As Muslim women, we are often taught the importance of fulfilling our roles as devoted wives, striving to be the perfect partners for our spouses. We are led to believe that we must diligently carry out every duty from the moment we say, “I accept.” This notion is usually inherited from our mothers, who pass…
Tag sex
There Is a Reason Islam Prohibits Women From Having Sex While on Their Period
Many know that sex in the Islamic faith is impermissible while a woman is menstruating. But Muslims aren’t the only ones to observe this practice. In Judaism and Hinduism, women do not engage in sexual intercourse while menstruating. In some Judaic and Hindu practices, women are not even allowed to sleep in the same bed…
I Am 25 Years Old and Still a Virgin
I am 25 years old and still a virgin. In the West, many people would be shocked. I am way past the average age that people lose their virginity. For Muslims, it may not be a shock but rather a norm. Many Muslims honor the jurisdiction that sexual activity is an act reserved for married…
Normalize Muslim Girls and Women Talking and Asking About Sex
Exactly one day before my 11th birthday, I got my period. Here’s what I found out when I learned what a period was, and what it meant for me as a Muslim girl, other than its monthly occurrence. I couldn’t pray when I had my period. I couldn’t fast when I had my period, but…
This Is Why It’s Dangerous When Families Don’t Discuss Taboo Topics Like Periods and Sex
The Asian community tends to steer clear from discussing taboo subjects such as sex and periods in family households. It’s so hush-hush that it’s almost like these topics don’t exist, and because of this, there is a lack of communication between parents and teenagers, causing a barrier. It can only be expected when impressionable youth…
Dear Arab Sisters: Our Current Understanding of Sex Limits Us
Editor’s note: The views expressed here are those of the author. Author’s note: This letter is a brief introduction to my analysis of how sexuality is represented in Arab culture. It is meant to serve as a conversation starter. I want to emphasize my letter regards the sexual repression of Arab women in Arab culture. This is not…
The Sexual (Mis)Education of a Muslim Girl
One of my earliest memories was of mama pulling me behind a curtain so that I could change my soiled tights. I was very young and bewildered as to why I couldn’t just make the clothing swap in the living room so I wouldn’t miss out on the Pokemon episode I was watching with my…
Here’s Why It’s Never Too Early to Have “The Talk” With Your Kids
In the second article of this 4-part mini-series, Florida-based superwoman Nida Siddiq narrates a no holds barred chat about challenging taboos when it comes to her young kids. A few days ago, my daughter brought home the family life/human sexuality consent form from school. I didn’t hesitate to give my consent for her to take the class….
#MGAnon: Can We Talk About Sex, Please?
Welcome to #MuslimGirlAnon, your one-stop spot for all the advice you could need! Every week, we crowd-source the very best advice our #MGClique has to offer about issues plaguing our girl gang. Need some advice? Write to editorial@muslim-girl-2021-production.mystagingwebsite.com, and we may just feature you! Q: “Dear Muslim Girl, I need your help! I don’t want…
This is Why We Don’t Have to Subscribe to Sexual Extremes
Being a Muslim-American, just like being a part of any minority community, comes with its own set of unique experiences and expectations. The aspects of the Muslim-American experience that I don’t think are discussed nearly enough, considering just how much they affect our daily lives, are the warring sexual extremes that actively define Muslim and…
Talking to Your Children About Bodies, Gender, and Transgender Identities
New York, NY — Planned Parenthood Federation of America has launched the first set of videos in a new series for parents, and caregivers on how to talk about topics related to bodies, sex, and relationships in developmentally appropriate ways with preschool, elementary, and middle school-aged children. The first three videos, which were released this week, are for parents and caregivers…
Am I A Baby Factory?
We are constantly told, by way of culture or Bollywood, that we need to get good grades so we can go to college, graduate and get a good job and somehow also find a husband who we will spend the rest of our lives with, and create a family. We have to be cut-throat careerists,…
How Period Shaming Leads to Painful Outcomes for Muslim Women
I was visiting my grandparents abroad in Pakistan, when my khala (aunt) who lived in Pakistan approached me in private. She asked me what I knew about periods. My khala is ten years younger then my mom and has always been considered my “cool” aunt; the one who would take me to get my second…