sister-hood is an award-winning digital magazine spotlighting the diverse voices of women of Muslim heritage.
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I want to empty my mind of myself, As all roads do not lead back to me. Build a wall of rejection around my heart, Let my ego fall to its knees. To achieve a pure state where others…
A cherished childhood spent cocooned in my inward-looking community, Protected me from the indoctrination of a white-privileged history. But when I stepped into a world where brown was under-represented My identity… Was molested. My speech, skin, hair and dress, seemed…
Violent harangues of hunger pangs, Solemnly suppressed by invoking hands. Tired, listless, lethargic limbs, Silently cleanse the soul from sins. Somnolent, tired eyes, Stay awake to seek their prize. Dehydrated, throbbing heads, Understand the blessings of health. A gathering of…
One pillar of Islam that my mum strictly adhered to was the difficult but humbling act of fasting. Unfortunately, at the point that it became obligatory for me to fulfil this religious duty, the lunar Islamic calendar was displaying summer,…
I had no self-respect, So I covered my flesh So I lowered my gaze So I held my tongue So I quashed my anger. I had no purpose in life, So I rejected want for need So I shared my…
Resurrection lies in wait, For every soul there’s no escape. To meet our Maker, submit our soul, Present our case, our hearts exposed. Our desperate pleas will resonate, Nafsee, nafsee, selfish state. Searching for a ray of light, Amidst…
The silence wrapped itself around me, smothering senseless voice, Cocooning me in blissful calm from naked, nauseating noise. Bitter envy clothed in praise, a blackened heart lauds acclaim. Face to face sincerity, followed by disparity, blatant contrariety. Begrudging…
The incessant search for a suitable spouse continued to dominate my parents’ minds. After countless months of rejected potentials, they resorted to underhand methods to entice me towards the one type of man I refused to see. Whilst I was…
We see those empty bellied stares Through a screen. And we barely care. Dissociate, we separate, our emotions, abdicate. But take away our sustenance, The tempting calls of gluttonous, Taste the pangs of abstinence, To ignite the spirit of…
Female Muslims, supressed they say. Thoughts and voices kept at bay. Born to breed, must take heed. Brains in chains, Master reigns. Wives and mothers, fit for purpose. Conceal their strength, limit their wealth. Faith constrains, potential wanes. Feminism jailed,…
This is an excerpt from Sahera Patel’s book Unveiling Arabia, available through Amazon. Every evening I would make my way to the balcony half an hour before the sun was about to set and absorb the beauty of the moment. …
sister-hood is a digital magazine and a series of live events. We create platforms for women of Muslim heritage to speak for themselves, rather than being spoken for or spoken about. sister-hood challenges stereotypes and promotes the fearless, progressive, creative voices of women of Muslim heritage.
sister-hood is currently on hiatus whilst we work on our relaunch. The site will still be available for your reading pleasure.
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