Month: March 2017

A hijab by any other name is…fashion.

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The hijab has been getting a lot of attention lately. Women who wear the hijab (Islamic head covering) are becoming more vocal, asserting their existence in a world that has attempted to define them. Women who wear the hijab are speaking, shouting, writing, running, jumping, strutting, fencing, dancing and singing their way to recognition, in an attempt to redefine themselves on their own terms, to show the world that hey, we wear the hijab and we can do anything. Anything and everything. NOTHING holds me back.  I am a proud, hijab-wearing, independent, Muslim WOMAN who can make her own choices and do whatever she wants.  And the world is seemingly responding. People seem to be accepting the fact that (believe it or not!) Muslim women who wear the hijab are. Just. Human. Female. Girls. ETC. who happen to cover their heads and most of their bodies. Which is of course a good thing. Right? The “modest fashion” market is recognised as a booming niche that big corporations need to tap into. From Nike, to MNG, corporations …

Conversations with kids

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Kids say the most hilarious things, and I wish I wrote down some of the things my own kids say more often. Here are a few things my little ones have spilled recently… When I came back from the hospital and J said to me: “Mum, why do you still have a baby in your tummy?” Me: “Umm… there’s no baby in there J. My tummy is just going to take some time to return to normal.” J: “Oh, ok. I don’t like it like that. It needs to be flat again!” Me: *tears streaming down my face… “This tummy stretched to carry all three of you!!” When asking why her 16 year-old uncle isn’t married yet… J: “Why isn’t Emmi (short for ‘Amja’ or ‘uncle’ in Turkish) married yet?” Me: “Because he is too young J, he’s still in school…” J: “Oh, so he can get married in the school holidays…” A few weeks ago she suddenly piped up with… “An-ne (or mum), I want to be exactly like you when I’m older…” Me: “awwww …

What social media is really about

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I am on social media a lot. Recently I admitted to myself that I am addicted to it. That I spend way too much time on it. That it is taking over my life and turning me into an automaton. Yes my eldest has yelled at me numerous times to put my phone down. And yes, I’ve written before about how allowing kids screen time is madness, and yet here I am, admitting that I am addicted to social media. Hypocritical much? Possibly… I told myself that I actually do “work” on there (I am the editor/creator of the IG The Modest Bride) and that it’s a way to pass the time. But I think what really pushed me to realise its true nature (Instagram in particular) is consciously admitting that ALL social media is the most pernicious form of advertising. And IT’S KILLING MY SOUL.It’s emptying my bank account. It’s making me anxious and making me feel like somehow my life is inadequate because I don’t have all the eco-conscious, organic, ethical, MINIMALIST THINGS …