Columns

Allah, Glorious is He, has elevated Muslim women by giving them rights that allow them to live a creative, balanced life filled with the joys of motherhood and family, an education and a career, financial independence and thriving spirituality, and an unconditional pass for the pursuit of fulfillment in this world and the next. Unfortunately, the reality of many Muslimat is one plagued by societal and cultural expectations, and even erroneous religious interpretations, which cripple them into living mediocre, less than gratifying lives.

This week, child brides get official attention in Malaysia, a controversial cartoon runs in Montreal, a Canadian Muslim women sues her school after she is expelled for wearing niqab, women in Britain share the struggles they face in hijab and Indian women protest a Muslim cleric’s statement.

This week, beloved activist Aminah Asslimi dies in car accident, a group of Muslim scholars oppose full-body scans at US airports, Indian Muslim women’s group leads campaign to educate impoverished women in Muslim slums, male hairdressers banned from serving female clientele in Gaza, and an essayist writes an exposé on the lives of three ordinary Iranian women.

Ten AltMuslimah members/readers gathered on Sunday, February 21, 2010, with the goal of discussing the nature of Muslim women’s sexuality, and how American Muslim women’s social needs may be different. Whether formal or casual, the group agreed in the value of women’s support networks, especially considering the rising prevalence of domestic violence in our communities. A quick brainstorm of ideas brought up the possibility of periodic casual women’s nights, which are actually common in more active American Muslim communities.

This week Washington, D.C. women storm the men’s section of a local mosque, a women in hijab is fired from her retail position in California, a women’s terrorist group is said to be uncovered in Egypt, Malaysia looks to hold a conference on women’s caning, Pakistani women’s clothing is highlighted, and Iran’s first female Olympic skier is profiled.

Saudi religious police crackdown on Valentine’s Day merchandise, Three Malaysian women are caned for extramarital sex, Saudi to permit female lawyers to argue cases, New Jersey Muslim man throws baby over a bridge, and Baltimore sixth-graders go on a field trip to an Islamic center.

This week, death threats for dehijabing in Spain, a ballet showcasing Muslim women’s historical accomplishments, France continues the burqa ban debate, a Pakistani woman is recognized in California, Muslim scholars question full-body scanning and Obama names an envoy to the Muslim world.

This week, a study finds that abstinence-focused sex education in American schools can persuade youth to delay sexual activity, sixteen-year-old Turkish girl buried alive for talking to boys, French authorities deny citizenship to man who forces his wife to wear a full veil, and female government leaders have done little to advance women’s rights in Southeast and South Asia.