Sex, divorce and infidelity: Meet the Muslim women bloggers tackling taboos

At a time when the lens of the media is trained on the Muslim community like never before and it seems we read near-daily reports of teen girls fleeing the UK to marry Isil fighters, it’s strange how little we actually know about the lives of young, British Muslim women.

That could be about to change.

A growing number of Muslim female bloggers are now giving voice to their experience and challenging the misconceptions that exist, both within their own communities and society as a whole.

After generations of having their voices silenced by their own culture, they now face a new challenge from organisations like Britain First - a BNP splinter group - who have attempted to hijack issues affecting Muslim women to further their own causes.

What makes the phenomenon remarkable is that many of these bloggers are choosing to lift the veil of anonymity, in order to discuss issues that have been traditionally swept under the carpet for fear of a backlash from the community and to protect family honour.

By talking openly about their personal experiences, they are succeeding in challenging taboos around subjects such as religion and sexuality, and redefining society's perception of what it is to be a Muslim woman.

One reason for the sudden surge in Muslim female bloggers is technology – social media and blogging platforms give them control over their voices like never before.

Another explanation is the growing confidence of Muslim women as individuals, at a time when there is an increasing sense of their community being under attack. This makes them want to assert their British identity more forcefully than ever before and this certainty around their nationality is giving them the confidence to explore deeper issues that stem from their dual cultural and religious heritage.

While they are proud of it, they also see its faults - and are not afraid to challenge them.

Maryam Din, whose blog ‘Five Pillars and Six Colours’ chronicles her experience of reconciling her religious, cultural and sexual identity - as a gay, Muslim feminist - tells me:

“Social media is, on the whole, a safe space for me. It’s not very often that negativity penetrates that. However, much like in real life, there will be times when it happens. I've faced racism and Islamophobia from the non-Muslim community, and homophobia within the Muslim community. However, my experiences have largely been positive.

“Muslim women are now being open about themselves and their lives because we've had enough, both from within and outside of the Muslim community and enough of being silenced.

“Between the constant wave of Islamophobia across Europe and politicians thinking they’re trying to do what’s best for us, while not actually consulting us - like banning our cultural and religious dress in public - it isn't really difficult to see why there has been an upsurge of Muslim women speaking out.

“These preconceived ideas about Muslim women aren't ever positive and are rife with a mixture of Islamophobia, racism and sexism. Blogs like mine challenge these misconceptions simply by existing.

“In a world that sees Muslim women as oppressed and marginalised, visibility is a radical and political act, which unapologetically says we love who we are and what we stand for."

Giving Muslim women an authentic voice was one of the reasons Mehreen Baig, a teacher from North London, decided against remaining anonymous when she began her blog, 'Queen Mehreen: Brown Girl Talks'.

Her blog - which has more than 10,000 readers - ranges from humorous descriptions of the arranged marriage system and being considered left on the shelf at the grand age of 25; to sexual harassment at work and being judged for not wearing a hijab.

“My blog started off as a diary of my feelings and frustrations,” she explains.

“There are lots of issues that never get addressed, out of fear of judgement or because we don't have a platform to express ourselves. I was advised on numerous occasions to remain anonymous in case of any backlash.

“My mum was scared that I was so honest and blunt with my opinions. But my blog represents my feelings. I feel no animosity toward anyone, nor am I inciting any hatred or disrespect. If I truly believe I’m not doing anything wrong, so I shouldn't have to hide.

“My blogs are a voice for the young British Asian woman. To hide my identity would defeat the purpose of showing we are proud of how we feel and our experiences. Though I have received negative comments, they have been a minority and they have actually validated what my blog is talking about.

"There has been huge media attention on the oppressed Muslim girl or the "Muslim girl gone bad" but these are stereotypes that most of us can't relate to. Where are the majority of us, the ones who are comfortable with being British and Muslim? I hope blogs like mine represent those women- the majority who are unfortunately the least visible."

For many women bloggers, it’s also a therapeutic experience, albeit driven by the desire to empower other women. Laila Ali, 30, started her blog ‘Desi, Divorced and Damn Fabulous’, after discovering a lack of emotional support and information for Muslim women facing the end of their marriages, and to take a stand against the stigma associated with female divorcees.

“I was hurting badly when I discovered my husband's infidelity. I searched for websites to try to connect with people who were in the same boat as me and found plenty about adultery and divorce, but none were directed towards a Muslim woman’s experience,” she says.

“This prompted me to write about my circumstances. I realised that, while there had been no helpful information available to me, perhaps through writing about my own experience it might helps someone else.

“We are tired of being told how to behave. This was one of the most heart-wrenching moments of my life yet we [divorcees] are considered 'unclassy' or 'a woman scorned' for even existing, let alone talking about it.

“I won’t pretend five years of my life didn't exist. Everything that has happened has shaped me into the person I am now. Though blog is quite open at criticising the Muslim community, on the flipside, it does show that Muslim woman are strong, we won't be broken.”