by Ahmed Khalil
On May 2nd, 1999, parliamentarians screamed, “Get out! Get out!” They kept at it for 30 to 40 minutes, the volume of the cries rising higher and higher, as it fell on the ears of Merve Kavakçi. At the age of 31, Kavakçi was the first woman wearing the hijab elected to the Turkish parliament. She had arrived to her first day at parliament, along with 549 members, for her oath taking ceremony. This far exceeded anything she could have prepared herself for. She sat still, quiet, appalled, yet defiant. The cries were briefly interrupted by then Prime Minister Bülent Ecevit, as he rose from his seat, pointing his forefinger at her to say, “Put this woman in her place!”
Friday Muslim prayers not anti-woman
by Ahmed Khalil
Re: Religion has no place in public school – and neither does sexism, editorial, Jul. 11
I can understand Tasha Kheiriddin’s anger about a newspaper photograph showing young Muslim teens in Friday prayer, boys in the front, girls in the back, and even further back are the girls who have their periods. However, I encourage Ms. Kheiriddin to attempt to understand the traditions she is quick to judge and condemn.
Read More »