modesty

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I am not a lollipop or a pearl

Last week, a national religious organization, which focuses on proliferating accurate information about Islam, shared a photo on its Facebook page depicting two lollipops- one bare, with a swarm of flies and one in a wrapper with a solitary fly. Predictably, the photo likened the lollipops to women- those uncovered and those covered. Following a frenzy of angry comments, the photo was promptly removed, but of course once on the Internet, something is never truly erased and so this photo continues to surface on every social media platform imaginable.

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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.

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Culture, Fashion

Muslim fashion on display in Indonesia as models show Islamic style

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Lanky models in high heels saunter down the catwalk, one wearing a huge pink rose headpiece while another’s face is draped in a taupe silk headscarf adorned with dangling gold accessories.
But this is not a typical fashion show. There’s no-see-through sheaths, naked midriffs or long exposed legs that scream sexy. Instead, everyone on the runway at the Islamic Fashion Fair show is covered from head to toe in loose-flowing fabrics with a variety of textures and colors.

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Culture, Fashion

An interview with Bayan Jondy

Fashion designer Bayan Jondy: “I truly wanted Muslim women to feel confident and beautiful wearing modest clothing. Up until we launched, I felt that our options for fashionable clothing in line with my beliefs were very limited. I was frustrated with not being able to find the kind of clothing that reflected my personality and uniqueness; I was tired of wearing so many layers, especially in the spring and summer.”

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Uncategorized

Covering the headscarf

In the end, the point isn’t about how much of a difference the hijab makes – the point is, rather, that perhaps we’re using the wrong litmus test when defining our religious obligations. An Islamic mandate to wear the hijab need not be legitimated by cultural, sociological proofs; rather, we submit to God’s commands because He commanded us to do so.

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Uncategorized

Eva Khurshid – New York

Nyla Hashmi and Fatima Monkush struggled to find contemporary fashion that was modest until they developed their own brand of women's clothing with Eva Khurshid. But the design, religious, and economic challenges mean the two have to work twice as hard to get noticed.

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