War of the Roses: Amnesty International’s Newest Campaign against Female Genital Mutilation

Last updated on: December 8, 2011 at 11:35 pm By Muslimah Media Watch

Amnesty International has run a new campaign to raise awareness about female genital mutilation. These images of flowers sewn up are visually striking because of the implied violence against a delicate object. The ads are effective because they give the viewer a graphic idea of what exactly is implied by female genital mutilation (though the campaign leaves out “lesser” forms of FGM, such as clitoridectomy). While the idea of using a flower as a metaphor for a woman’s genitals doesn’t... Read more

Brass Crescent Awards — Vote Now!

Last updated on: January 21, 2012 at 2:52 pm By fatemeh

We made it, alhamdulillah! We’re finalists for the fourth annual Brass Crescent Awards! (jumping up and down excitedly) Muslimah Media Watch would like to thank our readers for helping us get this far, and for all of the support and feedback you’ve offered us! We’d also like to encourage you to vote here! The polls close on Friday, December 14. Be sure to take a look at some of the other finalists; there is a lot of great writing in... Read more

Friday Links – November 30, 2007

Last updated on: January 21, 2012 at 2:52 pm By fatemeh

Crowded out of a masjid? Not allowed to enter in the first place because the mosque is full of ignorant men who think women shouldn’t be allowed in a place of worship that Allah (swt) granted them? Well then take it to the streets! Muslim women in India offer prayers outside because they can’t get into a mosque. In response, the mufti issues this fatwa, which describes women offering prayer at mosques as “un-Islamic.” Prayer at a mosque is un-Islamic?... Read more

An Enemy in Friend’s Clothing?

Last updated on: December 8, 2011 at 11:35 pm By Muslimah Media Watch

The Dallas Morning News’ Alessandra L. González writes about Islamic feminism. But she gets some facts wrong, which really worries me because she is director and principal investigator of the Islamic Social Attitudes Survey Project at the Institute for the Studies of Religion at Baylor University. Hmmmmm. For someone who is the director and principle investigator for such a fancy-sounding project, she doesn’t seem to know what she’s talking about. Now, Ms. González seems like a nice woman. I can... Read more

What Do You Think?

Last updated on: December 8, 2011 at 11:35 pm By Muslimah Media Watch

Monday’s post Between a Rock and Hard Place: Triple Threats and Double Troubles for Muslim Women was featured on Racialicious today. And in the comments there was a really good question: “I wonder what should non-muslims do to help. I read Aaminah Hernández’s excellent post earlier today (Nadia linked to it up thread) and saw a specific point saying that “she did not need to be saved.” And it occurs to me, that’s what a lot of people think they... Read more

See Laleh Race: Race Car Driver as Women’s Rights Activist

Last updated on: November 27, 2007 at 5:53 pm By Guest Contributor

This originally appeared as a larger post at the blog Pedestrian. It has been edited for length, but you can read the entire version at the original website. “You might have heard of Laleh Sedigh: Iran’s first female race car driver – in both circuit and rally driving. She has yet to prove herself in international competitions, but she has competed against her male colleagues in Iran and has won on many occasions. She is also a PHD student in... Read more

Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Triple Threats and Double Troubles for Muslim Women

Last updated on: December 8, 2011 at 11:35 pm By Muslimah Media Watch

You’ve probably heard about the recent ruling given to a Saudi gang-rape victim: 110 lashes added onto the original sentence of 90 lashes because she protested her sentence to the media. It’s a horrible and vindictive sentence, and the callous treatment this woman has received as a victim is insulting to her, Saudi Arabia, and Islam. Why Islam? What does her ruling have to do with Islam? Well, not much. Technically, the judge who sentenced her went by Shari’a law,... Read more

Introducing our Newest Contributor: Melinda

Last updated on: January 21, 2012 at 2:53 pm By fatemeh

Muslimah Media Watch would like to introduce Melinda, our newest contributor. Melinda is a college student. A convert to Islam, she seeks to reconcile the differences — especially the perceived differences — between “Islam” and “Western culture.” She’s also looking to see the Muslim community grow more progressive, an important factor in bridging this divide. She has been reading Muslimah Media Watch since its creation. She appreciates its critical look at the portrayal of Muslim women in the media. According... Read more

Friday Links – November 23, 2007

Last updated on: January 21, 2012 at 2:53 pm By fatemeh

Senegalese women will be able to become foot soldiers starting next year! Another interview with Fatemeh Keshavarz. I so love her! A poor Muslim woman’s body is laid to rest, exhumed, and reburied—all in one day. Australia gets its first Muslim woman lifeguard (or lifesaver, as the Australians put it). Muslim women in Canada work for interfaith dialogue. The frightening treatment of Iranian activist Delaram Ali. You can sign here to show your support for her release from jail. Maryam... Read more

Heavyweights: Jordanian Women Flex Their Political Muscles, and the Media Gets Hysterical

Last updated on: January 21, 2012 at 2:53 pm By Guest Contributor

This story originally appeared on Improvisations: Arab Woman Progressive Voice. “Al Quds al Arabi reports that 204 women are running in the Jordanian parliamentary elections. The language the paper chooses to deliver the news is … hysterical! In fact, “women’s election hysteria” appears in the title of the article. If you are not scared away and choose to go beyond the headline, you encounter “hysteria” again along with words that translate as “surprising,” “exciting,” “unprecedented,” “unheard of,” “overwhelming,” and “strange”... Read more