Friday Links — April 18, 2008

Natalia Antonova for ArabComment explains why Sufiya Yousuf’s life decisions are none of our business.

Women in Kyrgyzstan who have contracted HIV get little support.

Newsweek looks at the lack of safety for women in Iraq.

The Jamia Millia Islamia in India opens a senior secondary school exclusively for girls in order to promote education among Muslim women.

This year’s theme for the Boston Muslim Film Festival is “Think-different Women” and they’ve got the films to back it up.

The Young Muslim Women’s League helps tsunami-affected schools by donating supplies.

Reuters discusses the impact of the indictment against Turkey’s ruling party on Turkish women who wear headscarves.

Because of an error, the Israeli air force elite recently got itself a female Muslim soldier. But because she impressed them so much with her abilities and achievements, they’re keeping her.

Feminist scholar Miriam Cooke, who has written scores of books about Muslim women, will give a presentation entitled, “The New Visibility of Muslim Women.”

A group that helps female Muslim victims of domestic violence will receive an increased share government aid.

A Muslim woman defies stereotypes of Muslim women just by being a successful business entrepreneur. Barikallah!

Akram Mahdavi faces execution for conspiracy to murder.

A woman unknowingly sent to Iraq as a migrant worker sues her agent.

As death threats against Shirin Ebadi intensify, Iran’s president orders the police to protect her and her family.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan reports that violence against women has doubled since last year.

Poverty and hunger drive some Afghan parents to marry off their daughters at too-early ages.

Sabria Jawhar for Arabisto discusses the positive aspects of Saudi Arabia’s latest easing o gender segregation in the workplace.

Marriage in Iraq is becoming “a casualty of war.”

A Muslim woman wins Evening Wear Designer Award at Miami Fashion Week. Barikallah!

The number of Muslim women who participate in the Olympics is rising.

Katha Pollitt asks, “What’s the big deal?” about The Harvard Gym Shebangabang.

Jeddah opens a cooking academy in an effort to empower women. Oh…kay?

Women’s rights activists in Yemen lost a battle with the Yemeni Parliament to ban female genital cutting.