Author: Fatemeh Fakhraie

Founder of Muslimah Media Watch. Content marketing nerd who likes figuring out how stuff works and writing about it. I learned everything about being an adult from The Golden Girls.

The Camouflaged Cartoonist

I was unhappy to read that “Draw Muhammad Day” creator Molly Norris had voluntarily gone into hiding. While I thought the concept of “Draw Muhammad Day” was ridiculous and viewed it in the same light as the South Park episode that supposedly depicted the prophet, I recognize that Norris’ intent wasn’t to be offensive or malicious. In Islam, intentions count for something just like actions, and no one should be punished for simple naïveté. It’s atrocious that Norris has received threats and feels unsafe enough to go incognito.

Which is why I’ve added my name to the list of American Muslims in the media who support Molly Norris and her right to free speech. My signature on a statement isn’t going to do much for her, but I hope she understands that she has our support.

A DEFENSE OF FREE SPEECH BY AMERICAN AND CANADIAN MUSLIMS

We, the undersigned, unconditionally condemn any intimidation or threats of violence directed against any individual or group exercising the rights of freedom of religion and speech; even when that speech may be perceived as hurtful or reprehensible.

We are concerned and saddened by the recent wave of vitriolic anti-Muslim and anti-Islamic sentiment that is being expressed across our nation.

We are even more concerned and saddened by threats that have been made against individual writers, cartoonists, and others by a minority of Muslims.  We see these as a greater offense against Islam than any cartoon, Qur’an burning, or other speech could ever be deemed.

We affirm the right of free speech for Molly Norris, Matt Stone, Trey Parker, and all others including ourselves.

As Muslims, we must set an example of justice, patience, tolerance,  respect, and forgiveness.

The Qur’an enjoins Muslims to:
* bear witness to Islam through our good example (2:143);
* restrain anger and pardon people (3:133-134 and 24:22);
* remain patient in adversity (3186);
* stand firmly for justice (4:135);
* not let the hatred of others swerve us from justice (5:8);
* respect the sanctity of life (5:32);
* turn away from those who mock Islam (6:68 and 28:55);
* hold to forgiveness, command what is right, and turn away from the ignorant (7:199);
* restrain ourselves from rash responses (16:125-128);
* pass by worthless talk with dignity (25:72); and
* repel evil with what is better (41:34).

Islam calls for vigorous condemnation of both hateful speech and hateful acts, but always within the boundaries of the law. It is of the utmost importance that we react, not out of reflexive emotion, but with dignity and intelligence, in accordance with both our religious precepts and the laws of our country.

We uphold the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.  Both protect freedom of religion and speech, because both protections are fundamental to defending minorities from the whims of the majority.

We therefore call on all Muslims in the United States, Canada and abroad to refrain from violence.  We should see the challenges we face today as an opportunity to sideline the voices of hate—not reward them with further attention—by engaging our communities in constructive dialogue about the true principles of Islam, and the true principles of democracy, both of which stress the importance of freedom of religion and tolerance.

You can see the entire statement and signatories here. May God keep you safe, Molly Norris, wherever you are.

On campus discrimination and Muslim students

I’m interviewed for Oregon State University’s daily paper The Daily Barometer about discrimination that Muslim students face on-campus:

Fatemeh Fakhraie, an employee for the INTO OSU program, feels that the university is “a welcoming place” for Muslim students and her “experience at OSU has been overwhelmingly positive.”

Read the entire thing at the paper’s website here.

If fairy tales were business cards…

Friends, my time in Washington, D.C. was wonderful: full of energizing networking and meet-ups! I spent the weekend with Racialicious’ fabulous editrix Latoya Peterson, who is always ten times more awesome in person. Monday night, I met up with lots of my AMCLI fellows for a delicious iftar dinner. Delicious food and conversation with my friends and colleagues is always a great way to spend the weekend!

Tuesday was the big day: Generation Change and the State Department iftar! The Generation Change event was buzzing: I met lots of fabulous old and new colleagues, including the amazing Moniza Khokhar (the woman behind elan magazine), Fatima Monkush and Nyla Hashmi (the dynamic duo behind Eva Khurshid clothing), and Melody Moezzi, author and all-around kick-ass lady (and I’m not just saying that because she’s Iranian).

Farah Pandith, the State Department’s Special Representative to Muslim Communities, hosted the event, which included an impressive array of speakers: Hana Siddiqi Hernandez and Kauthar Umar, the ladies behind New Muslim Cool; Ahmed Ahmed, hilarious comedian; Dr. Naif al-Mutawa, the creator of The 99 comic series; and Herro Mustafa, who is the Vice President’s Mideast Advisor. Pandith posted a synopsis on her blog that includes a video of the speakers’ presentations, which include some poignant experiences and insights. Head over and watch, if you get a chance.

I took the opportunity to chat with Ahmed Ahmed, whose work on the Axis of Evil comedy tour is still some of my favorite—if you haven’t seen this, fix it! Ahmed is working on a new documentary, called Just Like Us, that highlights a multi-cultural comedy tour through the Middle East. It’s premiering at film festivals now, and has some of my favorite comedians (Maz Jobrani, Tom Papa, and Whitney Cummings, to name a few).

After Generation Change, we went upstairs for the iftar with Secretary Hillary Clinton. She highlighted some of the amazing work that the 70 Muslim Americans (yours truly included) are doing—like working as educators and poets, founding non-profits that bring wounded Iraqi children to the U.S. for medical treatment, and advocating for immigrant rights. The 70 of us sat with ambassadors and philanthropists (I was close to the Yemeni and Sri Lankan ambassadors, as well as Alex Kroenemer, a wonderful conversationalist and producer behind the PBS documentary Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet, and DJ Scandales, part of The LO Frequency collaboration). It was humbling and exhilarating to be in the same room with so many remarkable men and women, Muslim and non-Muslim alike.

The party favor from Secretary Clinton's iftar.

Today is Eid al Fetr, the celebration that marks the end of Ramazan. And I am in a wonderful mood in part because the State Department dinner renewed my enthusiasm and hope for my generation of Americans, even in the midst of things like Pastor Terry Jones’ threats to burn Qur’ans and the hateful dialogue around Park51. My colleagues, who have so much determination, kindness, and warmth, remind me that humanity can always overcome. Eid mobarak!

Ms. Fakhraie goes to Washington

For real this time!

I’m in Washington, D.C. this week to meet up with my AMCLI buddies!

I’ll also attend a special iftar hosted by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and a pre-iftar meetup with the State Department’s Representative to Muslim Communities, Farah Pandith. I’ll finally be able to meet some wonderful colleagues, like the amazing ladies behind Eva Khurshid, and the woman behind elan! I can’t wait!

MMW turns three!

Muslimah Media Watch turned three last Sunday! Time flies when you’re having fun…

I haven’t achieved my dream of global MMW domination (these things take time, you know), but we recently updated the site with a “Like” button for Facebook and a button that allows you to Tweet a post from the post itself.

Much, much love to my writers and partners-in-crime at MMW! And the warmest thanks to all of our readers and supporters!

What’s that about all press being good press…?

Other than getting lots of random friend requests on Facebook from people I don’t know, my CNN piece has gotten a few other reactions.

Racialicious and Muslim Voices highlighted the piece. Much love to Latoya and Liz!

My colleague Hussein Rashid also mentioned that CNN’s headline, “The media is obsessed with how Muslim women look,” appeared in the Metro under the “Adorable Headlines” section. *giggle*

It looks like the Metro is a little behind on their graphic updates, but I’ll post a screen shot when I get a chance.

Update: Metro screenshot below:


“Fact: The media are obsessed with how women look. Period.”

Wholeheartedly agree. As did many of the commenters at CNN.

But here’s the thing: I was asked to write about being Muslim in 2010, not being a woman. Context, friends.

My op-ed is up at CNN

I write an op-ed for CNN’s “Muslim in 2010” series. I concentrate on media obsession with Muslim women’s appearances:

Muslim women are more high profile than ever in 2010. However, a problem remains: news stories about them are fixated on appearance.

Most major stories about Muslim women revolve around how they look and what they’re wearing — not who they are and what they are doing.

Check out the entire thing at CNN.

On Time Magazine’s Cover

Have you seen this week’s cover of Time magazine?

The ladies of MMW and I get together to discuss why we’re not down with it:

Fatemeh: Aisha consented to having her picture taken; I have no qualms with her decision. However, I have major issues with Time positioning her on the cover with the headline “What happens if we leave Afghanistan.” It assumes that  the US presence is keeping Afghan women safe (which Aisha’s mutilation disproves) and without the U.S., Afghanistan will be a terrible place, especially for women.

Read the entire thing at Muslimah Media Watch!