This week, Michelle Obama’s handshake with an Indonesian minister creates a stir, the UN rejects Iran’s bid for a seat on a Women’s rights board, the influence of Syrian soap operas is explored, and a study finds Muslim women are uncomfortable with male physicians.
Indonesian Information Minister Tifatul Sembiring claims he was forced to shake hands with American First Lady Michelle Obama, although it is against his religion and he felt uncomfortable doing so, reports NPR. “I tried to prevent [being touched] with my hands but Mrs Michelle held her hands too far toward me [so] we touched,” he posted to his followers on Twitter. The vast majority of Indonesians practice a less conservative form of the faith, but Sembiring has flaunted his conservatism and has said he avoids contact with women who are not related to him. Clips on youtube, however, depict an enthusiastic and broad-smiling minister warmly greeting the first lady.
The United Nations rejected Iran’s bid for a seat on a new women’s rights board after strong opposition from western nations and human rights groups to the country’s treatment of women. The Associated Foreign Press reports that the United States, European Union, Australia and Canada carried out an intensive campaign to sway votes against Iran. The U.N. did, however, accept Saudi Arabia’s bid, which is also opposed by human rights groups. The new agency, UN Women, was formed after a General Assembly decision in July to merge four U.N. bodies dealing with women’s issues into one with greater influence.
The Atlantic explores a new wave of Syrian soap operas that are taking on important social issues like domestic abuse, homosexuality, and adultery. Directors Ghassan Jabri and Najdat Anzour say they hope the controversial story lines will help shed light on the negative aspects of society, challenge taboos, and ultimately “induce change.” Syria is a leader in television entertainment in the Middle East and many hope positive change will be come forth from these popular TV dramas.
A recently released study concludes that U.S. doctors must become more aware of Islamic values and beliefs that could affect physician-patient relationships, reports USA today. The study’s lead author Aasim Padela found that some American Muslim women reported to delay care because they could not find female providers. Padela and his co-author explain that according to Islamic bioethics, a Muslim patient’s first choice of doctor is a Muslim of the same sex, second choice is a non-Muslim of the same sex, followed by a Muslim of the opposite sex and lastly a non-Muslim of the opposite sex.
Shazia Riaz is Events and Publicity Editor for Altmuslimah.
