Shelina Janmohammed

Save Muslim History

There is no parallel to seeing sites that relate to Islamic history in person. Sadly, these sacred spaces are now being destroyed around the...

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Shelina Zahra Janmohamad - To laugh, or not to laugh

Comedy and humour are great ways of enlightening a dour mood, which is just the pick-up needed in these...

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Avoiding the trophy wife trap

With wedding season upon us, we need to have a serious discussion about mahr, which is the gift given by the groom to the...

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Embracing our British identity

As the Queen celebrates her Diamond Jubilee, it seems fitting to look back at how the British Muslim community has progressed since she took the...

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Between the Extremes

The Qur’an describes the relationship between men and women as complementary, not oppressive. We need to uplift each other and aim for higher standards, otherwise...

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What's love got to do with it?

Love has a more defined place in our faith, than mere...

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The Cusp of Opportunity

Recent events allow for the possibility of changing the discourse where Muslims are...

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The Right Time and Place

Challenging every sphere, from football to fashion, women are beginning to make their mark in every capacity. Earlier this year on International Women’s Day,...

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Bahrain Isn't What It Seems

What was once a small island of lush greenery, developing skyscrapers and scattered historic buildings, is fast becoming the scene of political unrest. Watching...

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The Genderlessness of Goodness

There are precious few role models available to Muslims — whether male or female. We can’t afford to categorise them by gender. It is quite common to...

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To Life: I won’t let you pass me by

Being a mother for the first time makes one reflect on their own life, trying to understand where the years have gone—so quickly. In my heart, I am still...

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Anatomy of an Islamic country

Population size, history, Arabic ethnicity, language; are these the necessary components that deem a country ‘Islamic’? What do we mean – if...

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What kind of Muslim are you?

Recent marketing and advertising research concludes that ‘Muslims are diverse’. Why can’t Muslims be of the same opinion? In the political,...

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Rebuilding Islam's Brand

Despite common misconception, the number one brand in today's consumerist society appears to be religion, not Coca-Cola What are the biggest brands in the world...

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Selling Impossible Dreams

Is our politics airbrushed like the front covers of a glossy magazine? Yes, it’s true, you too can be perfect. L’Oreal can give you the perfect...

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My name is (Jan)Mohamed

Muhammed is the second most popular name in Britain. But what does it really mean? A woman is not usually called Muhammad. So imagine my surprise when the BBC rang...

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Beware a New Jahiliyyah

Has much changed since the pre-Islamic era of Jahiliyyah in the Arabian Peninsula? As a child being taught about the history of Arabia before the advent of Islam,...

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The trouble with marriage

Marriage is a topic which is difficult to discuss, and in which to create change for Muslims. No wonder, since it comes with heavy religious weight and touches on...

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The Fairytales of Love

Embracing the reality of love; its challenges, its rewards and its constant, patient rhythm. I remember the day that I first fell in love. I was 13,...

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The Meaning of Minarets

Following the decision by Swiss authorities to ban minarets, what is it that causes such fear? What is the difference between a church spire and a mosque...

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How to be an (extra)ordinary revolutionary

One ordinary individual can be the catalyst for change. On December 17th 2010, a 26-year old Tunisian fruit seller set himself on fire in front of a government...

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What kind of Muslim are You?

Recent marketing and advertising research concludes that ‘Muslims are diverse’. Why can’t Muslims be of the same opinion? In the political,...

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Mughal Magic - Shelina Janmohammed

The Mughals were once an Islamic imperial power that left behind flawless architecture and an incredible culture and heritage. It was the first time that my Indian...

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Anxieties of a Mum-to-Be

For first-time expectant mothers, the experience is a reflective one; revealing more about womanhood and femininity than one had expected. By the time you read...

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I am not my job

In the age of overtime that becomes overkill, it is time to liberate the inner office slave. There have been many days that I have wanted to declare my liberation...

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Muslim Men, This One's for You

Muslim women are changing the world. Fed up with voices on all sides telling us how we should dress, what is ‘right’ for Muslim women, and how we should...

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The Fall and Rise of Religion

Religion is not important; not in the daily life of almost three quarters of the British public. The French exhibit similar levels of irreligiosity. By contrast, the...

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Be the Change

Change is not a distant ideal, but an inherent right that exists within each and every one of us. People often ask me, “Did you always want to be a writer?”...

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Longing for Paradise

I want to live in a land called paradise. I do, I really do. But the world around me makes me feel ever more gloomy. I am slowly losing the ability to even envision...

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21st Century Spiritual Literacy

“Bring up your children differently to how you were brought up, because they live in different times to you.” replicatime.me This is a famous...

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Seeing Things Through

Multiculturalism has not gone far enough when a woman’s right to dress in the way she chooses continues to be debated. France has taken the discussion on...

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Hopes for a Post-Veil Society

Earlier this year, the head of of Al-Azhar Islamic university found himself in agreement with Italy’s extreme right-wing Northern League, the BNP’s...

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Idolising Islam

Do you want to be the next Islamic Idol? An Egyptian TV programme earlier this year pitted 12 hopefuls against each other in an American Idol-style singing contest in...

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Where is the E-Ummah?

The internet has created an ummah that lives up to the Prophetic idea of a nation without boundaries. The Qur’an talks of “ummah wahida”, One Nation,...