Can you convey the story of Aisha leading men into war? Do you ignore all other ayats and hadith that tell us not to speak to mixed crowds?

And yes, I mostly stay away from your site, but its like looking at a car wreck, I just can’t not do it sometimes.

Yes, sometimes MMW writers have negative things to say in many of our posts. As you’ll notice, MMW also covers media on Muslim women that we feel does a good job – it’s not all complaining. However, as a site that looks critically at the way that Muslim women are discussed in the media, it shouldn’t be a surprise that we might have negative things to say every so often.

Moreover, if you look at this post itself, MOST of the post is talking about positive elements of the conference. Yes, there is complaining involved. There is also a lot of praise. You seem to disagree, and that’s fine, and you don’t have to read MMW if you don’t find value in our writing.

You are more than welcome to not read MMW. And it’s not complaining. It’s called critical thinking.

And women can absolutely speak to mixed audiences. Didn’t Aisha (pbuh) lead an all male army in war? If a woman can lead a male army then I’m thinking speaking in front of a mixed gender crowd would be a non-issue.

Can your misogyny be any more apparent?

I’m convinced after reading a few posts on MMW that it should be called MMC or Muslimah Media Complaints. that is all it seems to be. Lots and lots of complaining.

@ Ibn al-Halal: I know several people who have made requests to conference organisers about precisely this issue, including sending lists of possible speakers they should consider. So far, it doesn’t seem to have worked. Insha’Allah they will get the message eventually.

That said, one thing that I forgot to mention in my post is that there were female moderators at several of the panels, so I was glad to see that at least, although it doesn’t make up for the lack of female speakers.

@ Naksibendi Muslimah: Thanks for sharing your experiences. I don’t have a lot to add, but totally agree with you. And yes, I’ve heard that Imam Zaid and other scholars have also raised the issue of the lack of female speakers, but I’m not sure to what degree it has been a priority for them. Anyway, it continues to be hugely frustrating…

@ Ginny: Wa alaikum assalaam. Thanks so much for your comment, and no need to apologise for it being long – it is really interesting to hear your thoughts on it. I should maybe clarify that Khedr did say in her speech that if the opportunity to acquire sight came up, she might consider it, but that it’s not something she feels a need to put a lot of thought into, or to actively seek out.