Yousra Samir Imran

West Yorkshire

Freelance Contributor at Freelance

Journalist, Author: Hijab and Red Lipstick (2020). Words in The New Arab, TRT World, Al Jazeera, Stylist, gal-dem & more. (Under Your Abaya was my fashion blog)

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hyphenonline.com

Articles

The Muslim-owned gyms making workouts more inclusive - Hyphen

1 week ago | hyphenonline.com | Yousra Samir Imran

From Batley to Cardiff, women-only health clubs are changing the face of gym culture
How should we choose the right madrassah for our child?

3 weeks ago | hyphenonline.com | Yousra Samir Imran

On a summer’s day six years ago as my husband and I walked in the park, our conversation somehow turned to madrassahs. It quickly escalated into an argument — albeit not a serious one — as I insisted our child would go to a Saturday school like I did, while my husband wanted them to go to an after-school madrassah five days a week, as he had. We had not even thought about trying for a baby at that point.
How should we choose the right madrasa for our child?

3 weeks ago | hyphenonline.com | Yousra Samir Imran

On a summer’s day six years ago as my husband and I walked in the park, our conversation somehow turned to madrasas. It quickly escalated into an argument — albeit not a serious one — as I insisted our child would go to a Saturday school like I did, while my husband wanted them to go to an after-school madrasa five days a week, as he had. We had not even thought about trying for a baby at that point.
‘We’re Muslim. Here’s why we’re happy giving our children the HPV vaccine’

1 month ago | hyphenonline.com | Yousra Samir Imran

At her GP surgery in Leeds, Dr Mariya Aziz says she has been performing more sexual health checks on young Muslim women than ever. But when it comes to Muslim parents, she adds, attitudes around sexual health are changing more slowly — leaving young people at risk. It’s a particular problem when it comes to the vaccine against human papilloma virus (HPV).
How a Yorkshire town became a halal food destination

1 month ago | hyphenonline.com | Yousra Samir Imran

On a crisp Wednesday morning groups of women gather in a bright cafe surrounded by white wisteria hanging down the walls, as they catch up over a halal breakfast of shakshuka and Spanish lattes. Some are here solely for the pistachio kunafa French toast, inspired by the viral Dubai chocolate.
I’m still learning how to navigate Ramadan with a young child

1 month ago | hyphenonline.com | Yousra Samir Imran

As all parents know, there are few times when we can have quiet moments to ourselves, especially in early motherhood. Those minutes become even more precious during Ramadan, a time when we are meant to drown out all the noise of everyday life and look inwards. However, connecting to your spiritual self can be tricky when you have a child to care for. I remember numerous times last Ramadanwhen my son pleaded for me to stop reading the Qur’an so I could play with him.
They say it takes a village to raise a child, but what if you don’t have a village?

2 months ago | hyphenonline.com | Yousra Samir Imran

Almost every day I hear the sound of a car pulling up outside my neighbours’ house — it’s their parents arriving to help with childcare. My husband and I don’t have this kind of support and I would be lying if I said I didn’t envy my neighbours’ setup. But with family members living abroad and others with deteriorating health, childcare is a juggle between my husband and me.
Muslim families are battling to get their autistic children diagnosed

Jan 10, 2025 | hyphenonline.com | Yousra Samir Imran

Bushra Alakraa is certain that the only reason her daughter, Laila, was finally referred for an autism assessment was because the health visitor who picked up the phone that day was Muslim. For two years, the 32-year-old mother of two had repeatedly told her GP and health visitors that she believed Laila, now almost six, had autism. She had noticed her daughter was showing signs of extreme anxiety and that she was semi-verbal — common symptoms experienced by autistic girls.
Is it wrong to relive your childhood through your children?

Jan 3, 2025 | hyphenonline.com | Yousra Samir Imran

I took my son to see Paddington in Peru in the cinema recently, under the guise that it was for him. Really, it was because I wanted to watch it. Ten minutes into the film he asked if we could go home, and then proceeded to fall asleep until the credits rolled. One of the more fun parts of parenting has been being able to bring out my inner child and do all the things I enjoyed, or wanted to do, in my youth.
'I took a halal beach holiday for women in Turkey'

Nov 14, 2024 | hyphenonline.com | Yousra Samir Imran

Stretched out on a sunbed in Alanya, on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, I watch the waves gently lap the shore and sigh. I’m feeling at peace not just because I’m at a luxury beach resort but because, for the first time in my life, I am free to lie here wearing whatever I like, as are the Muslim women around me, without anyone giving us a second glance.