Common Ground News Service

Being a Muslim Feminist: Yes, It Is Possible

Being a Muslim Feminist: Yes, It Is Possible

FATEMEH FAKHRAIE, CGNEWS: I see no contradiction in being both a Muslim and a feminist. Unfortunately, many other people do…

 Shelina Zahra Janmohamed

Stop Blaming Women, Start Blaming ‘Perverted’ Males

Stop Blaming Women, Start Blaming ‘Perverted’ Males

SHELINA ZAHRA JANMOHAMED: If you are a man from a society that isn’t Muslim, don’t look smug. There is plenty of oppression in all societies.

 The View From Fez

Speed Dating: Acceptable in Morocco?

Speed Dating: Acceptable in Morocco?

THE VIEW FROM FEZ: The lengthy (some would say tortuous) procedure that is marriage in Morocco is putting people off the institution. A radical solution has been suggested.

 American Bedu

My Perfect Abaya: Making a Statement

My Perfect Abaya: Making a Statement

AMERICAN BEDU: It’s got to be appropriate, practical and allow me to make a statement. Here is what my ideal abaya would look like.

 Ahmed-Al-Omran

Strands of Hair: Halal in Paris, Haram in Riyadh?

Strands of Hair: Halal in Paris, Haram in Riyadh?

AHMED AL OMRAN: The fallout from the ‘Marriott Foyer Incident’ continues. Is such debate an unnecessary diversion from the real issues facing the Kingdom?

 Common Ground News Service

Facebook Group Fights for Palestinian Women’s Rights

Facebook Group Fights for Palestinian Women’s Rights

NIDA TUMA, CGNEWS: A newly established group is using Facebook to try and generate genuine debate between Palestinian women at different ends of the political spectrum.

 Eman-Al-Nafjan

Saudi: The Fundamentalist Mindset that Halts Change

Saudi: The Fundamentalist Mindset that Halts Change

EMAN AL NAFJAN: In September the King announced women could vote in municipal elections. Conservatives are fighting a rearguard action.

 Tabsir

The Real Meaning Behind the Picture: Man’s Inhumanity to Woman

The Real Meaning Behind the Picture: Man’s Inhumanity to Woman

DANIEL M. VARISCO: It is a picture that has sent shockwaves around the world and provoked shame throughout Egyptian society.

 Eman-Al-Nafjan

A Boring and Petty Issue: Women Drivers in Saudi

A Boring and Petty Issue: Women Drivers in Saudi

EMAN AL NAFJAN: The to-ing and fro-ing has gone on for years. It’s about time we all acknowledged that it ranks very low in Saudi womens priorities.

 The View From Fez

PM Elect: No Islamic Dress Code for Moroccan Women

PM Elect: No Islamic Dress Code for Moroccan Women

THE VIEW FROM FEZ: The leading Islamic party’s announcement that it’s not interested in imposing a dress code on women has been welcomed.

 Juan Cole

Saudi Sorcery Execution: A Struggle for Power

Saudi Sorcery Execution: A Struggle for Power

JUAN COLE: The recent execution of a woman for practicing sorcery by Saudi authorities points to issues more complex than a simple narrative of ‘medieval’ Saudi theocracy.

 The View From Fez

Moroccan Women: What Real Change Has Been Secured?

Moroccan Women: What Real Change Has Been Secured?

SOUAD BELHORNA, THE VIEW FROM FEZ: Major advances in women’s rights have been won but lasting are these, what more needs to be done?

 Tabsir

Further Thoughts on Saudi Women/Autos/Virginity

Further Thoughts on Saudi Women/Autos/Virginity

MELODY MOEZZI, TABSIR: The storm that erupted following a Saudi cleric’s declaration regarding women, cars and virginity shows no sign of abating.

 Susie of Arabia

Mirror, Signal, Man-Oeuvre: Driving Claims Women’s Innocence – Saudi Cleric

Mirror, Signal, Man-Oeuvre: Driving Claims Women’s Innocence – Saudi Cleric

SUSIE OF ARABIA: Car manufacturers have been making absurd links between driving and sex for decades. They’ve been trumped however by a Saudi cleric.

 Rob L. Wagner

Deadly Blaze Throws Spotlight on Saudi Girls Schools

Deadly Blaze Throws Spotlight on Saudi Girls Schools

ROB L. WAGNER: A teacher, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said there are significant differences in safety features between boys and girls schools.

 The View From Fez

Of Women, Water and Sex: A Beautiful, Warm Film

Of Women, Water and Sex: A Beautiful, Warm Film

THE VIEW FROM FEZ: A recently released movie portrays the lives of rural Moroccan women in a humane, entertaining and funny way. See it…

 James M. Dorsey

One Woman Team: Saudi Evades Olympic Ban. But Only Just.

One Woman Team: Saudi Evades Olympic Ban. But Only Just.

JAMES M. DORSEY: It’s bound to cause a storm in the Kingdom but Malhas’s Olympic participation will help authorities avoid diplomatic embarrassment.

 Mondoweiss

“I am an Arab Woman of Color and We Come in all Shades of Anger. Beware.”

“I am an Arab Woman of Color and We Come in all Shades of Anger. Beware.”

ANNIE, MONDOWEISS: She is set to become a major star and is a woman of great courage, strength and eloquence. But it’s an eloquence infused with anger.

 Susie of Arabia

One Saudi Woman Drives Badly So That Means…

One Saudi Woman Drives Badly So That Means…

SUSIE OF ARABIA: If one Saudi Arabian woman runs a red light and accumulates a huge number of speeding fines then it follows that all Saudi women are bad drivers. What nonsense.

 Kim Willis

How Safe Is It To Travel as a Woman in Morocco?

How Safe Is It To Travel as a Woman in Morocco?

KJ, THE VIEW FROM FEZ: It’s a fascinating place but as a woman you may be worried travelling alone.What precautions should you take?