The Muslim woman as a beauty queen

The aim of this article is to examine how Muslim women on Islamic satellite television channels are represented as symbols, as citizens and as religious authorities within or outside the Mosque. The article presents an analysis of a series called Malikat Jamal Iqraa (Iqraa's beauty queen). The analysis illustrates how the Islamic satellite channels offer Muslim female viewers a multitude of identities. I argue that the programme can be interpreted as a critique of the cultural hegemony of western media, while highlighting the ideal image of the Muslim woman as a selfless, obedient daughter.