Kalam Nawaem is set to be aired in Holland (the first Arabic programme to do so). I’ve read several reports in Arabic, but I can’t seem to find any in English. This clip goes behind the scenes at the show:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjvpbChHm_Q

On top of all she does, Muna’s also launching her own clothing line in Jeddah on September 15th!

I agree that it is refreshing to see a Muslim woman in the media who is not only passionate about women’s rights and social work, but also about her faith in Islam. The misconception is that you’re either one or the other. I like how she wants to show the world that there are many opportunities for women in the Muslim world, and the fact that she’s an ambassador for the United Nations reflects that. However, as Krista mentioned, Muna’s background and experience in the United States is not the same as many other Saudi women, particularly the less-privileged ones. I think Muna is understanding of that since she mentioned that in the interview, but it would be nice for her to elaborate more and share some thoughts on that.

I personally didn’t find the interviewer, Riz Khan, to be patronizing. I actually thought he was pointing the misconceptions out in order for Muna to enlighten the audience about how these are stereotypes and don’t apply to all Muslims. I thought he was quite respectful, but maybe I missed something.

I was kind of saddened to hear about Muna’s divorce story, only because it seems like divorce is becoming a normal fact of life in the Muslim community/world. I read an article in my weekly Muslim newspaper and it pointed out that, according to statistics, divorce rates among Muslims in the West are much higher than before. Whether we are male or female, has divorce increased because we are too demanding? Muna mentions how she was traveling a lot and working with so many people, and maybe that implicates what separated her from her husband. If we are to think in stereotypical terms about Muslim men, we may think that he was too possessive and controlling of her. But then there’s an alternative viewpoint: maybe he just wanted to spend more time with her. I find myself leaning more to the latter explanation only because I find it difficult to believe that a possessive, controlling, and fundamentalist Muslim man would be ok with befriending his ex-wife.

Then she mentioned that it’s hard to find a man who is willing to have her kind of relationship. I feel that a lot of young Muslims feel that way. I can certainly relate. But we have to draw the line somewhere, don’t we? In the same way that a Muslim woman can be a feminist and a devout Muslim, I’m sure there are those who believe that one can be an independent woman and also have a successful Romantic relationship. I hope there are anyway, lol.

p.s I LOVE Al-Jazeera!