By MG StaffIn this poem, the author explores media representations in which women take off their hijab for one reason or the other, often to satisfy Western standards or the male gaze. As the girl on the TV takes off her hijab, I watch in awe, I thought people would accuse her of breaking the law, I…
By MG StaffI grew up with my heritage meticulously arranged in a crystal snow globe Hum Saath Saath Hain and a warm bowl of Haleem alike Surrounded by endless fields of mango trees Framed by the piercing of a macague-filled mountain That gives way to carelessly paved roads of intricately adorned lorries and fresh street-side nariyals The…
By MG StaffContent warning: This video features graphic depictions of domestic violence, sexual assault, gender-based violence, and bad language. In this video, inspired by slain social media star and activist Qandeel Baloch, Pakistani-American slam poet Emaan Majed tackles gender-based violence.
By MG Staffhas the earth always revolved around the sun has the sun ever revolved around the earth i guess what i am asking is, can it? take a girl, paint her brown, and let her soak it in– eyelids, to fingertips, to the soles of her feet Permanence this brown don’t wash out with soap and…
By MG StaffIt was never about the camera or the power its lens claimed to transmit. It was always about our mothers Black and Muslim and alive and how you zoomed out so far away from her. Convinced she did not exist, you projected your ignorance through the aperture of this lie. At…
By MG Staff“Dear Black Muslim Women” is a love letter dedicated to young Black Muslim girls who look like me. This is the letter that I have always wanted growing up. I wanted to create a form of art that highlights our struggle of being a part of the three most mistreated, discriminated against, and dehumanized identities in…
By MG StaffWhen I left him, when I finally left that life, That was when I stopped wearing my watch, My rings, My diamonds. I’d taken nothing, I’d left it all behind. I felt bare without it all Until I realised they’d been shackles. Someday, I might still wear a watch. Rings. Diamonds. But I’ll never let…
By Jessica DaqamssehThis poem is an ode to the headscarf, a fabric that has been heavily policed and debated, yet represents autonomy for many Muslim women. Who am I to you? Terrorist. Oppressed. Confined. Restricted. Hidden. Imprisoned. Controlled. The fabric which envelopes me, a welcome friend, a haven. Unnerves and offends. This barrier restricts myself to you….
By Jessica DaqamssehAuthor’s note: This poem is a reflection on the significance of daughters in Islam, and how children are signs of divine love. The poem is named for my own daughter, and is one reason why we named her “Nora.” Her name was chosen as an indicator of Allah’s blessings being showered upon us like a…
By kawtherinuwaEditor’s note: This poem reflects the inner struggle we feel in a world where we have been told to look in the mirror and recognize ourselves as flawed. But what does it take to love ourselves? What does it take to see ourselves as beautiful? The exact same thing that makes us flawed. She stares…
By On this day, I choose to reflect upon what it means to navigate the increasingly muddied waters of patriotism and nationalism. I choose to reflect upon the idea that authentic patriotism ensures that it is our deep-rooted obligation to speak out against injustice. To do otherwise would be complacency and arrogance. Given the global political…
By Editor’s note: This is an ode to all the overbearing brown girls who have been told that they were too much. You are enough. a femme Muslim , survivor and storyteller. you, sharp-tongued, mouth full of worms steel-faced, not-interested-in-you overbearing brown girl. they say “no“ sleeps between your teeth waking to feed on…
By It was never about the camera or the power its lens claimed to transmit. It was always about our mothers Black and Muslim and alive and how you zoomed out so far away from her. Convinced she did not exist, you projected your ignorance through the aperture of this lie. At first,…
By “Yeah, I’m definitely moving to Canada…” It’s November 7th, 2016 The day after Donald Trump wins the presidential election and my best friend is complaining to me about America While she shares the same thoughts with millions of others I just can’t help but disagree… A different perspective, you see My grandparents are immigrants…
By 4 Years, 1500 days, 3600 hours, 2,160,000 minutes, 129,600,000 seconds Yemen with a devastating war Yemen crushed by Saudi war criminals Yemen wounded by US’s immorality Yemen killed by too many frigid hearts Yemen unbelievably destroyed 4 Years, 1500 days, 3600 hours, 2,160,000 minutes, 129,600,000 seconds Yemen a skeleton Yemen with its sustainable resources confiscated…
