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Guests of the Sheik and Dreams of Trespass

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Feminism within a Hudud creates a closeness and solidarity within the women’s awareness of a segregated community. The women in the Hudud are not looking for a way out, but a comfortable way to deal. "Guests of the Sheik" by Elizabeth Fernea and "Dreams of Trespass," by Fatima Mernissi both show these private affairs through their own experiences that were similar in different occasions. In "Guest of the Sheik," Beej’s point of view was from an outsider’s perspective and in "Dreams of Trespass," Fatima’s was a child’s. Even though there were physical boundaries through the segregation between men and women, it is prevalent that activities and storytelling created solidarity of happiness with the women within the Hudud. In Guest of the Sheik the women get together for the feast after Ramadan and Iid el-Fitr. This is a three-day fest following Ramadan that is held at the sheikh's house. The women prepare food for everyone in El Eshaddato it creates closeness within the village. Beeja explains this moment “The women had been at work since five o'clock, but now at ten, instead of losing their heart at the prospect of the 300 lunches to be served hot at noon, they were gayer than even” (p.118). This gender division allows the women to at least get recognized and applauded during this festival. As Beeja states “The wives and daughters and servant girls ate and talked together congenially. Petty jealousies were banished today; form the look of the trays, things had gone well and the party was a success” (p.123). It was an honor to be picked to cook for such a special occasion that it created this joyful environment. It recognizes the physical labor of the women’s hard work in the kitchen. As well as enjoy female intimacy while undertaking the meals preparation. The women prepare the food for the guests but are the actually honorable because they prepare the food. Iid el-Fitr holds a characteristic to spotlight the women

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