By Mariam NouserVerona and ASOS announced their long-needed collaboration a few weeks ago and the world is buzzing. Modest fashion wearers have found it difficult to find suitable clothing in mainstream shops for years, but with this powerhouse of a partnership, our difficulties are sure to dissipate. Verona has been breaking barriers for a while now, starting…
By Mariam NouserFrom April 26th to 28th, the annual Toronto Ramadan Market took place in (arguably) the biggest shopping mall in Canada, Square One. There were vendors from all different industries: hijabs, decor, children’s books you name it. For many, this was a dream come true. Last year, the Ramadan Market was held in a very industrial…
By Mariam NouserOh, boy. So, here’s the short answer: Yes, we can be intimate with our spouses in Ramadan. No, not all the time. Many people ask what is prohibited for us during the time of Ramadan. The fact of the matter is, we must abstain from acts such as sexual relations, eating, and drinking from dawn…
By Mariam NouserMy sense of style has evolved throughout the years due mainly to my increased visibility as a Muslim woman. Growing up in Canada, especially as a pre-teen and teen, I always tried to wear branded clothing that was trendy. I always saved my money from babysitting to ensure I could buy the latest style of…
By Mariam Nouser“Why do you wear the hijab?” “Why did you take it off?” “Why do you wear it like that?” Muslim females like myself are sick and tired of hearing this. The flurry of questions I got when I started wearing the hijab the first time in July 2013 was astounding. Of course, I recognize my privilege…
By Mariam NouserWhile we honour our identities every day at MuslimGirl.com, we are excited that our annual #MuslimWomensDay campaign is used as a day to celebrate Muslim women globally. This day is crucial to challenging stereotypes and generalizations in the discourse surrounding Muslim women, and is becoming more and more pertinent due to a global increase in…
By Mariam NouserSmall businesses make up for a large part of the economy in many parts of the world, and in recent years, we have seen many businesses owned by Muslim women pop up. A recent statistic showed that 26 percent of Muslims run their own businesses in the U.S., while 23% employ more than 5 people. Though…
By Mariam NouserThere have been so many notable Muslim women in history that have inspired me greatly. Growing up in a Muslim household that upheld the standard that female empowerment was incredibly important, I always gravitated to looking outwards for inspiration; looking for women who represented what it meant to be a trailblazer. I’d like to say…
By Mariam Nouser“You have to be a doctor, engineer, or lawyer.” Us first or second-generation immigrants hear this on a daily basis when we’re nearing the time in which we embark on our career paths. We feel that, as children of immigrants or as immigrants ourselves, our families sacrifice so much so that we could succeed, be…
By Mariam NouserShamima Begum left the United Kingdom in 2015 with two of her school friends to pursue a life they thought to be better; a life in Syria alongside Daesh fighters. She was one of roughly 850 British citizens that have joined Daesh. Upon her arrival, Shamima was soon married off to one of the men,…
By Mariam NouserFor the last 10 years (or probably more), I have suffered from some sort of mental illness. In late 2009, I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety, triggered by seeing someone very close to me die in front of my eyes. I was grieving for many months, and there was not a single day that…
By Mariam NouserSudan has been in a state of unrest since December 19th, 2018, as the Sudanese people are protesting the worsening conditions in their country. The Sudanese President, Omar al-Bashir, has been in power since a coup d’etat in 1989 and since then, the country has been in an economic downfall. Amidst a weakening currency (In…
By Mariam NouserLiving in the 21st Century, being busy is inevitable. We may go to school, or go to work, or both. We may have hobbies. We may have families, and friends. We may be active in our communities. Muslim women in the West, in particular, are expected to do so much more just to prove our…
