British Muslims have come under intense scrutiny post 9/11. This is partly because some are drawn to extremist ideologies and activities, and partly because countless other British citizens (including some people of infl uence), see all followers of Islam as the enemy within, to watch and fear. Parallels have been drawn with the demonisation of…
Details
Tehmina Kazi talks about fighting homophobia while nurturing understanding and respect for diversity within British Muslim communities. Over the last two weeks, a flurry of amateur YouTube videos have emerged, chronicling the activities of self-appointed ‘moral vigilantes.’ Storming the streets of Tower Hamlets, they took it upon themselves to ‘confiscate’ bottles of alcohol in the…
Details
During the past week, the media spotlight has zoomed in heavily on rape. Everyone – from Salma Yaqoob to Laurie Penny – has weighed in on the subject. George Galloway sparked off the debate in the UK, with a video podcast describing the allegations against Wikileaks founder Julian Assange as “bad sexual etiquette.” The feverish…
Details
Islam is not a sword or shield for the global political stage, but a belief system designed to purify the human heart. As of 6pm (UK time) today, 7,894 people had signed a petition urging the Saudi government to drop all charges of blasphemy against Hamza Kashgari, a columnist for the Jeddah-based daily Al-Bilad. Kashgari,…
Details
Tehmina Kazi argues equality must be at the forefront of the Arab revolution Last October, I attended a hugely productive discussion on women in the Arab revolutions at the ‘Women’s Forum for the Economy and Society’ in Normandy. Over a thousand delegates listened, enraptured by spirited activists from Egypt, Tunisia and Yemen. Iranian Nobel Laureate…
Details
This week, Queen Mary University is due to re-host an event which should never have been cancelled. Anne-Marie Waters, of the One Law for All campaign, had originally been due to speak on ‘Sharia and Human Rights’ on 16 January. As the event was about to start, a man entered the lecture theatre, raced up…
Details
Progressive activists in the ‘critical Muslim’ movement are growing in strength and number Tehmina Kazi guardian.co.uk Friday 13 January 2012 When I last logged into Facebook, I was delighted to see a surge of posters featuring a Muslim woman with the tagline “Occupy the mosque”. This does not mean I support the physical occupation of…
Details
Last week, the Home Office closed their three-month consultation on the criminalisation of forced marriage. When I initially posted the consultation document in the Facebook group for my organisation, British Muslims for Secular Democracy, there were cries of shock that forced marriage was not already a criminal offence. The right to choose who you will…
Details