Well, I’m back from Finland. Still thawing…and dealing with a nasty flu. (Some souvenir!) Thanks to everyone who has kept reading!

I wanted to direct your attention to a couple of things:

1 - Mona Eltahawy has just published a commentary on the death of  Aasiya Hassan. I will have more to say about this case later, but thought it important to share this piece. (Also, I’d like to redirect readers to this post, where I posted some of the Islamic Society of North America’s materials on domestic violence.) While we continue to struggle with violence in the community, it would be unfair not to mention positive steps like these by ISNA.

2 - The Hijablog’s webmistress is back with a post about the headscarf in Norway. Glad to see you posting again, girl!

3 - More on choice: this blogger, who posted about my trip to Finland, also posted a blog about the issue of hijab in the workplace. Both of the above bloggers highlight the importance of choice for women. Now, while I’d take back some of the “rebellious” choices I made during my late teens and early twenties  (from fashion to social alliances!) - I also know that some of the things I chose helped to bring me full-circle back to my authentic values. This was, for me, an educational experience - cementing consistent values in an often inconsistent world. We should trust women to make the choices that best help to nurture their self-esteem, integrity, and intellectual development. Most Muslims would agree.  The key is to highlight those leaders in the Islamic community (and beyond) who will help provide the necessary guidance young women often seek.  

4 - I just received word about a couple needing global support. Two young Pakistanis are facing a possible death sentence for marrying outside of their tribal communities. Read more about their case here - where you can also submit an appeal to help them. The couple also has a child, whose life is obviously set to be devastated should its parents lose their lives.

Salaams from Helsinki! I’ve finally gotten around to creating a photo album for this trip, which I’ll update regularly while I’m here. You can see it by following this link - enjoy and check back often!

Discussing honor violence - February 21, 2009

Last night, the Finnish Broadcasting Network featured an interview with Raija Ala-Lipasti and myself - we were discussing honor violence. Raija, who is the operations manager of the Turku Women’s Centre, has worked with women who have been subject to and threatened by honor-based violence. This is an issue many people across Scandinavia have taken interest in - especially following the death of Fadime Sahindal.

(The white lettering above is what I’m saying - in Finnish subtitles. I point out that these crimes are committed by only a small percentage of the Muslim community; and that advanced nations should provide assistance to their Muslim residents. During the day’s events, I also highlighted cases of honor violence not committed by Muslims - like the case of Du’a Khalil Aswad. )

Tomorrow, I meet Finland’s refugee of the year from the year 2000, Batulo Essak. We will be working at the AIDS support center and also discussing the issue of female genital cutting. Finland has an ever-growing number of refugees from Somalia; where 90% of women are “circumcised.” Eighty percent of these circumcisions are Type III - the most severe form of genital mutilation. 

Stay tuned for more updates from the snowy north; and remember to stay up-to-date by checking out the International Campaign Against Honor Killings regularly. For women and girls like Aasiyah Hassan, Sarah and Amina Said, Aqsa Parvez, Sandeela Kanwal, and the many who have already lost their lives - it is too late. Let’s not let them pass in vain - we can and must take action.

If you’re living in the UK, be sure to see this story about a new helpline founded to help those in danger of honor violence and forced marriage. It is already receiving calls. Hopefully, crisis management professionals the world over will take a cue from this latest initiative, training their staff to handle these cases effectively.

Salaams from Helsinki! I’ve finally gotten around to creating a photo album for this trip, which I’ll update regularly while I’m here. You can see it by following this link - enjoy and check back often!

Discussing honor violence - February 21, 2009

Last night, the Finnish Broadcasting Network featured an interview with Raija Ala-Lipasti and myself – we were discussing honor violence. Raija, who is the operations manager of the Turku Women’s Centre, has worked with women who have been subject to and threatened by honor-based violence. This is an issue many people across Scandinavia have taken interest in – especially following the death of Fadime Sahindal.

(The white lettering above is what I’m saying – in Finnish subtitles. I point out that these crimes are committed by only a small percentage of the Muslim community; and that advanced nations should provide assistance to their Muslim residents. During the day’s events, I also highlighted cases of honor violence not committed by Muslims – like the case of Du’a Khalil Aswad. )

Tomorrow, I meet Finland’s refugee of the year from the year 2000, Batulo Essak. We will be working at the AIDS support center and also discussing the issue of female genital cutting. Finland has an ever-growing number of refugees from Somalia; where 90% of women are “circumcised.” Eighty percent of these circumcisions are Type III - the most severe form of genital mutilation. 

Stay tuned for more updates from the snowy north; and remember to stay up-to-date by checking out the International Campaign Against Honor Killings regularly. For women and girls like Aasiyah Hassan, Sarah and Amina Said, Aqsa Parvez, Sandeela Kanwal, and the many who have already lost their lives - it is too late. Let’s not let them pass in vain – we can and must take action.

If you’re living in the UK, be sure to see this story about a new helpline founded to help those in danger of honor violence and forced marriage. It is already receiving calls. Hopefully, crisis management professionals the world over will take a cue from this latest initiative, training their staff to handle these cases effectively.

Metro station, Helsinki, Finland (photo: Jussi K. Niemela)

 Greetings from Helsinki, Finland!

A very short time ago, a Helsinki-based friend and I were exchanging emails over our shared frustrations. He was working hard to combat both Islamophobia and cultural relativism in his own progressive circles. I was surrounded by boxes in my furnitureless apartment, wondering how real positive change can happen when some of the most vocal ‘activists’ are often ruled more by their own megalomania than sincere concern for the human condition. Bummed, exhausted and uncharacteristically pessimistic, I desperately needed a boost.

It came in the form of an invitation to Finland. My friend told me that he was sure there was some way for us to not just host a dynamic seminar event, but also to enrich the already blossoming movement to protect Muslim women’s rights in Scandinavia. Within twenty-four hours, we had sponsors. Shortly thereafter, we had my red-eye plane tickets totaling 14 hours in transit. I borrowed some mittens and got on my way.

With the incredible Iivi Anna Masso

This is no money-making trip, and no media-mongering frenzy, though we’ve gotten lots of helpful coverage across Scandinavia. This is something so much better. Here, we are hosting seminars on freedom of religion, honor violence, female genital cutting, and immigration. At my request, we are also meeting with activists for children’s rights and working with the staff of an HIV/AIDS support center supporting mainly Somali refugees.

I’ll keep you posted throughout the trip. So far, I can tell you that I’m moved and inspired by the Finnish dedication to understanding, honesty, compassion and real support for the Muslims coming to their shores. People have been honest about that which they believe ails the Muslim community - but have also been seeking constructive solutions to better Muslim lives. That, my friends, should be how activism is conducted. Stay tuned!

***

PS: Check out these interesting documents from the Islamic Society of North America. ISNA hasn’t always gotten it right, but I think that these guides for imams are actually more constructive than many other leaflets meant to help individuals working with victims and survivors.

1 - Guidelines for imams working with victims and survivors of domestic violence

2 - Guidelines for imams working with abusive persons

Halal grocery, Helsinki (photo: Jussi K. Niemela)