Copyright © 2003-2011, Aishah Schwartz. Permission granted to circulate among private individuals, groups, or in not-for-profit publications in full text and subject title. All other rights reserved.

June 18, 2012

My take on Michigan Rep. Lisa Brown's vagina monologue

My birth state of Michigan has great lakes, diverse cultures, stunning autumns, Motown and its musical descendants, the DIA, the DSO, the Detroit Zoo (the latter three being world-class institutions), hip culture, proud labor history, former underground railroads...and strong women who speak their mind, including my cousin, Carol (who kindly brought this matter to my attention). ♥

June 17, 2012

Join Aishah Schwartz in supporting the right of women in Saudi Arabia to drive #Women2Drive, #W2Drive

My Right to Dignity Petition - Women2Drive Saudi Arabia
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/women2drive-17jun2012/


My Right to Dignity has published an open petition addressed to King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz on the occasion of one year since the beginning of the June 17th women driving movement. The petition renews the request to lift the ban disallowing the right of women in the Kingdom to drive. The goal of the petition is to secure 10,000 signatures. Arabic and English translated versions of the petition included. Please sign the petition and share, like, etc., insha’Allah.

To his majesty, the custodian of the two holy mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, may God save and bless him.
http://saudiwoman.me/2012/06/11/translation-of-my-right-to-dignity-petition/

Peace and God’s mercy and blessing be upon you,

May 22, 2012

Urge the U.S. Government to Apologize to Maher Arar, Tortured in Syria

Click on image to view full size.
Maher Arar suffered torture because of the actions of U.S. officials, and an apology is now long overdue.

Arar, a Canadian citizen, was travelling home to Canada from visiting relatives in Tunisia in 2002. While changing planes in New York City's JFK airport, he was detained by U.S. authorities and then secretly transferred to SYRIA, where he was held for a year and tortured.

Released without charge, he was allowed to return to Canada, and the Canadian government issues an apology. However, the U.S. government failed to apologize or offer Arar any form of remedy—despite its obligation to do so under the UN Convention Against Torture and other human rights treaties.

Join Amnesty International, the Center for Constitutional Rights, 9/11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, author Stephen King and former interrogator Matthew Alexander in urging President Obama and Congress to apologize to Maher Arar and fulfill his right to remedy.

It's the right thing to do.

SIGN THE PETITION
http://tinyurl.com/maher-we-apologize

RELATED ARTICLE: Can Obama Say He's Sorry?
by David Cole, who represented Maher Arar in his federal lawsuit on behalf of the Center for Constitutional Rights.
http://www.thenation.com/article/167993/can-obama-say-hes-sorry

Recommended Reading: "All American: 45 American Men on Being Muslim

45 American Men on Being Muslim, published June 2. Purchase an advance copy for just $10 here: http://tinyurl.com/765ym7q "Like" the FB Page here: http://www.facebook.com/AllAmericanMuslimMen 

Excerpt on Huffington Post from Congressman Keith Ellison's Foreword to 'All-American: 45 American Men on Being Muslim' (White Cloud Press, $16.95).

More on Huffington Post.

Publisher's Weekly Religion Review.

Booksmith Review

In Remembrance of the 1,004 Syrian Women Martyrs (as of 20 May 12)

PETITION: "No to FGM in Egypt" --sign today!

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/no-to-fgm-in-egypt.html
(click on image to view full size -- click on link to sign petition)

Sakinah & Jessica Taking Turns Securing my PocketbookGo

Gotta love those kitties.
(Click on image to view full size.)