Interfaith Relations: Erasure

Because I'm a religious minority, it is always surprising and pleasant when there is some sort of friendly acknowledgement of my existence in everyday life, outside of depressing news stories. Receiving a Ramadan Mubarak or Ramadan Karim or simply "Happy Ramadan" from distant acquaintances and classmates when I've disclosed I'm on my way to break …

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Disregarded Verses: Women as Examples for Men

They are actually proclaimed in the Qur'an as examples for people, but to this day they are considered to have been meant for only women when believing men should also accept them as an ideal to strive toward. Shoshie, Jewish feminist, writes,This shit happens a lot in Jewish commentaries. Women are erased. Exemptions for women …

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In Islam and the Qur’an: The Queen of Sheba

So tell the tale—perhaps they will reflect. (Qur'an 7:176)There are several different accounts of the Queen of Sheba--in Islam, Judaism, Christianity, and I suspect in religions and cultures outside of these--for she was an extraordinarily intelligent and open-minded queen regnant, who ruled by her own right a flourishing kingdom with expansive international trade, exceptional agriculture, …

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Things That Are Supposed to Make Me a Bad Muslim

In no particular order:Telling the imam he is wrongPraying on the men's side of the barrierWearing "alluring perfume"Refusing to eat mermaidsShowing off that I'm menstruatingMatching my bra straps with my lipgloss (overheard me saying this&actually came to lecture)Not wearing hi'jabNot putting hi'jab at the top of the listSinging/listening to music (you know they're just jealous …

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