Mideast Women

The Muslima Monologues: Women, Art and the Power of a Collectively Diverse Voice

“History has a way of finding itself in the voice of heroes. Not so much for the heroines,” we noted in March. “Women, often the backbone of revolutions, almost always find themselves relegated to the backdrop after the honeymoon of victory wears off. Equals during protest, but second-class citizens under new governments and band-aid-approach ‘reforms,’ Empowerment does not necessarily mean Equality.”

But Empowerment does help to break down myths and stereotypes and build the kind of intercultural - and intracultural- dialogue that can ultimately lead to Equality. This is the goal of Muslima: Muslim Women’s Art and Voices, a provocative and groundbreaking online global exhibition from the San Francisco-based International Museum of Women (IMOW). Curated by Samina Ali, an Indian-born Muslim known for her 2004 novel Madras on Rainy Days, the virtual show is an international showcase of the themes and issues faced by female artists who either self-identify with Islam or are labeled Muslim because of familial, cultural or religious background. Exploring and challenging the broad spectrum of perceived status, agenda, and realities lived by Muslim women today, the exhibition gives voice to their passions, their accomplishments and their expressiveness- redefining both individual and collective identities as artists and activists.

Emirati Women: A Step Ahead

Dubai and Abu Dhabi bring on thoughts of grand buildings, vast wealth and Arab culture. But Emirati nationals make up only 12% of the seven million residents in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A visitor -or the millions expatriates working in this small Gulf nation- may have little to no personal interaction with this vital demographic. And yet, this native population enjoys some of the best conditions in the region in terms of access to education and business opportunities. Particularly, Emirati women.

Though young women in the Emirates are often gender segregated through college, they advance to run 30% of small businesses and hold 65% of government jobs. When Arabian Business lists the 100 Most Powerful Arab Women, the UAE leads with 23 members. Clearly, women are succeeding there, despite Western perceptions of regional oppression.

The Challenges and Opportunities for Women in Post-Gaddafi Libya

Women in Libya have their work cut out for them. A quick survey of the pre-revolution status of women in Libya reveals an abysmal state of affairs. According to the 2009 Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) published by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, Libya ranks 91st out of 102 countries for gender equality. In post-Gaddafi Libya, women have seen much of the same, if not worse.

Aslan Media At The Olympics: Exclusive Interview With Libya's Female Athlete Hala Gezah

Almost a year ago, Libya liberated itself from Muammar Gaddafi’s rule. This year, athletes of a free Libya made a remarkable appearance at the London Olympics. Oh, how the times have changed! After long hours of training, they raised their country's new flag during the opening ceremony. Their ride from revolution to the world's most watched athletic competition proved to be challenging, though, when Libya’s Olympic Committee chief was kidnapped by gunmen. After great efforts by the committee, he was freed in time to attend the London games.

Aslan Media At The Olympics: The Lives of Arab Women Through a Lens

In December 2011, during the Arab Games in Doha, award winning French Photographer Brigitte Lacombe along with her sister, documentary filmmaker, Marian Lacombe, kicked off their first project exploring the lives of female Arab athletes. Over the course of six months, Brigitte and Marian shot images and footage of over fifty Arab female athletes during their training.

Abortion in Turkey: The Fault Line Between Erdogan and Women

Undoubtedly, pop star Madonna found the perfect situation in Istanbul recently—when she flashed a nipple at a recent concert—to pull off one of her stunts, which can honestly no longer be considered a stunt after a quarter of a century of capturing attention with her conspicuous but trite attention-seeking exploits.