National

“Why Do They Hate Us,” asks Arab journalist, Mona Eltahawy, in her essay for Foreign Policy magazine. Eltahawy goes on to describe her perception of the treatment of women in the Arab world and ascribes all related mistreatment to systematic misogyny and patriarchy. The title of her essay is featured on the cover of the magazine with a photo of a nude woman painted in black with only her eyes showing, as if she were wearing a painted niqab and the caption under the title reads, “The real war on women is in the Middle East.”

Is it?

The controversy surrounding the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) mandate requiring religious employers to cover contraception, sterilization procedures, and abortifacient drugs has been framed as a conflict between religion and women. Many are painting opposition to the mandate as a war on women and their reproductive rights and health interests.

There are those who would learn that Catholic University of America, a private, Catholic institution, has doubled its Muslim student enrollment in just four years, and think happy thoughts about interfaith cooperation and growing religious harmony.
Cardinal Hall at Catholic University of America, Brookland neighborhood, Washington.

Then there are those who see potential lawsuits, dollar signs, and fame.

John Banzhaf is among the latter. Despite not having a single Muslim student complaint to his case, Banzhaf has filed a case with D.C.’s Office of Human Rights for alleged discrimination against Muslims students, claiming that Muslim students are refused rooms to pray that are devoid of Catholic images. He also alleges that Muslim students, unlike Jewish students, cannot form student groups on campus. Whatever the truth of these claims, what stands out is that the students themselves are not complaining--but Banzhaf is.

Banzhaf, who recently brought another lawsuit against the university for gender discrimination over the school’s decision to return to same-sex dormitories, hardly seems concerned about Muslim rights. He is merely using Muslims as his shield in his battle against conservative religious values, not caring that he is subjecting these students and the American Muslim community as a whole to more resentment in a time when resentment is already high and authentic respect is hard-earned.

Cardinal Hall at Catholic University of America, Brookland neighborhood, Washington. Another school year is in full swing. Frat houses around the country are once again swollen with partygoers and intoxicated youth. Sunday mornings once again mark the regret of thousands of young women who hooked-up the night prior and either cannot remember what they did, or do remember and are trying to forget.

 Another hook-up season is in full swing.

But this hook-up season, there is an increasing phenomenon of unlikely bedfellows opting out: Catholic and Muslim women. These women of faith are increasingly allied in searching for a different way to live out their college tenure than from dorm room to dorm room. And they are finding that despite theological differences that run deep, shared perspectives about modesty, chastity, and dignity run deeper. 

Contributor to AltMuslimah.com

A decade and a day ago, you could describe a guy as being tall, Muslim, from the Bronx, and no one’s eyes would start darting. Back then, the word “Muslim” was merely an adjective. Today it’s an accusation. An allegation. An affront.