As a young girl growing up in England’s central industrial heartlands, Seema Yasmin never suspected that one day she would become a disease detective and international leading voice debunking the myths surrounding a viral pandemic.
In a single-parent household, in an area where women worked long hours tirelessly at the factory down the road while bringing up children, praying and cooking, Yasmin's life then couldn’t be farther from the one she has now.
Yet it was her upbringing in two different households, by two strong but polar-opposite sisters, that led her to challenge the perceptions of what it is to be a Muslim woman – and then to break the mould. Now her new book, Muslim Women Are Everything, will help others do the same.
The Cambridge-educated doctor, who is a champion in the field of disease and epidemics, a poet, an Emmy award-winning journalist and an author, has not so much pushed at the many boundaries that once stood in her way as smashed through them.
Read an exclusive excerpt of Seema Yasmin's book 'Muslim Women are Everything' here
In her book, she recounts the achievements of Muslim women around the world and their battles against racial and gender prejudice to become leaders in their chosen specialities.
We are so much more. We don't just iron. We do perform open heart surgery and we do fly into space. People have these narrow stereotypes of what Muslim women are like
"I was so fed up with the stereotypes given to Muslim women," Yasmin told The National.
“We are so much more. We don’t just iron. We do perform open heart surgery and we do fly into space. People have these narrow stereotypes of what Muslim women are like. We have a Muslim woman who won an Olympic medal for fencing, and people would say: ‘Oh, my, can Muslim women go to the Olympics?’
“I posted an angry tweet about it three years ago because I was really fed up of Muslim women being patronised. It was seen by an editor who asked me to write about it. I declined but wrote about what we actually do, the real-life inspiring Muslim women who have so many challenges put in their way but overcome them.”
Yasmin, 38, is now a British physician and works as director of research and education at the Stanford Health Communication Initiative at Stanford University in California.
During the coronavirus outbreak, she has been a crucial voice of medical expertise and reason, specialising in debunking the misinformation and disinformation circulating around Covid-19.
For years she was an officer in the Epidemic Intelligence Service at the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, working as a kind of disease detective, in some of the world’s poorest countries. Now she saves lives through her communication skills.
It is all a far cry from her humble upbringing in the working-class, industrial town of Nuneaton.
“My mum had me at 19 and she worked in a factory,” Yasmin recalls. “We were not a posh academic family. My mum was a single parent and my childhood was spent living with her or my aunt,” she said.
“I grew up with two strong Muslim women who were both so different. My devout aunt wore a niqab, she said prayers more than five times a day and raised me alongside her three children while working in a factory and teaching us to cook. My mum didn’t wear the veil and she left her home to go to university. They were so different. I was so lucky to have these amazing, strong women.”
One of her first memories is from the age of about five when her mother, planning a better life for just the two of them, would hide the text books she was studying. A year later, Yasmin’s parents divorced and her mother left the world she had previously known to go to university.
Yasmin recalls being in a dorm room at Lancaster University as her mother frantically finished off an essay while students played Madonna songs full blast in the next room.
The rest of her early years were spent living with her aunt in a strict Muslim household, attending the madrasa and interspersed with visits to her mother’s cosmopolitan campus life.
She said it was only at the age of 14 when she moved to London with her mother that she realised there was a different world available to Muslim women. Only two years earlier, she had taken the decision to wear the hijab and had been deeply religious.
“I realised that Muslim women were everything and could be anything,” she said. “It changed my perspective and diversified my world.”
It was her mother’s courage to strive for a better life that led Seema, then 17, to change her surname from Halima to her mother’s first name, Yasmin.
Later, she went to medical school where she became Dr Yasmin, worked for the National Health Service and was subsequently offered a role in the investigation of epidemics in the United States.
The women in my book show what can be achieved … I wanted Muslim women from across the world, from Africa to Brazil, to tell their stories
“When you are young and trying to figure out your career, there is no way I envisaged going to medical school,” she said. “You have to be really flexible and open to opportunities that come along.
“The women in my book show what can be achieved. It was really hard to choose the selection: I wanted Muslim women from across the world, from Africa to Brazil, to tell their stories.”
One of her favourites is that of Laleh Seddigh, the Iranian racing driver who is known as the little Schumacher. “She really stands out to me,” Yasmin said. “She would regularly beat the men and they keep disqualifying her for it. Even when she wins, they cut her out of the coverage but she just perseveres.
“Another is Malala Yousafzai, who was shot in the head by Taliban gunmen just for wanting education for girls.
“I wish I had been exposed to their stories when I was younger. Anyone who has misconceptions about Muslim women can read this book and see their achievements. There are Muslim scientists, astronauts, ballerinas, poets – they are unstoppable.”
Yasmin chose the Muslim artist Fahmida Azim to illustrate the book. It was important to her, she said, after showcasing all the amazing achievements of these women, that it should be a Muslim woman who illustrated them.
“Fahmida was perfect and has done such an amazing job,” she said.
The book also tells the story of Ibtihaj Muhammad, the American who took up fencing and brought home a bronze medal from the 2016 Olympic Games. It was the first time that a woman wearing a hijab had represented the US.
The battle of Dubai weightlifter Amna Al Haddad is featured, recounting how a walk in the city’s Safa Park to help overcome depression inspired a love for fitness that led to her being selected to represent the UAE at the Olympics. It was this journey that prompted the sporting specialist Nike to develop the first athletics hijab.
“I wish I’d had this book when I was a kid,” Yasmin says.
“They are all inspiring women. I just hope it inspires other women so they know they can achieve anything.”
* Muslim Women Are Everything: Stereotype-Shattering Stories of Courage, Inspiration, and Adventure (Harper Design, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers), written by Seema Yasmin and illustrated by Fahmida Azim, is out now.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Friday (all kick-offs UAE time)
Hertha Berlin v Union Berlin (10.30pm)
Saturday
Freiburg v Werder Bremen (5.30pm)
Paderborn v Hoffenheim (5.30pm)
Wolfsburg v Borussia Dortmund (5.30pm)
Borussia Monchengladbach v Bayer Leverkusen (5.30pm)
Bayern Munich v Eintracht Frankfurt (5.30pm)
Sunday
Schalke v Augsburg (3.30pm)
Mainz v RB Leipzig (5.30pm)
Cologne v Fortuna Dusseldorf (8pm)
The specs: 2019 BMW X4
Price, base / as tested: Dh276,675 / Dh346,800
Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged in-line six-cylinder
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 354hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 1,550rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 9.0L / 100km
Tips for SMEs to cope
- Adapt your business model. Make changes that are future-proof to the new normal
- Make sure you have an online presence
- Open communication with suppliers, especially if they are international. Look for local suppliers to avoid delivery delays
- Open communication with customers to see how they are coping and be flexible about extending terms, etc
Courtesy: Craig Moore, founder and CEO of Beehive, which provides term finance and working capital finance to SMEs. Only SMEs that have been trading for two years are eligible for funding from Beehive.
RESULTS
Bantamweight:
Zia Mashwani (PAK) bt Chris Corton (PHI)
Super lightweight:
Flavio Serafin (BRA) bt Mohammad Al Khatib (JOR)
Super lightweight:
Dwight Brooks (USA) bt Alex Nacfur (BRA)
Bantamweight:
Tariq Ismail (CAN) bt Jalal Al Daaja (JOR)
Featherweight:
Abdullatip Magomedov (RUS) bt Sulaiman Al Modhyan (KUW)
Middleweight:
Mohammad Fakhreddine (LEB) bt Christofer Silva (BRA)
Middleweight:
Rustam Chsiev (RUS) bt Tarek Suleiman (SYR)
Welterweight:
Khamzat Chimaev (SWE) bt Mzwandile Hlongwa (RSA)
Lightweight:
Alex Martinez (CAN) bt Anas Siraj Mounir (MAR)
Welterweight:
Jarrah Al Selawi (JOR) bt Abdoul Abdouraguimov (FRA)
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The years Ramadan fell in May
The five pillars of Islam
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Prophets of Rage
(Fantasy Records)
Thanksgiving meals to try
World Cut Steakhouse, Habtoor Palace Hotel, Dubai. On Thursday evening, head chef Diego Solis will be serving a high-end sounding four-course meal that features chestnut veloute with smoked duck breast, turkey roulade accompanied by winter vegetables and foie gras and pecan pie, cranberry compote and popcorn ice cream.
Jones the Grocer, various locations across the UAE. Jones’s take-home holiday menu delivers on the favourites: whole roast turkeys, an array of accompaniments (duck fat roast potatoes, sausages wrapped in beef bacon, honey-glazed parsnips and carrots) and more, as well as festive food platters, canapes and both apple and pumpkin pies.
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, The Address Hotel, Dubai. This New Orleans-style restaurant is keen to take the stress out of entertaining, so until December 25 you can order a full seasonal meal from its Takeaway Turkey Feast menu, which features turkey, homemade gravy and a selection of sides – think green beans with almond flakes, roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potato casserole and bread stuffing – to pick up and eat at home.
The Mattar Farm Kitchen, Dubai. From now until Christmas, Hattem Mattar and his team will be producing game- changing smoked turkeys that you can enjoy at home over the festive period.
Nolu’s, The Galleria Mall, Maryah Island Abu Dhabi. With much of the menu focused on a California inspired “farm to table” approach (with Afghani influence), it only seems right that Nolu’s will be serving their take on the Thanksgiving spread, with a brunch at the Downtown location from 12pm to 4pm on Friday.
Results
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,200m. Winner: Majd Al Megirat, Sam Hitchcott (jockey), Ahmed Al Shehhi (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m. Winner: Dassan Da, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi
6pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic Prestige (PA) Dh110,000 (T) 1,400m. Winner: Heba Al Wathba, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roualle
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic Prestige (PA) Dh110,000 (T) 1,400m. Winner: Hameem, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m. Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Richard Mullen, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 2,200m. Winner: Harbour Spirit, Adrie de Vries, Jaber Ramadhan.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs
Engine: 5.0-litre supercharged V8
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Power: 575bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh554,000
On sale: now
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
