Why Evolution is True is a blog written by Jerry Coyne, centered on evolution and biology but also dealing with diverse topics like politics, culture, and cats.
Yesterday was World Hijab Day, a day to celebrate a symbol of misogyny and oppression. In its honor(?) we have a thoughtful 15-minute video by Sarah Haider, Executive Director of the Ex-Muslims of North America, about the hijab. Needless to say, she’s almost entirely critical of reasons for wearing the headscarf. My own view about … Continue reading Sarah Haider on World Hijab Day
I haven’t written about the hijab, burqa, or other forms of Muslim female covering for a while, simply because I’ve written about them so much that I have nothing new to say (for all the posts, go here). Now, though, the hijab is back in the news. See here for a one-post summary of what … Continue reading The Council of Europe retracts pro-hijab campaign
Today’s Jesus and Mo strip, called “sisters,” came with an email note: Out of isolation and fine. Thank you for the kind wishes. Can’t believe we missed World Hijab Day again! Oh well. World Hijab Day was on Monday, so the artist didn’t really miss it, for strips appear only on Wednesdays. Mo loves to … Continue reading Jesus ‘n’ Mo ‘n’ hijabs
We already know about Masah Amini, a 22-year-old woman beaten to death by Iranian authorities after the “morality police” arrested her for an improperly worn hijab. That itself has ignited protests throughout Iran— protests not just against the mandatory headscarf, but against oppression and Iranian theocracy in general. Women and girls, risking arrest (and even … Continue reading Iranian schoolgirl reportedly killed by regime for refusing to sing the national anthem
Here we have an article in The Independent whose contents I agree with completely (the message by Faiza Saquib, an “assistant audience editor” at the Independent, is that the way Muslim women dress should be completely their choice), but whose title I take issue with. Click to read: This happens to coincide, as I mentioned yesterday, … Continue reading The Independent on why mandated burqa-wearing “doesn’t represent Islam”
It’s Thursday, May 11, 2023, and National “Eat What You Want” Day. Why the scare quotes? Are we really NOT supposed to eat what we want? And what if what I want I can’t get? It’s also Hostess Cupcake Day (a staple of my childhood packed lunches) and World Ego Awareness Day (it’s a thin … Continue reading Thursday: Hili dialogue
It’s Hump Day (also known as ημέρα καμπούρας in Greek): Wednesday, October 19, 2022, and National Seafood Bisque Day. It’s also International Gin and Tonic Day, Evaluate Your Life Day, Dress Like a Dork Day, Hagfish Day, Rainforest Day, International Pronouns Day, and, in England, Oxfordshire Day, Readers are invited to call attention to notable events, … Continue reading Wednesday: Hili dialogue
Greetings on the last Hump Day of the year (“วันโคก” in Thai): Wednesday, December 28, 2022. It’s also the fourth day of Coynezaa, and National Chocolate Day. Read how chocolate is made here. It starts with a tree and its seeds: It’s also Call A Friend Day, National Card Playing Day, Pledge of Allegiance Day … Continue reading Wednesday: Hili dialogue
Welcome to Thursday, March 2, 2023, and National Banana Cream Pie Day. You could eat a worse pie, but there should be lots of banana, a rich filling (not gelatinous), and tons of good meringue on top. It’s also International Rescue Cat Day, World Book Day, National Read Across America Day, and Texas Independence Day, celebrating the … Continue reading Thursday: Hili dialogue
Today, February 1, is World Hijab Day. Ironically, the date coincides with the day in 1979 when Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini returned to Tehran and became the country’s Supreme Leader, helping turn Iran into a theocracy. Part of the theocratic change involved laws forcing women to wear the hijab. The women of Iran didn’t like that. … Continue reading It’s World Hijab Day: Celebrate oppression!
