It appears the sexual education curriculum controversy refuses to die. On the first day of school nearly 700 hundred children were kept out of Thorncliffe Park Public School (almost half their population) and their parents have vowed to keep their children out of school until the new sex-ed curriculum is changed. However, I urge theseContinue reading “Denying Children Sexual Education is Risky”
Author Archives: Sobia A-F
Welcome Back!
It turns out that I ended up taking the summer off. I had planned on writing all summer, but took an extended vacation instead and it felt GOOD. Welcome back to me and to all!
When Fasting Is Not For God
Reposted from Muslimah Media Watch. The writer of this post wishes to remain anonymous. Trigger warning: This post contains discussions of body image and disordered eating. The first Ramadan that I fasted, I was struck by how easy I found it. This was not exactly a good thing. I had struggled with control issues aroundContinue reading “When Fasting Is Not For God”
Ramadan Mubarak
This is one day late (sorry!) but RAMADAN MUBARAK everyone! May this Ramadan bring lots of blessings, happiness, health, and peace to everyone, fasting or not, practicing or not, insha’Allah. Insha’Allah, this month I hope to engage in more self-care – physical, mental, and spiritual. And in the spirit of self-care I will be tryingContinue reading “Ramadan Mubarak”
Modesty Discourse, Women, and Bodily Entitlement
Dear fellow Muslims, I am TIRED. Tired, tired, tired. Actually, sick and tired, of the modesty discourse within our Muslim communities. Like, very effing tired of it. It is dehumanizing, it is objectifying, and it is dangerous for women. And I need to rant. But before I move on, I want to clarify two points.Continue reading “Modesty Discourse, Women, and Bodily Entitlement”
Muslim Women and Mental Health – Part 2
A few days ago I posted a conversation between Muslim women on the issue of Muslim women and mental health. If you haven’t had a chance to watch/listen to it please do. After watching the conservation I had a few thoughts of my own, on the issue of Muslim women and mental health, that IContinue reading “Muslim Women and Mental Health – Part 2”
Muslim Women and Mental Health – Part 1
I just watched this great conversation on Muslim women and mental health hosted by Our Voices. If you’re interested in the topic I encourage you to watch this video. It’s a great conversation between Dr. Rukhsana Chaudhry, Nadiah Mohajir, and Naaila Moumaris-Clay, and facilitated by Na’Aisha Malika B.
On Consent and Coercion
The following is written by someone who would like to remain anonymous. Thank you for sharing. The pressure to get married can be intense. I come from a culture in which early 20s is the ideal time to get married. I rarely felt any pressure to get married at that time, however, as I wasContinue reading “On Consent and Coercion”
My Eighth Summer
This conversation is too important not to have so I’m sharing this brave post. For too long such issues have been brushed under the rug in our communities but we need to talk about it. Thank you to the brilliant and brave author. Cross-posted from Muslim Sistah. (Note: Trigger warning) Once upon a time, weContinue reading “My Eighth Summer”
Headscarves and Hymens
If you get a chance please check out this roundtable discussion between the women of Muslimah Media Watch (MMW) on Mona Eltahawy’s new book Headscarves and Hymens: Why the Middle East Needs a Sexual Revolution. I have to admit that when it comes to Mona Eltahawy, I agree with the women of MMW.
