Muslim women suffer from the same inequalities as other women. In most Western countries, they are also the main targets of Islamophobic hate crimes, hate speech and violence, especially if they wear a headscarf. In today’s world, the rights and freedom of Muslim women to dress and live as they want to is increasingly under attack around the world. The hijab, for some a symbol of freedom, for others, of oppression, has become an increasingly fraught political symbol.

In this panel, we discuss three countries that have hit the headlines in recent months due to the clash between state and the freedom of Muslim women to dress in the manner they choose: France, Afghanistan and India. Our panel, chaired by equalities campaigner Akeelah Ahmed MBE, will examine the intersectional challenges Muslim women face around the world.

Secure a seat at this urgent event, featuring award-winning international public speaker on Muslim issues and global feminism writer Mona Eltahawy; English-French academic and broadcaster Myriam François, and author of the critically-acclaimed book Mothering a Muslim, Nazia Erum.