Trigger warning: This article discusses death by suicide, gun violence, and mass murder, and the discrimination and oppression of the LGBTQ+ community. It should be noted that this article is in no way meant to substitute for medical or mental health advice from a trained and educated mental health professional. Muslim Girl encourages those who need…
Society
My Body Image Was Created by Negative Whispers
It started out as a whisper. Nothing more, nothing less. A whisper as quiet and unassuming as a stream in the woods. No one expects anything of it, merely letting it run its course as it benignly winds along. We add our own tiny trickles of water to the flow, unaware of the effect it…
This Is Why I Protest Even When My Peers Remain in a Privileged Oblivion
“We are heading to the beach this weekend!” And that sentence was all it took. It was like a punch in the gut, a slap in the face, and a complete and utter denial of what is happening in our world. These were the kinds of things the adults were talking about during a socially…
Here’s Why You Should Never Judge Someone For Wearing — Or Not Wearing — Hijab
I grew up seeing the women in my family adorn their heads with colorful headscarves. At home, dupattas would loosely hang from their heads. When the doorbell rang, they’d quickly fix it, making sure not a strand of hair would show. On occasions, my mother would choose a scarf with glitter and shimmer to match…
10 Muslim-Owned Businesses You Should Support This Eid
Want to support a small Muslim-owned business this year? With Eid coming, now is a great time to show some love to Muslim-owned small businesses. Here’s some of the businesses that I think deserve all of your love! In-T First (You First) or @intfirst is a curated monthly box for Muslim women! The current box…
Why the Media Still Has a Long Way to Go to Get Representation Right
The year is 2020, and although changes are happening, why are they happening so slowly? When you watch a show or a movie, listen to music or view fashion, what is one thing that you notice? There are few people of different cultures, races, religions, and sizes. I am just one of the many Muslim…
FYI, I’m Not Pregnant and I’m Still Enjoying Life
It may come as a shock to many people but I didn’t get married just to have kids. Sure, I want to build a family with my husband, but I would like to do that at a time that suits him and I, not when all the people around us keep interfering and inquiring about…
Why South Asian Cultures Need to Embrace Public Displays of Affection
Did the title intrigue you enough to read further? Let’s talk about one of the scenarios which might be familiar if you come from a South Asian background. It is very common in departure lounges of airports while families are seeing their loved ones off that there’s an emotional exchange of hugs and goodbyes that…
6 Creative Ways to Spread Kindness During the Coronavirus Crisis
It’s hard to escape the doom and gloom of the current news cycle. Whether I turn on the TV, scroll through my Twitter feed, check my text messages, or hop into a virtual hangout, the topics always center on COVID-19. Where is it spreading? When is it ending? Why are we experiencing a toilet paper…
4 Ways You Can Support Small Businesses During Tough Times
For years, I worked for big brands and agencies, focused on public relations and marketing. I learned so much, and every single experience was intensely valuable. After a while, I was beginning to feel like I was spending time, every day, working on projects or products that weren’t fulfilling. Inspired by a girl I met…
5 Tips to Overcome Societal Pressure
I believe most of us grew up with the pressure of feeling we needed to be the absolute best at everything: the best at school, sports, extracurricular activities, socializing, or looking our best. And the main objective to excel at everything was to prove our worth to our parents, teachers, friends, relatives, and basically society…
Modesty Isn’t Just for Women and Our Bodies. It’s for Men and Their Behaviors and Words, Too.
In 2020, I really thought I’d be moving forward. But I’m still saying the same things I’ve been saying for the past five and ten years. The same thing other women have been saying for dozens of years; hundreds of years; over a thousand years. I have just graduated, with my undergraduate degree in political…
How a Trip to Australia Inspired an American Hijabi to Educate Others About the Hijab
A few years back when I visited Sydney, I was amazed at the number of Muslim women wearing the hijab. While many Muslim women observe the Islamic dress code all over the world, in Sydney I felt a palpable sense of pride in one’s identity. As a Muslim-American woman who wears the hijab, I felt…
Here’s How 4 Muslim Girls Are Keeping Busy While Social Distancing
These are unprecedented times. You might be finding yourself at home longer than you initially thought, or if your business is essential, you might even be out more. If you fall under the first category, here’s how four staff members at Muslim Girl have been keeping themselves busy and sane throughout this crazy time. Family…
This Is For Anyone Who’s Being Fat Shamed Right Now
It’s a funny thing. With social distancing abound, I’m seeing an intense influx of accounts where young women have been bullied and abused by their near and “dear” over their weight. Truly, the volume has been overwhelming. I’m not here to offer any solutions. God knows, I’m not qualified to do so. But I do…