Hijab-Wearing Superhero Fan Draws Herself As Various Comic Book Characters

"I am a Muslim girl (who wears a hijab) and I prefer to wear long/loose things that go below the butt" writes Tumblrer Nora. So when Nora participates in the Draw Yourself Challenge, those are the duds her chosen superheroes wear as well. The result is pretty dang nifty. It might be a day early to start flipping one's lid over America-related stuff, but that flag hijab makes me want to do a dance.

Iranian Women Practice Parkour Despite Obstacles, Make Us Feel Lazy [VIDEO]

Parkour is a growing trend in Iran, where more and more males and females alike are learning of the sport through illegal satellite TV broadcasts. Speaking to France 24, a 20-year-old college student explains how Iranian women, like the ones seen in the video above, have a tougher time of it. But they still do it. Because they're awesome like that. (OK, that last part was all me).

Of course, it’s not easy for girls. While boys practise parkour in the streets, as it is meant to be done, girls often prefer to practise in less-busy places like beaches or natural parks, where there aren’t many people around. We fear getting in trouble with the police or basijis [volunteer militiamen who act as the morality police], who could accuse us of copying a Western fad. We could also get in trouble for practising sports outside designated facilities. Parkour is a not an easy sport to do while wearing a headscarf and a manto [a style of long tunic worn by many Iranian women] over pants. You have to worry about getting your manto caught on things and making you fall, so you can’t move quite as fast as boys. But we have no other choice.

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Saudi Arabia Opens an All-Women University, But Will Women Find Work?

Just a couple of weeks ago, the biggest women-only university opened its doors in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. When the Princess Nora bint AbdulRahman University was first announced, it vowed to provide the women of Saudi Arabia competitive education in science, technology, and other subjects that have been closed off to women in other universities that segregate them from men. And while this is a major step in the right direction, the downside is that while women make up more than half of the students in Saudi Arabia, they make up less than 15 percent of the workforce. Once these women graduate, will they even be able to have careers?

Al Qaeda Launches a Women’s Magazine

Um, just a warning, but the following is not a parody: Al-Qaeda has launched a magazine for women, offering advice on marriage, beauty, and how to please the ghost of your deceased suicide bomber husband. It is called Al-Shamikha (translated: The Majestic Woman), and its intent is to give Muslim women their own version of a Western women's magazine. By... iterating their roles as remaining covered and submissive, marrying a mujahideen and raising their children to become one too. And also, the benefits of becoming a martyr for Islam. So, basically, 31 glossy pages of anti-woman/Islamic extremist propaganda printed in pink and purple. But also: staying inside and keeping your face covered prevents zits, ladies!