Niqabi women speak out about the surge in mainstream face-covering

A hijab-wearing woman with a face mask. (File/AFP)
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Updated 12 May 2020
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Niqabi women speak out about the surge in mainstream face-covering

  • Voices from Saudi, Dubai, London, Pakistan, Kuwait and America discuss how the usage of face masks may impact how niqabs will be perceived in the future

DUBAI: “Bold looks coming out of the country that banned Muslim women from wearing burkas and niqabs,” tweeted US photographer William Vercetti in response to images of face masks on the Paris Fashion Week runways in February.

A few weeks later COVID-19 was classified as a pandemic by the World Health Organization and face masks went from “novelty” status to an everyday essential, even in countries where covering your face for religious reasons has been banned.

The double standard is glaring. While medical masks certainly serve a different purpose than niqabs do, it’s essentially the same amount of facial square footage being covered, by a similarly-shaped piece of cloth or other material.

The majority of Muslim women do not cover their faces but, with the rise of the global modest fashion revolution, there has been a movement to de-stigmatize not only hijabs, but niqabs too. There are niqabi Instagram personalities in London, Canada, the US Pakistan, the UAE and elsewhere. Saudi Arabia’s Amy Roko, with more than a million followers, is one of the most prominent. She recently starred in a campaign for Benefit Middle East.

While they may form a part of the cultural fabric in the Middle East, Belgium, Austria, Denmark and The Netherlands are some of the European nations that have outlawed face veils, in addition to Morocco, and the Canadian province of Montreal.

They are banned in some places for security and identification concerns in specific buildings and, in others, the ban is widespread and covers all public spaces.

Whether or not they live in a country with a niqab ban, Muslim women who cover their faces experience prejudice and persecution.

Marjaan Ali, a student from Madinah, was screamed at to “Go back to where you came from” when she visited a carnival in Texas. When landing in France she was told not only to remove her niqab – which is legally prohibited – but her hijab, too.

“When I calmly told him that I had read the law and it only banned face coverings, not head coverings, he turned red and let me go,” she told Arab News. “The whole time I was there, I walked through the streets of the small village we were staying in with my face uncovered, passing people with shawls wrapped around their faces for warmth. The irony of the situation did not elude me.”

Dubai resident Nadia Shafique has been wearing a niqab for 12 years, and is afraid to travel abroad, even to visit family. “I haven’t traveled West – although my brother is in the UK I haven’t mustered the courage to visit him. I have children and I have felt the responsibility of shielding them from anything negative or violent,” she told Arab News.

But now that covering your face has become the norm, some niqab-wearing women are optimistic that the overall resistance to face veils may lessen. “It should make (those opposed) re-evaluate and reconsider their ideas,” said Shafique, who hoped that the public rethinks how they view and treat niqabi women.

“I think that this gives everybody the opportunity to step into our shoes for once and experience it as somewhat ‘normal’ and as a necessity to whenever you step out,” Sarah Wazir, who wears a niqab and lives in Pakistan, told Arab News.

 




Portrait of Sarah Wazir. (Supplied)

Ali said that the arguments that were used to claim the niqab hindered social interaction, that it created an environment of negativity and hostility, were all false. “As we see everyone is perfectly able to communicate and interact positively even with face masks on.”

Naseema Begum, who lives in London, where Prime Minister Boris Johnson notoriously used the world “letterboxes” in reference to Muslim women who veil, pointed out the feasibility of performing everyday affairs with your face concealed. “If during this time people could go around business as usual, like shopping, banks, work, and public transport, while wearing face masks or covering their faces with bandanas, then why can’t we Muslims wear our veils for our religious beliefs?” she told Arab News.

While rulings against niqabs cite security as the main concern, Ali said that niqabi women did not pose a threat to society. “We happily take off our niqabs for identification purposes at banks, airports, and any other place that requires it.”

Rather than infringing on others’ rights, biases against niqabs seem to infringe on the rights of these women.

Kuwait-based Shugraa Iqbal stopped wearing her niqab after being denied education and work opportunities at US institutions. “I was asked so many times if I was willing to remove it, getting into university was difficult, and so was getting an internship,” she told Arab News. “I hope people will see us as independent women and not as women that are ‘oppressed’ who need saviors. Maybe, just maybe, what we wear and how much we cover will not affect our education, jobs and opportunities in the future.”

Begum said she had been unable to go for afternoon tea with her friends at The Ritz because niqab-wearing women were not allowed in the hotel or cafe. “Come on. The Ritz, in the heart of central London, in a very Arab-dominated area, is not allowing people to come in because they wear the veil!”

Once it’s safe to re-open, it’s possible that establishments such as The Ritz will enforce mandatory masking – or at the very least, certainly allow those wearing medical face masks to enter. It seems only logical that women who wear niqabs, with their noses and mouths covered, will also be permitted entry.

We may, as a society, grow desensitized to the sight of covered faces, but could the mass normalization of medical masks go so far as to help reduce religious prejudice?

“While I would like to say yes, I don’t think this will be the case,” Liz Bucar, religious ethicist, professor and author of Pious Fashion: How Muslim Women Dress, told Arab News. “Banning face veils in the West had been about gendered Islamophobia. It’s not really about covering faces … I think most non-Muslims will not make the connection that face-veiling for religious reasons and public health reasons both depend on ideas about the common good, and that they are both motivated by ethical concerns, even if those concerns are of course different. At least, that is a connection they won’t make without actually learning more about religious modesty.”


You’ve heard about NYC Democratic candidate for mayor Zohran Mamdani, but what about his Syrian-born wife, Rama Duwaji?

Based in Brooklyn, Duwaji creates art that centers on pro-Palestinian and feminist themes. (AFP)
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You’ve heard about NYC Democratic candidate for mayor Zohran Mamdani, but what about his Syrian-born wife, Rama Duwaji?

As the United States turns its attention to New York City’s Democratic candidate for mayor Zohran Mamdani, many are eager to learn more about his wife, Rama Duwaji.

Duwaji is a Syrian-born artist from Damascus whose work has been featured by acclaimed outlets such as The New Yorker, The Washington Post, BBC, Apple, Spotify, VICE, and the Tate Modern in London. Now based in Brooklyn, Duwaji creates art that centers on political and feminist themes.

Her digital illustrations—prominently showcased on Instagram—often reflect her political beliefs. Among her recent work, Duwaji criticized the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, the Columbia University protester detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on March 8, 2025. She has also spoken out against police violence toward pro-Palestinian demonstrators and spotlighted human interest stories, including intimate portraits of bakers in Gaza.

The couple made headlines six weeks ago when Mamdani shared their wedding photos from earlier this year, displaying them across New York City, including in the subway system, as a public stand against online harassment.

“Rama isn’t just my wife,” Mamdani said. “She’s an incredible artist who deserves to be known on her own terms. You can critique my views, but not my family.”

The pair met on a dating app in New York City and later married in December at Dubai Creek Harbour. Following Mamdani’s victory in the Democratic primary yesterday, Duwaji posted a black-and-white photo strip of the couple with a simple caption: “Couldn’t possibly be prouder.”


2025 travel ideas: This year’s great escapes 

Updated 26 June 2025
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2025 travel ideas: This year’s great escapes 

Arab News writers share insights on some of their favorite destinations. 

PARIS 

Paris in the springtime? Non, merci. Summer is by far the best time to visit. With many Parisians away on holiday and fewer fellow tourists to compete with, the Metro, boulevards, boat trips, bistros, pavement cafés and museums will all be quieter. 

If you’re looking for culture, invest in the official Paris Museum Pass, which gives you access to more than 50 museums and monuments (but not the Eiffel tower, which has its own booking system). Also note that for some sites, including the Louvre, it’s necessary to book a timeslot. 

One must-see? The Musée Rodin, a hidden gem full of the artist’s breathtaking sculptures and boasting a charming restaurant in its elegant garden. Although it’s close to the Eiffel Tower, it’s usually quiet. One must-do? Swim in the Seine at one of five supervised sites between July 5 and Aug. 31, or in the open-air riverside Joséphine Baker pool. Warning: Do not watch the movie “Under Paris” beforehand. 

Jonathan Gornall 

MALLORCA 

Despite recent tensions over tourism, Mallorca remains one of the most welcoming places I know. The largest of the Balearic Islands is far more than the sum of its picture-perfect parts; it’s a place with soul and a unique cultural presence. Many come here seeking a slower rhythm, a certain stillness. Some say the “Isla de la Calma” is vanishing, but I’ve always found it: in the hush of Tramuntana villages, in the markets where locals linger over late-morning tapas, and in the soft blue of the sea. But Mallorca asks those seeking tranquility for something in return: attention, care, curiosity, restraint. It may slightly unkempt these days, but the island still holds a character all its own to be discovered. And in a world where nothing stays hidden for long, the question is not how to keep such places untouched, but what kind of presence we choose to have within them. 

Gabriele Malvisi 

ISTANBUL 

Istanbul’s invigorating assault on the senses is on a par with Tokyo’s, but its chaos is far less controlled — from the higgledy-piggledy groupings of hillside houses and the bustle of the Grand Bazaar to the snatches of enticing smells and sounds that emerge from every alleyway. Famously, the city straddles Asia and Europe, and that wonderful mix of influences infuses the place — as do its millennia of history as a global center of culture. The generosity and hospitality of its people is evident through the love shown to the city’s army of street cats, who lounge carelessly everywhere, receiving the respect cats believe is their due. You could spend weeks exploring Istanbul’s museums and architecture. You could spend an equal amount of time exploring its street food, bars and restaurants. You could also shop till you’re broke, or relax in its serene parks. And whatever your creed, it’s impossible not to be moved by the awesome grandeur of the Blue Mosque.  

Adam Grundey 

LOCH LOMOND 

Driving through the imposing forest on our way to the chocolate box village of Luss on the shores of Scotland’s Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, each bend in the road offered a glimpse of breathtaking beauty: lochs, towering oak and pine trees, and craggy mountaintops misted in fog. The absolute highlight of our trip to the area last summer, though, was the Three Lochs Forest Drive near Aberfoyle. The awe-inspiring Trossachs scenery is accessible even if you can’t hike, with plenty of places to park up and take in wonderous views amid the peace and quiet of the area known as the gateway from the Scottish lowlands to the highlands. The storied Stirling Castle, home to many a Scottish monarch, sits on an imposing volcanic crag less than an hour’s drive from Loch Lomond, while the area’s rich history begins with Neolithic settlements and encompasses such famous figures as Robert the Bruce. 

Saffiya Ansari 

GEORGIA 

I arrived in Georgia in the heart of winter — no crowds, bare trees, and snow-capped mountains resting peacefully. This wasn’t the Georgia of summer postcards, but a country at rest, quietly revealing its soul. Tbilisi, with its redbrick houses and winding alleys whispering centuries-old stories, felt intimate. I stood beneath the towering Chronicle of Georgia, its carved figures frozen in silent narrative, and later met the Mother of Georgia, sword and bowl in hand — a symbol of protection and hospitality. 

In Mtskheta, the morning unfolded in the Check-In Garden café over rich hot chocolate and molten-cheese Khachapuri — comfort food that felt like a warm hug. The smallest details charmed me: streetside pomegranate juice, colorful Churchkhela sweets dangling in windows, and locals ready with stories or recommendations. 

A road trip through Borjomi and Gudauri showcased winter’s magic: paragliding over frozen peaks, skiing down hushed slopes, racing snow buggies through pine forests. Georgia doesn’t demand your attention — it wins it, slowly, like a story shared by a crackling fire. 

Nada Hameed 

THE MALDIVES 

The Maldives is the perfect setting to unwind, reconnect with nature and experience total peace. Surrounded by lush greenery and turquoise waters, it’s a place where time slows down. You can explore vibrant marine life in any of its many resorts, even right outside your villa. We took a boat trip to swim with manta rays — an unforgettable experience. The calm, clear waters make it easy to immerse yourself in the beauty beneath the surface, and it truly feels like entering another world. At night, the lack of light pollution makes it perfect for stargazing in complete serenity. And if you’re lucky, you might even catch a shooting star.  

But a visit to this nation of islands isn’t about checking off a list of activities — it’s about stillness, simplicity, and being fully present. The Maldives offers a rare escape; the outside world fades away, and nature becomes the only thing that matters. 

Hams Saleh 

MEXICO CITY 

While Mexico is famed for its all-inclusive beach resorts, Mexico City — aka CDMX — offers something more real: a true melting pot of history, culture, art and food. Standing in the Zócalo, surrounded by the Metropolitan Cathedral (built over the ruins of an Aztec temple) and the National Palace (which features stunning murals by Diego Rivera) is like being transported back in time, while the upscale neighborhoods of Polanco and the hipster areas like Condesa and Roma Norte offer a stark contrast. The lush tree-lined streets of these areas are full of hidden gems, from high-end boutiques and Instagrammable eateries to unassuming cafes and quaint markets. And the real beauty of CDMX lies in its pleasant surprises, like eating probably the best sandwich I’ve ever had from a street vendor, or stumbling upon a pop-up market with dozens of local artisan stallholders. Much like the city itself, a holiday here is full of unpredicted joys. 

Zaira Lakhpatwala 

OMAN 

Over many years in the Gulf, Oman has become my go-to place when people visit, for several reasons: The Sultan’s palace, a brilliantly colorful work of art; the crystal-clear waters of its beaches; the bustling souks; and the Royal Opera House — simple, but ornate inside and out. I remember fondly sitting with my mother at a café on the beach in Muscat’s embassy district, the sea lapping over the white sands. Nothing spectacular happened, but it was a perfect moment. Away from the city and a short drive from Nizwa is Oman’s highest point of Jebel Shams. The hike along the valley’s edge takes four to five hours — well worth it for the spectacular views of the twisted mountains and the lush, green wadi below. Then there’s Jebel Akhdar, from which you can take in stunningly beautiful landscapes lined with small plantations and tiny villages. Whether you’re in the city or wandering through its mountainous landscape, Oman is a calm and welcoming place. 

Peter Harrison 

BALI 

Its lush rice terraces, ancient temples, volcanic mountains, and postcard-perfect beaches — and its nightlife — have made Bali famous. But what truly sets it apart as a life-changing experience is its people. I spent a month volunteering as an English-language teacher for young children in a quiet village in the heart of Ubud. Mornings began with Canang Sari — locals place offerings of rice and incense on their doorsteps as small acts of gratitude to the gods. I joined school celebrations of the full and half moon, and even attended a funeral that felt more like a festival. The villagers, living simply yet radiating warmth, permanently reshaped my understanding of happiness. It doesn’t come from achievements or luxury, but from gratitude, service, and a genuine connection with yourself, your surroundings, and people who share your values. Yes, the beaches are stunning, and the parties are vibrant, but the real magic is seeing Bali through the eyes of those who call it home. 

Sherouk Zakaria 

AMSTERDAM 

One of my all-time favorite summer destinations, there’s something about the mix of art, history, and chill vibes that just feels right about Amsterdam. Whether you’re spending hours wandering through the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum, or just stumbling on cool street art in random corners, or strolling along the city’s many beautiful canals while chomping down warm stroopwafels, the Dutch capital is the perfect place to visit if you’re in need of inspiration. Just a short drive outside of the city, you’ll find those classic windmills and peaceful fields that look like they belong in a storybook. And for a fun but laid-back night, you can’t go wrong with Pllek in Amsterdam Noord, with its eclectic menu, upcycled decor, waterfront views, and a vibe that blends beach bar with urban cool. 

Shyama Krishna Kumar 


REVIEW: ‘F1: The Movie’ — high-octane entertainment and old-school charm

Updated 26 June 2025
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REVIEW: ‘F1: The Movie’ — high-octane entertainment and old-school charm

DUBAI: There’s a moment in “F1: The Movie,” where you’ll feel like you're flying, all while strapped into a tiny metal box hurtling at a speed you can't comprehend. This is when you realize this isn’t just another sports drama; it’s a sleek love letter to Formula 1, anchored by Brad Pitt’s enduring star power and a surprisingly effective dynamic with relative newcomer Damson Idris.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Pitt plays Sonny Hayes, a grizzled former driver lured back to the thrills of the pit lane for one last go. He’s all swagger and scars, but yes, he’s still got it. Pitt’s presence brings gravitas to a film that flirts with the edges of cheesiness but never forgets its emotional core. Whether he’s behind the wheel or delivering motivational growls in the garage, he sells it — and then some.

Opposite him is Idris as Joshua Pearce, a rising star struggling to reconcile his love for the sport with the noise that comes with the fame and money, who becomes Sonny’s reluctant protege. Idris brings a fresh, fiery intensity that balances Pitt’s seasoned cool. The strained mentor-mentee trope has been done to death, but it’s portrayed with sincerity and the right amount of tension here.

Additionally, Kerry Condon delivers a sharp, emotionally solid performance as the team’s no-nonsense engineer, anchoring the high-octane chaos with quiet authority. Her scenes with Pitt crackle with wit and chemistry, and deliver some of the bigger laughs.

Director Joseph Kosinski (“Top Gun: Maverick”) brings his signature high-octane style to the film, especially the race sequences. The sound design is impeccable, the cinematography breathtaking. And composer Hans Zimmer's layered, gorgeously synth-drenched background score goes well with a soundtrack that thumps out rock one minute and smooth R'n'B next.

The film builds toward a final showdown in Abu Dhabi, and while the climax is predictable, it’s executed with such unapologetic flair that you can’t help but cheer. The Yas Marina circuit has never looked more cinematic — it’s the perfect backdrop for a finish that’s equal parts cheesy and thrilling.

“F1” isn’t rewriting the sports-movie playbook, but it really doesn’t need to. It’s crowd-pleasing, adrenaline-fueled, masterfully executed entertainment with more than enough heart to keep it grounded. 


Saudi artist Mohammad Alfaraj’s ‘Seas Are Sweet, Fish Tears Are Salty’ opens in Dubai 

Updated 26 June 2025
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Saudi artist Mohammad Alfaraj’s ‘Seas Are Sweet, Fish Tears Are Salty’ opens in Dubai 

DHAHRAN: Saudi artist Mohammad Alfaraj, who recently won an Emerging Artists’ Medal at the Art Basel Awards in Switzerland, launches his first institutional solo exhibition this month at Jameel Arts Center in Dubai.  

“Mohammad Alfaraj is part of a new generation of fast-rising artists from the region, deeply attuned to their landscapes, communities and traditions,” Art Jameel’s deputy director and head of exhibitions and programs Nora Razian said in a statement. “His is a practice that is both poetic and critical, and we are incredibly thrilled to host his first institutional solo exhibition, which offers a profound and intimate glimpse into the ways cities, communities and even languages experience change.” 

Saudi artist Mohammad Alfaraj. (Supplied)

“Seas Are Sweet, Fish Tears Are Salty,” which runs until January, consists of multimedia works that often incorporate found objects as well as organic materials indigenous to Alfaraj’s hometown of Al-Ahsa, such as palm fronds and dates.  

Curated by Art Jameel’s Rotana Shaker, the show winds through both the indoor galleries and outdoor courtyards of the center. Themes of environment, community and shared memory emerge — often filtered through humor and tenderness. 

“I’m pretty new to the ‘art world’ but definitely immersed in art itself, whether I choose to be or not,” Alfaraj tells Arab News. “I’m always looking for metaphors and different ways of looking at the world, and trying to piece it together as an enormous complex mosaic that I’m lucky to experience and be part of.” 

The title aptly captures the tone of the exhibition — childlike, poetic and emotionally resonant. 

"What does the water dream of but to burst into flames." (Supplied)

“Imagining, and believing, that what makes the oceans and seas salty is fish’s tears is very childish — and super-empathetic too,” he continues. “To feel and recognize the suffering of the other — whether a human, an animal or any living creature — is absolutely necessary in today’s world, which unfortunately seems to be heading towards more apathy.” 

Alfaraj comes from a family of farmers, and Al-Ahsa — a lush oasis full of palm trees — frequently inspires his work. He often uses nature as both a canvas and a tool, letting organic material shape his artistic language. 

“I’m attracted to a certain material because it matches the concept and the idea of the work; like, to use rice paper to tell stories about the fading rice farming in Al-Ahsa, or making a film about water irrigation while filming it and projecting it at the same angle on water. This way of coupling the medium and concept seems to have a much stronger impact to me — more tactile, engaging and alive,” he says. “Intuition is a wonderful, mysterious compass.” 

For “Seas Are Sweet, Fish Tears Are Salty,” Alfaraj and Shaker sifted through the artist’s archives to try and understand the different ways in which he expressed his work through various mediums.  

“(Alfaraj) is an artist whose practice doesn’t really fit rigid definitions; it’s very fluid, oftentimes using found or natural materials,” Shaker tells Arab News. “It was a fun process to spend time with Mohammad and understand all these different facets of his practice, to pull out prints and drawings from his stacks of papers in his studio in Al-Ahsa, or to go through his hundreds and hundreds of photographs that he’s digitized, as well as to think playfully about what it is that he wants to intervene in within the exhibition space.  

“The experience was a balancing act between finding moments we can create impactful presence within the space, while at the same time allowing for in-situ interventions, which are very much characteristic of Mohammad’s practice,” Shaker continues. 

Several new commissions were also developed specifically for this show. 

“He came (to Dubai from Al-Ahsa) with a suitcase of papers and drawings,” Shaker says. “I found a note amongst his papers where he had scribbled an idea and it was a great opportunity for us to bring this to life.” 

The show offers a contemplative and immersive encounter with a world shaped by memory, landscape and imagination; inviting viewers to take a deep breath, listen deeply, and trace the intricate connections between place, language and time. 

On the exhibition’s opening night, June 25, Alfaraj and Shaker will discuss the show and the real and imagined worlds they evoked within. That will be followed by a 10-minute reflective performance by Alfaraj titled “The Missing Piece.” 

And the artist is hopeful that his show will inspire change in its viewers.  

“To make them feel — to inspire them to be more kind, to be more caring and more sensitive,” he says. “That would be more than I could ever wish for.” 


Kneecap ‘welcome’ at Glastonbury

Updated 25 June 2025
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Kneecap ‘welcome’ at Glastonbury

  • Irish hip-hop trio have publicly spoken out against Israel’s war on Gaza
  • Some UK politicians, including PM, want group to be axed from iconic festival

LONDON: Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap are “welcome” at the Glastonbury music festival despite objections by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the event’s co-organizer has said.

The band, which have publicly spoken out against Israel’s war on Gaza, are scheduled to play at the iconic British festival this week.

Member Liam Og O hAnnaidh, 27, was charged with a terrorism offense last year after allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag at a show in London. The band said the charge was a “distraction.”

Some politicians, including opposition Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, have called for the trio’s performance at Glastonbury — set for Saturday — to be axed. Starmer this week said Kneecap’s presence at the event would not be “appropriate.”

Emily Eavis, Glastonbury’s co-organizer, told the BBC: “We’re just focusing on bringing the best festival to the people who want to come here … We remain a platform for many, many artists from all over the world and … everyone is welcome here.”

Kneecap responded to Starmer in a social media post, saying: “You know what’s ‘not appropriate’ Keir?! Arming a f***ing genocide.”