Omenya Ayad's arguments in her article, “Women Leading Men's Prayer: Defying Inequality or Proving Insecurity,” are seriously flawed. (1 comment)

The show Big Love has also added to the popular imagination about polygamous households. While the Mormon Fundamentalists were in the national spotlight, Muslims have quietly practiced polygyny in America. Barbara Hagerty writes, “No one knows how many Muslims in the U.S. live in polygamous families. But according to academics researching the issue, estimates range from 50,000 to 100,000 people” (Zero comments)

The debate is on! Two articles are up on Altmuslimah, each taking one of two sides on this controversial contemporary issue – should Muslim-Americans support same-sex marriage or not? (Zero comments)

The Dar ul-Ulum at Deoband, India’s largest and most influential madrasa, recently issued a fatwa declaring that appointing a woman as a judge was ‘near haram’, or, in other words, reprehensible. (1 comment)

Every time news about another hijab/niqab/burqa ban hits the press, editors rejoice: this is their chance to coin THE ultimate veil pun. Problem is, there's simply no such thing as a good veil pun. (Zero comments)

Whatever crushes individuality is despotism, by whatever name it may be called and whether it professes to be enforcing the will of God or the injunctions of men.- John Stuart Mill (3 comments)

I remember the day that I first fell in love. I was thirteen, and the film Grease was playing on TV. And there he was. Cool, trendy, good looking and ready to do anything for his girl. He was of course John Travolta, and I had no doubt that he would turn up on my doorstep and ask me to marry him. Things didn’t quite work out like that - he went on to become a scientologist, and I set off on my own quest for love. (Zero comments)

This month, the Claremont School of Theology launched the University Project, which will include a graduate program for Muslim American clergy, to be added to existing Jewish and Christian divinity degree programs. (Zero comments)

Alvi’s audition video is among 5,000 other online videos. In addition to these videos, there were in-person casting calls that took place last weekend, resulting in an added number of people competing for a place as the top ten finalists who will appear on, “Your OWN Show.” (Zero comments)

The phenomenon of Twilight is more than just a guilty pleasure. It could be a response to fill a void in the hearts of many women. As Eclipse, part 3 in the Twilight movie series approaches, women are ready to become infatuated again with the male characters of the movie. From tweens to grandmothers, it gets the heart pumping; it gives the young hope for what to look for in a man, and for the old, it reminds them of their first loves and of their youth. Aside from the obvious craziness of vampires and werewolves, Author Stephanie Meyers reintroduces the ideas of chivalry and chastity to mainstream America. (3 comments)

Last Friday, a Canadian born Muslim author was the first to lead a mixed congregational prayer in Britain. (Zero comments)

Once upon a time, Fareed, a tall, dark, and handsome duke of Bangladeshi descent, and Laila, a fair damsel of Eastern European Circassian blood, decided to get married. Having finally found life partners in one another, they embodied all the metaphors and symbols that stand for wedded bliss: white doves, harps and violins, red roses, and a pumpkin that not only turned into a carriage, but remained one even after the stroke of midnight (6 comments)

I always find it disturbing nowadays when I hear someone, female or male, say, “Be a man.” It is an expression that is not only commonly used in our language, but also rarely confronted (8 comments)

I remembered struggling to make sense of what was happening. I was here, it was real. It was more real than it was before. (Zero comments)

In 1986 I was blessed with breath, Biracial birth bread beauty y borders, Black hair, black eyes brown pride resides birthed from my insides... (Zero comments)

Reema Bint Bandar Al Saud is an Arabian princess with an entrepreneurial streak. As president and CEO of ALFA International and AL HAMA LLC, two leading luxury retail corporations in her native Saudi Arabia, and cofounder of Yibreen, a women's day spa in Riyadh, she is eager to defy the misconception that Saudi women are unsophisticated consumers who will buy any product put in front of them. (Zero comments)

There is a right way and a wrong way to get to know someone for marriage. The wrong way is to get caught up in the excitement and nuance of a budding relationship and in the process completely forget to ask the critical questions that help determine compatibility. (Zero comments)

I’m quite frankly nauseated of the constant hypocritical chatter about the face veil aka niqab. This cause du jour should really be sold for what it truly is and not some foolish attempt at equating dress to women’s rights. (2 comments)

After years of stymied efforts, reform in Saudi Arabia is focused on women's rights. (Zero comments)

9:26pm on Friday, April 23, 2010 is a night that will remain in the forefront of my consciousness for the rest of my life. The front part of my brain devoted to memory has a visual stamp of this night, when my limbs let loose and all I could do was close my eyes for reprieve. (2 comments)

Today my text and email inboxes, Facebook newsfeed, and Twitterfeed are filled with the eerily but understandably similar subject line reading “First Arab-American Crowned Miss USA!” (2 comments)

For some Muslim 20 and 30-somethings, Friday nights mean staying in, ordering pizza, and discussing how the current socio-political climate is affecting our daily lives and even futures. And while we find ourselves generally stressed about the entire situation, and fear things like getting fired for praying at work, or wearing hijab, or just having a Muslim name- sometimes we just have to step out and realize the ridiculousness of the predicament that so many of us are in. (4 comments)

Anyone who’s heard of Jessica Simpson knows that she’s not portrayed in the best manner when it comes to the media. Criticisms about her weight and failed relationships are constantly on top of entertainment news. For this reason, Jessica Simpson now has her own show on VH1, called The Price of Beauty, where she travels around the world to experience different cultures and understand the true meaning of beauty. In the most recent episode, Jessica traveled to Morocco, where she became familiar with the Moroccan jalaba and tea tray dancing, among other things. (Zero comments)

When I heard that Queen Rania of Jordan appeared on The Oprah Show not too long ago, I was a bit skeptical. Don’t get me wrong–there isn’t much to dislike about Queen Rania. Oprah said it herself: Queen Rania is a “gorgeous mother of four” and “international fashion icon” whose mission is to “make the world a better place for women and children.” (1 comment)

Le Monde, France 24 and Le Nouvel Observateur covered Franco-Moroccan artist Majida Khattari’s Parisian runway show/art exhibit in April. Her show was titled “VIP” (for Voile islamique parisien) and took place at Paris’ Cité Universitaire. The show was atypical of Parisian shows in its choice of subject: a series of veils. (Zero comments)

The traditions rooted in beliefs about modesty and possession aren't going to change because someone wrote an ordinance about acceptable clothing. (Zero comments)

I am not naive to think that this process of change will proceed quickly, or will not suffer from set backs. But change is happening - driven by courageous Muslim women and men who are fighting back against narrow, restrictive interpretations of their religion that prevent a full role for women in society (Zero comments)

My checking off the headcovering question on the matchmaker's questionnaire made the search more interesting, but not necessarily more efficient. (Zero comments)

Nadiah Mohajir has made a compelling case for why Muslim schools should offer sex education for their youth to avoid unfortunate misunderstandings and problems. But the question is – how can we do this? Is the syllabus really good enough to address these problems? As a teacher and a parent, I had my own concerns with the issue of sex education in Great Britain, and wonder how it can be incorporated into Islamic education. (5 comments)

My mom is an adult woman who is capable of making her own decision. I am not her guardian. I simply reject this notion. (1 comment)

There is no one way to define who a Muslim woman is and what she can achieve while holding on to her identity. Much can be learned from talking to Muslim women and listening to their stories. (2 comments)

Why does Valentine’s Day spark such contentious debate among American Muslims across blogs and social networking sites? What underlying emotional buttons does this commercialized cultural holiday push among American Muslims? While other holidays, such as Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, generate a few tired and tepid discussions centered around the idea that “everyday should be Mother’s and Father’s Day,” Valentine’s Day, like the very concept of romantic love it celebrates, generates much more passionate responses. These debates touch on many topics including what love means or should mean to Muslims, the relationship between culture and religion, and the current state of romantic relationships among Muslims. (1 comment)

By historical account, being a Muslim female meant being virtuous, loving, knowledgeable, and empowered by her faith. Well it’s centuries later and although we cite to the legacy of Islam, we fail to live up to it or keep the legacy alive. (1 comment)

In addition to bridging cultural and socioeconomic gaps, the American International School System in Pakistan acts as an experimental model and incubator by incorporating some of the education reform principles advocated by grassroots organizations, education specialists and writers, and governmental agencies like the Ministry of Education. (2 comments)

The infamy of Islamist terrorism over the past decade has created an image of the Muslim man as intrinsically prone to violent behavior, even if directed toward the self rather than the other. The image of the angry, flag-burning, chanting Muslim man has come to symbolize male violence. However the photos fail to explain that, firstly, the anger, in many instances, is justified, secondly, that the chants rarely spill over into to physical violence, and thirdly that violence is not exclusive to Muslim men. (5 comments)

The question, which we all should consider now is why Al-Azhar scholars are not obeyed by the public any more? The simple and direct answer to this very complicated question is because Al-Azhar lost its credibility in the eyes of Egyptians. (5 comments)

Understanding the purpose and reasoning behind abaya is not something a Muslim girl learns the day she is born. For many, like myself, it was a slow and steady journey; one that required much research and reflection. (4 comments)

By instituting a physical separation as the vessel for modesty-management the responsibility for modesty is devolved to the physical partition rather than necessarily imbuing the men and women with the social graces of modesty and respect in the way that they interact with each other. (7 comments)

While author Dave Eggers gives readers a lot of insight into what Kathy Zeitoun faces and her incredible character and spirit, there really has been little attention given to her following the book Zeitoun's release. This lack of interest is a part of a larger problematic trend when it comes to highlighting the power of Muslim women in effecting change and being change agents in their respective societies. (6 comments)

Western feminists should not assume everyone's struggle mirrors their own – their obsession with the burqa has a patronising whiff. (Zero comments)

It makes me really sad, that we fast the entire month, strive for excellence in behavior and worship, but come the day of Eid, we miss out on one of the most significant aspects of our religion. (Zero comments)

even though I was not; born there and my ancestors; are not from Iraq; I am walking to Karbala; every day of my life (Zero comments)

Several significant cases in the past five years, though substantively unrelated, have nonetheless sent a unified, clear signal to Muslim women who would consider seeking justice through the German legal system: you will find no support or safety here. (Zero comments)

“Divorce is on the rise in the Muslim community,” said Imam Mohamed Magid. “We have seen an increase in divorce from people married for a while and those married for a short time,” he said, adding that Muslims across the board are getting divorced in higher numbers. (7 comments)

As a special gift for my 42nd birthday I met two awe-inspiring women in Kuala Lumpur. We were in the Malaysian capital to attend the second gathering of WISE – Women’s Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equality, a program aimed at improving the status of Muslim women around the world. (Zero comments)

Whenever I encounter Asra Nomani’s works or see her in an interview, I usually wonder,“What is her point?” I don’t say this derisively. Is she trying to speak about gender inequality among the ummah? Is she trying to deal with gender norms in her own South Asian community? (2 comments)

Shadi Sadr's arrest represents a severe blow to the Iranian women’s movement, an important element of the pro-democracy cause in Iran and one of the leading tides in the overall reformist movement. (Zero comments)

The same ideas of putting marriage before career are honed into the heads of each new generation of women by women of earlier generations. As long as women don’t speak out, the problem will not stop, and women will continue to follow the path defined for them by society. (Zero comments)

High Fashion, Oscar Wilde once said, "is a form of ugliness so unbearable that we are compelled to alter it every six months." Western women are slaves of fashion. Muslims, meanwhile, answer first to God. (6 comments)

We are citizens of this land and as a religious minority we need to figure out how the secular law accommodates our needs. If secular law fails to our religious requirements, then the effort should be focused towards modifying secular law to accommodate our needs and the needs of other religious minorities we are ethically, morally and socially aligned with. (1 comment)

Life lessons can be richly taken from the verite style documentary, The Mosque in Morgantown, but they go way beyond the subject matter of Muslim identity. (Zero comments)

The Doha Debate on Muslim women's marriage rights succeeded in illustrating that marriage and female rights are complex issues that involve many aspects of culture, religion, social status, and society. (2 comments)

Is Michelle Obama a new brand marking every well-spoken woman in the world? Maybe those who are creating this brand assume Obama is an original Adidas, and these other women her Chinese copies. (2 comments)

An annual graduation reception in Arizona honoring sisters graduating high school level or above gives Muslimahs a prom-like outlet and inspires younger generations to reach for the educational stars. (4 comments)

A recently published article in The Guardian (UK) focuses on the achievements of Zahra Rahnavard, who happens to be the wife of a political opponent of Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmedinijad. Once again, an extraordinary woman is defined only by her connection to her husband. (3 comments)

Far too many of the hateful and misogynistic references in religious texts center around sex and its guilty attraction. Unsurprisingly, these appear to be reflective of a male-centric world view. (2 comments)

If Americans–and by extension, people in Western societies–can see gender equality as a fundamental value, but never have that principle conflict with tolerance for other cultures and religions, why is it different when discussing Muslim societies? (1 comment)

Some social scientific studies, such as a recent study by well-known Princeton psychologist, Dr. Susan Fiske, have been misleadingly used to promote the use of the hijab. Misrepresenting these studies - acknowledged by their authors to require further investigation - does little to serve such a cause, nor does it fairly portray the reality of Muslims (and non-Muslims) who choose to dress without it. (3 comments)