The Associated Press reports Thursday on Lubna Hussein, a female Sudanese journalist, who is challenging Sudan’s dress code for women in court.
Lubna Hussein was among 13 women arrested July 3 in a raid by members of the public order police force on a popular Khartoum cafe for wearing trousers, considered indecent by the strict interpretation of Islamic law adopted by Sudan’s Islamic regime.
Hussein, who worked in the media department of the U.N. mission in Sudan, rejected an offer for immunity by the U.N. in order to challenge a law that she deems to be discriminatory towards women; a move which puts her at risk for facing 40 lashes should she loose the trial.
“This is not a case about me wearing pants.” […] “This is a case about annulling the article that addresses women’s dress code, under the title of indecent acts. This is my battle. This article is against the constitution and even against Islamic law itself,” she said after the hearing.
This courageous act deserves our admiration and respect. What Hussein needs most at this point though, is our support in mobilizing supporters, generating publicity, and educating the public on the issue. Her hearing was adjourned until August 4th. This is the time for supporters of women’s rights to become active to raise awareness once again about the injustices faced by women in the Middle East.
