Lily Cole has apologised for promoting her new book on Instagram by posting selfies of herself wearing a burqa. The model posted two pictures on Instagram, one of her in a blue burqa covering her face and body, and another in which the garment was pulled up to show her face.
‘Let’s embrace diversity on every level – biodiversity; cultural diversity; diversity of thinking; diversity of voices; diversity of ideas,’ her caption read.
Instagram users quickly challenged her decision, highlighting she had caused offence by uncovering her face while wearing the burqa – which is worn for a variety of reasons but often to express piety and modesty. Now, 'Lily Cole burqa' is trending on Google.
They also questioned the timing given the events in Afghanistan this week. The Taliban seized control of Kabul last week, and have historically forced women to wear the burqa during their rule over three quarters of the country from 1996 to 2001. While many women around the world currently wear the burqa by choice – which, we should note, is a decision that should be respected – the garment has also been used to subjugate women who do not wish to wear one by organisations like the Taliban.
Lily, who is considered an activist as well as a model, has since posted an apology on Instagram, stating the following:
‘This week I posed an old photo of me wearing a burqa loaned to me by a friend. As she pointed out, I was undermining its original purpose by wearing it with my face exposed, but I understand why the image has upset people and want to sincerely apologise for any offence caused.
‘I hadn’t read the news at the time I posted so it was incredibly ill-timed (thank you for pointing that out to me),’ she continued. ‘My heart breaks reading about what is happening in Afghanistan at the moment.’
Of course, many social media users struggle to believe Lily was completely unaware of the news in Afghanistan this week given her apparent commitment to activism and how prevalent it has been on our timelines. Perhaps she was switching off for self-care, as many of us need to at times, but in posting such an obviously controversial picture in the first place is there not a requirement for due diligence?
Let’s be clear, this was not a random selfie of her going about her day, this was a marketing post to sell her book. These advertisements are thought through by teams of people, deliberated over and triple-checked before posting – because peoples jobs rely on the book selling. To believe that not one person involved in this post was aware of the Taliban’s seizure of Afghanistan and what that means for women, or simply just that Lily wearing a burqa incorrectly would cause offence, is far-fetched.
At a time when Afghan women are fearing for their lives and freedom, some have accused Lily of putting ‘Instagram posturing’ before human rights. Because even beyond what’s going on in Kabul right now, appropriating use of a religious garment in order to sell a book – that is about the climate crisis, by the way – would always be reprehensible.
‘It's not a fashion accessory to be able to be deployed as a publicity stunt,’ Anjum Peerbacos, co-founder of the Hijabi Half-Hour podcast told the BBC. ‘Regardless of how people around the world have chosen to wear that garment, that garment is a respectful religious symbol and is worn and used as such. So for her to use it as what can only be described as a publicity stunt, I think is abhorrent and really displays to us her level of ignorance with regards to it.’
Click through for charities and organisations helping civilians Afghanistan right now...
SEE: How To Support Civilians In Afghanistan
1 of 7International Committee of the Red Cross
The ICRC and its partner the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) are evacuating the wounded, transporting those killed back to their families and helping patients suffering from weapon-related injuries.
2 of 7The UN Refugee Agency
The UNHCR is providing food, shelter, hygiene and sanitary kits and other lifesaving assistance, together with partners.
3 of 7Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps is on the ground in Afghanistan working to get clean water and sanitation supplies to those families who recently fled to Kabul, and has pledged to stay as long as it can, safely.
4 of 7Rukshana Media
Rukhshana Media —named after the woman who was stoned to death by the Taliban in 2015 — produces news from the perspective of women, in a country where where their views are almost always excluded. The organisation has stated that with escalation of the Taliban's control , the survival of Rukhshana Media depends on external help.
5 of 7Choose Love
With so many attempting to flee Afghanistan, the refugee crisis is only escalating. Choose Love sells real supplies and services you can buy for refugees, including lifesaving search and rescue boats to food and legal advice.
6 of 7Women for Refugee Women
Another long-term charity option, this organisation helps empower female refugees to become leaders and advocates for change. Through English lessons, drama and other activities, they support women to build their confidence and skills, while combating the isolation faced by women seeking asylum and creating pathways for women to rebuild their lives with dignity.
7 of 7The Linda Norgrove Foundation
A long-term charitable option, the Linda Norgrove Foundation supports women and children in Afghanistan with emphasis on projects providing education and income, promoting long-lasting change, using grants to fund education, health and childcare for women and children affected by the war.