- Everybody freaks out when Dalia Mogahed says that “Shari’ah law is misunderstood.”
- A controversial program finds husbands for Iraqi widows, but many worry that it’s exploitative.
- More about the Egyptian burqa ban, people’s opinions on it, and the ripples it’s created: here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.
- A Norwegian court sentenced a Muslim girl to pay fines and court costs for having hit a fellow student for something she said about the Qur’an.
- Clerics in Indonesia’s conservative Muslim province of Aceh are pissed that an Acehnese woman who doesn’t wear a headscarf has won the title of Miss Indonesia. Via ProgressiveIslam.
- The Daily Times examines the Egyptian ban on fake hymens.
- Speaking of hymens, a German-Turkish author says Islam needs a sexual revolution.
- NOW Lebanon speaks with Arab feminists after a conference for Arab women in Beirut. More here.
- Young Omanis are stirring things up by finding their own romance.
- A French rapper converts to Islam.
- Sheikha Rima Al-Sabahwas named as the only Arab of the 100 most distinctive women in Washington in the field of advocacy and nonprofit work.
- The Feminist School profiles the female goat sellers of Minab.
- In Belgium, both both girls and boys in the Moroccan-Belgian community preferred a partner from Morocco over a fellow 2nd generation immigrant. This isn’t the case in the U.K., however.
- What the Jordanian government is doing to make it harder for men to get away with killing sisters and daughters in the name of “honor.”
- The vice president of All India Muslim Personal Law Board says he will press for a 30% reservation quota for women on the board. Clerics are split on the idea.
- The Saudi Gazette looks at the “niqab as culture” idea.
- Kuwaiti female lawmaker Rula Dashti on Sunday submitted an amendment to the state electoral law that aims to scrap a requirement that women must comply with Islamic Sharia law guidelines. More from Ms. Magazine.
- Arab News looks at whether wedding traditions will change because of financial and environmental factors.
- Spiegel Online profiles a love story that reaches through tunnels.
- elan wonders whether mannequins are seductive.
- Two of Kuwait’s parliament members are fighting back against a social pressure to wear hijab in parliament.
- ProgressiveIslam highlights a place where Muslim lesbians can support each other online.
- Shabana Azmi acts doesn’t show up to Bhartiya Muslim Mahila Andolan, a national Muslim women’s convention, like she promised.
- elan profiles singer and politician Farida Tarana.
- Malaysia’s answer to marital problems: counseling and a state-sponsored second honeymoon.
- Saudi Arabia’s Rotana shakes up normal Saudi office gender norms. Via Jezebel.
- Half of the women who seek shelter in Flemish Belgium women’s shelters are from ethnic-cultural minorities, many of Turkish or Moroccan origin.
- Italy’s “equal opportunities” minister adds her voice to those calling for a burqa ban. Oh, the sick irony.
- The Australian features a backhanded article about Afghan women’s fight for rights.
- What are we waiting for with the International Violence Against Women Act?
- The Feminist School announces the names of several female activists that are in prison.
- The National profiles the important work of Dr. Sabina Aidarous.
- The appointment of an employee who does not shake hands with man due to her beliefs is causing resentment among some teachers in the School for Journalism in Utrecht.
- Another great view of The Hijabi Monologues.
- TwoCircles interview Sitara Begum.
- In silent public protest, known locally in Tehran as the “Mothers of Laleh,” humanitarian activist mothers stand together each week on Saturday evening vigils.
Also, don’t forget! The sixth annual Brass Crescent Awards nominations are open–get your voice in there today!
Tags: Muslim women, News
hello fatemeh thanks about your wonderfull site.about german turkish author ,it is very amazing any muslimwoman who have a child out of wedlock, think she is freest person in the world and other poor oppressed woman who wear headscarf should learn from her!!!!when i read this ideas i become sad and how these women think they are advocates of muslim women? i am intrested know how you feel fatemeh ? thanks.
When ‘westerners’ start making laws banning women from dressing in certain ways, are they not behaving exactly as the ‘repressive’ countries they say are undemocratic?
Jack Straw, UK home secretary, said that he needed to see a constituent’s eyes (as his reason for harassing Muslim women). One of Straw’s predecessor’s as home secretary was blind! Is Straw implying that blind people should be banned from public life too?
I am male, white, middle-aged, typically english etc and may feel uncomfortable with face covering and body covering etc -that is my problem. I find it wholly unacceptable to tell others how to dress especially when I do not really understand their choices.
‘Western’ authorities are showing themselves more hypocritical than ever
Out of curiosity I googled Diam after reading the article. I can see where the French are freaked out. I am sorry but why must so many Western woman who convert to Islam go from basic Western clothes to the all black abaya/hijab overnight! Walking alongside her very Westernly dressed spouse mind you. It is her choice! I can here the screams now, but has anyone ever thought of encouraging gradualism. Why must her coming out Muslim be like that. I hope he is good to her and she stays in Islam. I always worry about sisters who take on too much at once – as far as giving things up or taking on ‘extreme’ forms of dress (not extreme in the sense you may read it – merely on a continuum of appropriate ways to cover).