By Sajida HydoubThe public is slowly shifting away from ripped abs and healthy physiques to ones that remind you of Homer Simpson on his couch. The beauty standard for male celebrities is always pretty straightforward — six-pack abs, lean, muscular, chiseled. No wonder “GET ROCK HARD ABS IN 5 MINUTES” is a headling in every single Men’s…
By Sajida HydoubDisney finally decided to get its act together and introduce an African princess, but she will be… a white American? The announcement of the storyline for The Princess of North Sudan was met with heavy criticism online and in mass media. The story is said to be based on an American father who wanted to make his…
By Sajida HydoubLate last month, a ship carrying migrants of various nationalities across the Mediterranean Sea capsized, killing well over 700 and maybe as many as 950 passengers. Only 28 people are said to have been rescued and are seeking medical help in Sicily. The European Union has been scrambling to deal with this humanitarian crisis, but…
By Sajida HydoubLast fall, I decided to embark on a juice fast. For those of you who don’t now what it is, you basically go for a period of time on nothing but pure vegetable and fruit juice. I was inspired by two documentaries — Hungry For Change and Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead. Being the impulsive person that…
By Sajida HydoubAyaan Hirsi Ali is back at it again. In her interview with Jon Stewart on The Daily Show on March 23, Hirsi Ali continued to spew the same sensationalist and Islamophobic drivel she’s built her career off of. Let’s examine some of the golden quotes, shall we? “Muslims value death more than life.” “Not enough reformers” …
By Sajida HydoubFriday evening, March 20, 2015, Armstrong International Airport, New Orleans — Passengers and TSA agents rushed to drop to the floor as they heard gunshots. Alleged suspect Richard White was going through security when he pulled out a wasp spray and attacked the TSA agents. Then he proceeded to pull out a machete (yes, machete) and swung…
By Sajida HydoubPoverty continues to be a colossal issue in Egypt, especially in rural areas. Oftentimes, it comes down to making a decision between taking a job you hate or feeding your family. This issue is especially amplified for women who have even more limited job opportunities and are restricted by social order. One woman, desperate to…
By Sajida HydoubIn light of recent events of the exposé of racist behavior by the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity chapter in Oklahoma University, dialogues about the widespread racism in the greek system are being demanded. Usually when white and/or affluent students act up, universities tend to play dumb and release superficial statements about how they “do not condone”…
By Sajida HydoubTwo men got together to combine their love for art and faith to create an artistic brainchild. Jaded from the negative portrayal of Muslims in a post-9/11 world, brothers Adil and Kamil Imtiaz decided to reignite their passion for comic book art and superheroes to create BURAAQ. Named after the white winged horse that carried…
By Sajida HydoubIt is no secret that minorities are underrepresented, and even when they are represented, it’s usually in a negative way. The online Black community came up with a brilliant idea to put positive Black images out there. Tumblr user expect-the-greatest came up with the idea of “Blackout Day” after growing tired of the lack of Black representation…
By Sajida HydoubWhenever there is a discussion about love and how it forms, there is always that one annoying friend who says that love is nothing but a combination of the right chemicals in your brain; that it is nothing but formulaic string of events. As annoying as they are, your friend might be right. You might…
By Sajida HydoubDisclaimer: This piece in no way intends to diminish the death of Deah Barakat, Yusor Abu-Salha, and Razan Abu-Salha, nor does it intend to prioritize one over the other. My deepest condolences to their families and loved ones and all victims of recent events of violence against Muslims. May Allah cleanse them of their sins…
By Sajida HydoubAs a life-long summertime visitor, and now permanent resident for over 2 months, I am a self-acclaimed expert on everything Khartoum and Sudan. I can maneuver my way around the Arabi Market and tell you which tea lady is the best on Nile Street. I can make a killer gurassa and mlah tagaliya and I…
By Sajida HydoubAt the annual Hijab Fest, the hottest modest clothing is showcased, paired with inspirational and spiritual talks such as that of guest speaker Sara Zayed, who spoke of the Muslim-American hijabi experience. Living in a society where hijab isn’t the norm, often associated with Islamophobic and racist ideas, is no easy task. It is so…
By Sajida HydoubI don’t know about you, but being someone who’s in a constant state of anger against injustices around the world, I could use a little heart-warming sometimes. Oftentimes when I scroll down my Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr feeds, all I see are stories of horrors around the world. “Black teenager shot dead.” “Death toll in…
