Culture

Culture

Islam and women’s sports

<< From the Altmuslimah Archives >> Islamic women in sports appears to be a contradiction in terms – at least this is what many people in the West believe. The conviction that women in Islamic countries either cannot, will not, or may not take part in sports (or at least in competitive sports) is partly borne out of the fact that Muslim immigrants, especially women, scarcely take any active part in sports. However, we should be aware that interest and the engagement of Muslim women in sports are increasing.

Read More
Columns, Editorials, Film

Hollywood and Peace in the Middle East

Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson (Captain America, Lost in Translation) just announced that she is stepping down from her 8-year role as Oxfam Ambassador due to pressure from the organization to stop supporting SodaStream, a company whose factories operate illegally in Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine territories.

Read More
Community, Culture

Drinking, dating and hijabs: The perils of college life for Muslim women

I climbed out of the car and heard the raucous laughter and booming music spilling out of the open windows and doors of the house party. My Christian and Jewish friends and I were welcomed as the innocent, new freshmen on campus. Red cups full of beer were passed around; I shook my head when one came my way. The guy holding it glanced at me with hazy eyes. “What?! No beer?” he said incredulously. “No, not for me!” I yelled back at him over the music. He shook his head dumbfounded and moved on to a more willing participant.

Read More
altMommy, Books, Culture

Teaching Kids The Holy Quran – Surah 18: The Cave

In the first book of the Read with Meaning series, Mezba Mahtab employs his celebrated technique of using Legos to tell stories from the Qur’an. This book conveys the story of Chapter 18, entitled “The Cave” (known as Surah Al-Kahf). Mahtab’s creative spin on Qur’anic storytelling is bound to spark the imaginations of Muslim children and adults alike, and is very effective in driving home the lessons of this Surah.

Read More
Culture

The Open Easel: An interview with artist Samia Shaheen

“The Open Easel” was founded by Toronto artist, Samia Shaheen. Shaheen’s work reflects the atmosphere of the eastern and western cities she has lived in and visited. Oil, acrylic and water based media are used to capture the splendour of South Asia’s Mughal architecture and Canada’s historical monuments and vibrant landscapes.

Read More
Culture, Fashion

Conservative couture

When Los Angeles-based sisters Nadia Rayan and Nora Rayan Ghaneian were planning to attend a relative’s wedding in Egypt back in the summer of 2006, they came to the realization that their access to and selection of existing evening wear in the U.S. and Egyptian stores was mundane at best. In Cairo, they opted for a local tailor to help create their custom dresses — and, albeit a common and accessible option — were overwhelmed by the positive feedback to their silk column gowns that were simple, yet sophisticated.

Read More
Culture

An Empowered Woman: The disciplined mind and defining soul behind Zainab Ismail

Zainab Ismail has over 20 years of experience as a movement therapist, nutritional coach and personal trainer. Her years of health and fitness experience prior to her conversion to Islam includes working with top level athletes and celebrities. Zainab is also the Vice President of Nadoona, a movement based in the U.S and geared towards helping Muslim women become healthier.

Read More