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Articles by Maz Halima
My Body
Hello! Please consider supporting this newsletter to keep it going. That could be through a contribution, paid subscription, or if you aren’t able to financially support, through sharing it with your loved ones. Thank you. x Trigger warning of violence, death, abortion and miscarriage. 1 in 3 women in the UK will have an abortion in their lifetime [source: gov uk, 2019]. Medical notes written in 1550 BCE were ‘discovered’ (robbed from) in Egypt in the 1800s and were bound to create the Ebers Papyrus.
For many young Muslims, ‘modest fashion’ is more than just a hijab
As Muslims around the world celebrated Eid last month, it served as a stark reminder that no element of our lives are exempt from change under lockdown. We were forced to take a more minimalist approach to exercising our faith, which, if we’re honest, has been a long time coming. Young Muslims are embracing traditions in new ways to align with the urgent need for us all to make sustainable choices in 2021 — for many, this falls under a redefinition of the the term ‘modesty’.
Take care of yourself this Ramadan
Ramadan always brings a mix of emotions for me – relief, excitement, reflection and anxiety that I won’t be good enough to fulfil the requirements that come with the Muslim holy month. Ramadan is predominantly known as a time for abstaining from food and drink – yes, that means no water – from sunrise to sunset, every day for a month. But it’s so much more than abstaining from food.
Can I celebrate Christmas?
I think it’s pretty safe to say at this stage that hatred of Muslims is brewing into something that can no longer be halted – and it is going to get worse before it gets better. These days, Muslims get penalised every time we make ourselves visible within society – whether it be via the British Bake Off or a Tesco advert. There are a growing number of people in Britain who are calling for our erasure, our exile, our death.
Muslim values are British values
14th March 2017 | by Maz Halima | @mazhalima | I remember when they were circulating around the net, to many varying opinions. T-shirts that said ‘I Am Not My Grandparents’ on them. To all of our grandparents, the passive and forthcoming alike, that was seen as a mark of disrespect. Which I agree with, to an extent. The thing is, I’m not my grandparents. I wish I had their characteristics. They were more hardworking, less fickle, righteously resilient, and more likely to abide by their word.
In a closet of dreams
Zehra rolled onto her side, looking at Kiran as if she was a secret worth her weight in gold. Zehra always looked at Kiran like she was treasure, but only when nobody else was watching. Kiran had enjoyed the excitement at first; the thrill hadn’t felt like a bad thing, but now it had grown tiresome – she wanted to be shown off, she wanted the person that she loved to be proud to have her as a partner. She wanted normality, a companionship that didn’t need to be a sordid secret.
Changing the script on romance
26th November 2020 | by Maz Halima | @mazhalima | Before Lockdown 2.0, my boyfriend and I went to a comedy show in our local manor in South London. The need to socially distance meant the crowd was intimate – 16 of us squished onto little tables in a cafe, waiting for a group of comedians who performed standing next to what looked like a karaoke machine from Argos. Social distancing measures also meant we had been allocated seating.
sister-hood magazine. A Fuuse production by Deeyah Khan.
21st August 2018 | by Maz Halima | @mazhalima | ‘Ooh, you do have thick hair don’t you?’ the hairdresser said, as she ran a roller brush through a large lock of strands, twisting it outwards with a force that made my head jerk violently with it. ‘Yes it is a bit,’ I smiled, shrugging apologetically. I am 29 years old and still hadn’t found a hairdresser who seemed at home with my hair. I’ve always found it strange that I have never had my hair cut by a South Asian person.
sister-hood magazine. A Fuuse production by Deeyah Khan.
Riz Ahmed’s latest offering feels very apt for 2020, since its central theme dances around the fear intrinsic to the reality of our lives. Riz plays Zed, a British Pakistani rapper in New York. On the cusp of ‘making it’, he’s getting ready to embark on a US tour. But first, he decides to go home to London to check in with his family. The film opens with Zed rapping venomously, spitting into the mic until his face contorts and he falls to the stage floor, every word coming from his gut.
Riz Ahmed is king of the jungle in Mogul Mowgli
Riz Ahmed’s latest offering feels very apt for 2020, with its central theme dancing around the fear that comes with the reality of our existence. Riz plays Zed, a British Pakistani rapper residing in New York and on the cusp of ‘making it’, getting ready to embark on a US tour. But first, Zed decides to go home to London to check in with his family. The first moment of the movie where your heart drops is when Zed has a moment alone in the bathroom and he punches his leg in an attempt to feel it.
sister-hood magazine. A Fuuse production by Deeyah Khan.
Banaz Mahmod was born in Iraq in 1985. When she was just ten years old, her father fled Iraq, and sought asylum with his wife and five daughters in Mitcham, South London. Banaz was just four years older than me: we were both South London residents, and we were both victims of domestic violence. The difference is that I lived to tell my tale. In 2006, Banaz was brutally murdered by the men in her family after she divorced her abusive husband and fell in love with another man.
I didn’t realise it was abuse
My counsellor let her glasses fall slightly down her nose so I could see directly into her eyes. ‘Do you think this is emotional abuse?’ she asked softly, curiously. I’d told her about my latest row with Dave*. I chuckled awkwardly. ‘I don’t know if I’d call it that.’ It’s been years and I still don’t feel comfortable calling it that – maybe because it would mean admitting my own weaknesses: losing my dignity, staying in a toxic relationship for so long. I met Dave a few years back.
Not your spice girl
Photo by Nikoli Afina on Unsplash 6th May 2020 | by Maz Halima | @mazhalima | I am more than spices, mango in the summer, cinnamon in the winter, cardamom to feel good, cloves for a cold There is so much more to my heritage than magic ingredients More than the saffron, the cumin, turmeric that would stain my fingers if only I were a woman who was at home in the kitchen My humanity runs far deeper than spices and chai I’m a product of a prisoner of war Parents who slept in ditches as bombs...
What’s Food Got to Do With Your Moods?
When we think about our mental health, often the conversation around food and nutrition is ignored. In this months post with Inspirited Minds they focus on this reminder. When life gets on top of us sometimes our diet can be affected, many of us reach for convenience foods that perhaps may not have the nutrition our mind and body need, or we may even be eating and drinking too little. Make sure you go through this list of what is important.
Now Is the Time to Organise, a Letter to My Sisters
Salaam sisters. The worst has happened, but I wanted to write to you and encourage you to continue to keep the faith in a better future. Look, I know how you feel. I feel like I have been betrayed. I had faith in the people we share this tiny island with. I truly believed that we all knew we desperately need kinder politics to save lives in this country.
Is God a feminist?
9th October 2019 | by Maz Halima | @mazhalima | Pa·tri·arch·y A system of society or government in which the father or eldest male is head of the family Nothing should deter me from my deen. Yet, for my whole life, I have tried to shut out the opinions of misogynistic men who prick holes in my faith with every derogatory comment they make about women. They aren’t even aware of it.
My alcoholic mother
I was fortunate enough to grow up with my mother around, and I know I should be grateful for that. But the reality is that she was never mentally there. I never got to know who she really is – and I doubt I ever will. My mother is an alcoholic. Growing up with an alcoholic caregiver is traumatic for a young psyche. At 30 years old, I’m still trying to come to terms with the fundamental damage it caused.
First Time in South East Asia? Start With Singapore
If you’re exploring the world solo or an unseasoned traveler and are not sure where to start exploring South East Asia from, this one is for you! Visiting a new region or continent so far removed from everything you know can be both very exciting and very intimidating, but it shouldn’t stop you from visiting the places you long to go. Traveling through different cultures is such an enriching experience, and for me personally, it helped me understand so much about humanity and myself.
As a queer Muslim, watching the school protests in Birmingham is exhausting
Photography by Charles Roffey via Flickr Do you know how many queer Muslims I know? More than I can count on both hands. Do you know how many queer Muslims I know who are out in their day-to-day lives? Not one. Life as an openly queer Muslim can be terrifying. To be queer and Muslim is to extremely brave. Some straight Muslims I have spoken to are firm believers that you simply cannot be Muslim and queer. The existence of LGBTI+ Muslims is almost constantly denied.
As a queer Muslim, watching the homophobic school protests in Birmingham is exhausting
Photography by Charles Roffey via Flickr Do you know how many queer Muslims I know? More than I can count on both hands. Do you know how many queer Muslims I know who are out in their day-to-day lives? Not one. Life as an openly queer Muslim can be terrifying. To be queer and Muslim is to extremely brave. Some straight Muslims I have spoken to are firm believers that you simply cannot be Muslim and queer. The existence of LGBTI+ Muslims is almost constantly denied.
Women of Colour: two-time Emmy winner Deeyah Khan
This week in our Women of Colour series, Vuelio media researcher and freelance journalist Maz Halima caught up with filmmaker, publisher, two-time Emmy winner and Ted Talk speaker Deeyah Khan. Deeyah’s latest documentary White Right: Meeting the Enemy is currently available on Netflix. Here, she tells us about her filmmaking process, tips for success when creating uniquely captivating stories for the world of film and advice for anyone who wants to follow their dream.
Understanding those with mental health issues this Ramadan
Society: Mental illness is not always met with compassion, and that has to change, writes Maz Halima. In its essence, Ramadan is something we have to see through in isolation. The hunger, the dehydration headaches, the effort it takes to try and keep your thoughts pure – these struggles are yours alone. The holy month provides intensive time for you to strengthen your bond with not only Allah, but yourself. It's time to test your endurance.
Life After Living With An Alcoholic Parent
I was fortunate enough to grow up with my mother around, and I know I should be grateful for that. But the reality is that she was never really with me enough for me to know who she really is. And I doubt I ever will. My mother is an alcoholic. Her behaviour meant that I spent most of my childhood in a state of deep distress, but it also means that now, in my late twenties, I’m still dealing with the aftermath.
A Halal Trip Guide to Berlin: Food & Attractions
“Berlin is more a part of the world than a city. ” —Jean Paul, Writer, 1800 Arriving in Berlin in the midst of the winter solstice I shouldn’t have been taken aback by the chill in the air, the whiteness of the sky, snow falling on my face – but it was claustrophobic, looming above my head, closing in on me. The whole week I was there, I never saw the sun. Thankfully, the magic of the Christmas Market lights meant that even in its gloomy winter state, the city sparkled.
My Struggle With Hair Removal: Being Intentional About Loving Myself
My first experience of hair removal was seeing my mother standing over the gas stove, skimming her forearms over the blue flame, time and time again until the smell of burning hair reached my nostrils and I cringed in bewilderment. It happened every month and for some reason, I never asked what she was doing, and she never volunteered to tell me. But I remember thinking it looked like a dangerous game. The first time I tried to remove my hair was when I was around 12 years old.
5 Must-Do Tasks to Kick-off Your Wedding Planning Process
Dream weddings don’t happen overnight… heck, they barely happen when you plan them months ahead. So take the time to really figure out what you both want and give yourselves a realistic timeline to do everything. But most importantly – remember to have fun and enjoy the process together. Now here are 5 things every bride-to-be (+groom) needs to think about: 1. Budgeting: Figuring out your budget early on is the most efficient way to plan your wedding.
A Love Letter to the Hijab I Removed
To My Hijab — I adored you, but I had to let you go. Once upon a time, you made me feel like a better woman. I’d wrap you around me and feel safer, more confident, purposeful… holy. Without you I’m vulnerable to prying eyes; I feel open to judgement, up for debate, here for grabs. But I have to live with that, because I wasn’t ready to give up the things I’d need to in order to be worthy of you. I knew it the day a man I didn’t know chased me down the street.
Top 7 Tips on Travelling in Switzerland on a Budget
Summer is here and holidays are just around the corner! So if you are planning a holiday to the beautiful country Switzerland, which as we all know can be expensive, here are some of our top money saving tips! Recently we went to Interlaken, Switzerland for 4 nights and 5 days. Tip #1 – Travel Passes Find out the things you definitely want to do and tally up the cost of all the train journeys and activities that you’re planning to do.
“Exercise Saved Me”: My Mental Health Journey
by Maz Halima in Lifestyle on 10th October, 2019 I have suffered from mental health issues for as long as I can remember. Even in primary school, I just found life too overwhelming. What I didn’t consider though was that my diet and lifestyle didn’t help – I bunked every P.E class and I lived on fried chicken, ramen noodles, frozen food and concentrated juices in abundance.
Baby Travel Tips: “By 11 Months of Age, My Daughter Had Been on About 30 Flights! ”
Note: I’m a nursing/co-sleeping mom so I may not have the information necessary for bottle-fed babies. Nonetheless, I hope you find the tips below to be useful. I often get asked how these flights went. While I’d love to say they were all a breeze – in reality, some flights were difficult and a couple of them downright painful (Thailand to Lahore, I won’t forget you!). But for the most part, someone usually comes up to me post-flight and says, “she did good,” as I let out a sigh of relief.
To The Women Of My Blood | Maz Halima Khan on WordPress.com
That they are inherently submissive, naive, hidden from the world behind dupattas and burkas But I look to the women of my bloodline who arrived before me Audacious, uncompromising, unbearable to the men who don’t want to hear them Some will try and bring you down to earth where they want you to belong But you are flying, dazzling, undefeated Your mother brought you and my mother to a cold strange land for a better life And as your necklace rests on my chest I remember To never compromise, to...
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