As a feminist of Egyptian and Muslim descent, my life's work has been informed by the belief that religion and culture must never be used to justify the subjugation of women.
Mona EltahawyRead
Until the Saudi authorities who administer the holy sites take concrete steps to protect female pilgrims, we must protect each other. Men must stop assaulting us, yes. But women the world over, regardless of faith, know that until that happens, we are each other's keepers.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Women must support each other in the face of injustice until societal change occurs.
Mona Eltahawy emphasizes the importance of solidarity among women in the face of ongoing violence and injustice, particularly for female pilgrims. She acknowledges that while men must be held accountable for their actions, women need to empower and protect each other until systemic changes are made to ensure their safety and dignity.
Themes
WomenSolidarityProtectionJusticeEmpowerment
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared during a women's rights rally to highlight the need for unity among women.
More from Mona Eltahawy
All quotes βI'm no fan of Sarkozy, but I support a ban on face veils because they erase women from society and are promoted by an ultra-conservative ideology that equates piety with the disappearance of women.
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It is the harassers and assaulters who make us 'look bad,' not the women who have every right to expose crimes against them.
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I can write about my culture and religion because I am a product of both. Even when I'm accused of giving ammunition to the Islamophobic right, in the struggle between 'community' and 'women,' I always choose the women.
Mona EltahawyRead
I believe at the heart of any revolution for social justice and human dignity are consent and agency, the unequivocal belief that I own my body - not the state, not the church/mosque/temple, not the street and not the family.
Mona EltahawyRead
I will never ally with Islamophobes and racists. But in the choice between 'community' and Muslim women, I will always choose my sisters.
Mona EltahawyRead
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