Two Saudi women are competing. Although it hasn't been easy for them. One lives in the USA, the other has to train in private. And they're getting hate mail for even competing.
Afghanistan has a female sprinter. So does Brunei. The female shooter from Qatar carried the flag.
It's about time more women from the Islamic world competed in sports. There is no reason for them not to! Many of these women follow Islamic dress codes when they compete, so why do so many Muslim men want to stop them?
Showing posts with label women. Show all posts
Showing posts with label women. Show all posts
Friday, August 3, 2012
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Women's News December 20, 2011
Slide show and article on women in the Muslim Brotherhood.
A cute article about Coaching Women's Basketball in Qatar.
Female drivers in Kabul, Afghanistan, and why we should listen to Afghan women.
A cute article about Coaching Women's Basketball in Qatar.
Female drivers in Kabul, Afghanistan, and why we should listen to Afghan women.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
More Saudi Craziness
If it isn't bad enough that women have to cover their whole body in Saudi Arabia, now they may have to cover their eyes! Apparently some women have "tempting" eyes and the religious police in Ha'il may force them to cover those eyes.
I have an idea. Maybe the men of Ha'il should learn to control themselves. Or if looking at a woman's eyes is enough to cause them discomfort, maybe they should wear blindfolds. Perhaps one day the Kingdom will enter the 20th century (I've given up on the 21st).
I have an idea. Maybe the men of Ha'il should learn to control themselves. Or if looking at a woman's eyes is enough to cause them discomfort, maybe they should wear blindfolds. Perhaps one day the Kingdom will enter the 20th century (I've given up on the 21st).
Friday, November 18, 2011
Lingerie Shops in Saudia Arabia
Apparently they do exist. And the Kingdom has decided that only women should work or shop in those stores. The shops will be exclusively female, and should have mostly Saudi workers in them. This law takes effect at the beginning of 2012.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Women's News November 3, 2011
Women in Tunisia are demonstrating for women's rights. They are concerned because an Islamist party won the election.
Apparently there are few women pictured in advertisements in Jerusalem. A group is trying to change that by hanging up posters of volunteer women. The group thinks that advertisers are self-censoring ads because they're worried the ultra-Orthodox Jews will complain and cause problems.
You may remember the Iranian women's soccer team had to forfeit their Olympic bid because FIFA would not let them wear headscarves. It looks like FIFA has finally changed its mind and will now allow women to wear headscarves.
Apparently there are few women pictured in advertisements in Jerusalem. A group is trying to change that by hanging up posters of volunteer women. The group thinks that advertisers are self-censoring ads because they're worried the ultra-Orthodox Jews will complain and cause problems.
You may remember the Iranian women's soccer team had to forfeit their Olympic bid because FIFA would not let them wear headscarves. It looks like FIFA has finally changed its mind and will now allow women to wear headscarves.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Women's News October 15, 2011: Update
The Iranian actress sentenced to 90 lashes and a year in jail has been released. Her sentenced was reduced to the 3 months she has already spent in prison.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Women's News October 15, 2011
An Iranian actress, who appeared in a movie criticizing Iran, may get a year in jail and 90 lashes. The movie is also banned in Iran.
Nice opinion column by a female Saudi journalist, on The role of women in the Shoura Council.
Information about female genital mutilation. Several Islamic countries have issued fatwas banning it.
Nice opinion column by a female Saudi journalist, on The role of women in the Shoura Council.
Information about female genital mutilation. Several Islamic countries have issued fatwas banning it.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Women's News October 3, 2011
Women in the eastern Turkish province of Van are committing suicide. There have been 22 deaths so far in 2011. Women's associations are very alarmed and worried about reports of incest. And some of the deaths may not be suicides, but homicides. Most of these women were only 18 or 19 years old.
Bahrain has 3 newly elected women MPs, bringing the total up to 4 out of 40 in Parliament, and 11 out of 40 in the Shura council. This is a big step for female equality: 10% of Parliament and 27% of Shura.
Bahrain has 3 newly elected women MPs, bringing the total up to 4 out of 40 in Parliament, and 11 out of 40 in the Shura council. This is a big step for female equality: 10% of Parliament and 27% of Shura.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Saudi Arabia Craziness: Update I
Remember the Saudi woman sentenced to 10 lashes? King Abdullah has decided to overturn that sentence. Maybe one day women will be able to freely drive in Saudi Arabia.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Saudi Arabia Craziness
At first I was excited because the King decided to allow women to vote! How 21st century of him. They can even run for office. And even join the Shura council. Of course, this doesn't start until 2015, so there's plenty of time to backtrack on it.
So first I'm excited, then disappointed. Because a woman has been sentenced to 10 lashes with a whip, for breaking the law - the driving law! I guess if a woman can drive on her own, then it's harder to keep an eye on her. And we all know that if you don't keep an eye on a woman, she'll get into all sorts of trouble (yes, this is sarcasm).
So first I'm excited, then disappointed. Because a woman has been sentenced to 10 lashes with a whip, for breaking the law - the driving law! I guess if a woman can drive on her own, then it's harder to keep an eye on her. And we all know that if you don't keep an eye on a woman, she'll get into all sorts of trouble (yes, this is sarcasm).
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Women's News September 7, 2011
Several articles out of Jordan:
A Jordanian woman was killed by her father after she gave birth in the hospital. He killed her because she was a widow, and therefore shouldn't have been pregnant. Yes, honor killings still happen.
A Bangladeshi woman is accusing her boss of rape, at a garment plant in Jordan. He is claiming that she's lying, and a company director said it's a plot to send jobs to America.
Some female Nobel Laureates are asking the president of South Africa to appoint a different chief justice of the Constitutional Court. They say his current pick would be bad for women, citing his rulings in rape cases.
It's very disturbing to see how many parts of the world still don't see women as equals. And I specifically mean that in regards to rape. Even in the United States, there is a stigma attached to rape, and women who have been raped may feel like they did something wrong.
If I am robbed and beaten up while walking home, everyone is on my side, and I can talk about it. But if a women is raped while walking home, she may be too ashamed to mention it. And if she does, some people will blame her for not taking better precautions or for wearing the wrong clothes. In some countries she could even face death from an honor killing, because she had sex before marriage - even though it's rape! At some point, men must realize that their honor is not tied to a woman's sexuality. Maybe then women will be equal to men.
A Jordanian woman was killed by her father after she gave birth in the hospital. He killed her because she was a widow, and therefore shouldn't have been pregnant. Yes, honor killings still happen.
A Bangladeshi woman is accusing her boss of rape, at a garment plant in Jordan. He is claiming that she's lying, and a company director said it's a plot to send jobs to America.
Some female Nobel Laureates are asking the president of South Africa to appoint a different chief justice of the Constitutional Court. They say his current pick would be bad for women, citing his rulings in rape cases.
It's very disturbing to see how many parts of the world still don't see women as equals. And I specifically mean that in regards to rape. Even in the United States, there is a stigma attached to rape, and women who have been raped may feel like they did something wrong.
If I am robbed and beaten up while walking home, everyone is on my side, and I can talk about it. But if a women is raped while walking home, she may be too ashamed to mention it. And if she does, some people will blame her for not taking better precautions or for wearing the wrong clothes. In some countries she could even face death from an honor killing, because she had sex before marriage - even though it's rape! At some point, men must realize that their honor is not tied to a woman's sexuality. Maybe then women will be equal to men.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Women's News August 25, 2011
More problems with women being forced to work in the Middle East. See previous posts. This time the woman was from Madagascar. She spent 15 years as basically a slave in Lebanon, before a welfare agency tracked her down. And for anybody out there who thinks this is a Middle Eastern problem, or a problem for "dark-skinned" people, it even happens in the United States of America (see report).
A Muslim woman is suing retailer Abercrombie & Fitch. She claims she was fired because she wouldn't take off her hijab at work. Another Muslim woman filed a lawsuit against them in 2009, for a similar reason.
In July, several women reporters had to remove their bras for a security check, so they could meet with the Israeli prime minister. The Foreign Press Association (FPA) denounced the incident. The same thing happened to a pregnant Al-Jazeera reporter in January. The FPA is concerned about sending correspondents to events where this could happen to them. Unfortunately, that may be precisely why it is happening. It's degrading and humiliating but if you give in to it, then they've won. Maybe at the next press event, the reporters should ALL be women.
A Muslim woman is suing retailer Abercrombie & Fitch. She claims she was fired because she wouldn't take off her hijab at work. Another Muslim woman filed a lawsuit against them in 2009, for a similar reason.
In July, several women reporters had to remove their bras for a security check, so they could meet with the Israeli prime minister. The Foreign Press Association (FPA) denounced the incident. The same thing happened to a pregnant Al-Jazeera reporter in January. The FPA is concerned about sending correspondents to events where this could happen to them. Unfortunately, that may be precisely why it is happening. It's degrading and humiliating but if you give in to it, then they've won. Maybe at the next press event, the reporters should ALL be women.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Anti-Muslim Law in Australia
Anti-Muslim prejudice is on the move again, this time to Australia. The state of New South Wales wants to pass a law requiring a Muslim woman to show her face to police, when requested. If she doesn't, there's a $5,500 fine (AUD) and a year in jail.
Great. So much for religious freedom in Australia. This is the same old tune that other countries have used: "it's for security" or "it's because women are forced to wear a veil." There are very few woman in Australia who wear a niqab or other face covering, and while some of those may be forced, it wouldn't surprise me if most of them were not. And if you are wearing a niqab for religious reasons, then showing your face to some random policeman is going to be very distressing. To use an analogy, how would you feel if a policeman pulled your wife over for speeding, then asked her to take off her blouse. I know some of you think that's a bad analogy (it has some faults) but for some Muslim women I've met, the idea of letting a man see their face is about on par with that. And who are we to force them to act differently?
Great. So much for religious freedom in Australia. This is the same old tune that other countries have used: "it's for security" or "it's because women are forced to wear a veil." There are very few woman in Australia who wear a niqab or other face covering, and while some of those may be forced, it wouldn't surprise me if most of them were not. And if you are wearing a niqab for religious reasons, then showing your face to some random policeman is going to be very distressing. To use an analogy, how would you feel if a policeman pulled your wife over for speeding, then asked her to take off her blouse. I know some of you think that's a bad analogy (it has some faults) but for some Muslim women I've met, the idea of letting a man see their face is about on par with that. And who are we to force them to act differently?
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Women's News June 24, 2011 - UPDATE
The American Muslim woman weightlifter who wanted to compete in hijab has won her appeal. The International Weighlifting Federation decided than she can compete in hijab and full unitard.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Women's News June 24, 2011
I've posted before about the plight of Asian workers in the Middle East (and elsewhere) who are mistreated. You may remember that Saudi Arabia has really had some problems with mistreating house maids. Well, now they've executed a house maid from Indonesia, who killed her abusive employer. Indonesia is livid and recalled their ambassador, because they were not informed, and have decided not to allow any more workers to go to Saudi Arabia. The suspension starts August 1st. There are currently 28 Indonesians on death row in Saudi Arabia.
The Women2Drive campaign is under way in Saudi Arabia. Women are driving and posting photos of it online. You can support them at their Facebook page.
The first woman priest in the Middle East was ordained in Bahrain this month. She's an Anglican who used to work in Yemen, but is currently posted in Dubai. Apparently Bahrain is the "cathedral of the Gulf," which is why the ceremony was there.
The Women2Drive campaign is under way in Saudi Arabia. Women are driving and posting photos of it online. You can support them at their Facebook page.
The first woman priest in the Middle East was ordained in Bahrain this month. She's an Anglican who used to work in Yemen, but is currently posted in Dubai. Apparently Bahrain is the "cathedral of the Gulf," which is why the ceremony was there.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Women's News June 14, 2011
Quite a bit has been happening lately.
Bahraini woman Ayat al-Qurmezi has been sentenced to jail time for writing and reading poetry that "incited hatred against the regime."
A Kuwaiti woman who burned down her husband's wedding tent when he tried to marry a second wife, which killed 57 women and children, has been sentenced to death.
A Pakistani-American who became a weight-lifter is trying to get permission to compete in the hijab. Weight-lifters usually wear form-fitting clothing, but she can't, for religious reasons.
In a previous post I discussed how Muslim women are trying to compete in beauty pageants and I mentioned Miss Turkey and a woman who hopes to be Miss UK. I just wanted to point out that the current Miss USA is a Muslim woman originally from Lebanon.
Bahraini woman Ayat al-Qurmezi has been sentenced to jail time for writing and reading poetry that "incited hatred against the regime."
A Kuwaiti woman who burned down her husband's wedding tent when he tried to marry a second wife, which killed 57 women and children, has been sentenced to death.
A Pakistani-American who became a weight-lifter is trying to get permission to compete in the hijab. Weight-lifters usually wear form-fitting clothing, but she can't, for religious reasons.
In a previous post I discussed how Muslim women are trying to compete in beauty pageants and I mentioned Miss Turkey and a woman who hopes to be Miss UK. I just wanted to point out that the current Miss USA is a Muslim woman originally from Lebanon.
Women's News May 23, 2011 - UPDATE
One of the articles I linked to was about a lesbian woman from Syria and her blog, called A Gay Girl in Damascus. As is often the way of the Internet, it's a fake. The real blogger is 40, American, male, and lives in Scotland. Personally, I'm really let down by this. The man claims he was trying to raise awareness for the Middle East, but in the process he's hurt the LGBT community. Now the next homosexual Middle East blogger will be treated with much more suspicion and people will wonder if it's really that bad over there.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Women's News May 23, 2011
Just a short one for today.
A Saudi woman who posted video of herself driving has been arrested. Actually, re-arrested. And the Facebook page for women driving in the Kingdom and a Twitter account, are both gone. A few other women who dared to drive were also arrested. I guess if women are allowed to drive then you simply won't be able to keep an eye on them all the time. And who knows what those crazy women might get up to without a man to control their every move! (sarcasm)
A Syrian-American women in Damascus, who is also a lesbian, has started a blog about her experiences. She was in hiding from the police for a while, and may still be in hiding. You can read her blog here: A Gay Girl in Damascus.
Good Luck to all of these women!
A Saudi woman who posted video of herself driving has been arrested. Actually, re-arrested. And the Facebook page for women driving in the Kingdom and a Twitter account, are both gone. A few other women who dared to drive were also arrested. I guess if women are allowed to drive then you simply won't be able to keep an eye on them all the time. And who knows what those crazy women might get up to without a man to control their every move! (sarcasm)
A Syrian-American women in Damascus, who is also a lesbian, has started a blog about her experiences. She was in hiding from the police for a while, and may still be in hiding. You can read her blog here: A Gay Girl in Damascus.
Good Luck to all of these women!
Monday, April 25, 2011
Women's News April 25, 2011
A Muslim woman may be representing the UK in the Miss Universe contest. And she's getting some flack for doing it too. Here are some comments condemning and supporting her.
What I find ironic, is compare those Muslim reactions in the UK to this American commercial featuring Miss Turkey. It wouldn't surprise me if many Americans were confused by this, because they think of Turkey as a Muslim country, whereas it's really more of a secular country.
Neat article about Emirati women at a university in Sharjah (UAE) who attended a conference discussing all sorts of topics that you don't think would normally be discussed: mental health, suicide, divorce, substance abuse, etc.
What I find ironic, is compare those Muslim reactions in the UK to this American commercial featuring Miss Turkey. It wouldn't surprise me if many Americans were confused by this, because they think of Turkey as a Muslim country, whereas it's really more of a secular country.
Neat article about Emirati women at a university in Sharjah (UAE) who attended a conference discussing all sorts of topics that you don't think would normally be discussed: mental health, suicide, divorce, substance abuse, etc.
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