Love – SEDAA – Our Voices

Will my daughter still love me tomorrow? A reflection on leaving Salafism

17th January 202118th January 2021 admin

By Thomas Maldonado Last weekend, I celebrated my youngest daughter’s birthday for the first time since I left Salafism (a branch of Islam that believes in a literal approach to the faith). Now that I am no longer bound by ridiculous religious rules, I am free to explore and celebrate the world around me, without giving two fucks about what anyone thinks or is brave enough to say to me. To see my daughter’s beautiful little face light up as she jumped in delight at my horrible happy birthday canticle made me…

Virginity: losing my most ‘valuable’ asset

27th March 202017th December 2020 admin

By Reema They say love is a beautiful thing. For many women in Saudi Arabia, that just isn’t the case. We were taught that love is only allowed after marriage. It is also expected that one’s marriage will be arranged by one’s family. That didn’t stop us, however, from searching for love. You just had to know how to keep it a secret. Like many girls, I had always dreamt of finding love. And I did find love—or so I thought. I had a secret boyfriend, as a lot of…

Taking your time is not encouraged on the rishta scene

23rd August 20168th May 2017 admin

By Damn Fab Desi It was bad enough doing this the first time around. The dreaded chat would start once studies had finished. “It’s time to find a rishta”. Well, at least back in the day — and I can’t imagine much has changed in that respect. The word ‘rishta’ is used loosely now to basically mean, find a man. However, so much has changed for me from then to now. One marriage, broken by a betrayal I never saw coming, left its mark for a long time — and…

They Called me Shameless

28th July 2016 admin

By Scheherazade They called me shameless A disgrace For falling in love For wanting control over my own life The heart wants what it wants What could I have done? When I came home that night Trying to creep into my bed There they were Waiting for me instead. Rage on their faces. Slut Whore Beghairat, they said. All I wanted was to be free Soar with these wings Fly, wherever the wind would take me But I carried their honour Like a noose around my neck Which became tight Until…

The Dating Difficulties of an Ex Muslim

19th July 20168th May 2017 admin

By Aliyah Saleem Like millions of people around the world, I use online dating. As a Pakistani woman with a Muslim name and a banging nose ring, I attract attention from some Muslim men. Dating is hard in the best of circumstances but if you are an ex-Muslim, it’s downright depressing. A lot of us try and stay in the closet because of the taboo for as long as possible. It’s okay when you are single but the prospect of a serious relationships and having children puts ex-Muslims in…

Hunting Season

15th July 20168th May 2017 admin

By Jalebi There’s a time in every Muslim’s life where your parents think you’re old enough to go into the concrete jungle and find yourself a mate. But like any true ‘coming of age’ story, every young hunter will face his or her obstacles. I feel slightly Neanderthal-ish when people say I need to make more effort in dating. I imagine myself dragging my knuckles, grunting something resembling a mating call with a spear in my hand. And like those simple cave man days, as soon as I see him I aim…