Friday Links — February 22, 2008

A woman detonates a bomb in the Karrada district of central Baghdad.

The amount of women in the U.A.E. cabinet has doubled. But don’t get all excited: that means there are now four women instead of two in a 29-member cabinet. Yippy skippy.

MRZine reviews Lara Deeb’s book An Enchanted Modern: Gender and Public Piety in Shi’i Lebanon.

Muslim women get together to discuss their lives as Muslim women living in the U.K.

Daisy Khan’s view on why integrating Shari’a isn’t automatically endangering Muslim women.

Kuwait’s Arab Times argues that enforcing segregation of men and women in educational environments is irrational and socially detrimental.

One of those stories that makes you feel all warm.

Pakistani women of all viewpoints discuss Pakistan’s elections and Bhutto’s legacy.

Canadian Muslim and women’s rights activist Homa Arjomand argues against Shari’a courts in the west.

Saudi charity holds eight-day seminar to help divorced women get back on their feet.

Nigeria persuades Muslim women to join the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

A female author receives death threats because her book Love and Sex in the Prophet’s Life, talks about healthy sexuality and references the prophet.

Illegal drugs are often hidden on women crossing from Egypt to Gaza.

Parvin Ardalan, Iranian women’s activist and founder of the One Million Signatures Campaign, wins the Palme award for her work in human rights. Barikallah!

Why skin lightening products (especially illegal ones) are dangerous.

The oldest woman in the world might be a Muslim Palestinian, who claims to have been born 120 years ago.

no snow here talks about how our own socialization with and against men of our cultures affects whether our stories are told.

Muslim Hedonist reveals what Muslim sisterhood means to her.

Diana Ferrero of The Daily Star talks about her experiences shooting a documentary called They Call Me Muslim, about two women struggling for freedom of choice.

The government of Tamil Nadu, India, has decided to establish an aid fund for Muslim women.

Some Pakistani women are barred from voting out of fear and “tradition.”

A non-governmental organization in Tamil Nadu seeks to educate Muslim women on their rights.

A Saudi perspective on domestic violence.

Bahraini track star Ruqaya Al Ghasra is hailed by the country’s leaders as a role model for “all Arab and Muslim women.”

The woman who was arrested and strip-searched for having coffee with a colleague has a good lawyer and a good case against the Saudi Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice.

Laleh Sedigh has been banned from racing in Iran for one year under allegations of car-switching.

Pakistani women win 13 seats in the National Assembly.

The Great Veil Debate hits Mauritius.

A 14-year-old girl is murdered by her father’s friends as per her father’s wishes. (sigh) No matter how often I read about these cases, about how many different types of girls and women this happens to, my heart always breaks freshly when I read about a new one. May Allah grant her peace.

Some reasons why Saudi Arabian women might have to wait a little longer to be able to legally drive in the KSA.

Irshad Manji urges the EU to pool its resources and financially empower Muslim women.

A painting depicting a Muslim woman offends Muslims in the student body and larger community in Washington.

Saudi women who work in cadaver labs learn about more than anatomy.