An expert traveler knows that the best part of leaving is coming back. I am happy to open another year writing here again, after a necessary break, since writing is the way I maintain my strong ties with my critical… Read More ›
Muslim feminism
Muslim Men and Toxic Masculinity by Vanessa Rivera de la Fuente
Excuse me, but I thought you should know your misogyny is showing. I have read with deep interest the article written by Ayesha Fakie and Khadija Bawa entitled: Dear Indian Muslim Men: We Need To Talk published by Huffington Post South… Read More ›
Who Does Islamic(s) Feminism(s) Belong To? by Vanessa Rivera de la Fuente
Who does Islamic(s) feminism(s) belong to? The answer to this question seems obvious: Islamic feminism belongs to all Muslim women who wish to adhere to it, and feminism is for everybody, as bell hooks said. In reality however, it is not… Read More ›
Reconstructions of the Past 8: Hafsa bint Sirin (My Story of Her Life 3) by Laury Silvers
As discussed in earlier blogs, the sources tend to paint pious women as recluses for any number of reasons. No matter the intention, the message transmitted over time–in so many ways–is that pious women should restrict their social lives, especially… Read More ›
Reconstructions of the Past 6: Hafsa bint Sirin (My Story of Her Life 1) by Laury Silvers
In this sixth reflection on the life of Hafsa bint Sirin and in blogs to follow, I will be emphasizing that her much praised great piety was not incompatible with social engagement, or even sometimes a good dose of family… Read More ›
Reconstructions of the Past 5: Hafsa bint Sirin (“Women’s Withdrawal in the Literature”) by Laury Silvers
As I mentioned in the last entry, the textual idealization of women’s pious withdrawal extends to secluding women from public exposure in the texts themselves. Sufi and pious women were mentioned in very early sources, then dropped almost in their… Read More ›
The Pilgrimage We Need Is Not To Mecca by Vanessa Rivera de la Fuente
Many people have been writing about the Hajj from a critical perspective, telling Muslims it is a time to reflect seriously and deeply about what is happening there in Saudi Arabia with our sacred places and rituals. I am here… Read More ›
Islam Is Out There, Among Women by Vanessa Rivera de la Fuente
Last week I was touring the capital of my country, Chile, for conferences and workshops on Islam, Gender and Human Rights. One of the issues I address there was the tyranny of stereotypes Muslim women carry with us and the… Read More ›
Reconstructions of the Past: Hafsa bint Sirin (“Introduction”) by Laury Silvers
This blog and those to follow will be taken from an academic talk I gave on the life of the early pious worshipper, scholar of Qur’an, Hadith, and their legal meanings, Hafsa bint Sirin (d. ca. 100/800). I used some… Read More ›
A Reflection on Feminist Theology and the Real Woman by Vanessa Rivera de la Fuente
The XVII Conference of Latin American Religious Alternatives is being held this week in Porto Alegre, Brazil. This event will bring together scholars and researchers from across the continent to talk together about religion, integration, and identity. I will be… Read More ›
Taking Back the Caliphate: The Role of Muslim Women as Agents of Social Justice by Vanessa Rivera de la Fuente
Whenever we talk of Muslim women, two dominant discourses reach our ears. The first is about women of the past who may serve as role models, such as Aisha, Fatima, and Khadija (ra). This perspective, which I call the historical… Read More ›
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