Somalia’s women’s minister, Asha Osman Aqil, has been kidnapped by Al Shabab. God keep her safe. Egyptian women take a stand against harassment with HarassMap. Emirati women will enjoy full participation in an upcoming election to be held in September; they may both vote and run in the election. How the Muslim community rose to […]

The British Jihad Against Violence gets some coverage in Common Ground News. Surprise! The Iranian government will support books about hijab and modesty. USA Today profiles Kulsoom Abdullah’s and her fight to wear hijab during weightlifting competitions. Women in rural Bangladesh raise money for their own microfinance programs. British Muslim men are urged to “find […]

This week’s links was graciously put together for us by Anneke van der Berg. Australian police allowed to ask for removal of burqa. Muslim Stephanie not allowed on bus in France, because of her ‘burqa.’ NZ prime minister: veil no excuse for discrimination. Another Pakistani woman killed, officials stay quiet. Female Afghani journalist Farida Nekzad featured […]

A nine-year- old Peshwari girl was forced to wear suicide vest. An Indonesian woman was put to death by decapitation in Saudi Arabia this week.  Her daughter plans to press charges, while Indonesia wonders whether or not its citizens are so well protected abroad. Meanwhile, another maid is murdered in Saudi Arabia. May Allah give […]

An interview with Maryam Kershevarz about the film she directed, Circumstance, a fictional story about a relationship between two high school girls in Tehran. Farzaneh Milani reflects on driving bans and activism in Saudi Arabia. More on that here and here. A new film called Tales of the Waria looks at transgendered women in Indonesia. Lebanon’s […]

In case you didn’t hear, FIFA barred Iran’s women’s soccer team from the field over their headgear. Plenty has been written about why it happened, and the subject may be reopened for discussion. Maybe they can wear this? Some cool research focuses on Muslim women who lived through the Khmer Rouge. Lamia Shakkour, Syria’s ambassador […]

Activists have demanded the authorities in Egypt prosecute anyone responsible for subjecting protesters to alleged virginity tests earlier this year. Al Jazeera interviews Lamees Dhaif about her career and censorship of journalists. On Mauritania’s young women who voluntarily resort to dangerous methods to gain weight. On the “colony of wives” left behind in Canada. A […]

Arab women’s participation in political resistance isn’t a new thing, mkay? Britain’s first female Muslim Lord Mayor has taken up the historic post in the city of Bradford. More here.  Middle East Online looks at other kick-ass British Muslim woman creating positive changes in their communities. Shaista Aziz asks whether “halal” speed-dating can work. Arab […]

The head of the IMF sexually assaulted a Muslim woman working at his hotel. Laila Lalami speaks eloquently on the subject. Female entrepreneurs are helping Bangladesh shake off a “Least Developed Country” label. A Saudi Arabian student in the U.S. is arrested for assaulting people at a Wal-Mart. A young Australian artist is profiled for […]

Female Somali entrepreneurs carve a niche in Boston. On divorce in Malaysia. Dr. Jay profiles Hind and Reem Beljafla’s clothing line. The Florida Times-Union writes a patronizing article about women of faith who exercise. Shanaaz Copeland wants her Aussie Rules hijabs sold as official AFL merchandise, which could become a possibility. Girls fight for the […]