When they saw her walking on the streets,
They saw oppression, dehumanization, and inequality.
Whilst they oppressed her with their vision
She wore her cape of grace, her drapes of black chiffon
Which also covered her face
free from all the judgment regarding beauty and ideals

the world was threatened by her walk
Although her posture was humble
She still walked with queen like grace
For she was super women and her Abaya was her cape
Her Niqaab was her shield form the worlds disgrace
And her Hijab was the crown she wore with all her grace
And she was a true woman
A woman oppressed not by her faith
But by society's obligations
She IS a woman empowered,
Empowered by her faith.

The Arabian Fashion Zone, which drew large crowds at Bride Abu Dhabi, was a space dedicated to designers from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain, who showcased their latest collections of traditional and evening wear. Among them was Sharjah-born Fawzia Al Zarooni, who made good her childhood dreams of becoming a designer when she established the label Ms Unique Designs. It had one of the most vibrant stands at the show, filled with occasion gowns, jalabiyas and abayas in jungle green, tangerine and magenta. Al Zarooni shares the inspiration behind her creations.

What’s unique about your label?

The modern cuts, the finishing, the handwork and the fabrics I use – I’m always fusing different textures together and giving my clients plenty of options about the embellishments, beads and semi-precious stones they can finish their garments with.

What do Emirati guests wear to weddings?

We wear totally different styles to the formal abaya, which is normally plain in design and opaque. For weddings we want to look glamorous, perhaps by wearing a dress. Or if we do choose an abaya for the occasion, it will be black but very sheer to show the dress beneath, which will be very colourful.

What might an Emirati bride wear?

The lady getting married will wear a traditional western wedding dress – but not that often with an abaya on top. For some, that is too much.

What style of western gowns are trending?

Nothing too big. The bride must be able to walk and move easily in her dress. Tastes have changed a lot and just a few years ago, an Emirati bride wanted big, fluffy gowns with lots of stones and dentelle – today, simplicity is what she wants.Read more at:www.marieaustralia.com/red-carpet-celebrity-dresses | www.marieaustralia.com/cheap-formal-dresses

Dressed in a robe of
A startling white
Tinged with blue.

Eyes rimmed with
dark lashes and
kohl.
Desert eyes.

Lips curled in amusement,
Long hands resting on the latest SUV,
Long, tapered fingers tapping the
door.

An abaya and the arrogant head
turns. Two flickers. One in the eye,
for the slim figure and the body stands
Straighter; taller.

A pretty face,
Unveiled but heavily concealed by
Layers of foundations, shades too light.

The other is a point of light
Through the ear. Yes.
Through the hole in
The ear. His ear.

A djinn slips through
On the cool, night, sea breeze.

I ignore the girl in black and
Slide into the SUV, as easily
As he slipped into my life, as
Easily as the djinn blew through his ear.

I eye the ear. Clean and perfect
To me, despite the gap in his pinna.
Each member of his tribe bears
This inexpert removal.

To let the djinn pass through the
Ear. Else they burrow through the
Canal into the brain,
Trapped by the ear.

Djinn travel with the wind,
You see? We wouldn't want
Madness in the desert. Djinn,
Trapped behind those eyes.

Khol eyes. Arrogant eyes.
Reduced to madness? No,
He wouldn't allow that.
Rather a small imperfection.

He starts the engine.
The pretty face above the
Abaya appears in his line of
Sight again. Mouth's curled no more.

He is uninterested. The
Car roars, slips out,
Joins the highway and
We speed into the night.

I look out the window.
The Djinn travels beside us.

It glitters under the street
Lamps and car headlights
As they move aside,
To let us pass.

Desert dwellers on either side.
One within. One without.

First they came for the

                                             Burka

then they came for the

                                                 Veil

Now they come for the

                                              Abaya

First they came for

                                          our lands

Then they came for

                                     our language

Now they come for

                                        our religion

Allah’s

                                                    Klar

Islam

                                                   Uber

Alles

(|)ppose secularism

      because an Abaya

    prevents up-skirting

    Metro ventilation girl.

i stand buck toothed and frizzy haired
i'm in foreign country with foreign faces
she's my restute
i trace my finger tips rough from the dirt under our **** cherry tree
on the photograph of her outline on the bed we share
i hear her from the other room
she says we arent doing well
thats a lie
she says she has foreign blood
thats a lie
she says she loves me

my smile cuts through as i grab my own pinky
i promise myself i shall never lie
if the sky is blue, it's a blue sky
if the sun is hot, it's a sunny day
i'd never let myself follow her way

i stand glowing teeth and raven pig tails
i twirl my abaya between my fingers as she asks where i'll head off
i couldn't break her heart at the expense of my pleasure
i mutter names, hiding out others
i sit in the back seat of my drivers car, looking at my reflection in the tinted window
i see her outline look back at me

in her eyes i lay
في عيونها
in her arms i sway
في قلبها صورتي
وفي روحها اسمي

مخيوط ما بين خلاياها بابرة دميما
انا واياها وجه واحد
لماذا لا تراني في المراية؟

وحيدة امي
وحيدة قلبها
وحيدة وقتها
اعطتني نفسها
i didnt ask for it
i didnt ask to be given a debt of guilt
i look at her, i see me
i see her buck toothed with frizzy hair
did she ever see me in her mother?