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Monday, December 1, 2008

Calling All Young Muslim Women: Aqsa Wants Your Work

The deadline's been extended until December 6 for the first issue of Aqsa, a grassroots print zine, as well as an online community that is open to all women and trans people who self-identify as Muslim (13 to 35 years old).

Why Submit: Because you’re tired of feeling fragmented and you know your body shouldn’t be anyone’s battleground. Because you don’t like being told who is Muslim and who isn’t. Because you know you aren’t anybody’s erotic exotic. Because you’re
frustrated with people speaking slowly to you just because you are wearing a hijab. Because you're sick of people asking “why don't you wear hijab?” OR telling you you're not Muslim enough because you don't wear hijab. Because you’re bored by the question “you’re gay and Muslim?” Because you don’t want to see anymore of your family members profiled and harassed by the police. Because you hate being part of the “random” check at airports. Because you spend your life fighting back with a smile or fist.

AQSA Zine is a safe space to tell our stories, and to share and learn our herstories. Because WE SPEAK FOR OURSELVES.

They're looking for writing, artwork, comics, recipes, open letters -- anything goes! Submit to aqsazine [at] gmail [dot] com by December 6. The first issue is launched on December 16, in commemoration of 16-year-old Muslim woman, Aqsa Parvez, who was murdered by her family members on December 16, 2007.

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