A Muslim woman who gets it?
Press Release
For Immediate Release
6/7/2006
To: All News Organizations
From: Per Contra: The International Journal of Arts, Literature and Ideas
For Further Information: contact Bill Turner
Phone: US
percontra05@yahoo.com
Re: Cover of Per Contra Features Muslim Artist Disrobing from Birkah to Draw Attention to Her Message.
Philadelphia, PA: Per Contra: The International Journal of Arts, Literature and Ideas, Summer Issue features interviews with the musician dubbed the “Muslim Madonna,” Deeyah, and a petition to the United Nations to enforce prohibitions against so-called “honor killing” and other violence against women. The issue has a cover with photos of Deeyah, removing her birkah to expose that she is wearing a bikini. The cover (seen at http://www.percontra.net ) is a montage with a centerpiece of Deeyah’s bare back on which is an image of a Muslim woman with duct tape covering her mouth.
The issue contains two interviews with Deeyah discussing both her music and her concerns about violence toward women, summarized in pointed statements that reflect her frustration with the threats and intimidation that she faces. In one interview, Deeyah states:
“I am surprised at the great deal of offense taken by the birkah swimsuit scene rather than people taking offence to the maiming and killing performed in the name of religion and culture. The strong reactions I’ve received for this scene confirm the hypocrisy I wanted to highlight. Apparently skin is a bigger sin than murder in too many people’s eyes. Another message from my critics is very clear: that violence is OK but the actual criticizing of the violence is not OK. I find that very offensive. (However, I do not plan on sending people that disagree with me death threats.)”
(Filed under religion of peace?)
|