In this essay, Shahinaz Sabeel, a young Sudanese woman who grew up between Sudan, Canada and Uganda, recounts her relationship with her grandfather, an unconventional man and important male figure in her life. Shahinaz narrates how her grandfather fought to maintain his Sudanese identity and remained true to his values at a time when Sudan’s social and cultural identities were disrupted by the rise of militant Islam.
Read MoreIn this essay, Sondra Hale explores the representation of women’s bodies in times of war, with a focus on Muslim women ex-fighters. Based on interviews conducted in the 1990s, she analyses the experiences of female combatants who served in the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front (EPLF) during the 30-year war for Independence from Ethiopia (1961-1991). Hale examines changes in socio-cultural and gender norms during the war and its aftermath. She highlights the challenges faced by female fighters in the post-war era which has been marked by a resurgence of traditional values within Eritrean society.
Read More“The stir caused by the banning of the full-body, head-covering swimsuit has morphed into a heated debate on women’s rights, secularism and assimilation.”
The harrowing work conditions faced by Ethiopian women in the Gulf
Read MoreLeila Aboulela’s novels explore identity, Islamic faith, and fragmented lives.
Read MoreA young Sudanese author explores his fraught relationship with religion
Read MoreWhy Malala’s shooting damages the credibility of “moderate” Muslims
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