"I do not know which of us has written this page." -Borges
As Islamists gain ground in Egypt, Tunisia, and Syria concerns over their potential gender policies continue to fester. While such concerns and interest are certainly important, why do they gain such momentous traction only when it comes to Islamists? After all, have non-Islamist Arab political parties and powers had such wonderful and progressive gender policies all this time? This selective fear of Islamists rests on familiar assumptions about Islam (scary) secularism (comforting/warm and fuzzy) and other religions (huh?). Thus the victory of Islamists in Egypt’s elections is cause for anxiety (about what they might do) among international feminists and gender activists, in addition to groups and individuals such as The Center for Secular Space and Hillary Clinton. But spitting on eight year old girls or stoning women (yes, stoning) who violate the gender code of Orthodox Judaism is a headline, not a discourse on women’s rights and patriarchy in Israel or in Judaism. But I am sure that if women were stoned and/or spit on in the streets of Homs for not wearing the hijab it would be about Islam and about the dangers that the Syrian uprising poses to Syrian women. Similarly, the victory of Islamists in Tunisian elections is scary because of what they may do in regards to women’s and LGBTQ rights, but Rick Santorum’s bible fueled anti-woman and anti-gay campaign/crusade says nothing about the gender politics of Christianity.

Maya Mikdashi, The Uprisings Will be Gendered via Jadaliyya

I’ve read this 4 time already and it’s only been posted a few hours ago. I sometimes feel like crawling in a corner knowing some of writings appear on the same publication as Maya Mikdashi’s.

(via sharquaouia)

(via sharquaouia)

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    Holy fuck this is so on point.
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