By Rokia Hassanein“Feminism is not a Western invention. Feminism is not invented by American women, as many people think. No, feminism is embedded in culture and in the struggle of all women all over the world.” This quote pops into my head every time someone tries to discredit and shame Arab and Muslim women’s feminist activism as…
This past year was…interesting; 2020 was definitely a rollercoaster of events and emotions. With more downs than ups, this year will be remembered forever. From things like the troublesome U.S. elections to the constant racism and Islamophobia many Muslims around the world faced and are still facing, this year has absolutely been one for the…
Author’s note: This tale is not meant to act as a how-to for dealing with sexual assault. It is simply an acknowledgement of my suffering and how I turned to faith and professional health to overcome my trauma. To my sisters who have been the victims of sexual assault and are still floundering and struggling…
Editor’s note: In this eye-opening and relatable thought-piece, guest contributor and content creator, Ameera Safdar, speaks out about how bullying and body-shaming affected her. Whilst the journey to healing is rarely smooth or even remotely linear, we hope that Ameera’s journey brings an ounce of comfort and support to anyone going through the same experience. …
Drugs do not discriminate. They accept all race, religions, and ethnicities. A drug does not take responsibility for what occurs after it has been used. It blames the user and the user alone. My father was a drug user. He abused drugs for his own pleasure. He neglected his responsibilities as a father and gave…
By Guest BloggerAs a 7-year-old girl, I stood on the porch with my 12-year-old sister. It was a sunny day, with gorgeous blue skies, and the grass smelled fresh and clean. To anyone passing by on a walk, we would have looked like two little girls playing patty-cake on the front porch of the house. What they…
Trigger warning: This article contains references to sexual abuse and rape. Sexual abuse continues to plague Arab and Muslim American communities, as it does all communities, because like any form of abuse, it doesn’t discriminate. Cultural traditions that emphasize collectivism, where the institution of the family takes precedence over the individual, have been reproduced…
Trigger warning: This article contains subject matter pertaining to childhood sexual abuse and rape. Anyone’s first, second, even third cousins are considered potential suitors if you were raised in some Middle Eastern households. This does not particularly fall under “Islamic” practices only. Other religions, cultures, and upbringings practice this notion too. One must wonder why…
Believe it, or not, all of this happened in the U.S. It started when I was 13. I was no longer going to school due to cultural beliefs that girls should not attend school. I became engaged and married a year later. The reasoning? “Females will do bad things!” “Inappropriate things!” A sick, and misinformed…
By lunaazzureDisclaimer: This post may be triggering for some, and includes details of suicide and sexual assault. I remember watching TED talks, and reading articles about women who had forgiven their rapists. The comments seem to be quite similar, all along the lines of “She’s so inspirational“, and “How brave of her.” I wished I could…
By Rabhi Bisla*Trigger Warning: Rape/sexual assault* At a time when #WhyIDidntReport is trending all over social media, more celebrities are coming forward with the hardest moments of their lives…and even more women of color. Somehow, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford morphed into that 16 year-old girl, scared to death in front of us. She was trembling, holding onto…
By Hanan IssaIt’s the 22nd annual Memorial day for the genocide in Srebrenica this year on July 11. Last year Shahina Khatun, a journalist and presenter for Islam Channel U.K., made the incredible journey to Bosnia to learn more about the events of this not-too-distant history. What were your first impressions of Bosnia? Bosnia is a striking…
By maryam abdul-kareemI’ve imagined a land where Love can breathe, so inhale me these lovely dreams. Painted into reality, images only Love can see. I love Love for Love’s sake. I love Love for Allah’s sake. I love on maximum Pour wholeheartedly into whatever my Lord degrees to be I am the lover of Love It is…
By akhalilTrigger warning. This post has child sexual abuse content that may be triggering to some. Since April is National Child Abuse Prevention month, it is an important time to raise awareness in the Muslim community about child abuse, especially sexual abuse, which, unfortunately, is often a taboo topic. A little over a year ago, I…
By Guest BloggerWritten by Anonymous. Trigger Warning: Rape, Sexual Assault. Warning: There is strong adult language and explicit content in this article. — It wasn’t by choice. That liberty was taken from me. I always thought I had been pretty passive – a sweet pushover in high school. How I made my innocent way outside of that I’ll…
