Savagely Speaking

Female Intuition is a series I’ve started to tackle issues that women ought to have very pronounced opinions on. I feel that men express opinions and create ‘rules’ in regards women’s issues without fully understanding what women actually think and feel. I don’t identify as a feminist, but I do feel strongly about women’s issues and I strongly believe in the right of every woman to make decisions for herself. If you have any suggestions for topics, feel free to leave and comment and check out the category here . ~ Different parts of the world and different cultures/religions view feminine modesty in very different ways. As someone who grew up in a Muslim family, practiced the strict doctrines until I was about 19 and then subsequently left this belief system by way of a very painful epiphany – I feel I have the full experience of being a young woman who used to cover fully, to someone who dresses substantially more casually now. I would like to say that I was happy with my...

A few days ago, I came at the forefront of a very harsh line of questioning by a student. It was hardly relevant and I don't really know how the subject even arose, as we were in a maths class. Nonetheless, we started discussing religious beliefs - or lack thereof - and I was surprised by her scrutiny. I feel like I didn't answer to the best of my ability, so I intend to do so here. I feel like not enough people openly discuss what they think or believe because it might be unfavourable or uncommon - and, in a free-thinking environment, I find that absurd. No-one should should be ashamed, let alone afraid, of what they hold as their beliefs. So, firstly: "Are you Muslim?" Again, I don't know where this question came from, but the asker was, herself, a Muslim and I guess she took a stab in the dark and assumed I was as well. I simply replied that my family were Muslims - of a Sunni school of thought, to be exact - and tried to focus her on the lesson at han...