Friday Links — October 16, 2009

• Everybody freaks out when Dalia Mogahed says that “Shari’ah law is misunderstood.”

• A controversial program finds husbands for Iraqi widows, but many worry that it’s exploitative.

• More about the Egyptian burqa ban, people’s opinions on it, and the ripples it’s created: here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

• A Norwegian court sentenced a Muslim girl to pay fines and court costs for having hit a fellow student for something she said about the Qur’an.

• Clerics in Indonesia’s conservative Muslim province of Aceh are pissed that an Acehnese woman who doesn’t wear a headscarf has won the title of Miss Indonesia. Via ProgressiveIslam.

• The Daily Times examines the Egyptian ban on fake hymens.

• Speaking of hymens, a German-Turkish author says Islam needs a sexual revolution.

• NOW Lebanon speaks with Arab feminists after a conference for Arab women in Beirut. More here.

• Young Omanis are stirring things up by finding their own romance.

• A French rapper converts to Islam.

• Sheikha Rima Al-Sabahwas named as the only Arab of the 100 most distinctive women in Washington in the field of advocacy and nonprofit work.

• The Feminist School profiles the female goat sellers of Minab.

• In Belgium, both both girls and boys in the Moroccan-Belgian community preferred a partner from Morocco over a fellow 2nd generation immigrant. This isn’t the case in the U.K., however.

• What the Jordanian government is doing to make it harder for men to get away with killing sisters and daughters in the name of “honor.”

• The vice president of All India Muslim Personal Law Board says he will press for a 30% reservation quota for women on the board. Clerics are split on the idea.

• The Saudi Gazette looks at the “niqab as culture” idea.

• Kuwaiti female lawmaker Rula Dashti on Sunday submitted an amendment to the state electoral law that aims to scrap a requirement that women must comply with Islamic Sharia law guidelines. More from Ms. Magazine.

• Arab News looks at whether wedding traditions will change because of financial and environmental factors.

• Spiegel Online profiles a love story that reaches through tunnels.

• elan wonders whether mannequins are seductive.

• Two of Kuwait’s parliament members are fighting back against a social pressure to wear hijab in parliament.

• ProgressiveIslam highlights a place where Muslim lesbians can support each other online.

• Shabana Azmi acts doesn’t show up to Bhartiya Muslim Mahila Andolan, a national Muslim women’s convention, like she promised.

• elan profiles singer and politician Farida Tarana.

• Malaysia’s answer to marital problems: counseling and a state-sponsored second honeymoon.

• Saudi Arabia’s Rotana shakes up normal Saudi office gender norms. Via Jezebel.

• Half of the women who seek shelter in Flemish Belgium women’s shelters are from ethnic-cultural minorities, many of Turkish or Moroccan origin.

• Italy’s “equal opportunities” minister adds her voice to those calling for a burqa ban. Oh, the sick irony.

• The Australian features a backhanded article about Afghan women’s fight for rights. 

• What are we waiting for with the International Violence Against Women Act?

• The Feminist School announces the names of several female activists that are in prison.

• elan pokes fun at the one-eyed niqab.

• The National profiles the important work of Dr. Sabina Aidarous.

• The appointment of an employee who does not shake hands with man due to her beliefs is causing resentment among some teachers in the School for Journalism in Utrecht.

• Another great view of The Hijabi Monologues.

• TwoCircles interview Sitara Begum.

• In silent public protest, known locally in Tehran as the “Mothers of Laleh,” humanitarian activist mothers stand together each week on Saturday evening vigils.

Also, don’t forget! The sixth annual Brass Crescent Awards nominations are open–get your voice in there today!