Burqa Woman Blunder? Saad Haroon’s Parody

December 30, 2010 By

Parts of the blogosphere appear to be in a tizzy over a recent parody of Roy Orbison’s classic “Oh, Pretty Woman.” Now a hit on YouTube, Saad Haroon’s “Burqa Woman,” tells the story of a young man’s fumbling attempt to woo a woman in abaya and niqab, who, after much cajoling, reciprocates amorously via text message.  Modern technology appears to connect the two lovers in a country where public displays of affection and mixed social gatherings are generally frowned upon.

Saad Haroon is a Pakistani comedian, actor, writer and the creator of two improvisational comedy troupes “BlackFish” and “SHARK.”  He is also the brain behind “The Real News,” a satiric news show for Pakistani audiences.  “Burqa Woman” is meant to be a precursor to an upcoming TV show about stand-up comedians, which will likely help the freshman show draw viewers if all the controversy surrounding the video is right, content notwithstanding.

The music video, in which Haroon parodies a man in love, makes several tongue-in-cheek comments about the value of the niqab in a society burdened by vapid Talibanization and (as the video attempts to show) the ensuing hypocrisy of those who appear “devoid of sin.”  As a result, the video has received hoards of comments online (669 on last count), both in favor and against.

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Music to Our Ears: May Matar’s Metlak Mish Ayzin

September 16, 2010 By

Most Arab women I know have at one point or another cursed an Arab man and his stubborn adherence to male chauvinism, something that rears its ugly head in patriarchal societies around the globe. This topic usually boils down to this: a man has problem with independent woman.

In a song titled “Metlak Mish 3ayzin” or “We’re not in need of people like you,” singer May Matar parodies popular misogynistic Arabic songs, such as “Jumhoriyet Albi” (or “The republic of my heart”) by singer Mohammed Iskander, which says women should stay at home instead of putting themselves in danger of mean harassers and the tough outside world.

“Jumhoriyet Albi” calls on women to stay at home and take care of their husbands instead of working: “We have no girls here that work with their degrees. Our girls are pampered. Everything she wants is at her service.”

And, get ready for this part: “Assuming I agree that you work, what would we do about your beauty? Your job is taking care of my heart … it’s enough that you’re the republic of my heart.”

The lyrics are so ridiculous that you can’t help but laugh. But it’s not funny when you know that train of thought has supporters. Attempting to guilt-trip women into thinking that making something of themselves is wrong or that their beauty (and not male behavior) will make them victims of sexual harassment should have no place in any society. Matar’s song title says it all: “We don’t need people like you.”

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Regressive Redemption in CII’s Ramadan Serial

August 31, 2010 By

Channel Islam International, often considered to be the “more progressive” Muslim community radio station in Johannesburg, is broadcasting a radio drama series for the month of Ramadan. The show is titled “Redemption Road,” and aims to be a representation of South African Indian Muslim society and its idiosyncrasies while reminding listeners to their often-forgotten purpose in life.

While the show does deal with important issues like wife neglect/abuse and teen problems, it is severely stereotypical of Muslim women in a number of aspects.

The issue of women praying in mosques is used as a scapegoat for one teenager’s nightly escapades. This stance is corroborated in the drama by claims that allowing women in mosques would provide them with “a smokescreen to conduct their nefarious activities,” as a friend put it.

The constant references to women and young girls using the pretext of attending the mosque to perform their prayers but then engaging in dubious activities is extremely problematic in a community where the notion of women’s attendance at the mosque is thought of as evil and prohibited. This severely undermines the struggles of many Muslim women for integration into their communities via the mosque.

“Redemption Road” represents women in a many other negative lights. Women who leave home to work and study abroad are portrayed as “up to no good.” Wives are are either nagging/incessantly obedient/suspicious, and daughters are wayward.

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On the Radio: Nisaa FM

July 5, 2010 By

This June, one of the first all-women radio stations in the Arab world was launched from the most unlikely of places, the West Bank. Appropriately titled NISAA FM, (nisaa means “woman” in Arabic) this station is by women, for women.

Maysoun Odeh, founder and manager of NISAA FM, describes the aims of the station:

“NISAA FM motivates women through success stories and interaction, while at the same time creating employment, particularly for women. We also plan to introduce training on broadcasting techniques and journalism to enhance women’s professional participation in the field of information and communication.”

She adds, “We broadcast success stories of women regionally, internationally, or locally in which they [women] can take example from, and they know that they can do something and they can achieve something regardless of the situation.” The “situation” refers to living in Palestinian territories under occupation.

The former statement by Odeh speaks to the need for Palestinian women to be employed in order to support their households. Even more pressing is the need for Palestinian women to participate in professions which will give them a voice and at the same time give them the skills necessary to project their voices beyond women-centered spaces and into broader international spaces.

Newly launched, NISAA FM currently offers only two live programs. Nisreen Awwad hosts the morning show, titled “Qahwa Mazboot” (meaning “coffee that is just right”), which discusses important issues for women such as decision-making in the workplace or how to eat properly during pregnancy. Awwad also hosts guests, most of who are extraordinary women, excelling in the fields of art, literature or as leaders of service based projects and organizations.

Halla Bazzar, who hosts the afternoon show “Tarweeha,” also interviews extraordinary Arab women in press or other fields. Halla says, “We talk about issues that would inspire women in the future.”

In between these two shows are short news segments and a wide array of classical Arabic music for the listener’s pleasure. The majority of the songs are also by women–among them are the legendary voices of Fayrouz, Nibal Malshi, and Umm Kalthoum.

It is still too early to determine whether NISAA FM can survive the shifting Palestinian sociopolitical landscape. Nonetheless, the station is a testament to the autonomy of Arab and Muslim women living within Palestinian territories, despite the austere reality of occupation. This is a step toward positively altering the international perceptions of women living in Palestine.

NISAA FM allows Palestinian women’s voices to reach global audiences. Perhaps more importantly, it reaches across the wall that separates the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Talk about breaking down walls and building bridges!

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The New Music Makers: European Muslim Women

June 17, 2010 By

Europe’s controversial stance and inflammatory language surrounding the burqa puts Muslim women, veiled or not, in a tight spot. Instead of donning a low profile, some Muslim women are turning to music to speak their minds.

Diam's. Image credit unknown.

European Muslimahs are defying stereotypes by promoting their art and pushing themselves front and center. Take Diam’s, a French recording artist who shot to fame with her 2006 album Dans Ma Bulle (In My Bubble). Born in Cyprus, Diam’s raps about discrimination, poverty, and social ills in France, where she was raised. She catapulted to stardom when her 2006 album sold more than a million copies, receiving international praise, including an MTV award for Best French Act in 2006.

Her follow-up album took three years to materialize, as Diam’s coped with depression and turned to Islam while travelling in Africa. Many media outlets speculated her motives, claiming she turned to Islam to overcome fear and doubt. Feminists in France criticized her conversion. An article titled, “The Rebel submits to Islam” does a good job of detailing some of the criticism Diams faced after embracing Islam.  As Bitch Magazine reports, the French women’s rights group Ni Putes Ni Soumises (Neither Whores nor Submissives) was straight-up bitchy when interviewed by the French daily Le Parisien regarding Diams’ conversion.

“With this new image, Diams’ represents submission, tradition and isolation,” says Safia Labdi, the organization’s president. “Diams’ has had a hard time. She was lost, and found herself by wearing the veil. This is something that we unfortunately see with a lot of young girls.” (sic)

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One Legacy Radio: A Mixed Bag for Women

May 31, 2010 By

New voices are invading the airwaves in Southern California. The voices of local Muslim activists, community leaders, scholars and public speakers have come together for One Legacy Radio, the first English-speaking Islamic radio station in the U.S. It’s leaving listeners with high expectations as it aims to provide “thought-provoking material which inspires spiritual reflection and ultimately closeness to Allah.”

The station features many programs to “enrich the Islamic spiritual experience.” Two such programs expected to deliver on these promises are Boiling Point and Family Connections.

Boiling Point is hosted by Mohamad Ahmad and Amir Mertaban, two young men who are most noted for their activism within Southern California’s Muslim youth population.  The show discusses issues that are taboo in Islam and among Muslims. The varied topics, ranging from hijabis to Hamas, are infused with irreverent humor, making sure that the show fulfills its guarantee that listeners will either “love it or hate it.”

Noha Alshugairi and Munira Lekovic-Ezzeldine are the hosts of Family Connection. Its mission to “build better families” necessitates the discussion of various issues such as divorce, fatherhood, and proper parenting. Alshugairi, a marriage and family therapist, and Lekovic-Ezzeldine, author of Before the Wedding: 150 Questions for Muslims to Ask Before Getting Married, are well-qualified to speak on these issues, but they often also engage with doctors, psychologists, scholars, community activists and other guests to provide a well-rounded discussion of the topics.

While the title may suggest sexist undertones, Family Connection is not a show that preaches “traditional women’s roles.” Although the focus is obviously on family, emphasis is also placed on males as father figures. In fact, it is mentioned more than once on the show that the job of child-rearing is not a responsibility that should be placed entirely on a mother. In this sense, the show is not aimed at women or women’s issues–rather, it is aimed at families and issues that both men and women often deal with.

On Family Connection, the topic of divorce is approached with an open mind and seen as a legitimate option. Moreover, it is presented as the best option sometimes. The women tackle hard-hitting issues of women’s rights and domestic violence in Muslim marriages. They speak about issues which are typically taboo, such as child counseling, sexual appetite, marriage counseling, and divorce initiated by the wife.

Family Connection is a show that does a great service for Muslim women. Its topics veer from the typical discourse surrounding Muslim women. Instead, it makes a positive step towards conversations that address issues paramount to Muslim women’s empowerment. Family Connection humanizes Muslim women who are mothers and wives, giving them value outside of these roles, which makes the subjects of divorce and domestic violence necessary instead of unmentionable.

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