As a feminist of Egyptian and Muslim descent, my life's work has been informed by the belief that religion and culture must never be used to justify the subjugation of women.
I will never ally with Islamophobes and racists. But in the choice between 'community' and Muslim women, I will always choose my sisters.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes prioritizing solidarity with marginalized groups over alignment with prejudiced ideologies.
Mona Eltahawy's quote highlights the importance of choosing to defend and support Muslim women in the face of discrimination, rejecting alliances with those who harbor Islamophobic and racist sentiments. It reflects a commitment to sisterhood and solidarity among women, particularly in minority communities, demonstrating that the fight against oppression takes precedence over maintaining relationships with those who perpetuate hate.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a women's rights conference, one could use this quote to stress the importance of unity among women against hate.
More from Mona Eltahawy
All quotes βI'm no fan of Sarkozy, but I support a ban on face veils because they erase women from society and are promoted by an ultra-conservative ideology that equates piety with the disappearance of women.
It is the harassers and assaulters who make us 'look bad,' not the women who have every right to expose crimes against them.
I can write about my culture and religion because I am a product of both. Even when I'm accused of giving ammunition to the Islamophobic right, in the struggle between 'community' and 'women,' I always choose the women.
I believe at the heart of any revolution for social justice and human dignity are consent and agency, the unequivocal belief that I own my body - not the state, not the church/mosque/temple, not the street and not the family.
I detest the niqab and the burka for their erasure of women and for dangerously equating piety with that disappearance - the less of you I can see, the closer you must be to God.
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I worked for suffrage for years, and got it. I've worked for peace for 55 years and haven't come close.