Fatima Bahloul, Associate Editor of Altmuslimah, writes:

Of the many words commonly associated with Muslims in the media, “fashion” is certainly not one of them. Yet every year in Malaysia’s booming capital, Kuala Lumpur, some of the world’s most popular Muslim designers team with models to showcase their latest fashions. The 2007 Muslim Fashion Festival at the Malaysian International Fashion Week 2007 was no exception. Highlighting the grace, style, and beauty of modest Muslim wear, the festival brought together a diverse panel of fashion designers committed to the art of fashionable, religious self-expression. Pioneers in the world of Muslim fashion, some of the many designers present at the festival were Sohail Abbasi, Feny Mustafa, and Rukhsana Marian. On display were their creative interpretations of both women and men’s fashions fit to meet the needs of the time and express the essence of their religious beliefs. Vibrant, radiant, and stunning, the fashions captured an undiscovered side of Muslim life: style. Contrary to the monotonous displays of religious attire found in popular media, these models revealed the intricate blends of cultural and spiritual style found throughout the Muslim world. On this stage, neither form nor function was missing. Instead, the designers and models created a skillful fusion of beauty and purpose natural to the rich traditions of Islamic art and design.

About Altmuslimah's Photographic Campaign:

The purpose of Altmuslimah's visual campaign is to present Muslim men and women multi-dimensionally, figuratively speaking. The collection highlights the literary contributions of empowered Muslim American women; telling portraits of tenacious Muslim females, young and old; warm, loving Muslim men; the purity of spiritual devotion; and the dynamics of positive gender interaction in Islam.

Altmuslimah would also like to help spread the message by offering the embed link to other sites interested in featuring our photos. If you are a blogger or run a web magazine or other website, and are interested in supporting this mission to change the dominant image of Muslim men and women, please contact us at asma.uddin(at)altmuslimah.com.