[View the story "Muslim women speak for themselves using #AsAMuslimWoman" on Storify ]Muslim women speak for themselves using #AsAMuslimWoman Satirical hashtag aims to diversify the opinions of Muslim women in media. Storified by AJAMStream · Mon, Nov 04 2013 13:38:59
The following is an excerpt from the article, written by Saira Khan:
And yet, as a British Muslim woman, I abhor the practice and am calling on the Government to follow the lead of French President Nicolas Sarkozy and ban the burkha in our country.dailymail.co.uk
The hashtag was started by
Sara Yasin and
Shireen Ahmed , among others, who explained their reasoning for starting #AsAMuslimWoman to The Stream.
@neginowl and I wanted to poke fun @ 1) the fact that we reinforce this idea that one Muslim woman can speak for a huge group of people.Sara Yasin
@neginowl @AJAMStream and 2) sometimes "Muslim women" are treated like an exotic breed to be studied. Rather than, y'know, human beings!Sara Yasin
@neginowl She began her reductive tirade with "As a Muslim Woman...". We took it from there. @missyasin @TheKaouther @SanaSaeed @AJAMStreamFootybedsheets
@neginowl #AsAMuslimWoman mocks women who use an authoritative voice while ignoring others. @missyasin @TheKaouther @SanaSaeed @AJAMStreamFootybedsheets
Yasin sarcastically tweeted about how she, as a Muslim woman, encounters the same mundane problems as anyone else.
As a Muslim woman, I really hate Mondays (cc: @_shireenahmed_)Sara Yasin
#AsAMuslimWoman I have a pretty twisted relationship with Excel spreadsheetsSara Yasin
Other Muslim women chimed in with similar tweets.
#AsAMuslimWoman i like to wear boots when its cold. Purely influenced by my being muslim & not the low temperature that affects us allKaouther Ferjani
#AsAMuslimWoman I suffer from road rage, on a regular basis.Ayat Mneina
#AsAMuslimWoman I think I did my eyeliner screwy.Sana Saeed
Writer Nesrine Malik added a dose of self-deprecation to the conversation.
#AsAMuslimWoman I drink hard liquor but still judge other Muslims for eating pork.Nesrine Malik
Some used the hashtag to directly criticize articles such as the one in the Daily Mail that claim to speak for Muslim women.
#AsAMuslimWoman I believe that almost all statements beginning with ‘as a Muslim woman’ should be ignored/kaw·reɪdʒ/
#AsAMuslimWoman i speak on behalf all Muslim Women, even those who disagree with me completely.Kaouther Ferjani
#AsAMuslimWoman I am a Muslim Woman Expert. #expertBeeta
Several confronted the stereotypes some Muslims face:
#AsAMuslimWoman I love watching #Homeland, but wonder if the show just perpetuates the us vs them mentalityShazia Riaz
#AsAMuslimWoman i enjoy smiling at strangers when they look at me like i'm frm a different planet. Breaking stereotypes and all that jazz..Z£¥πiB
#AsAMuslimWoman all I want for Christmas is to be saved by Femen and Dawkins.The Somali Duchess
Others contributed with more serious introspection about their experiences as Muslim women:
#AsAMuslimWoman I am proud to be able to wear Hijab and be an advocate of my religionsumayya.
#Asamuslimwoman I know I am independent. I have a choice. I decide for myself. I respect my independence and I don't trespass.ayesha tabassum
#AsAMuslimWoman I am blessed to be an American. I live in a society that is tolerant and gives me the freedom to practice my faith as I wantSana Rahim
Saira Khan , the author of the Daily Mail piece, also shared her thoughts on the hashtag.
@_shireenahmed_ @neginowl @AJAMStream fantastic I'm very happy to have inspired a forum to bring women together from all walks of lifeSaira Khan
#AsAMuslimWoman I love being British, and living in a country that has helped me to recognise my potentialSaira Khan
#AsAMuslimWoman i don't wear a headscarf, I don't pray 5 times a day and I'm married to a white guy! Bite Me!Saira Khan
#AsAMuslimWoman I wrote an article 5 years ago about banning the Full covering of the face ( Niqab) in UK in public places - I stand by itSaira Khan
What do you think of the conversation? Leave a comment below.
Error
Sorry, your comment was not saved due to a technical problem. Please try again later or using a different browser.