New Books Network Nerina Rustomji, "The Beauty of the Houri: Heavenly Virgins and Feminine Ideals" (Oxford UP, 2021)
Nov 9, 2025
Nerina Rustomji, an expert in Islamic cultural history, explores the intriguing concept of the Houri in her latest book. She discusses how post-9/11 media reshaped perceptions of the Houri, tracing its roots and controversial representations in Western literature. Rustomji analyzes competing models of female purity found in classics like 'Ivanhoe' and 'Jane Eyre.' She also dives into how modern digital narratives redefine these ideals, challenging traditional views on gender and spirituality. A captivating intersection of literature and socio-political discourse awaits!
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Modern Media Amplified The Huri
- Post-9/11 American media amplified the huri as a caricature of Islamic reward to denigrate Islam and the hijackers.
- The 'white grape' etymology spread via popular media as a rebuttal but simplified a complex medieval polemic.
Huri As A Model Of Femininity
- In early modern English and French literature the huri became a device to define ideal feminine purity and cosmopolitan allure.
- Writers used the huri to universalize a model of feminine virtue that reinforced imperial and gendered hierarchies.
Christian Responses To Islamic Eschatology
- Latin Christian theologians found Islamic eschatology shocking because it replicates and perfects earthly materiality and social relations.
- The vivid material rewards, including sexual relations, made Islamic paradise a persistent target of Christian critique.
