Black Polyester: Nuance and Niqab?

Last updated on: October 27, 2010 at 12:00 am By tasnim

“I wanted to own the article of clothing that was being talked about,” Jonas Otterbeck says, explaining his reasons for buying a niqab. Otterbeck, who teaches Islamic Studies at Lund University in Sweden, spoke of his view on the niqab on the documentary Black Polyester, the sixth in a sixteen part series broadcast on SVT1 dealing with issues of power and politics. In the hour-long program, the presenter Lina Makboul addresses (but doesn’t attempt to resolve) the question of whether... Read more

It’s Pink Hijab Day!

Last updated on: October 27, 2010 at 12:00 am By fatemeh

Today is Pink Hijab Day! I hope you’re wearing something pink. From the Global Pink Hijab Day Official Site: “All over the world, Muslims participate by wearing pink hijabs, pink ribbons, and donating to cancer foundations.” Go to their website to read up on Pink Hijab Day and find out how you can help locally. Read more

Who Will Defend the Defenders? Gambian Activists Face Smear Campaign

Last updated on: October 26, 2010 at 12:00 am By Sara Yasin

Dr. Isatou Touray and Amie Bojang Sissoho are two prominent women’s human rights defenders in the Gambia. They are the executive director and program coordinator of the Gambia Committee for Traditional Practices (GAMCOTRAP), which has been active in fighting for the promotion of gender rights, mainly fighting against the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM). Recently, both women were arrested and imprisoned by the Gambian government. They were recently released on bail and stand trial soon. Arrested on bogus charges... Read more

A Letter from the MMW Editors

Last updated on: October 25, 2010 at 12:00 am By fatemeh

On Thursday, Eren published a great piece on the marginalization of lesbians in Indonesia. As with all MMW pieces, it received mixed feedback. Because we are fairly diligent regarding comment moderation, no comments that violated MMW’s comment moderation policy were approved. On our Facebook page, however, there is no initial comment moderation. Thus, several hurtful comments were published. MMW’s comment moderation policy extends to our Facebook page (even if it has to be after the fact), and thus these comments... Read more

Friday Links — October 22, 2010

Last updated on: October 22, 2010 at 12:00 am By fatemeh

Turkey’s Higher Education Board ruled to stop teachers from expelling students who wear headscarves. And with a sigh, Turkey’s hijab ban was over. More from Salon, Arab News, A white American convert shares the discrimination she’s experienced. The Washington Post covers the “I Want to Get Married” phenomenon. The Global Voices post on Samar Al Badawi. The Pamir Times reports on the first person to climb previously the unclimbed Chashkin Sar peak: an 18-year-old Pakistani girl. How things are changing... Read more

Out of the Closet AND Public Life: Lesbians in Indonesia

Last updated on: October 21, 2010 at 12:00 am By eren

Debates in the Muslim world regarding the LBGT community are rare, if not non-existent. However, Indonesia’s community has been raising its profile lately. With a legal system that does not criminalize homosexuality, the LBGT community may seem to face fewer challenges than communities in other countries. However, even with the only Gay film festival in the Muslim world, the community still faces major challenges from religious groups in the country and negative social attitudes that are usually state-promoted. These sectors... Read more

M.I.A.’s Niqab: Costume or Comment?

Last updated on: October 20, 2010 at 12:00 am By fatemeh

For Spike TV’s “Scream 2010” Awards, M.I.A. wore a niqab. There’s another image here. Discuss. Thanks to Jezebel for the tip. Read more

Free Samar: Saudi Bloggers Rally for Samar Al Badawi

Last updated on: October 19, 2010 at 12:00 am By emanhashim

When 32-year-old divorcee Samar Al Badawi went to Jeddah court to challenge a “filial ingratitude” complaint filed by her father, the judge rejected her claims and ruled in favor of her father. And despite documented physical abuse, previous court rulings to lift her father’s guardianship, and even a royal order to send her to an abused women’s shelter from governor of Mecca Prince Khalid al-Faisal, the judge sent her to prison. This was a year ago, and Al Bawadi has... Read more

Maintaining a Narrative: ABC’s Monolithic Muslim Experience

Last updated on: October 18, 2010 at 12:00 am By sana

Spearheading the healing of a slowly crippling nation, ABC News has decided to take it upon itself to play the role of facilitator between American Muslims and the generally more acceptable genre of Americans. ABC has broadcasted an assemblage of insightful (see: inciteful) shows aimed at answering those hard-hitting questions that no one else seems to be asking - as indicated by the aptly-entitled Holy War: Should Americans be afraid of Islam? hosted by the ever identity-complex laden Christiane Amanpour.Three additional... Read more

Friday Links — October 15, 2010

Last updated on: October 15, 2010 at 12:00 am By fatemeh

The National profiles Baroness Sayeeda Warsi. Hundreds of Kosovo Muslims protested a ban on wearing a headscarf in school. A British court asked a Muslim woman to remove her face veil to show her facial expression while testifying against her husband in a physical abuse case. The Vancouver Sun profiles a local women’s-only swimming hour. In Bihar, India, as many as six Muslim women have been fielded by political parties, first in Bihar’s electoral history. The Philippine Center for Islam... Read more