It’s Women’s Muslim Day, a day to celebrate Muslim women and try to make their voices heard more often. This includes examining representation and respect throughout media. Here are three recent headlines you should know about so that you can celebrate this second annual holiday properly.
1. Mosques attacked in Germany
At least three mosques were attacked in Germany this past Sunday. The first attack used Molotov cocktails. No causalities occurred, but there was minor damage to the mosque in central Kassel city. The two other mosques were separately vandalized in Herne city and Amberg town. At least 40 attacks like these have occurred in Germany just this year. Assailants have not been arrested in a majority of these incidents.
2. Southwest Airlines condemns ‘cruel’ anti-Muslim tweet about their employee
Southwest Airlines condemned John Guandolo on Saturday for a “cruel and inappropriate” tweet targeting one of the airline’s employees. Guandolo, a former FBI agent, tweeted “I wish this were shocking…a sharia adherent muslim (aka jihadi) at my plane as I head to AZ to speak at the Western Conservative Conference. #ShariaKills @realDonaldTrump @JewhadiTM @THEHermanCain @1776Stonewall @TomFitton @AmbJohnBolton @DHSgov #SeeSomethingDoNothing.” The worker pictured in his tweet is unidentified. Southwest tweeted that they had reported the tweet for removal.
3. ‘Punish a Muslim Day’ letters throughout the UK
Anonymous letters arrived at people’s homes, including four Muslim members of Parliament, in at least six communities in England. The messages, which started showing up on March 9, were hateful and prompted a national counter-terrorism investigation. According to the notes, April 3 would be “Punish a Muslim Day,” with a point-system for acts of violence. 25 points would be given for pulling off a woman’s head scarf; 500 for murdering a Muslim; and 2,500 for nuking Mecca. Many are trying to create counter-campaigns, such as “Love a Muslim Day,” where points would be given for smiling, throwing flowers, or holding fundraisers.
Header Image: REUTERS/Peter Nicholls