It wasn’t that long ago, in 2018, that Saudi Arabia started letting women drive, and people still aren’t allowed to report on environmental issues and concerns from inside Saudi Arabia without fear of retribution; but Saudi Arabia is trying to bring its fossil fuel nation and Saudi Aramco to the 21st century. There is NEOM, a 15 minute city and mega grouping of resorts and destinations.

One other way to boost tourism and interest is fashion. And this month Saudi Arabia hosts its first Red Sea Fashion Week.

The Red Sea Fashion Week will celebrate both established and emerging talent. Alongside international brands, the spotlight will shine on 100 Saudi fashion labels.

The three-day event will include two runway shows and activations, featuring luxury fashion, jewelry, ready-to-wear, and resort wear collections from both Saudi and international designers.

Saudi fashion designer, Tima Abid will be opening the showcase. Established in 2003, Tima Abid’s haute couture collections are a celebration of her Saudi Arabian heritage.

Her creations are a fusion of contemporary design and cultural influences. Renowned for her exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail, Tima has an illustrious roster of clients, including members of royalty and celebrated artists.

In 2020, she made her debut at Paris Haute Couture, displaying her quintessentially Arabian aesthetic onto a global sphere.

Now, the acclaimed fashion visionary is bringing her deep-rooted designs back to her home country, dazzling the sartorial set at Red Sea Fashion Week 2024.

Burak Cakmak, Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Fashion Commission, said: “With Red Sea Fashion Week, we set out to forge a distinctive and dynamic platform that not only highlights the vast creativity and skill within Saudi Arabia but also elevates our nation as a key player on the global fashion stage.

“This initiative is a vibrant testament to our dedication to cultivating local talent and integrating them into the international arena, resonating deeply with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals of enriching our cultural fabric and broadening our economic horizons.”

Launched in 2021, the Saudi 100 Brands program empowers Saudi designers to develop their fashion, luxury, and jewelry businesses, providing them with the best tools to grow their label in both local and international markets.

Through masterclasses, workshops, one-on-one mentorship sessions, and professional development delivered by industry leaders and experts, Saudi 100 Brands is already producing fashion stars and enjoying success on the world stage with events taking place at New York, Paris, and Milan Fashion Weeks.

In its first year, the program delivered more than 5,000 hours of specialized mentoring. The program covers ten different categories: ready-to-wear, modest, concept, premium, demi-couture, bridal, handbags, jewelry, and from this year, fragrances, and footwear.

The designers are a diverse group – aged from 20 – 70, 85% female, some educated in top international design schools while others are self-trained.

Together with the Ministry of Culture, the commission is working to unlock a thriving cultural sector to preserve and elevate the traditions that make the Kingdom unique.

The history of Saudi Arabian fashion 

Saudi Arabian fashion designers have carved a unique niche in the global fashion industry, blending traditional Islamic attire with contemporary designs to create stunning pieces that captivate audiences worldwide. You would imagine the results to be ultra-conservative to match the Islamic take on modesty – but it’s not always to case. While the fashion scene in Saudi Arabia has historically been more conservative due to cultural norms, there has been a significant shift in recent years with emerging designers pushing boundaries and gaining recognition internationally.

What we would like to see is a more sustainable approach to fashion like Stella McCartney in the UK. BUt the horse is before the cart. We are celebrating local Saudi talent and that’s a start.

One of the pioneers of Saudi Arabian fashion is Reem Al Kanhal. Known for her elegant and sophisticated designs, Al Kanhal has been instrumental in showcasing Saudi culture through her collections while incorporating modern elements. Her creations have graced runways across the globe, earning her a spot among the top Saudi designers of all time.

Arwa Al Banawi is another prominent figure in Saudi fashion. Her brand is celebrated for its fusion of traditional Saudi aesthetics with contemporary streetwear influences. Al Banawi’s bold designs and impeccable tailoring have garnered attention from fashion enthusiasts worldwide, cementing her status as one of the leading voices in Saudi fashion.

Razan Alazzouni has gained international acclaim for her intricately detailed designs that celebrate femininity and elegance. Her pieces often feature delicate embellishments and exquisite craftsmanship, reflecting her commitment to luxury and sophistication. Alazzouni’s creations have been worn by celebrities and royalty alike, solidifying her position as one of Saudi Arabia’s most influential designers.

Honayda Serafi is renowned for her avant-garde approach to fashion, pushing boundaries with her innovative designs and bold aesthetic. Serafi’s collections often challenge societal norms, embracing individuality and self-expression. Her fearless creativity has earned her a devoted following both in Saudi Arabia and beyond, making her one of the most dynamic figures in the country’s fashion scene.

Finally, Mashael Alrajhi has emerged as a trailblazer in Saudi Arabian fashion, known for her contemporary take on traditional attire. Alrajhi’s designs seamlessly blend heritage with modernity, offering a fresh perspective on Saudi fashion. Her innovative use of fabrics and attention to detail have earned her widespread acclaim, solidifying her status as one of the top Saudi designers of all time.

As part of the fashion week, Saudi Arabia hosted a poolside show featuring the work of Moroccan designer Yasmina Qanzal whose one-piece suits in shades of red, beige and blue caught the attention of the world. Most models had exposed shoulders and some had their midriffs partially visible.

“It’s true that this country is very conservative but we tried to show elegant swimsuits which represent the Arab world,” Qanzal said.

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In Islamic culture, the hijab stands as a symbol of modesty, identity, and faith for Arab and Muslim women. We firmly believe wearing a hijab or a Muslim head scarf should be an act of faith and a woman should always decide. Some women believe the hijab is empowering. But how to avoid hijab hair?

When your hair is tied up it doesn’t get air or the sun. Here’s a guide on how Muslim women can treat their hijab hair with care and reverence. Jewish women who cover their hair or who wear wigs can also use these tips. Some Jewish women call their head scarves a snood.

Understanding Hijab Hair and the woman Muslim head scarf

Hijab hair refers to the hair of Muslim women who cover it with a headscarf as an expression of their faith. The hair may face challenges such as dryness, breakage, and lack of volume due to prolonged covering. Understanding these challenges is the first step towards effective care.

Read More: Queer Muslims in Boston choose to wear a Muslim head scarf 

Consider the material that your head covering is made from. Silk, cotton, wool blends and linen will breath naturally. A Jersey hijab is made from cotton. Consider using an eco fabric, harvested sustainably.

The foundation of healthy hair lies in a balanced diet. Incorporating nutrient-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats can promote hair strength and growth. Additionally, staying hydrated ensures that hair follicles receive adequate moisture, combating dryness caused by the hijab. Some people take biotin to increase hair growth, and at a certain age your dermatologist might suggest some vitamins for your hair. Speak with your girlfriends. They will have tips too.

Gentle Cleansing and Hydration

Frequent washing may strip hijab hair of its natural oils, leading to dryness and breakage. Opt for gentle, sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners to cleanse and hydrate without harsh chemicals. Focus on the scalp to remove buildup and promote circulation, but be mindful not to overwash, aiming for 2-3 times a week, not more.

Sealing moisture into hijab hair is essential for preventing dryness and brittleness. After washing, apply a leave-in conditioner or natural oils such as argan oil or coconut oil to the lengths and ends of the hair. This creates a protective barrier, keeping moisture locked in throughout the day.

Read more: Why Muslims don’t drink alcohol

Protective Styling with your Muslim head wrap

When wearing the hijab, opt for loose and breathable fabrics to minimize friction and allow airflow to the scalp. Remember natural fabrics dyed with natural dyes. Avoid tight hairstyles that can strain the hair follicles and lead to breakage. Instead, choose gentle styles like braids or loose buns to keep hair secure without pulling or tugging.

Nighttime Care

Before bedtime, loosely braid hijab hair to prevent tangling and breakage while sleeping. Silk or satin pillowcases can also reduce friction and help retain moisture, preventing dryness and frizz. We prefer cotton but it’s your choice. Additionally, consider using a silk or satin hair bonnet to protect hair from friction caused by movement during sleep.

Hair slugging is a trend some people swear by. The basic idea is to apply a thick layer of oil or petroleum jelly to your hair before bed, and then wrap it up to keep the moisture in. As mentioned, this can help to hydrate your hair, reduce frizz, and make it look shinier. We don’t believe petroleum is a good idea for the job. Try a natural oil instead.

The popular but expensive Ouai hair oil is said to work well. With the ingredients list you can make your own:

Rice Bran Oil – emollient plant oil with nourishing and moisturizing fatty acids (oleic acid: 40%, linoleic acid: 30%, linolenic acid:1-2%), antioxidant vitamin E, emollient sterols and potent antioxidant gamma-oryzanol.

Asian women use rosemary oil on the scalp and say it prevents thinning. Dilute one you might find with almond or another weak edible oil and do a test patch first to see how your scalp reacts.

Regular trims are essential for maintaining healthy hijab hair. Trimming every 8 to 12 weeks helps prevent split ends and breakage, keeping hair strong and voluminous. Even if the ends are not visible due to the hijab, regular maintenance ensures overall hair health.

Read More: Head coverings and the problem with modesty police in Iran

Mindful Hair Accessories

Be mindful of the hair accessories used under the hijab. Avoid using tight clips or hair ties that can cause tension and breakage. Instead, opt for soft, fabric-covered hair ties or scrunchies to secure hair without causing damage.

Every woman’s hair is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. Experiment with different products and techniques to find what best suits your hair type and needs. By adopting a holistic approach to hair care, Muslim women can ensure that their hair remains healthy, strong, and beautiful, reflecting the beauty of their inner selves.

The post The Muslim headscarf and caring for “hijab hair” appeared first on Green Prophet.

The case of Samira Sabzian didn’t end well. The child bride from Iran was married at 15 and then jailed at 19 after murdering her abusive husband. She was in prison for 10 years and was executed yesterday, age 29, in the Ghezel Hesar prison in Karaj, said the Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) group. She was executed by hanging.

“Samira was a victim of years of gender apartheid, child marriage and domestic violence, and today she fell victim to the incompetent and corrupt regime’s killing machine,” IHR director Mahmood-Amiry Moghaddam said.

During her detention Sabzian was denied meeting her children according to Iranian activists, one who shared her jail cell. And this was a source of great suffering to her.

Sabzian was hanged at dawn yesterday based on Iran’s sharia murder laws that come from a principle of ‘qesas’ (retribution in kind).

Human rights groups say the laws don’t take domestic violence into consideration. The victim’s family, however, can choose whether to accept the death penalty or ask for financial compensation. Sabzian’s husband’s parents asked for the death penalty.

According to IHR,18 women have been executed this year including Samira Sabzian. The rights groups says there is a surge in executions in Iran that put 115 people put to death in November alone. Amnesty International said Iran is authoring a “horrific state-sanctioned killing spree”.

Iran is a notorious killer of human rights. You can go to jail for dancing on social media in Iran. You can lose your life if you uncover your hair.

Following the 1979 revolution, Islamic sharia law came into effect and the hijab, or full body covering, became a compulsory dress code for women in Iran. Since then, women have been required to wear the hijab, or face harassment and legal consequences from the morality police. Iran is also using face ID technology to catch women “criminals”.

Women who don’t comply might also be “disappeared” and whisked away into vans. This is what has happened in the past to well-known bloggers Green Prophet has interviewed like Hossein Derakhshan and to Faranak Farid who was beaten and tortured for trying to protect a disappearing salt lake, Lake Orumieh.

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A young Iranian woman, 22, has died in custody after being arrested by Iran’s morality police for improper clothing. Her death sparked anger on social media under her name #MahsaAmini.

Iran has released footage from the time of Mahsa Amini’s arrest up until she collapsed in a police station. Officials say she had a heart attack and pre-existing condition. People on the street, and her family, demand better treatment of people while in custody. Women all over Iran have been burning their hijabs in protest.

According to Iranian reports, Ahmed Mirzaei, who heads the moral security police of Greater Tehran, was suspended after the death of Amini. Her family says the police were slow to respond to her when she collapsed in the station.

The so-called “morality police” known formally in Iran as the Gasht-e Ershad translates to “Guidance” Patrol.”

Iran has a thing for policing modesty. If you are a woman in Iran your life can be a nightmare if you choose not to wear the Muslim traditional head-covering called the hijab. You can also go to jail (for 20 years) for dancing on social media. 

Other personal freedoms are limited too –– such as the clothes you wear, dancing anywhere or drinking alcohol, or hanging out with men. Practicing homosexuality can get you killed in Iran whether you are a man or a homosexual woman. And now, that might happen if you choose not to wear a hijab and find yourself in police custody.

Mahsa Amini, without a head covering, in a coma at the hospital

Iran has a reputation for evaporating people, or for whisking them away and brainwashing them until they lose a part of themselves like the Godfather of blogging Hossein Derakhshan we interviewed in the past –– or Soheil Arabi who was sentenced to death for his Facebook posts.

While we’ve interviewed many women on the pleasure of wearing a hijab, (and while on the topic of pleasure, female circumcision in Islam) there are just as many women who decide to show their hair in public or on social media.

It’s a problem in countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran. Iran’s been using cameras to spot women in the crowd not wearing a hijab and it’s a PR headache now for the morality police that a woman has died while in their hands.  

The latest incident has sparked outrage among Muslim women in Iran who have started burning their hijabs, flinging them into the fire, the way women burned their bras in the 60s. It has also propelled Iran’s modesty police to center stage as Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is rumoured to be flailing under poor health. He could die any day.

I don’t celebrate the death of anyone. But may Khamenei’s passing, in his time, be a time of renewal for Iranian. May it be a time that Muslims, Sufis, Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians and those without a faith practice, in Iran, be able to practice freely without hindering creativity, art and sensuality. 

Heard the quote from Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi? “Although the 1979 revolution in Iran is often called an Islamic revolution, it can actually be said to be a revolution of men against women.” 

Green Prophet’s been covering a sustainable Middle East since 2007. Curious about sustainability issues and social issues in Iran? Read all about Iran here. Or click on the Azadi tower below.

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Like China  – using AI and surveillance cameras to pinpoint people breaking lockdown –  Iran’s morality police are using technology to catch women without a head covering, the hijab. Going in public without a hijab is a moral sin in Iran.

The heavy-handed Islamic extremist government of Iran is insistent that women, whether they chose to practice the religion or not must have their heads covered by the hijab. Until now morality police stopped women on the street, with recent incursions resulting in violence (see videos below). Enforcement has stepped up and Iran is now using security cameras and facial recognition to ID violators. 

Iran was once a thriving, liberal country in the Middle East and Tehran was often compared to being the Paris of the Middle East. An intolerant regime over the last 30 years has created an exodus of Iranians with the means to escape, and those without the means to live under an iron fist –– and now surveillance cameras.

What is the hijab?

In modern usage, hijab refers to headcoverings worn by Muslim women. While Islamic head coverings can come in many forms, hijab often specifically refers to a cloth wrapped around the head, neck and chest, covering the hair but leaving the face visible.

While some Muslim women chose to wear the hijab (read dispelling the hijab myth here) there are many who don’t. And not complying with the rule might land you a fine, in jail or worse.

Radio Free Europe says that authorities in Iran are planning a video surveillance campaign that will install cameras in public places such as subways and sidewalks.

Wearing a hijab in mandatory in Iran for women, even if you don’t define yourself as a Muslim. Zoroastrians, Christians, Jews and agnostic people live in Iran but the country has a bad history of persecuting other religions, its oldest religion especially.

In a video published on social media, Mohammad Saleh Hashemi Golpayegani said this new measure is based on the July 5 order by President Ebrahim Raisi to enforce the so-called hijab and chastity law. It is the first time that an official in Iran has publicly admitted the presence of facial recognition technology in public surveillance cameras. 

Special security forces have been enforcing the law on the streets for decades.

At the top of Iran’s power structure is the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who succeeded Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the father of the Iranian Revolution, upon Khomeini’s death in 1989. Khomeini and Khamenei are the only two men to have held the office since the founding of the Islamic Republic in 1979.

After a video of a woman enforcing hijab rules quarreling with a female bus rider became viral, IRGC-affiliated Fars news said the hijab violator has been arrested.
The video started circulating on Saturday, a few days after Iranian women launched a campaign against hijab. pic.twitter.com/PVOgvAYSUs

— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) July 17, 2022

Golpayegani is the secretary of Iran’s Headquarters for Enjoining Right and Forbidding Evil, which is responsible for determining and enforcing  “proper” Muslim and Islamic models in society.

Golpayegani has previously said to the media that women who publish their pictures without a hijab on the Internet, on let’s say Instagram, will be deprived of some social rights for a period of six months to one year.

If you are judged to be non-compliant here’s what might happen to you:  you won’t be able to enter government offices, you will be denied entry to banks, and you won’t be able to use public transportation.

VIDEO of women taping morality police

Women who don’t comply might also be “disappeared” and whisked away into vans. This is what has happened to the past to well-known bloggers we’ve interviewed like Hossein Derakhshan and to Faranak Farid who was beaten and tortured for trying to protect a disappearing salt lake, Lake Orumieh, in Iran. 

Guidance Patrols, or the morality police in Iran are known for becoming increasingly active and violent. The head covering worn by Muslim women became compulsory in public for Iranian women and girls over the age of 9 after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Some “extreme” practices in Islam are also misunderstood. Read here from our Muslim writer about khitan, or circumcision in males and females.And if you missed the link earlier in the article, here is an op-ed we published that dispels the myth of the hijab as weakening women. The author of the article presents herself without a hijab.

The post Without a hijab? Iran’s surveillance cameras will track and punish you appeared first on Green Prophet.

I was having breakfast with an American friend who’d come to visit me in Bahrain. Together we sat in a hotel restaurant, windows on all sides looking down on the city hurtling past below. We’d come there to meet with a woman from an Arabian Gulf state I was interviewing for my book, Hear Us Speak: Letters From Arab Women, which paints a portrait, through a series of interviews, of what life is like for Arab women today.  This includes the difficult consequences they face due to a lack of legislation protecting some of their most basic human rights. 

When we saw the woman walking toward us, my friend turned to me and said quietly, “She’s completely covered. I didn’t expect a woman wearing a hijab would be able to speak openly about these subjects for your book.”

This notion—that being modest and conservative means you must be silent and submissive—is by far the most incorrect perception the West has of women who cover their faces and heads.  On top of that, as my friend affirmed, Westerners often assume that a woman in a hijab or abaya is not only submissive, but that she is also being controlled or abused.

As a Bharanian woman and the mother of a beautiful young adult daughter, I know that this is simply not true. I know that women who choose to wear hijabs or abayas have opinions and character, just the same as any woman in the West. Their choice to cover their hair and dress in a more conservative fashion is just that: a choice, rooted in their beliefs.  

I meet women every day who are living proof that a scarf covering the hair does not signify helplessness. Often, it is quite the opposite. One such woman is a Saudi media icon I interview in Hear Us Speak. She began her career teaching at the university in Riyadh.  At the time she was  considered something of a rebel—she was a muthajba, meaning she wore the conservative head scarf and modest clothing.  Yet she didn’t believe in the existing structures and was always challenging her students. 

One day she was invited to be a panelist on a talk show—the Arabic equivalent of “The View.” She saw it as a chance to be a pioneer.  The university’s administrator told her, “If you take this job, I will fire you.” But she fought back, saying, “You have male lecturers who are not fired for being on television. I should be awarded the same rights.”

Some conservative women in Saudi Arabia did not accept her. They called her kafara, which means infidel, a woman of no religion. And yet many Saudi women thought it was wonderful to have a Saudi woman representing them on this pan-Arab talk show panel.  

The TV show experienced huge success. It was the number-one talk show for seventeen years, and received numerous accolades and awards. She had taken a chance, and decided to be a pioneer facing all the consequences, head on. Today, she says she’s very glad she did.

She’s also very proud to wear a headscarf. She told me: “I wear this by choice, and I believe in it. It might not be for everyone, but it is for me. I never doubted the concept of wearing a hijab.”  And she is not alone.  Countless Muslim women, including in the Arab world, feel proud and even empowered wearing a hijab.  There are many reasons, including solidarity, national pride and faith. As this article in The Conversation explains, “some Muslim women in America may wear the hijab as a way of asserting their pride in the face of Islamophobia.”

The woman my friend and I met in the hotel told us:  “The strength of a woman has nothing to do with whether or not she chooses to cover her hair. There is no correlation. Wearing a hijab (headscarf) does not mean a woman is submissive. I have friends who wear it, and it’s perfectly normal. There are many different reasons a woman might wear one—it could be religion, family influence, cultural influence. But it does not take away her strength.”

My hope is that rather than focusing on the hijab and the myths surrounding it, the Western world will become aware of the far more real and pressing issues Arab women face today: the difficult consequences of a lack of legislation, including a lack of legal protection in all areas of society, from business to family life.  I wrote Hear Us Speak to bring these issues to light.

_____

Suzan Kanoo is widely considered to be one of the leading business women of Bahrain and has proven to be successful in many fields. After completing her degree in economics in the US, she joined the family business of KE Kanoo Group and was able to grow the car trading business to new heights. Aside from her work in business and investment, she is a sought-after speaker at global events, a writer and poet, and active in volunteering work for refugees, visiting camps all over the world under the banner of the UN.

The post Dispelling the hijab myth appeared first on Green Prophet.

Today on the streets of Jaffa, where I live, I saw for the first time in my life a woman in hijab (helmet on top) driving her motorbike in full throttle along Jerusalem Boulevard. She was too quick for me (on my peddle bike!) to take a photo. I was pretty proud of her, because although Muslim women in Israel can be quite liberal, this was something that broke all stereotypes.

But in Iran it’s another story… women who are not wearing the traditional headscarves, also known as hijab, are now being blamed for devastating drought.

Ayatollah Yousef Tabatabai-Nejad, an arch conservative prayer leader in the city of Isfahan announced that Iranian women who continue to wear immodest clothing are causing the nation’s rivers to run dry. They are also damaging the environment in other ways, the cleric has claimed.

A strict Islamic dress code must be enforced, he mandated, to ward off drought. In media reports this same cleric, also suggested the use of acid attacks, and the whip on “bad hijab” women: those who are not properly covered up.

Last month he roiled against a new trend where Iranian women are taking selfies without the headscarf and posting them online.

“They have brought me pictures that shows women by the side of the dry Zayanderud river, ” the cleric said. “These actions will ensure the upper stream of the river will become dry too. Believe me it is true.”

“You may ask yourself why European countries with so much crime and sin have so much rainfall … God punishes the believer, for remaining silent and letting girls take pictures by the river as if they were in European countries.”

Headscarfs have been compulsory since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Those who can get away with it bend the rules.

Thousands of women have posted pictures of themselves without headscarves on the Facebook page, My Stealthy Freedom.

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Designers from around the world will parade their latest collections in Abu Dhabi’s first-ever Eco Fashion Show, a five-day event featuring couture-with-a-conscience this April.  Designed to raise awareness of green practices nationwide, it’s part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Green Festival 2014,  and an offshoot of Berlin-Dubai Designer Exchange 2013, conducted in partnership with the Goethe-Institute Gulf Region.

Linking product lines to the environment is a clever differentiator; hug a tree or two and your frocks immediately stand out in the world’s uber-competitive $400 billion-dollar rag trade. (We’ll take forward strides in sustainability regardless of how they’re dressed up!)

RELATED: Moroccan cycling chicks show local is sexy

Abaya (the long, black cloak) and hijab (headscarf) are usually made out of rayon, polyester, or nylon. Nasty traps for heat and moisture, these fibers also fall fairly low on the sustainability pyramid.

Pricier pure silk versions are popular in the Gulf states, but often incorporate toxic dyes, synthetic crystals or plastic beads – hardly green embellishments. What’s an eco-Muslimah to do?

Last year’s Dubai Designer Exchange challenged Emirati and German designers to create eco-friendly garments; collaboration was encouraged, as was use of recycled and sustainable materials.

This year’s Abu Dhabi event is open to designers across the Middle East and beyond.  UAE’s Dantella Designs, Omani designer Amr Ali’s UK-based Body AMR (see lead image) are slated to participate, as will Dubai-based Future Fashion who will present their Reuse jeans, which are made from 80% recycled fabric.

“Sustainability is the way forward for the fashion industry, and I think the UAE, the hub of fashion in the Middle East, is the best place to introduce such a concept to the Middle Eastern customers,” said Ayesha Siddequa, Future Fashion’s creative director.

Abu Dhabi Mall, the host of the April show, hopes to spur social change through sustainably produced fashion. “Sustainability is a key to the future of green practices across all industries, and the UAE Green Festival is a strong demonstration of the UAE’s commitment to this trend,” said Magnus Roxner, Abu Dhabi Mall manager.

The Eco Fashion Show, which features a catwalk made of green building materials, runs from April 8-12. Eco-couture for men and children will also be displayed.

Top and bottom images from Body AMR; middle image from Eluxe Magazine

The post How green is your abaya? appeared first on Green Prophet.

A shout-out on social media urged participants to cycle to school and park their bikes near their classrooms, a provocative gesture, since (in stark contrast to US and EU schools) most Syrian campuses prohibit bikes.

Organizers, mostly engineering students, told Syria Untold that they aim “to change community habits and promote alternative transportation.”

Bikes reduce pollution and save Syria’s scarce petrol, which doubled in price since 2012.

Three years of brutal war have caused catastrophic losses for most Syrian businesses, but not for the city’s few bike shops. Sales are exploding as young Damascenes increasingly swap their cars for bikes to avoid epic traffic jams caused by hundreds of security checkpoints where every car is army-inspected.

This backdrop of car-woes (over half of the capital’s streets have been closed) likely underpins the wild success of the student campaign.

Hundreds of bicycles appeared on campuses; photos were shared on Facebook and supporters posted personal experiences. Professors joined in, as did local clerics. (Just a few months back only delivery men and newsboys rode bikes.)

The excellent turn-out was especially remarkable since average bike costs in Damascus hover at 400 Syrian pounds ($30), out of reach for many.

“I get to university in 20 minutes. It used to take me two hours by bus, depending on traffic,” said student Mohammad Sabbagh, “I can do whatever I want with my time now, as I don’t have to wait for the bus anymore.”

Cleric Mohammed Ali Malla posted, “To navigate the streets of Damascus, our only option is bicycles.”  Another user wrote, “When I’m stuck at a checkpoint and I see 32 bicycles in front of my car, I think to myself, I really need a bike.'”  Student Manar Masri said he took up cycling after he stumbled on the Facebook page, “It’s wonderful that all these people, especially young girls, want to cycle.”

In Syria, bicycles have been viewed as a poor-man’s means of transportation, with the emphasis on “man”.  Biking babes had been a rarity in this conservative Muslim country.  Concern over breaking traditions had stopped women, especially those wearing hijab, from using bikes.

“I wear hijab, and this was my first time riding a bike. I left my house with my brother, who encouraged me,” posted one rider, “You can do this on your own”, he told me, ‘Break your barrier of fear!’ This is where my adventure started. I continued and met many checkpoints, but everyone was very nice, some smiled and blessed me. It was an amazing and liberating experience and I encourage every girl to do the same. It feels awkward in the beginning but you quickly get used to it.”

But not everyone supports the idea. According to Middle East Online, a street seller complained as he watched a young woman ride past,  “Now we’ve seen it all!”

Image of Syrian cyclists from “She Wants a Bicycle Now” Facebook page

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Last month, a woman wearing a Muslim hijab headscarf presented the headlines on an Egyptian television news program, becoming headline news herself. So why the alarm when anchor Fatma Nabil appeared on Channel 1 (one of several state-run TV stations) wearing an off-white hijab that covered her hair and neck? And why is this issue connected to the environment?

Fatma Nabil became the first anchor to wear a hijab on Egyptian State television since the 1960s, breaking with a code of secular dress that had barred the on-TV wearing of Islamic head coverings. Most Egyptian women choose to wear some form of Islamic headscarf.

[youtube]http://youtu.be/zAL6dDj_2s4[/youtube]

Immediate online debate erupted over whether Nabil’s appearance might be part of a strategy by President Mohamed Morsi, a former leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, to push increased Islamic sensibility on Egyptian society.

According to the official state news agency MENA, newly appointed information minister and Brotherhood member Salah Abdel-Maqsoud said that at least three other veiled women will also be appearing, a radical change from the standards established when state TV was founded fifty years ago.  Network policy didn’t explicitly disallow head scarves, but in practice they were tolerated for off-screen employees only.

“Why is the veil denounced in Egypt while 70% of Egypt’s ladies are veiled?” Abdel-Maqsoud asked, according to Egyptian newspaper Al Masry Al Youm. “It’s a shame that veiled women appear on Arab and international channels while they don’t in Egypt.”

In the following video clip,  Al Jazeera’s Rawya Rageh explains the significance of the lifting of the ban on the veil:

[youtube]http://youtu.be/1aiuIIbhsMc[/youtube]

For years, veiled women have presented the news on private Egyptian satellite TV.  Nabil previously worked for the Brotherhood’s satellite station, Misr 25, where her appearances were always in hijab. She isn’t affiliated with the Brotherhood, and feels that only qualifications and not appearances should be a determining factor in who appears on TV.

There’s no difference between forcing women to wear hijab and forcing them to not wear. The ultimate decision must be that of the individual.  The specific ban for newscasters could be viewed as years of discrimination. Isn’t ending inequity always progress?

Environmental rights are increasingly being adopted as a subset to human rights, featuring large in demands made since the beginning of the Egyptian revolution. Basic human freedoms intertwine with environmental rights because both aim to protect the quality and continuity of life.

Allowing women the freedom to make their own choice isn’t something to incite bogeyman fears, rather, it can be viewed as a sign of an opening society: one that is opening enough to also embrace green policy and practices.

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