How will a program featuring first- and second-generation Iranian-Americans (or Persians, as they prefer) affect public opinion on Iran? On one hand, Iran is presented as evil, nuclear, and menacing in news reports and pop culture. On the other hand, Shahs features a bunch of vapid, rich Americans with Iranian ancestry—many of whom are refugees from the 1979 revolution. In the opening credits, cast members relate that, “When the revolution happened, we all had to pick up and flee the old country,” and “I’ve been a refugee since I was eight.”

Thank you to everyone who’s Facebooked, Twittered, and republished the piece!

Update: The piece has also been published in Lebanon’s The Daily Star! And CG News has made the post available in Arabic, Urdu,  Hebrew, French, and Indonesian!

People, Muslim and non-Muslim alike, often tell me that I can’t be both a Muslim and a feminist. At a recent book reading in Oregon, for example, a male audience member asked me, “How does that even work?” These questions demonstrate some of the rigid misconceptions individuals have about Islam and feminism; many people think that they’re mutually exclusive categories. In fact, as a Muslim feminist, I have found them to have more in common than people realize, especially when it comes to social justice.

Check out the entire piece here.

Check out the introduction and my presentation at the Muslim Voices blog here.

Congratulations again to all my awe-inspiring co-contributors and our fantastic editors, Maria and Zahra!

I was in town for the Sharjah International Book Fair. It was a wonderful maze of book stalls in Arabic and English, with every type of book imaginable on display. Paradise, really. The book fair also boasted an excellent collection of authors that I was honored to meet, including Yahia Labibidi and Michael Rothenberg, the creator of the 100 Thousand Poets for Change movement.

Other fair goers and I were privileged to witness poetry nights at the Book Fair, hearing poems from Lababidi, Rothenberg, and local talent. Pictured right is a snapshot of the fair–I love the pop of that orange carpet!

The organizers of the fair were generous enough to set up a lecture for me at the American University of Sharjah. Yusra, a fellow  I Speak for Myself contributor, flew in to help me represent the book and we met for the first time despite working together for years at Muslimah Media Watch. We discussed MMW, multi-culturalism, and the need for more women’s voices in mainstream media.

The crowd was a wonderful one, full of bright young Emirati minds who asked wonderful and intelligent questions–I definitely enjoyed my time at the university!

The American University of Sharjah's main building, where our lecture was located.

My time in Sharjah was blessed for a host of other reasons, as well. I was lucky to connect with several colleagues who are located in the area, and enjoyed some beautiful sunshine–a really wonderful change from rainy Oregon winter. And everyone–everyone–was incredibly kind and welcoming. Hospitality is a prominent facet of Middle Eastern cultures, and I definitely felt it!

Another reason I enjoyed myself so much is because, for the first time, I was in the religious majority. The Emirates is a predominantly Muslim country, even if the majority of its inhabitants are made up of expatriates and domestic workers from non-Muslim-majority countries. So I experienced new perks: I was awoken every morning by the beautiful call to prayer from the Al Noor mosque down the street from my hotel and enjoyed a (beef) pepperoni pizza at Pizza Hut! These things seem so little, but I enjoyed them immensely.

I can’t express all the gratitude I feel toward everyone I met in Sharjah. A “thank you” doesn’t seem enough–I enjoyed my time so much there, and hope I feel the Gulf’s sun on my face again soon.

I always love to hear how many similarities there are between faiths. I spoke with Loren Kerns, the Director for the Ministry Doctorate Program at George Fox, and we discussed all kinds of similarities between the American Muslim and Christian communities.

On the panel, from left: Andy Campbell, Maria Ebrahimji, Muna Idow, myself, and Manar Alattar. Photo credit: Loren Kerns.

Talking with Evangelical feminists was especially rewarding! I spoke with a few women my age after the panel who shared similar concerns and struggles with faith, feminism, and our place in all of these. It always feels nice to find the people who understand my issues because they have the same ones!

I really enjoyed my time at George Fox Seminary and look forward to doing more interfaith work in the future. Thank you to everyone at the seminary who opened their space and their hearts to us!