Monday, April 5th - Cultural Canvas: Islam Paints the World
7:00pm - 10:00pm
Kimmel Center Room 802
60 Washington Sq South , New York, NY 10012

Through this casual, mix and mingle type setting we hope to celebrate the rich Islamic tradition of artistic expression. We will have many different types of visual art, from fashion to film, on display as well as short presentations by some of the artists about their work.

Below are some of the many submissions from the weekend.

With the winter season comes dark rich colored plaids like this gauze tops from Tillys. Pair that with a Jil Sander turtleneck, a French Connection lark coat and dark flared jeans from Abercombie. Don’t forget your White Mountain boots in eggplant color. Put your sequined cashmere scarf from net-a-porter.com over a purple tube underscarf from Hijabnow.com and top it off with a stunning purple handmade aamaal hijab pin from Islamic Gems. Don’t forget to complete the look with a Chanel cuff bracelet.

Have a nice winter insha’Allah <3

Until next time insha’Allah xoxoxoxo

- Pink Diamond

EID MUBARAK

For any special occasion, take a Leaves of Grass Virgil top, wide leg demin trousers from wetseal, gem studded flats from H&M, a silk scarf from Chickdowntown, Christian Dior sunglasses and most importantly, a stunning, handmade duo link hijab pin from IslamicGems to blow all your friends away!

Have a beautiful and  blessed Eid insha’Allah!!! ♥

Until next time insha’Allah xoxoxoxo

- Pink Diamond

IslamicGems is giving away a gorgeous hijab pin. You get to choose one (1) design from the cloisonne collection!

Winner will be chosen on the 3rd day of Eid Al Adha,
and contacted for shipping information shortly.

To participate all you have to do is submit a picture of yourself in your Eid outfit to our fan page (you dont have to show your face).

Submit Here

A winner will be chosen by how many “likes” their photo gets, make sure to check back  to see who the winner is.

Please remember me in your duas and Inshallah I will continue in my humble effort to help the Muslim women cover elegantly.

-ISLAMICGEMS

Look for the Contest Tab on our Facebook fan page to participate in the contest on Oct. 28. 2009!

IslamicGems is giving away a gorgeous PINK *5 piece hijab pin set* (revealed on Oct. 31st, 2009).

To participate all you have to do is don the pink hijab, take a picture of yourself (you don’t need to show your face) and upload it to our Facebook Fan Page Between Oct. 28, 2009 @ 12 AM (PDT) - Oct. 29, 2009 @ 11:59 PM (PDT)!

Come back and *VOTE* from Oct. 29, 2009 @ 12 AM (PDT) - Oct. 30, 2009 @ 11:59 PM (PDT) for your favorite style!

The winning image will be chosen on Oct, 31 2009 @ 12 AM (PDT), make sure to check back  to see who the winner is!

Dont forget to:

- Ask non-Muslims to wear a hijab for a day to see what it feels like (maybe even get them to participate in the contest)
- Collect funds for charity either through donations or through ‘wear a pink hijab for the day’ sponsorships (usually going towards breast cancer research, such as the Susan G. Komen foundation)
- Answer any questions that may be directed to pink hijab wearers about Islam
- Show the world that Muslims are making the world a better place
- and.. OF COURSE - Increase breast cancer awareness

http://www.info-komen.org/goto/IslamicGems

Please remember me in your duas and Inshallah I will continue in my humble effort to help the Muslim women cover elegantly.

-IslamicGems

http://www.info-komen.org/goto/IslamicGems

By: Farheen Fatima

Below are my reflections on the recent call to ban niqab in Canada.

I hear and read of all the commotion going on in Europe, Middle East, and now Canada, about people having a problem with a simple piece of harmless cloth I choose to wear on my face. The problem arises from either ignorance about the matter or differences with it.

I decided to wear the veil at the age of 18. Thank you very much, but it was out of my own choice. Neither was I married nor did my family encourage it. I was the first amongst my family members to adorn the niqab. I feel very comfortable wearing the veil. I have attended university and used public transit while wearing the niqab. I feel my veil enhances my identity instead of hiding it. You may ask how so? The niqab has given me the opportunity to express myself without men, in particular, judging me or treating me based on the way I look. I don’t have to worry about looking good for people who see me walking down the street. I choose to be known for my inner voice, my personality and intellect. In the comfort of my home or private gatherings, I confound to a different dress code. I am happy in my own shoes. I don’t force people to start wearing the veil, and likewise, I don’t wish for people to force me out of my shoes.

A woman in Canada can go outside in a bikini. Just as she can choose to be almost fully naked, it only makes sense that I have the right to be almost fully covered. Covering the face is not something uncommon in our society. We cover our faces with thick scarves on cold, winter days. Nowadays, more and more people are covering their faces with masks to protect against viruses, such as the H1N1 virus.

I am not asking to vote or cross borders while wearing my veil, or to have my driver’s license photo taken with my veil. All I am saying is that I should have the right to wear a niqab wherever I so desire. If I need to reveal my face temporarily for identification purposes, I am willing to do so.

The niqab is not a threat. Niqab wearing women do not bite. We are not criminals. There hasn’t been a history of niqabis committing crimes. A woman should be given the choice to wear the niqab or not in this country, for the sake of freedom of choice and religion.

A niqabi studying at a university campus lounge.

Farheen is a free lance writer living in Canada. You can reach her at enquiry@islamicgems.com with “Niqabi” in the subject line.

Do you have a Pink Hijab? by PinkDiamondz featuring Old Navy

“Pink Hijab Day is intended to shatter stereotypes of Muslim women, as well as raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research. All over the world, Muslims participated by wearing pink hijabs, pink ribbons, and donating to breast cancer foundations.”

http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/

http://ww5.komen.org/

http://www.breastcancercampaign.org/

Donate here http://www.info-komen.org/goto/IslamicGems

Until next time insha’Allah xoxoxoxo

- Pink Diamond