A Muslim vision for transformative justice (from a Muslim in the UK)

The “a” in this title cannot be emphasised enough. Over the past month I have been trying to gather my thoughts around both the impetus for re-imagining justice that is inherent to Islam, and the ways that Islam approaches justice and accountability which offer solid and exciting alternatives to today’s criminal justice system. As the demand for abolition is popularised to a wider level of … Continue reading A Muslim vision for transformative justice (from a Muslim in the UK)

The Brown HijabiJuly 3, 2020July 4, 2020Leave a comment

Why disinvesting from White Supremacy and ending our complicity in structures that dehumanise Black people is the only way to freedom for ANY person of colour

This isn’t specifically more important now than at any other time, but in light of George Floyd’s murder and the momentum that has been building against structural White Supremacy and the murderous apparatus of the colonial nation-state, my mind is buzzing and I want to have a clear space where my full thoughts are traceable rather than a few tweet threads. This is not to … Continue reading Why disinvesting from White Supremacy and ending our complicity in structures that dehumanise Black people is the only way to freedom for ANY person of colour

The Brown HijabiJune 4, 2020June 4, 20201 Comment

To believe it is worth it anyway

I have been wanting to write for some time, but have been unsure exactly what it is I need to say. The words I noted down on the piece of paper on my desk seem to have derived from particular moments and feelings. They say ‘isolation’, ‘alienation of violence’ and there’s a drawing of circles around a dot. Something that I know all those things … Continue reading To believe it is worth it anyway

The Brown HijabiAugust 5, 2019August 5, 20194 Comments

Statement on Building a Stronger Britain Together (Counter Extremism) Fund and withdrawal from Bradford Literature Festival [FULL TEXT]

Statement of explanation for withdrawal from Bradford Literature Festival 2019 – Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan – published online 17.06.2019. I regret to announce my withdrawal from participation in the Bradford Literature Festival (BLF) this year due to becoming aware of funding and support given to BLF by the Home Office’s ‘Building a Stronger Britain Together’ fund that is part of the Counter Extremism Strategy (a list of … Continue reading Statement on Building a Stronger Britain Together (Counter Extremism) Fund and withdrawal from Bradford Literature Festival [FULL TEXT]

The Brown HijabiJuly 1, 2019July 1, 20193 Comments

Ramadan Reflection 2019

I want to write a short reflection on Ramadan as I usually keep a daily journal during the month but this Ramadan was so hectic that I didn’t get time. Internally, however, it was hugely transformational for me – or so I pray it is, going forward. I remember a talk I heard a few years ago where there was a reminder that if you … Continue reading Ramadan Reflection 2019

The Brown HijabiJune 5, 2019June 5, 20191 Comment

Everybody wants to be ‘woke’ but who wants to be honest?

Can we be something more honest than “woke”? I’ve been thinking a lot about the performativity of all our politics recently. I am worried. An MP describes people as ‘a funny tinge’ and to be a “good” person you have to perform outrage/ridicule, though I’m sure many of us funny-tinged people feel nothing deeper than an eye-roll. It’s not that deep. And by not that … Continue reading Everybody wants to be ‘woke’ but who wants to be honest?

The Brown HijabiFebruary 23, 2019February 23, 20195 Comments

Notes on Shamima

Because that’s all these can be really isn’t it? Notes on her. Not for her. Not about her – this will never be about her will it? Its not really about her and never was. No one wants to know what her favourite sauce was with chips, she is far too much gone for that, or too far gone, I suppose. Is it that I … Continue reading Notes on Shamima

The Brown HijabiFebruary 18, 2019February 18, 20198 Comments

Reflections on a panel talk: the violence of white fragility and the erasure of its victims

I am sitting on a train on my way home from a panel talk on Feminism & Islamophobia, on how the two collude to undermine Muslim women, and how Muslim women are erased and reduced to “the veil”. I am exhausted and bewildered. The panel consisted of five (four panellists and one chair) hijab-wearing women of colour. In a University setting this is a rarity. … Continue reading Reflections on a panel talk: the violence of white fragility and the erasure of its victims

The Brown HijabiNovember 23, 201813 Comments

What does it mean to be a Muslim woman?

Today I was interviewed for a Radio 4 documentary that will most probably come out in a way that doesn’t reflect my full feelings. It is being made by Sayeeda Warsi whose politics and complicity in structural violence as a Conservative party member, former Cabinet minister and House of Lords peer, I ardently oppose. She asked me questions about myself and my views and I … Continue reading What does it mean to be a Muslim woman?

The Brown HijabiAugust 9, 2018August 9, 20184 Comments

What if Neo had taken both pills? | A Reflection on a Summer School and Feelings of Madness

It has been exactly one Gregorian-calendar-month since I left Granada, Spain, where I attended the Critical Muslim Studies two-week summer school. I had intended to write up some notes or musings as soon as I got back because there was so much to reflect on from what I enjoyed, to what frustrated me, and unresolved questions. But upon returning to the UK a certain heaviness … Continue reading What if Neo had taken both pills? | A Reflection on a Summer School and Feelings of Madness

The Brown HijabiAugust 1, 2018August 1, 2018Leave a comment