Every time I see this magazine, I cannot resist picking it up and flipping through the pages, and I can seem to always find something that offers up some great inspiration! Whether fashion, politics, society, beauty, or everyday life, Muslim Girl Magazine is a fresh editorial that celebrates the beauty of the Muslim Girl. I am not Muslim myself, but I absolutely love this magazine & I highly recommend it to those who have young women as well, especially if you are Muslim. The imagery and topic structures are much more in tact with what I feel a teen/young womans magazine should be all about. I really do love their direction, and I think almost any aged woman can appreciate it. You can also subscribe to the magazine digitally for just $19.95 for 6 issues!
I love when I see magazines and websites, whether online or off, that re defines what beauty is, and those who re define what inspires the woman of color. We are not just all about stilettos, makeup, and celebrity gossip! This is what I am hoping comes across in ymib, and it definitely comes across in this wonderful mag, so be sure to check it out if you have not already! I plan to subscribe soon! YAY!
PS: isn't the cover girl for their April/May Spring issue gorgeous! See the first video for behind the scenes footage!
Of Course They/You Are.....
just as equally beautiful as those that are shown in the pictures and just as equally beautiful as any other woman. When I see other women that are fully covered-in my mind I think that she is such a beautiful,strong,woman. I also wonder what her true person looks like underneath her coverings. I stated I was use to seeing sisters in black/white to state my ignorance that Islam woman can still be "fashionable" without just maintaining to traditional black/white coverings but my rebelious nature detest tradition in All forms.
My own personal style doesn't reflect being covered up or dressed in all black or white. I am all about expression which is part of the reason I don't belong to any religion. Yet, I feel/believe that the body is a divine reflection/creation of the Mother/Father God/dess and can be adorned an any way-weither it be in stillettos, trouser pants,tight fitted dress, tattoos, a sarhi, headwraps,hijabs, punk rock clothes,naked -there is no limit to how a Woman chooses to present herself even under Western/Eastern) religious beliefs and laws. A part of feminism is about asserting one's power without having to use sex, sexiness or beauty.Yet that is a Part of it-the whole theory of today's idea of feminisim is for women to be empowered to choose who she is, what she wants, and what she can be and mirror herself to the world without anyone/anything's rules, ideas, expectations with/without beauty, sex-if that's her Choice. Respect doesn't just limit oneself or one woman to how she choose to dress or lack of dress.Think of Mother Teresha( headdress, modest clothes) and Kimora Lee Simmons( stilletos, glam, big hair) two extremely different women but equally respected on diffrent levels of female empowerment.
I understand in Islam and some other religions that a woman/man is maintain her/his modesty.However,does that mean that today's woman that are still in the "bush"(Africa/Asia/ Australia) who proudly and naturally expose their breast are not beautiful?What about the Nubian women of Kemet(Egypt) thousands of year before the practice of Judasim, Christianity, Islam exisited who too exposed their breast, adorned themselves with rich jewels,makeup and perfume-were they not beautiful too? Let's not forget the goddess staues(that were worshipped thoudsands of years before Khemet) that show the fullness of the woman's stomach, body,breast and the African fertility staues that expose the true essence of women, are those not inspiring? Does that also mean that the African-American women that you feel have hatred towards you ( which may not be hatred but maybe ignorance, fear, or misunderstanding) that choose to be dress "western" are not beautiful or respectable as well? Just some thoughts on my end.
Love-
http://melodierenee.livejournal.com/
All my Sistas are BEAUTIFUL...but that's not the problem!
Detroit Melody,
Thank for your insightful and obviously conscious reply. I appreciate your clarification about the "black/white" coverings (I assume you mean "Sunni/Orthodox" Muslimahs, as that is to whom I am referring). Just for clarity, I'm not referring to the sisters in the Nation, Moorish Science Temple or my sisters that are upon the teachings of the Nation of Gods and Earth.
That being said, I do agree a part of feminism is about being able to assert one's power without having to use sex, sexiness or beauty. The difference between the beautiful black (and brown) woman and others, in particular European women, is that even though "liberation" and "equality" were proclaimed for women in this country in the 70s, it was still wasn't fully distributed to my beautiful Nubian sistas.
Worldwide, unfortunately, the black woman is still viewed as loose. This applies to my brown sistas as well. Angelina Jolie, Goldie Hawn and numerous other "stars" have children out of wedlock and there's no mockery. A black woman does it and she's a "baby momma". They even dogged Michelle Obama!
I say this to reinforce the double standard in effect for the black woman. That it is unfortunate that we are still viewed this way, right or wrong. My sisters, I feel, have not only fallen victim to some Western thinking (which is not all bad, because I truly feel this country offers the most, yet at the same time has the most hypocrisy), which has corrupted us, but they have lost touch with cultural values which are truly African and/or African American. Some things are just us! But some of us have succumbed to some ways in acting, dressing, thinking and being that belie our true nature as regal, beautiful Nubian women.
Dress is just one part of it, but it's one of the first ways you see it. I guess what I'm addressing, on a larger scale, is not just a lack of "hijaab" for all black women, but modesty inside and out that needs to be reinstated. You know your mama told you you had to be three times better just to be viewed as equal in school, business, etc.
As far as the beautiful Nubian, Kemetic women who predate us, ya ukhti (oh my sister), know that they did not deal with the same societal issues we deal with now. They were were revered, not raped in barnrooms, shot on a New Jersey highway (Assata), told that they cannot name the father of their children (slavery laws of 1662 and later) and many offer forces that still have us in neo-slavery today!!!! Please don't tell me times have changed, because they haven't. Girl, The Color is still Purple.
No doubt, I love being a black woman. I love my beautiful black sisters as well, be they Muslim or not. Perhaps it is the area of the country I live in (major city on the East Coast), but too many sisters are off the hook. Yes, you can choose to wear clothes that NO black woman (or any woman should wear), carry yourself like little Kim (and by the way, I'm not conversative, actually I'm quite progressive and some would say hedonistic or maybe even bohemian), or any way you want, if you feel that's "freedom".
But it's the state of affairs for the black woman that concerns me. We all are not enlightened. We all do not come to this forum, or read Essence. We are not all conscious wombs, readers of Queen Afua, respecters of Oprah (even if we're mad she's got an audience full of white women usually), and avid followers of Iyanla.
I even dig Kimora, even though she's a LITTLE superficial at times. And we're extremely happy for Lisa, because she's Carol's Daughter and she's representin'!
My first post was regarding "hijaab", which Islamically not only refers to the covering, but the manner in which you carry yourself with modesty, some shyness and self-respect, not revealing thyself (this includes that neck area which was really got me in the first place). It's both external and internal. My problem was that, and this is true, the more you come out of hijaab, the more disconnected you can become from your modesty. Hijaab is a protection; removing it literally removes the protection from your Lord and YES, it can affect your sense of self-modesty. NONE of my abaya wearing, niqaabi wearing, black jilbab wearing sisters would be posing like those sisters I see (whom I do love though). But the bigger issues here to me, are the relationships between black women, the schism between the Black Muslim (Sunni) woman and the non-black woman. By the way, those looks I get aren't ignorance, they're hatred. Ignorant pepole might make comments, but hateful women GRIT on you!
I find with black men, they just stare, especially if you have the niqaab (face veil) on. Of course they, like any other men, are curious. And lustful (lol)! Mens be mens! White men too. They will actually compliment you. But the most disrespectful actions and comments come from black women! Often 40 and over. They're wondering why that MOOOZ-lum woman has all that shit on? And doesn't she knows she's oppressed?
I'm sorry to be venting, but I've been holding this in a long time. I do know my sisters here, in general, are much more open-minded and enlightened. I know I've got some sisters here upon Ausar Auset, Yoruba, 5%, etc. Not for me, but that's your thing and I all say is "PEACE!" Because I love you.
Beautiful Bint
Beautiful Bint's Perspective
الحمد لله رب العالمين وصلى الله وسلم على نبينا محمد وعلى آله وأصحابه ومن اهتدى بهديه إلى يوم الدين أما بعد
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
Peace and Blessings,
All praise is due to Allah, the One, the Absolute and the Eternal, the Bestower of Mercy and Beauty.
I've been coming to this forum now and really love it. I came across the "Muslim Girl" article today though, and was prompted to write. As a Muslimah, I have mixed emotions about this.
I've always loved black even before reverting to Islam, and I still rock it now. So I'm one of those sisters that DetroitMelody speaks about. I can go conversative and rock a head abaya and face veil, even though these days I'm choosing to forego it for personal reasons. And tomorrow you might see me in purple or mudcloth!
I love my colors, however, part of observing hijaab is moderation and modesty. While I do know there are various interpretations amongst the Muslimahs about modesty and style of dress (varying from abayas or jilbabs, to dresses, to tunics over skirts or just plain street clothes), there is no getting around certain requirements. One of the requirements of hijaab is that it not be form fitting. I'll forego the commentary about color, and stick with just this requirement.
It seems that my sisters are sporting clothes (in the issue) that are form fitting or revealing more of their awrah (area that should be covered) than is acceptable, by any standards. This is defeats one of the purposes and is quite contradictory to the requirements (as set for by Allah in the Quran, by ANY translator) of wearing hijaab. [By the way, I used to subscribe to Muslim Girl magazine for my daughter, but I was so disgusted, I unsubscribed (dating issues and other issues that are not befitting to a girl who practices Islam)].
What I also find disturbing is the "acceptance" by non-Muslims now that the magazine features clothing that is more in line (except for the hijaab) with styles of non-believers. It seems that when the Muslimah wears clothes that are more conforming to those of non-believers, now you say they are beautiful????
Can you not appreciate the beauty of a Muslimah if she does not wear clothes that don't look so "western" or more form fitting? I'm not asking these questions of those who really do appreciate the beauty of a Muslimah in "traditional" clothing, whether you're Muslim or not. I'm asking my other Nubian sisters -- are my Muslimahs now beautiful because they appear to look more like you, than me?
The schism between African American Muslimahs and non-Muslim African American women is very disturbing. Masha'allah, I get much respect from people of all races, ethnicities, etc. because this is my religion and because I don't use my beauty, I use my 'aql (intellect) to get respect (even though I am beautiful, masha'allah). But the vast majority of hatred is from my African American sisters. All because we choose to cover our bodies in modesty, instead of succumbing to western-dictated standards of beauty (and read: clothing which is far from modest, and unbecoming of a beautiful black sister). And of course, you believe because we are more submissive (even though it's in your own Bible to be like this towards your husband). We (you and I, my Nubian sisters) are NOT EUROPEAN!!!
Sisters, if you know your heritage, you know the Africans practiced indigenous religions and/or Islam. Y'all saw Roots, so you remember Kunta when he held the baby and how he addressed his Lord. And if you saw Amistad, you remember the scenes where the slaves were prostrating on the ship. They were performing the salat (prayer). This isn't a diatribe to ask you to revert, because only Allah makes Muslims; He is The Turner of Hearts.
Perhaps this is the wrong forum, but it's disturbing to me when I see that all of a sudden, the Muslimah's dress is more "acceptable" when it appears to conform to less than traditional (and the standard set forth in the Quran) garb. The hatred some non-Muslim African American women have towards me is also very disturbing.
Yes, you may dress anyway you want to, but isn't part of feminism asserting one's power without having to use sex, sexiness or beauty, period?
Something to think about...
Beautiful Bint
"O Anjash! Drive the camels slowly, as they are carrying glass vessels!"
Saheeh Bukhaaree #5754
Yeah, I think this magazine,
Yeah, I think this magazine, like any other online or print mag, is focusing on ONE type of Muslim woman, it would be impossible to cater to many different styles...so it would be great to see a mag that caters to the Muslim woman of your standard too. In my opinion, It's all inspirational on some level. Because like any other religion, everyone has their different view of what is right, acceptable, and inspirational. I think it is important to support everyones persepective, because no perspective is right over the other, as you have shared yours and I totally get what you are saying. However, I think you might find a different embracement abut modesty from the Sisters here on ymib...and I hate to hear that you have had such opposition with your fellow Sisters. For some it just takes time to overstand and accept the differences that we have, and many never will grow to that point, but we just have to accept that fact for ourselves.
Okay, sorry..that was a total ramble...I am glad that this post caught your attention Beautiful Bint!!!....and welcome to the Circle...YAY!!!
SoulLiving ~ Every Minute Counts
They are not more beautiful...
... because they have adorned themselves with non-traditional clothing. The beauty in these girls/women lies in the fact that they STILL do not fall in lines with the European beauty standard (even more so because of their religious/spiritual beliefs) and yet we can still discover and appreciate their uniqueness. I think these pictures were posted as a way for viewers to be exposed to the beauty of all women globally who are typically not celebrated or esteemed. I enjoy exploring different cultures ideals of beauty, no matter what they wear, or choose not to wear. The fully-covered Muslimah has beauty that is just as praisworthy as the women who wear hardly anything at all in the Amazon.
The young woman in the first video made a wonderful point toward the end--a point that should resonate with all women who are pressured to look a certain way according to Western Thought. She states that she "can be covered up, and STILL look fly." That is an idea that should be shared among all women regardless of religious or spiritual affiliation, because there is no universal standard for what is "modest", but women should take control of their sexuality and beauty, and define it on terms that does not leave them objectified.
"I am a divine original, fashioned by Yah to be radiantly beautiful."
Breathtaking...
Thank you so much for sharing this! I'm not Muslim but as prepare for initiation into Orisha, I have been thinking of ways to "cover up" and still remain creative. I found some great ideas just from looking at these pics!
Expressive
Thank you for sharing this with us. I think I am going to show it to my neice....she is twelve and forming her ideas about beauty and the female body...I want to show her all different forms of beauty before she gets jaded by society.
Time is too precious a currency to simply spend or waste; it must be invested.
Awww Sweet....
I've dated a couple of Muslim cats who wanted me to convert to Islam. Even though Islam is a beautiful religion and the teachings and beliefs are on point, just the mere factor of wearing a hijab and other coverings turned me off since I MUST express myself in clothes. But I guess I was so use to seeing alot of Muslim Sisters were the traditonal black or white, coverings but NOW just seeing these sisters featured here in such a fly and fashionable way and still respect their religious beliefs at the same time is so cool. I Love that first pic.soo Diana Ross.
http://melodierenee.livejournal.com/
I was also impressed...
...with this magazine, the first time I saw it at Barnes&Nobles about a year ago. It's a very smart magazine, inspiring it's readers to appreciate and value themselves beyond their physical appearance. The models are beautiful!
"I am a divine original, fashioned by Yah to be radiantly beautiful."