conversation…
A: Tell us a little bit about your HALAL/HARAM project
AA: I was always interested in the duality of halal-haram that exists in the Muslim community. We’re so fixated on these concepts. But, as generations start to come into play, the meanings of these words shift and evolve.
I started exploring the HALAL and the HARAM, and it took the shape of hats.
A: Do you think you’re glamorizing the haram?
AA: People no longer consider certain things haram. Like traditionally, dating is haram. You’re not supposed to have relationships like that, but our whole community does it, and I think a lot of people, like myself, used to live in guilt. We need to be okay with who we are and what we’re interested in.
Each individual should define halal and haram for themselves. I know Muslims who eat pork and are okay with it and don’t think its wrong. They want to be completely guilt free.
A: You can’t say guilt is wrong and that we should reject it. So, I don’t agree with you there.
AA. A lot of people don’t agree with me, but as we move forward, and as these cultures shift, we are going to see a lot of people who shift away from what is considered the norm is, and define it for themselves.
A: Do you think it’s problematic if people define halal/haram for themselves?
AA: If you yourself are ok with drinking, then you shouldn’t have to feel fearfully. You shouldn’t feel like an outcast because you choose to do one thing. Theres a large community of people that are loose with their interpretation of Islam. I’m not manipulating the doctrine, I’m not questioning it. I’m talking about it from a cultural, individual perspective. These people feel lost and that they don’t belong…
A: So that image of the white girl on Instagram wearing your haram hat, why did you repost it? Why did you find it interesting?
AA: I understand what happened and why people were offended by it. I’m taking a democratic approach and showing people where these hats are ending up. There is no personal bias attached to it.
A: Were you trying to make HARAM look trendy by reposting that photo?
AA: This idea of ‘am I endorsing every image’ is not true. It is more about showing people what is happening with it. It is for them to have a conversation about it and for them to decide whether it’s ok or not. I just don’t believe me reposting an image someone curated, is an endorsement.
I’m conscious of the fact that ‘i'm putting work out there, and I want people to support my work and identify with it, but I also don’t want to leave bits and pieces of the convo out because I don’t believe in it, or that the message aligns with my project – I think that’s being ignorant.
We need a holistic view of what is going on. Just because some TV host decides to talk about the war in Iraq, doesn’t mean they are endorsing it.
A: You said you were impressed by how many haram things she could fit into the photo, so it looked pretty much like you were supporting it.
AA: it was almost satirical – I said it in a cheeky way.
A: Who do you want to benefit from your project?
AA: I want people who feel like they don’t belong on either side, to know that there is a voice for that community. I want people to understand that just because they are different, they don’t NOT belong anywhere. I really do have an attachment to the part of the community that is a little progressive, and don’t do things the right way.
A: Do you feel responsible for allowing people to identify with the word Haram? Or that you’re supporting it?
AA: I – I don’t think i'm supporting haram behavior if that’s what your question is. Its more conceptual than that. The intent is not to evoke haram behavior. I want to see how people will use and interpret this. In no way was I intimidated by what happened when I posted that image. I was presently surprised and I wanted people to have that reaction. It’s great. I’m not telling you what halal or haram is, and I don’t think anyone else should either.
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Whilst I don’t wholly agree with Atif’s opinions on “redefining” what is haram, I definitely understand the motive of HALAL/HARAM. So many Muslims feel isolated because they don’t participate in the mainstream practice of Islam or follow the guidelines. It can be tough, and he’s creating a space for those who feel this way.
But we need to accept that there are boundaries in Islamic thought and practice, and if we are to call ourselves Muslims, we need to respect that anything outside of these boundaries is discouraged - whether or not we participate in these practices, is different. And to shun the guilt that we feel in participating in the Haram is merely covering an issue about our conscience.Your guilt is there for a reason - listen to it. As for that photo ... well, lets not even go there.
Meanwhile, check out Atif’s latest project, PYAAR, exploring the lines between friendship and love. Definitely a less controversial project, by far! :)
- A x What are your thoughts on the issues we discussed above? What do you think about shunning guilt?