Gender Issues and the Hijab/Burqa
Power women to be named in Manchester
The Manchester-based Equality and Human Rights Commission today started the first Muslim Women Power List, which aims to celebrate Muslim women who have already reached the top of their chosen field or are on the way there. The commission is now accepting nominations for the list, which will be revealed at The Lowry Hotel in…
Niqab ruling raises legal and religious issues in Toronto court
The decision by a Toronto judge to compel a Muslim woman to testify in court without wearing her niqab has raised the question of how freedom of religion fits into the legal system and other Canadian Charter rights. The ruling, stemming from the preliminary hearing into a sexual assault trial, could be the first time…
Hundreds of girls at risk of genital mutilation says MP Souad Sbai
According to MP and president of Italy’s Association of Moroccan women, at least 600 children are at risk of infibulation, or an extreme form of female genital mutilation in Italy. “Every year in Italy there are 600 children, daughters of immigrants, that are at risk of infibulation and it all happens in total silence,” said…
Denmark: Mother of four sentenced to two years for allowing genital mutilation of her daughters
In Denmark’s first case involving sentencing of parents for the genital mutilation of their daughters, a court found the mother guilty of allowing two of her daughters – now 10 and 12 years old – to have the controversial operation performed on her children, and the parents have been charged with planning to have a…
Sweden: Swedish Muslim could set new headscarf precedent
Cherin Awad, known for her work on a controversial Swedish television program, may become the first practicing attorney in Sweden to wear a headscarf. Awad, a 23 year old woman recently gained notoriety for refusing to shake hands with Aftonbladet newspaper columnist Carl Hamilton in an episode of “Halal TV” which features three young Swedish…