Egyptian satellite TV station Melody has struck the wrong chord with audiences. The station, based out of Cairo, is famous for its MTV-like youth appeal. The network of five channels (including an English-only channel) broadcasts a variety of pop culture, youth culture, and music videos. Their ongoing promotional campaigns, however successful, are leaving a bad […]

Founded by two sisters in 2008, the French webzine Hijab and the City has a unique place in the French cultural landscape.  In an interview given to the online news outlet Rue89, one of Hijab and the City’s stated goals was to “give a voice to those who are often talked about but never talked […]

This originally appeared in the Saudi Gazette. Saudi TV dramas are undergoing a revolution with more Saudi actresses than ever before appearing in television serials this Ramadan. While Saudi actresses were once marginalized and relegated to minor roles in Arab TV dramas, they are now appearing in major roles and receiving star billing, Al-Riyadh Arabic […]

ILLUME highlights the “Wrapping for Literacy” campaign for Senegalese girls. Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan, an Indian organization, recently completed a survey on the aspirations of Muslim women. They want to “study, work, explore the world.” Bureaucracy in the West Bank is hindering Palestinian women’s progress. CNN profiles female Omani entrepreneurs. Six Saudi sisters are likely […]

The recent cover of Time magazine featuring the photo of Aisha has sparked debate about the US presence in Afghanistan and what it means for women’s rights there. Here at MMW, the overwhelming sentiment seems to be that the image is yellow journalism at its finest, reinforcing the antiquated rhetoric of “saving women” and exploiting […]

I took the a brief moment from work to watch a 12-minute segment on BBC’s Newsnight about why British women choose to wear the niqab and why more women are wearing it in unprecedented numbers. Like any Muslim feminist, I hung onto every word and hoped nobody said something that has already been said before, […]

Channel Islam International, often considered to be the “more progressive” Muslim community radio station in Johannesburg, is broadcasting a radio drama series for the month of Ramadan. The show is titled “Redemption Road,” and aims to be a representation of South African Indian Muslim society and its idiosyncrasies while reminding listeners to their often-forgotten purpose […]

Few people would agree that pornography has hardly been an indicator of freedom or political stability. Some more would also agree that it is not a universal symbol of advancement or female empowerment. Nonetheless, this week Tarek El-Tablawy, an Associated Press writer, affirmed that pornography availability mirrors Iraq’s improvements in security and politics. More surprising, […]

Salam alaikum, readers! Today is Muslimah Media Watch’s third anniversary! On this day, waaaay back in 2007, we first appeared in the blogosphere! On our third anniversary, we’ve got something new for you: you’ll notice there is now a “Like” button for Facebook and a sharing button for Twitter at the bottom of each of […]

Shiva Nazar Ahari has been arrested for “causing unease in the public mind.” Here’s how you can help. How the the Pakistan floods disproportionately affect women. A Muslim woman who sued Disney for refusing to let her wear a  headscarf at her job at Disneyland says she has been suspended without pay for turning down […]