Tag Archives: muslim women

Today’s Lady News: Muslim Women Protest At Sex-Segregated Mosque

Jessica WakemanMarch 9, 2010 //
  • A group of Muslim women at the Islamic Center in Washington, D.C., risked arrest on Sunday when they staged a “pray-in” in the main area of the mosque, which is usually reserved for men. The all-female group of Muslims first tried to share the main area at a “pray-in” in February and this Sunday, they once again pushed themselves into the men-only prayer area. The mosque’s imam interrupted the prayer and police arrived minutes later. [AFP]
  • Gay and lesbian couples are at last allowed to legally marry in Washington, D.C. The District began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples last Tuesday. [Washington Post]
  • Blogger Dayo Olopade at The Root asks: Why are there so few black women politicians? [The Root]

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Dubai Company Creates Cosmetic Line For Muslim Women

Leonora EpsteinSeptember 17, 2009 //

There are many reasons why women look for cosmetics without this or that—maybe they’re vegans or maybe they’re very eco-conscious. Another reason? Religion.

For Muslim women, there’s apparently been a gap in the market, due to the lack of non-halal makeup. (Halal refers to the law forbidding, among other things, certain pork and animal products and alcohol.) That said, many Arab women already wear makeup — lots of it. We’re guessing that, perhaps, they’re not all so strict about conforming to Islamic law. Keep reading »

Today’s Lady News: No Burqas In The Swimming Pool!

Jessica WakemanAugust 13, 2009 //
  • An Islamic woman in France has accused local officials of religious discrimination after she was banned from wearing her “burqini,” a bathing suit that fully covers her arms, legs, and hair, in a local pool. Earlier this summer, French President Sarkozy announced that head-to-toe burqas were “not welcome” in the country. In this case, local officials said they forbid her body-covering garb for hygienic reasons. [Yahoo]

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French Parliament Debates Burqa Ban

Catherine StrawnJuly 8, 2009 //

Toward the end of last month, French President Nicolas Sarkozy addressed Parliament, stating his position on burqas. He said the face-covering, body-length Muslim veils are an unacceptable symbol of “enslavement,” and that it’s not a religious issue, but simply a “sign of the subjugation, of the submission, of women.”

This discussion has resulted in threats from Muslim groups outside of France, but Parliament hasn’t made a decision on the matter just yet. A committee held its first meeting today, and Jean-Francois Cope, the head of the governing conservative party UMP, suggested a two-stage ban of burqas. Meaning there would be “six months to a year of dialogue, explanation, and warnings” before the ban would go into effect. Keep reading »

Saudi Women Get Designer Abayas From John Galliano, Nina Ricci And More

Catherine StrawnJuly 1, 2009 //

Despite the fact that French President Nicolas Sarkozy proposed a ban on burqas in France last week, saying the body coverings imprison women, Paris held a fashion show showcasing specially made designer abayas, the black overgarments worn by some Muslim women. Keep reading »

Sarkozy Says Burqas Aren’t Welcome In France

Carrie WasterlainJune 22, 2009 //

President Nicholas Sarkozy stood before the French Parliament today and proposed a ban on burqas, garments that completely cover a woman and mask her face, in France. According to The New York Times, he stated: “We cannot accept in our country women imprisoned behind bars, cut off from social life, deprived of identity. That is not our idea of maintaining the dignity of women.” Keep reading »