Swiss narrowly back proposal to ban face coverings in public

Swiss voters have narrowly approved a proposal to ban face coverings, both niqabs and burkas worn by a few Muslim women in the country and the ski masks and bandannas used by protesters. The measure will outlaw covering one’s face in public places such as restaurants, sports stadiums, public transport or simply walking in the […]

New Zealand police officer becomes first in force to wear hijab in uniform

The New Zealand Police force has incorporated a hijab into its official uniform, with the first officer to wear it reporting that it “feels great”. Constable Zeena Ali had the opportunity to trial several versions of the hijab before she began her police training, with the item now an official elective item of uniform. The […]

Myanmar: ‘Hijab is like a key’ – beauty blogger battles bias

Muslims in Buddhist-majority Myanmar usually keep a low profile for fear of intimidation, but Win Lae Phyu Sin, one of the community’s rare bloggers on beauty care, has gone the other way. The 19-year-old was the centre of attraction at a recent launch of beauty products in Yangon, her striking multi-coloured make-up offset by a […]

We Should Defend Women’s Right to Wear The Hijab & Also to Take it Off

As powers in Iran realise the futility in enforcing morality on women through the Hijab, a report just released shows how views have changed within the country with many Iranians believing that wearing the Hijab should be a personal choice and not state sanctioned or enforced.  Indeed, such has been the courage of some women […]

French PM defends burkini ban but some in cabinet wary

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls defended a ban on burkinis in more than a dozen coastal towns on Thursday, saying France was locked in a “battle of cultures” and that the full-body swimsuit symbolised the enslavement of women. Photographs of armed police ordering a Muslim woman on a beach in the Mediterranean city of Nice […]

Sarkozy Courts National Front Voters & Promises Hijab Ban in Universities

When Nicolas Sarkozy went fishing for votes in the electoral waters of France’s far right for a second presidential term in 2012 it ended in defeat, as voters alienated by his rhetoric and disappointed by a moribund economy deserted him. Fast forward four years and the conservative is banking on a change in mood. Islamist […]

‘This is America’ air traveler says guilty of yanking Muslim’s scarf

A North Carolina man admitted on Friday that he ripped off a Muslim woman’s head scarf during a flight to New Mexico last December after saying, “Take it off! This is America!” Gill Payne, 37, pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court in New Mexico to one count of using force to intentionally obstruct the

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How a MailOnline article distorted a video from 2014 to highlight ‘racist’ Muslim women

A recent story published by MailOnline and The Sun reposted an argument between TfL passengers from December 14, 2014. The respective headlines gave weight to the ‘You white sl*g!’ and ‘Don’t call me a white b***h!’ comments. We are then informed that ‘Two white women and two women wearing hijabs fired insults at each other

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IRFU allows Muslim woman to wear hijab in competitive rugby

Ruba Rosalina Bukhatwa, known to her teammates as Rose, may become the first Muslim women in Ireland to play competitive rugby in the hijab. Tallaght Women’s RFC made a request to the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) after Bukhatwa had recently joined the club. Within four weeks, the IRFU confirmed that she could play in the hijab under certain conditions: she must ensure that the hijab is secure and tucked into her jersey and wear a scrum cap. Martina Fitzpatrick, Women’s Development Officer at Tallaght Women’s RFC praised the IRFU’s speedy resolution. She hopes the decision will encourage more women in Ireland to pursue rugby. The 18-year-old law student at Griffith University was born in Dublin to Libyan parents. The town of Tallaght, in south Dublin, made headlines in 2014 with the “Hijabs and Hat-tricks” project after FIFA dropped its ban on hijabs. And Diverse City FC was soon born. Alongisde Sport Against Racism Ireland (SARI), the project helped Muslim women into football. The women’s team debuted at tournament that same year.

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Merseyside Police investigate unprovoked racist assault on Muslim woman

Merseyside Police reached out to Tell MAMA following a violent and unprovoked assault on a Muslim woman in the Everton area of Merseyside. The 38-year-old, who wears the hijab and is of Arab descent, had passed a children’s play area on route to a supermarket at around 8pm on February 11. She noticed two white

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