The self-proclaimed “controversial” presenter Halema Boland tempted even more controversy this week when—in an audacious display of irresponsible behaviour—she sat down on a chair.
More importantly, she lounged on the chair...on her own TV show. Appearing on Halemazade (a portmanteau of “Halema” and “Scheherazade”—from The Arabian Nights), Boland (on her own chair, on her own TV show) spoke in a tone and manner deemed “controversial” for Ramadan, which is to say “not proper,” which is to say flirtatious.
Why, she even threw her hair over her shoulder.
This did not take go over well with the Mecca-like piety of the Arab world at large, which apparently had nothing else to worry about.
“Offensive,” said one report, lamenting this attack on the "sanctity of Ramadan."
“Aggravating,” said another, from problem-free UAE.
“Inappropriate,” said another, from Egypt, a country famous for its lack of political and social upheavels. How dare this woman do this during the Holy Month? asked the article.
The real news here, of course, is that there are apparently times when women can speak however they like on TV and not get attacked for it by every one else: probably sometime after 2031.
Because maybe—just maybe—in a world where Egyptian presenters are told to lose weight to appear on TV and where MBC cancels television shows for telling women to "be free," Boland can and should do whatever she pleases the way she pleases without anyone pretending that the "sanctity of Ramadan" isn't being violated by the way people drive, the repugnant "prank show" (Ramez) that people obsess over, and the general attitude of people towards Ramadan.
But I imagine most women are tired of being criticised and controlled by men all the time, anyway.
Ramadan Mubarak, everyone.
Written by Karim Anani
