IMAN Rocks the Apollo in Harlem, with Mos Def, Outlandish and More

IMAN Rocks the Apollo in Harlem, with Mos Def, Outlandish and More

By elan on from www.elanthemag.com

The Inner City Muslim Action Network (IMAN) hosted a jam(literally)-packed event this past Saturday night at the historic Apollo theater in Harlem, New York City. This year’s show, a follow-up to last year’s sold-out Community Cafe at the Shabazz Center, featured a slew of talented cultural performances all aimed at celebrating the arts and entertainment that the Muslim community has to offer. Read More
Muslim Stereotypes in Hollywood: Are they really fading?

Muslim Stereotypes in Hollywood: Are they really fading?

By elan on from www.elanthemag.com

Long gone are the days of Not Without My Daughter and The Princess and the Marine, (thank goodness!) but has Hollywood changed their attitude toward Muslims? In an op-ed for USA Today, Souheila Al-Jadda argues that the “sinister Muslim” stereotype is fading in Hollywood by providing examples of characters that have stepped out of the Muslims-bent-on-destroying-the-world box that the media has inconveniently placed us all in. But do a few examples mean that the “sinister Muslim” stereotype is actually fading? And what about other Muslim stereotypes that remain in Hollywood?
You Know I Love You, Baby: Muslims in Secret “Urfi” Marriages

You Know I Love You, Baby: Muslims in Secret “Urfi” Marriages

By elan on from www.elanthemag.com

As if being young and jobless - trapped by the stagnant Egyptian economy - wasn’t bad enough, now young people are facing an unexpected social consequence of poverty. Young Egyptians can no longer afford to get married and are engaging in secret “urfi” marriages - essentially, a Sharia version of common law marriage. Now, you may be wondering why Egyptian couples don’t just put on their Friday best and go to town hall for a marriage certificate. If so, you obviously don’t know Arabs.Read More
Kuwait Cabs for Women Paint the Town Pink

Kuwait Cabs for Women Paint the Town Pink

By elan on from www.elanthemag.com

The landscape of Kuwait is set to turn just a little bit pink in the coming weeks thanks to an influx of perky pink taxicabs geared towards the female population of Kuwait. The pink cabs are for females and driven by females, which will totally empower young girls to get their driver’s licenses and desperate housewives seeking to break away from their homes for a few hours.
Sarkozy Says Burqa is Not Welcome in France … Again

Sarkozy Says Burqa is Not Welcome in France … Again

By elan on from www.elanthemag.com

Is it me or is this whole burqa fiasco in France feeling a little like deja vu? Wait, that’s because it already happened. Back in June, remember? Oh and then again in November. Hmm ... seems like Sarkozy is developing a bit of a pattern. I believe it goes something like this: Bring up burqas in reference to national identity (national identity = white and secular). Say something infuriating (accuracy doesn’t matter). Wait for the press to go crazy (France is in the news again! Booya!). Lay low for a few months. Repeat.
Malaysia’s “Allah” Battle

Malaysia’s “Allah” Battle

By elan on from www.elanthemag.com

When I was 8 years old, I attended Islamic Sunday School for approximately 1.5 hours before deciding that it wasn’t for me. But what I learned during my brief stay is that the word “Allah” meant “God” and that Muslims worshipped the same God as “the People of the Book,” or those who belong to an Abrahamic tradition. Fifteen years later, news stories are informing me that the ruling party in Malaysia seems to have forgotten this very basic lesson. Maybe we should send my Sunday school teacher over there for a refresher.Read More
Burj Khalifa - Growing Pains, or Mishaps of Monumental Proportions?

Burj Khalifa - Growing Pains, or Mishaps of Monumental Proportions?

By elan on from www.elanthemag.com

The newly opened “Burj Khalifa” - a.k.a. the tallest building in the world - located in the Dubai was greeted by locals, royals, and celebrities in a blaze of glory complete with fireworks, media fanfare, and - the true marker of a big deal - a pretty groovy laser light show. However, what was once touted as a never before attempted odyssey between man and brute steel is now raising a whole bunch of eyebrows. A series of guffaws, disasters, missteps and utter failures has plagued the enormous monstrosity ever since its gilded doors were officially opened.Read More
Women in Washington - The ‘Hillary Effect’

Women in Washington - The ‘Hillary Effect’

By elan on from www.elanthemag.com

Washington has long been a boy’s club. It used to be that the only women present at state dinners were spouses of ambassadors and politicians. But things are slowly changing. More women are finding their way into power in a phenomenon the Washington Post dubs “The Hillary Effect.”Read More
Want to get Intimate with Aziz Ansari?

Want to get Intimate with Aziz Ansari?

By elan on from www.elanthemag.com

Now that we know that it’s okay to laugh in the Middle East, let’s turn to some of the comedy available here in the good ol’ United States. Comedy Central is gearing up for a number of upcoming specials, including elan favorite Aziz Ansari’s first stand-up special alluringly entitled “Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening.” The show, recorded at Los Angeles’ Brentwood Theater, will feature Aziz seducing the audience with pillow talk on everything from Craigslist to thread counts to the provider of endless comedic fodder, R. Kelly.
Dubai Gets a Big Fat Bailout

Dubai Gets a Big Fat Bailout

By elan on from www.elanthemag.com

It’s been a long and winding road - the mixed messages, hurt feelings and absolute betrayal on both sides. And no, I’m not talking about Tiger Woods. The financial showdown between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the mini-sheikdom neighbors of the UAE, finally subsided when Abu Dhabi finally opened up its enormous wallet and showed a little love to the cash-strapped Dubai in the form of a $10 billion bailout.Read More

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