Ask Me Anything: Conversations on Niqab

Last updated on: November 25, 2009 at 10:32 pm By Krista

The new CBC weeknight show Connect with Mark Kelley recently aired a segment on niqab as part of its “Ask Me Anything” series, in which members of the public are given the chance to ask questions about the experiences and perspectives of a designated person. Previous “Ask Me Anything” conversations have included a nurse who had swine flu and a Canadian soldier who recently returned from Afghanistan. Last Thursday’s segment featured Rabia Khan, a university student and part-time teacher, and... Read more

Conversion Perversion: Gaddafi’s Attempt at Dawah

Last updated on: November 25, 2009 at 12:00 am By yusra

While in Rome for the U.N. World Food Summit last week, Libyan leader Muammar al Gaddafi engaged in an unusual form of dawah: inviting 500 Italian escorts to convert to Islam. The women, employed by Hostessweb agency, were under the impression they were attending a party. The agency advertised for “…500 attractive girls between 18 and 35 years old, at least 1.70 meters (5 foot, 7 inches) tall, well-dressed but not in mini-skirts or low cut dresses.” Those who replied... Read more

Driving Force: the n7nu Campaign in Saudi Arabia

Last updated on: November 24, 2009 at 12:00 am By Sara Yasin

The advertisement begins with a short video of a woman moving from the back seat to the front seat, followed by the simple question, “drive?” The video sets the tone for this campaign, which asks the general population to discuss and also listen. The n7nu campaign has a very simple message: one of awareness. The aim is to provide a platform for women, men, Saudis and non-Saudis alike to share their views in regards to women driving in Saudi Arabia.... Read more

Female Muftis Aren’t Making Headlines. What a Surprise.

Last updated on: November 23, 2009 at 12:00 am By Guest Contributor

This was written by Sara Elghobashy and originally published at the elan blog. Whenever a story breaks that Muslim women are suffering somewhere in the world, the press foams at the mouth. Headlines with the words “unveiled” or “veiled” pop up everywhere and the world goes on to sing the song of “Muslim women are oppressed. Someone save them from their religion!” Yet, when news emerges that Muslim women are gaining some footing, there isn’t a peep about it in... Read more

Friday Links — November 20, 2009

Last updated on: November 20, 2009 at 12:00 am By fatemeh

Lebanon has appointed Raya Haffar Hussein as the country’s finance minister. Women’s eNews covers the politics surrounding the burqa and niqab in Canada. Clandestine same-sex marriages are organized in Kuwait. Turkish and Kurdish mothers join together for peace. The Faster Times interviews Ghada Karmi. Philly.com reviews The Glass House. Aden, Yemen, will host a conference on science and women next month. The British Council has partnered with the Qatari Businesswomen Forum to continue the Springboard program, which organizes training and... Read more

One Afghan Woman’s Words: Malalai Joya’s Book Tour

Last updated on: November 18, 2009 at 10:06 pm By Krista

Malalai Joya, an Afghan activist for women’s rights (and many other things), was in Toronto tonight on a cross-Canada tour to promote her new book, A Woman Among Warlords: The Extraordinary Story of an Afghan Who Dared to Raise Her Voice. For those unfamiliar with her story, the book description is as follows: Malalai Joya has been called “the bravest woman in Afghanistan.” At a constitutional assembly in Kabul in 2003, she stood up and denounced her country’s powerful NATO-backed... Read more

Saudi Cartoonist Hana Hajar Sketches a Path for Female Cartoonists

Last updated on: January 22, 2019 at 5:00 pm By malika

Saudi cartoonist Hana Hajjar chats with MMW about work, her inspiration and challenging societal taboos. Read more

Grassroots Politics and Women’s Activism Forum in D.C.

Last updated on: November 17, 2009 at 12:00 am By yusra

While in Washington, D.C., last month, I attended a forum on Muslim women’s rights titled “Women and the Politics of Change in the Middle East,” at the John Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. It was sponsored by the Women’s Learning Partnership, an international NGO dedicated to women’s leadership and empowerment, especially in Muslim majority countries. The event was held to honor the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination (CEDAW). CEDAW is a... Read more

Marketing Muslim Lifestyles and Rethinking Modesty

Last updated on: November 16, 2009 at 12:00 am By alicia

If a hijab in Pucci-designed print could speak, what would it say? I attended a seminar presented by Professor Reina Lewis on Muslim women’s lifestyle magazines last night and was faced with this bizarre question. It all started with the actual seminar itself, which showcased the latest research adventures of the fashion and design professor. Weaving together previous work that included alternative Orientalist narratives in the 19th century and queer lifestyle magazines, Lewis’ paper focused on the Muslim women’s magazines... Read more

Friday Links — Novemer 13, 2009

Last updated on: November 13, 2009 at 12:00 am By fatemeh

Saudi women participate in a black ribbon campaign to lobby against guardianship. Aicha Ech Channa wins the Opus Prize for helping unwed mothers despite Moroccan society’s condemnation. emel magazine highlights Britain’s Sure Start program and profiles a woman who volunteers for it. Oxford starts a scholarship in memory of Neda Agha Soltan. The Arab Women Organization has organized a media training session to implement an “information strategy for Arab women designed to present a true and balanced image of Arab... Read more