Gender Issues and the Hijab/Burqa
“Most non-Muslim adults in Western Europe favor at least some restrictions on the religious clothing of Muslim women”, Pew Research Center finds
In line with the introduction of burqa bans in many countries in Europe over recent years, a survey of fifteen European countries from the Pew Research Center has shown that “Most non-Muslim adults in Western Europe favor at least some restrictions on the religious clothing of Muslim women who live in their country”.
As a divorce settlement is awarded for a non-legally recognised nikah, what does this ruling mean for UK marriage law?
Earlier this summer, the High Court ruled that the nikah of Nasreen Akhter and Mohammed Shabaz Khan fell within the scope of the 1973 Matrimonial Causes Act, and therefore that Akhter was entitled to a divorce settlement. Detailed analysis of the case and the ruling raises questions about the status of religious law in UK courts, whether there is a need to reform existing marriage laws, and about the protection of women in non-legally recognised marriages.
MAP-NYC project reveals the significant impact of Muslim women activists in New York City, and how Islam has motivated them
The Muslims for American Progress NYC (MAP-NYC) project, launched in 2017 by the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, sought in part to counter the negative media portrayals of Muslims, which are so prominent. What emerges are the stories of Muslim women who, although often unrecognised, have driven significant civil change through politically organizing and making themselves visible. This mobilisation is motivated by a religious identity which calls on them to protect and love, and therefore tackle injustice.
Boris Johnson’s comments on the burqa: Is Islamophobia being used for political gain in the British Conservative Party?
2018 has seen repeated calls for the Conservative party to launch an official inquiry into Islamophobia within its ranks to ensure that it does not accommodate racism and bigotry. Do Boris Johnson’s recent comments on the burqa reveal a culture of using Islamophobia for political gain in the party?
Gap campaign featuring girl in hijab causes mixed reactions in France
An American advertisement featuring a Muslim girl in a hijab has prompted an outcry in France. The campaign was shot in New York but published by Gap in French on social media. On YouTube, the company released a 15-second video that received more than 1 million views. But the ad garnered a mixed response from…