Magharebia

The View From Fez reported on Lebanese singer Haifa Wehbe's decision to "cancel all trips to Morocco and refuse all requests to hold concerts or interviews with Moroccan press". The blogger noted her decision "is due to what she thought was mistreatment she faced during her recent visit to Morocco. [She] claims she was searched in an inappropriate manner by a female security officer at the airport. When Haifa asked why she was being mistreated, the officer said that she simply does not like her".

Some bloggers chose to comment on the way some Muslim women dress and how according to Samir, a View From Fez contributor, the dress code can be perceived as "absurd … and demeaning".

The discussion continued on Sabbah's blog, who does not understand why the UN has to get involved in "Islamic fashion". He wrote, "Muslim women living in a Somali refugee camp in Kenya were given unique new volleyball uniforms. Designed through a partnership between Nike and the UN, the uniforms permit the female athletes to dig, spike and set while covering their bodies and heads in a way that remains true to their faith."

In the same post, Sabbah went on to talk about Saudi women and how the government gave them a "section of the Kingdom Tower Mall, [where]… lingerie shops replaced salesmen with women. Women will no longer be restricted to finding work in small, women-only shopping zones, but will become employable in lingerie stores across the kingdom and men will be barred from entering the premises." At that point, he realised that the UN involvement is probably an attempt to grant women "one of [their] rights," the right to work.

Samir's post about how "absurd…and demeaning" Islamic fashion is to him did not please Laila El-Haddad, who replied, "It's hard enough for [women in hijab] to deal with the mockery of non-Muslims who don't understand, but now they deal with it from Muslims and Arabs too. Shameful, let everyone choose what to wear -- it's their choice. Give women in the hijab the same dignity."

". Women who wear hijab have just as much right to play sports as anyone else and to do so in a way consistent with their beliefs. I don't look like a fashion plate in my gym clothes, either!” interposed Laura, a New York blogger.

On a more positive note, Cat in Rabat's submission "[Shot], and Score[d]!!" noted Iranian women, "for the 1st time since 1979, will be allowed to attend sporting events in public, in front of men, in stadiums!" Though she did not understand how President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad thinks the lifting of the ban will "promote chastity among all Iranians", she was still thrilled and would be even happier when the FIFA Women's World Cup is held in Tehran.