Dear Aliyah – I don’t want to wear the hijab

Dear Aliyah – I don’t want to wear the hijab

Dear Aliyah, I was watching some of your videos and wanted your help. I have worn hijab for a few years and now I don’t want to wear it anymore. I am afraid to tell my family, I don’t want them to think I want to flirt with men or be disappointed in me. If you have any advice, please let me know, Thank you, M. – – – – Dear M, I understand that this can be a very confusing and difficult time for you. You seem conflicted about…

The case of Rahaf Mohammed is a wake-up call for us all

The case of Rahaf Mohammed is a wake-up call for us all

By Aliyah Saleem   Saudi teenager Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun showed tremendous courage as she barricaded herself into a hotel room in Bangkok, Thailand, to prevent being sent back to Saudi Arabia, where she could have faced prison and death for renouncing Islam. Her case demonstrated the power of social media as people such as the journalist Mona Eltahawy joined in to gather as much attention as possible for her. Rahaf has now been provided asylum by Canada where can she build a life for herself on her own terms. We…

The burkini ban is yet another way of policing women’s bodies

The burkini ban is yet another way of policing women’s bodies

By Aliyah Saleem   You know what they say: one woman’s bathing suit is another’s tool of Islamism that needs to be crushed before we see the full Islamisation of Europe. I would love to have been a fly on the wall when French officials in Cannes or Nice sat together in their meetings, after sending serious emails to one another to discuss the banning of an ominously named swimsuit. Women of Muslim heritage just don’t seem to get a break. If we aren’t fighting Islamic patriarchy to show our…

I find Jeremy Corbyn’s grip on the Labour leadership sinister

I find Jeremy Corbyn’s grip on the Labour leadership sinister

By Aliyah Saleem As a Labour member I was invited along to an emergency meeting in my area which aimed to lend support to Corbyn. I went with the intention to listen to the other side and to explain why I believe that he should resign. This was of course before he was kept on the ballot paper after his legal team threatened to sue Labour. I was the first person to openly say that I think he should resign. I noticed that some seemed disappointed in me and others…

The Dating Difficulties of an Ex Muslim

The Dating Difficulties of an Ex Muslim

By Aliyah Saleem Like millions of people around the world, I use online dating.   As a Pakistani woman with a Muslim name and a banging nose ring, I attract attention from some Muslim men.  Dating is hard in the best of circumstances but if you are an ex-Muslim, it’s downright depressing. A lot of us try and stay in the closet because of the taboo for as long as possible. It’s okay when you are single but the prospect of a serious relationships and having children puts ex-Muslims in…