Gender Issues and the Hijab/Burqa
US academic first woman to lead Muslim prayers in UK
It was, said the organisers, as historic and radical an act as Emmeline Pankhurst chaining herself to railings outside the Houses of Parliament. But for others a Muslim service led by a woman was sacrilege. Amina Wadud, an American academic, yesterday became the first woman to lead British Muslims in mixed congregational prayers and deliver…
Proposal not to fund ‘virginity operations’
Anne-Marie Lizin of the Walloon Socialist party is acting against state subsidies for “virginity operations.” The senator proposed a law requesting that hymen reconstruction operations no longer be reimbursed by the national RIVIZ health insurance. The so-called “virginity operations” have been popular among the Muslim and immigrant community in Belgium, for women seeking to torn…
Muslim women’s law firm breaks down stereotypes
Women from the Amal Law Group in Chicago, which may be the nation’s only law firm composed solely of Muslim women representing the vast diversity of the Islamic faith, are hoping that they can dispel stereotypes about Muslim women. “People think that somehow we’re weak and not able to express opinions,” said Janaan Hashim, the…
Burqas Banned in French Classes for Immigrants
In two recent legal decisions, head-to-toe burqas have been banned from state-sponsored French language classes. Louis Schweitzer, the head of France’s anti-discrimination agency told La Croix daily that “Religious freedom is not absolute” and they authorities have sought “the most reasonable compromise.” His agency known as Halde ruled last month to ban burqa and niqab…
The largest survey of Muslim women in the UK
A poll of 1,000 British Muslim women finds they are both religiously observant and keen shoppers at Primark: A unique and groundbreaking “1000 Sisters’ voices” survey carried out by Ummah Foods, a “new generation” British Muslim food company, and by SISTERS, the inspirational new magazine for Muslim women, has found that, while an overwhelming majority…