Nine Parts of Desire: The Hidden World of Islamic Women

Brooks focuses on the participation of women in military roles within the context of Islamic history and contemporary Muslim societies, specifically the United Arab Emirates (UAE)​​.

The chapter begins with a reference to the following Quranic verse: “O true believers, if ye assist God, by fighting for his religion, he will assist you against your enemies; and will set your feet fast”​​ (107). This sets the stage for a discussion about women’s roles in jihad (referring here to the military struggle against enemies of Islam), traditionally seen as a male domain.

Hadra Dawish, born in 1967 into a conservative Muslim society in the UAE, is featured prominently. Initially apprehensive about military training, she excelled and became the first woman from an Arabian Gulf country to enroll for officer training at the British military academy, Sandhurst​​. Her transformation from a therapist working with handicapped children, where she adhered to traditional dress codes including the abaya and niqab, to a military officer in camouflage fatigues symbolizes a significant shift in the role of women in her society​​.

Hadra’s motivation to join the military was fueled by her love for her country, especially after witnessing the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq in 1990​​.