From Mashrabiya to Screen: Reshaping the Visual Image of Muslim Women in Light of Islamic Arts and Archaeology as a Media Tool Resisting Contemporary Cultural Invasion An Archaeological, Artistic, and Media Study, with an Applied Project Proposal ("Mashra

Abstract

This study addresses one of the most complex contemporary cultural and media challenges related to the visual representation of the Muslim woman in the digital age. Today, Muslim women face a form of “soft cultural invasion” that reconstructs their identity through images, filters and influencer culture, reshaping public perception and undermining their symbolic dignity. Meanwhile, Islamic civilization possesses a profound visual heritage—spanning fourteen centuries—in which the woman appears with dignity, spiritual beauty and elevated presence, as reflected in miniatures, Mashrabiyyas , textiles and architectural ornaments. The study presents a field-based diagnosis of the phenomenon of “alluring modesty” among hijabi influencers on digital platforms (2023–2025), revealing a structural shift in visual representation where the hijab is transformed from an identity marker into a marketing tool. In response, the study proposes an innovative applied project titled “Mashrabiyya”, which aims to reactivate the Islamic visual legacy within contemporary digital content targeted at Muslim women. The project includes producing thousands of digital ornamental units, developing a digital platform and application, and creating an alternative visual media model capable of competing in appeal and reach. Methodologically, the study employs descriptive and analytical approaches, quantitative and qualitative content analysis of influencer accounts, and an applied design methodology for project development. Expected outcomes include documenting the rise of a new visual pattern— “alluring modesty”—generating over 5,000 open-source Islamic digital motifs, designing a platform ready for launch within six months, and producing prototypes of media episodes, modest fashion designs and an annual visual exhibition originating from the holy cities of Iraq. The study concludes that restoring the visual dignity of the Muslim woman cannot be achieved through rejection or withdrawal, but through producing a stronger, more beautiful and value-aligned visual alternative grounded in the depth of Islamic artistic heritage.