Category: Society

Society

Refuting the Historical Negation of Hijab

Aisha Hasan Despite decades of explanations and refutations, the hijab remains the most widespread and contentious issue surrounding Muslim women. From narratives of oppression to empowerment, the entire spectrum of feeling has been expressed over this simple piece of cloth covering a Muslim woman. In the age of modest fashion, the hijab has taken on another dimension altogether, and has in most mainstream discourse been … Continue reading Refuting the Historical Negation of Hijab

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Society

‘We really need more female scholars’ – a response

Aisha Hasan “We really need more female scholars” A statement heard time and time again in Muslim communities in the West. Whether it is an organisation searching for a female speaker for an event or a general discussion lamenting the lack of knowledge amongst Muslims, the importance of female scholarship is regularly mentioned as a crucial factor in countering the problems of the Ummah around … Continue reading ‘We really need more female scholars’ – a response

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Society

Does representation lead to empowerment?

A Muslimah Writes Prior to her stepping down over anti-Israel tweets, news that L’Oreal had featured their first hijab-wearing woman, Amena Khan, in a shampoo advert caused a stir on social media this week. The “history making” decision was (initially) praised as just one of many measures that have sought to integrate minority communities, particularly Muslims, into mainstream branding – from Revlon hiring YouTuber Dina … Continue reading Does representation lead to empowerment?

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Society

To Palestine & back: Tourism will not save Al-Aqsa

By Afsheen Mehmood This summer I was blessed with the opportunity to visit and pray in Masjid Al Aqsa, the third holiest site in Islam. To say that I was anxious about this trip would have been an understatement. For years I had thought that given the political troubles in the region, visiting Masjid Al Aqsa would be completely out of the question. In addition, … Continue reading To Palestine & back: Tourism will not save Al-Aqsa

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Society

Why are Western women turning to Islam?

A Muslimah writes Wife beating, discrimination, imprisonment, inferior, seclusion from society, subjugation, enslaved to men, second-class citizen. Put these words together and the title “Islam and women” would probably come to the minds of many. So when in 2011 the multi-faith organisation, Faith Matters published the findings of its report that of the 100,000 British converts to Islam that live in the UK, almost two … Continue reading Why are Western women turning to Islam?

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