What was promised to be a week of fun and friendship turns out, it appears, to be a scam. Muslimah personalities, bloggers, designers, artists and fashion enthusiasts from all over the world arrived today in Hershey, Pennsylvania to attend International Muslimah Fashion Week (IMFW), which was supposed to kick off Thursday evening (local time) on March 20th. … Read more
While the “Stealth Freedom” of Iranian women is inspiring, framing covering as oppression and uncovering as freedom is both stale and problematic, writes Sya Taha. The liberal feminist organisation Femen and its members’ naked breasts have had their media run. Now a more modest sort of uncovering is happening, this time in Iranian social media. Last month, London-based … Read more
As a recent fake news story illustrates, satire not only fuels the flames of mistrust between Islamophobes and Muslims, but also gives an opportunity for introspection. By Sya Taha. Last week saw a news piece written in French about a new bar in Amsterdam that would offer “halal prostitutes”. The story was then picked up by other websites … Read more
A video that emphasises the determination and willpower of a disabled person overlooks the need for institutions to adopt more inclusive policies. “How is your situation with attending the mosque?” begins a video by Kuwaiti preacher Mishary Al-Kharaz, before he introduces us to “his friend in Yemen”. The video shows Kamal, a young man with … Read more
An age-old institution in China serves as a testament to the message of Islam. By Afia R Fitriati. The Wangjia Hutong mosque in Kaifeng, central China, may be modest in size. But like the welcoming bosom of a loving mother, it has for decades embraced the girls and women within its walls, providing them with Islamic … Read more