Talk:Mona Eltahawy

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[edit] She self-describes as Muslim

Earlier someone removed the desciptor "Muslim" from this article with the edit summary "her website doesn't state that she is Muslim". That's true, however during her recent Doha Debates appearance she repeatedly prefaced her comments with "As an Arab and as a Muslim, I...". The transcript of the debate is available online and linked from her website, so if at some point someone again describes her as Muslim in this article, I think it can be left in. Babajobu 10:43, 20 February 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Citizenship

In her own words, Mona Eltahawy wrote in a 2001 Women's eNews article:

"Let's start with my country, Egypt. I am married to an American who has started the process of applying for my citizenship in this country. I cannot do the same for my husband in Egypt."

— Zerida 06:46, 11 March 2006 (UTC)

"Has started the process of applying" does not equal "citizen". —The preceding unsigned comment was added by138.88.144.157 (talk • contribs).12 March 2006 (UTC)

The article was written five years ago. The evidence clearly suggests she is an American. Unless you have concrete evidence she is not, post it, otherwise it stays. Notice we've just reached the 3-edit rule, after which I will have to report it. — Zerida 21:11, 12 March 2006 (UTC)

The affirmative burden is yours. Further, a husband does not apply for US citizenship (hence "started the process"), a husband applies for permanent residence, from which the individual after 3 years (if still married) or 5, then MAY apply on his or her own for US citizenship. This is not claimed. Furhter, as a practical matter, such a process, assuming it takes place, stretches out over more years than 5 because of the normal bureaucratic delay.

In any event, she never has claimed US citizenship and the burden is on YOU to verify it (there are ways). Because of the hall-monitor threat, I will await 15 days for you to prove by public evidence, then I will revert. I also could insert the "factual accuracy is questioned" thing, but fortunately, I dont know how.

Please verify an assetion beyond suggestion or implication. US citizenship is like pregnancy, one is not "a little bit pregnant" ; one is not a suggested a citizen.

PPS -- The three-edit or three revert rule does not apply to biography of living persons. PS - She also referred to Egypt as "my country" not the USA.

Dispute of American claim (burden is on claimant to prove); note also subject's description in current Al Sharq al Awsqt -- "Mona Eltahawy (www.monaeltahawy.com) is a New York-based *Egyptian* columnist. She wrote this commentary for THE DAILY STAR."

[edit] Update

In an email correspondence with Ms. Eltahawy dated March 13, 2006, she writes:

"...I have no problem whatsoever being described as Egyptian American - particularly because I do understand the need to highlight our growing community. A writer in Canada recently described me as Egyptian American when he quoted something I wrote. So in a nutshell, I have no problem being described as Egyptian American [...] On Saturday [March 18, 2006], I will be speaking at the Egyptian American Alliance for Youth - so I'm taking steps towards that hyphenated title! Thank you for your interest in my work and my views."

Case closed! — Zerida 23:50, 13 March 2006 (UTC)

Although she does not claim to be one, in fact she says the opposite -- "I'm taking steps towards that hyphenated title!" (I am taking steps towards being pregnant means NOT pregnant) -- and she has no problem with the designation, *I* raise no further objection. But case is not technically closed if others raise it as an objective point. -- anon