Bina Shah – Medium

Bina Shah

Featured Book

The Monsoon War revisits the futuristic country of Before She Sleeps, where government leaders maintain a stranglehold over women's lives.

2023

Bina Shah

Stories

Bina Shah

Fitna

The Arabic word fitna (فتنة) has multiple meanings, including “strife,” “trial,” “persecution,” “temptation,” “sedition,” and “civil…

Aug 6

Bina Shah

Us and Them

This is the story of something that happened to me over ten years ago. I am remembering it today; I can’t remember whether I’ve shared it…

Oct 13, 2023

Bina Shah

Barbie in Pakistan

THE Barbie cinematic juggernaut has made headlines around the world; in Karachi, Pakistan, it sold out for two solid weeks after its…

Aug 19, 2023

Aug 19, 2023

Bina Shah

Goodbye Sinead/Fi Amanallah Shuhada

Boston, 1990

Jul 28, 2023

Jul 28, 2023

Bina Shah

Joyland Blues

The award-winning film’s tortuous journey to Pakistani screens

Nov 20, 2022

Nov 20, 2022

Bina Shah

Thoughts on White Feminism

I’m very excited to read my friend Rafia Zakaria’s forthcoming manifesto Against White Feminism: Notes on Disruption. The publisher’s blurb…

May 6, 2021

Bina Shah

How to Play the Aurat Card

Have you, as a woman, ever been accused of playing the Aurat Card (the gender card, the woman card) when arguing with your fellow…

May 6, 2021

The pictures of 52 exceptional Pakistani women illustrate the Aurat Card pack created by the Cosmosocial.pk

May 6, 2021

Bina Shah

The Tyranny of Beauty

If vast numbers of men on social media are calling you ugly, you’re doing something right.

Dec 9, 2019

Dec 9, 2019

Bina Shah

An open letter to T.I. on your daughter’s virginity

Dear T.I.,

Nov 9, 2019

An open letter to T.I. on your daughter’s virginity

Nov 9, 2019

Bina Shah

What I learned about authenticity from watching Fleabag

Phoebe Waller Bridge’s artistic vision is a hot commodity. But its chaotic appeal can only go so far for some of us.

Nov 5, 2019

What I learned about authenticity from watching Fleabag

Nov 5, 2019