Muslims are becoming a majority in Lebanon in recent years. They are also concerned about the war in Iraq, the rising tensions with Iran, and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Especially through the attacks on September 11 and the suspicions directed against all Muslims, they have begun to identify more strongly with their religion and the Muslim world. A symbol of this is the return of the headscarf, which a decade ago had almost disappeared from the street scene. Lebanese women are returning to wearing it for various reasons: devotion, fashion, or an expression of anti-Western sentiments. This all leads to increased social pressure in Lebanon for the wearing of a headscarf.

Rania Matar (b. 1964, Lebanon) works as a freelance photographer in the United States. She travels regularly to the Middle East for reports on the crossroads of the Western and Arab worlds.