Afghan Girls Forced To Live As Boys
New Age Islam News Bureau
3
Oct 2014
Seven-year-old Mehran Rafaat is actually a girl but lives as a little boy with her family's blessing
• Hindu-Muslim
Girls Unite To Organise Durga Puja
• Exchange
Programme: Sri Lankan Girls Feel At Home in Pakistan
• US
Supreme Court to Hear Islamic Headscarf Case
• Jammu
and Kashmir Woman Police Officer Creates History
• 10
Things About: Melati, DAP’s Niqab Activist
• 11 Years
Pak Dalit Girl Converted Into Islam Allowed To Go With Parents by Court
• 'No-One
Sits Next To Me Anymore': Australian Muslim Women
• Women
Invited For Eid at Open Mosque in Cape Town
• Egyptian
Women's Council Offers Sex Harassment Hotline for Eid Holiday
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
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Afghan
Girls Forced To Live As Boys
October
03, 2014
With
regular football matches to enjoy, a posse of cheerful sisters and a successful
mother making a name for herself in the Afghan parliament, life for Mehran
Rafaat, seven, is good.
But
though he might look like a happy little boy, Mehran is actually a girl and,
like many others, has been made to live a lie in order to spare his family’s
blushes, Daily Mail reported.
And his
story is by no means unique, with family turning their girls into boys for fear
of being shunned thanks to their inability to have sons and to create a useful
pair of extra hands in a society where girls are kept behind closed doors at
all times.
Now the
story of Afghanistan’s Bachcha posh has been turned into a book, The
Underground Girls of Kabul, which author Jenny Nordberg hopes will make the
world sit up and take notice of their plight.
‘This is
a universal tale of oppression and one that resonates deeply with me,’ she
explained in an exclusive interview with MailOnline. ‘The Underground Girls of
Kabul and the practice of Bachcha posh offers a window into one of the most
closed and secretive parts of Afghan society and culture.’
Until
recently, the very existence of Afghanistan’s girl-boys was virtually unknown,
a silence only broken by a newspaper article written by Nordberg in 2010.
Shortly after arriving in 2009, she was interviewing local politician Azita
Rafaat whose gaggle of daughters revealed that their youngest brother was, in
fact, also a girl.
‘I was
astonished, and didn’t quite believe them at first,’ she remembers. ‘But it was
true.’
Intrigued,
she began searching for more Bachcha posh and soon discovered that the
phenomenon of families with sons who were actually daughters was more common
than she realised.
‘These
girls are brought up as boys by their parents for several reasons but at the
core of it is that in Afghanistan, only boys count.
‘In a
deeply patriarchal society, where only men inherit property and can support
their families by working, a family without sons is seen as weak, incomplete
and the parents are pitied.
‘So as
strange as it may seem at first, it’s a way for people to get around that injustice,
and it’s not uncommon for a family with only daughters to just dress a daughter
as a boy, and present her as such to the outside world.’
Families
who do turn their girls into boys benefit from higher status and are also
allowed to send their Bachcha posh out on errands - something that no girl is
allowed to do.
‘In
Afghan society, a boy can roam around freely, play outside, ride a bike and
hang out with other boys and adult men,’ explains Nordberg.
‘A girl
is much more sheltered and restricted at all times. The Bachcha posh get to see
more of the sky and what life on the side of privilege and rights is like. It
can also mean a chance of going to school, in areas where it may be more
difficult for girls to do so.’
But
while the Bachcha posh enjoy more freedom during their time spent as boys, the
transition back to female life can prove almost unbearable.
‘The Bachcha
posh are expected by society to revert back to being girls, and young women,
around the time of puberty,’ explains Nordberg.
‘That is
when the small window of freedom closes, and a girls is put in a headscarf and
a skirt, to prepare for marriage to a man of her parents’ choice.’
Among
those to find it impossible is Zahra, a 15-year-old who appears in the book,
and who says she never wants to go back and be a woman in Afghanistan.
Others,
such as Shukria Siddiqui, a 36-year-old mother of three, make the transition.
More still, Nordberg’s friends Nader and Shahed among them, never make the
switch and continue to live disguised as men.
Nordberg
is clearly heartbroken for them. ‘I think it’s upsetting that this practice
needs to exist to this day,’ she says, passionately.
‘To
disguise yourself as a boy or a man is something that women have done
throughout history when they have been denied basic human rights, such as the
right to an education, or the right to choose when and if she gets pregnant.
‘These
girls are not so much a gender story but a symptom of an extremely
dysfunctional society that inevitably has to change.’
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/region/03-Oct-2014/the-afghan-girls-forced-to-live-as-boys
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Hindu-Muslim
Girls Unite To Organise Durga Puja
October
03, 2014
As a
symbol of Hindu-Muslim unity, a group of girls from both the religions are
organising a Durga Puja inside a shelter home for trafficked women here.
Rescued
earlier this year after being trafficked to Mumbai from West Bengal’s
Murshidabad, two Muslim girls are not only taking part in the festivities at
NGO Sanlaap’s shelter home in Narendrapur, but are also worshipping the goddess
of power and cooking the ‘bhog’ that would be offered to the deity.
Following
all the traditions, 23-year-old Shabana Begum (name changed) wakes up early
each morning during all days of the ‘Navratri’ and spearheads the puja
preparations for the day. She fasts till ‘anjali’ is offered to Goddess Durga.
“I had
been to Durga Puja pandals before but never participated in it. This is the
first experience for me where I am doing it by following all rituals and
traditions. We are enjoying it and have accepted it as one of our festivals,”
she said. Besides her, there are around 20 other girls, mostly followers of
Islam, who decorated the pandal and are taking care of daily activities.
Sanlaap director Indrani Sinha says the Hindu priest was also surprised when he
found Muslim girls cooking the ‘prasad’ that is offered to the Goddess. “Durga
puja is not just religious but it is also a part of our cultural traditions.
The festival has also become a part of our process to rehabilitate and
integrate them into the mainstream society. It helps the inmates in building
bonds with each other and the whole shelter home becomes like a family,” she
says. At present around 133 girls are staying in the shelter home for girls who
have been trafficked, rescued from prostitution and other vulnerable girls.
Chandranath Nag, in-charge of the centre, says when girls see the idol of Durga
killing the buffalo-demon ‘Mahishasura’ they get motivated thinking that they
can also fight the evil forces in their own lives. “It is very symbolic for
them as they have been trafficked and now they can fight for their rights. Our
Durga Puja is about empowering them,” he points out. Just like Durga Puja, all
inmates come together to celebrate Eid, Christmas and all other festivals.
http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/hindu-muslim-girls-unite-to-organise-durga-puja/#sthash.3UuZ9muL.dpuf
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Exchange
programme: Sri Lankan girls feel at home in Pakistan
October
3, 2014
Six
girls have come from the Ladies College, Colombo, to the CAS School as part of
the Nelson Mandela Peace Fellowship programme. Each year, class nine students
from Sri Lanka come to this school. PHOTOS: ATHAR KHAN/EXPRESS
KARACHI:
“We don’t feel like we are away from home,” said nine-grader Tahani Lenagalia.
“Yeah,
the people are so friendly and the food is so good, too,” chipped in her
classmate, Harithi Nandasena.
Six
girls have come from the Ladies College, Colombo, to the CAS School as part of
the Nelson Mandela Peace Fellowship programme. Each year, class nine students
from Sri Lanka come to CAS School. Students from the school accommodate the
visiting students, with their families serving as hosts.
On
September 28, six girls came to stay with different host families. Their
teacher, Ms Kaanthie de Silva, has also come with them and is staying with a
CAS schoolteacher. All of them will go back to Sri Lanka on October 5.
“The
food here is spicy and different,” said de Silva, while speaking to The Express
Tribune. She was particularly inspired by the vibrant colours of the women’s
clothes here. “This country is very colourful,” she said. “From clothes to
vehicles, I see a variety of colours which I don’t find like this back home.
Even the garbage trucks in Karachi are so beautifully decorated.”
The
children were also quite fascinated by the art on wheels. “The lorries and the
buses are so beautiful with colours, such as red, orange, green, etc,” said
Shanya Sadanandan.
When
asked what they liked best in Pakistan, the children shared an unusual
fascination. “Camels,” said Sadanandan without a thought. Her friends agreed.
“We were
travelling that day when suddenly a camel came in our way and we were all so
excited,” she said. “Now, every day we go out we wish that we see the camel
again as we don’t have any camels in Sri Lanka.”
The
students seemed to be enjoying a lot. “The culture here is not similar but it’s
easy to adjust to,” said Sadanandan. “You know, we have a Muslim community in
Sri Lanka as well so we know a bit about it. We really enjoy seeing the sacrificial
animals here.”
The
girls were very happy with the extracurricular activities of the CAS School.
“We don’t have a photography module at Ladies College and it’s really exciting
to see it here,” said Lenagalia. “I would surely come to this school if I visit
Pakistan again,” said Suashi Tissaaratchy.
All six
girls are going to a school here. “At home, we get up at 5 in the morning for
school,” said Sadanandan. “Here, it’s so nice to wake up with the sun out.”
Replying
to a question on the places they are eager to see during their visit, the
teacher and the children counted historical places, such as mosques, Mohatta
Palace, and Sunday Bazaar on their list.
South
Asian harmony
While
many people like to talk about harmony and relations between Pakistan and other
South Asian countries, CAS School teacher Maha Jafarey has taken some practical
steps. “The CAS students who are hosting these exchange students will go to Sri
Lanka in February,” she said. “Since Ladies College is a girls’ school, I’m
looking for another school to send the male students of CAS to.”
She said
that she believes that such exchange programmes help promote harmony and an
exchange of cultural values. “If these girls were staying at a hotel, they
would have never gotten to know as much,” said Jafarey. “Staying with a host
family is more of an experience as there is nothing like meeting people.”
Speaking
about the programme, she said that she has focused on class nine. This is
because after class nine, children become busy preparing for their O’ level
exams, she said.
“This is
the third exchange programme with Sri Lanka,” said Jafarey. “Also, I have had a
two-way exchange programme with an Indian school and I took my students to one
in Bangladesh as well. Soon, we will have students from Bangladesh here.”
http://tribune.com.pk/story/770514/exchange-programme-sri-lankan-girls-feel-at-home-in-pakistan/
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US
Supreme Court to Hear Islamic Headscarf Case
October
03, 2014
The US
Supreme Court will hear the case of a Muslim woman who was denied employment
due to her headscarf, Reuters reported Thursday, taking the issue of religious
dress to the national scale.
The
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed a complaint against
popular teen's clothing outlet Abercrombie & Fitch - which is [in] famous
for its policy of only employing sales associates which reflect its trendy
image - after the Tulsa, Oklahoma branch of the outlet rejected
then-17-year-old Samantha Elouf in 2008 for employment due to her religious
dress.
A
federal judge initially found Abercrombie & Fitch liable for
discrimination, but the decision was later appealed.
"Before
her interview, Ms. Elauf knew the position required her to model the
Abercrombie style, knew the style of clothing that Abercrombie sold, and also
knew that Abercrombie did not sell headscarves," Abercrombie said in its
court brief.
However,
religious rights groups and US President Barack Obama have rallied to appeal
the decision, despite a ruling from the 10th US Circuit Court of Appeals in
Colorado that the 1964 Civil Rights Act only applies if employees provide
"explicit notice of the need for a religious accommodation."
In
filing the complaint, the EEOC noted that religious garb cases have doubled
over the past fifteen years.
The
legal ruling could have ramifications for other religious groups who wear
headscarves - including not only Muslim women, but married Orthodox Jewish
women and some Christian women as well.
A
federal-level investigation into the legality of religious garb is being brought
to the table amid similar discussions in France, where religious symbols are
banned in public institutions.
Last
year, a Paris appeals court upheld the right of a kindergarten to fire a Muslim
woman for wearing her headscarf in light of its policy of providing a secular
education.
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/185780#.VC5xh2ddU4U
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Jammu
and Kashmir Woman Police Officer Creates History
October
03, 2014
A
38-year-old woman police officer of Jammu and Kashmir has earned a rare honour
by winning the prestigious International Female Police Peacekeeper Award-2014
at the 52nd International Association of Women Police Conference, Winnipeg,
Canada.
Inspector
Shakti Devi of Jammu division is currently serving the United Nations mission
in Afghanistan wherein she has contributed to the improvement of the status of
female police and has effectively helped the Afghan Police move towards
achieving their goals of fully adopting democratic principles of policing.
"Shakti
has shown high professional determination in empowering female police officers
in Afghanistan despite safety and security risks. She held a critical role in
leading the establishment of Women Police Councils and made it fully
operational," a J&K government spokesman said.
According
to UN the International Female Police Peacekeeper Award is a competitive award
given to an outstanding female police peacekeeper serving in a United Nations
peacekeeping mission.
Inspector
Shakti was selected by a committee comprising IAWP, UN DPKO and the Office of
Rule of Law and Security Institute, New York.
With 14
years of service in Jammu and Kashmir Police, the 38-year-old officer has
earlier served in the UN peace mission in Timor-Leste in 2012.
"Her
capacity to advocate at all levels of police hierarchy and act as effective
trainer to impart knowledge and skills has tremendously helped in ensuring
marked improvement in the police service delivery in Afghanistan. In
particular, she convinced local police leadership to undertake safety outreach
programs in schools that provide safety to girl students," said the
spokesman.
The news
of Shakti winning the prestigious award has created waves across the restive
Jammu and Kashmir. Shakti's brother Rajesh Kumar said it was a rare honour for
the country, state and the family that she was honoured for her role in UN
mission.
"From
her student days she wanted to join police. Her dream came true in 1999. Today
we can't express our joy and feeling in words. She has made her family, her
state and her country proud," Kumar said.
"She
called me just half an hour before and broke the news. I informed my sisters
since our parents have passed away. Our joy knew no bounds. Shakti is an
inspiration for others", he added.
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-jammu-and-kashmir-woman-police-officer-creates-history-2023150
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10
Things About: Melati, DAP’s Niqab Activist
October
03, 2014
SHAH
ALAM, Oct 3 — Jamila Rahim, a young Muslim woman who wears a black veil that
leaves only her eyes visible, has been called a whore for joining the DAP.
However
the plucky 22-year-old novelist and activist, better known as Melati, shrugs
off the attacks and says she’s fine. In her own words: “Saya biasa je.”
Melati,
who graduated from Selangor University with a diploma in Teaching English as a
Second Language (TESL), has also written a novel titled Pelacur Kelas Pertama
(First Class Prostitute) about mistreated women; a prostitute, an abused wife
and a kidnapped bride.
The
young woman from Johor is currently working at a welfare home in Teluk Intan,
Perak, that houses 70 residents, including senior citizens, people with
physical and mental disabilities and orphans, and just four workers.
Here,
the vivacious Melati talks about her passion for disability rights and gender
equality, what the veil—or niqab—means to her, and why she chose to join the
DAP, a predominantly-Chinese secular political party.
In her
own words:
Just
because I joined the DAP doesn’t mean I converted; I’m still a Muslim.
I love
writing and I love to talk. I want to be a journalist. In five years’ time, I
want to open my own welfare home for children with disabilities and children of
single parents.
I was
threatened at the protest for free education at Dataran Merdeka last year. They
threatened to rape us, beat us. I was scared. But I thought then that if I
died, at least I’d die in glory.
It’s up
to you to wear the Niqab or not. I chose to wear it because non-Muslims are
wary of approaching you if you’re wearing it, and I wanted to break that
barrier. Whether we wear it or not, we’re all the same… for the past two years,
I feel that I’ve broken down those barriers.
Those
who wear the “Tudung” (headscarf) are not necessarily good. And those who don’t
wear the tudung are not necessarily evil. That’s an individual right.
I
believe that my religion is beautiful and full of love. It’s not true that it
says wives can be beaten. About the four wives bit, I have two mothers myself.
I’m the daughter of the first wife. If men want to help widows and marry them
for that purpose, it’s fine. He must really want to help. He must be able to
afford it and he must be fair. But those who are simply horny should not
practise polygamy. It’s wicked.
God has
never given us the right to insult prostitutes or any of His servants… don’t call
women that. It tarnishes not just my honour, but my family’s honour. It affects
everyone around me, even my friends. My best friend’s friends told her not to
be friends with me. I pity my friends. Of course, they’re trying to protect me.
I’ve
been following the DAP’s programmes since GE13. I feel that the DAP is very
professional. They don’t publicise their internal party problems. Why would we
want to show our weaknesses to our enemies?
The DAP
has values that Islam fights for. All Malay and Islamic parties must reflect
and find out why young people are choosing the DAP instead of them. Malaysia
doesn’t just comprise the Malays. There are other races. So they must look at
their weaknesses and mistakes in reaching out to a multi-racial population.
Islam
has never labelled anyone. In the Quran, there are no conservative or liberal
labels. I don’t want to label myself. I’m a Muslim. That’s it. We don’t have to
label ourselves conservative or liberal to be Muslim.
http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/10-things-about-melati-daps-niqab-activist#sthash.KxKboddG.dpuf
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11 Years Pak Dalit Girl Converted Into Islam Allowed To Go With Parents by Court
October
03, 2014
Today,
it’s a landmark decision of the Session Judge Mirpurkhas in the history when 11
years old Dalit Hindu girl from Kolhi clan was allowed to go with her parents
after her forceful conversion into Islam a month ago. The Islamist mob gathered
outside the court toharass the victim family and court but the Judge gave his
judgment in favor of the victim family. The girls went with her parents with
protection of police but there was no any action being taken against abductors
particularly Mr. Akbar Khokharand his allies who claimed that she is married
with four weeks pregnancy.
11 years
old girl NeelanKolhi daughter of
NemoonKolhi residence of Bheel Colony KotGhulam Muhammad was kidnapped one month ago from nearby her
residence by Mr. Akbar Khokhar with the help of two other person Mr.
JavedKokhar and Mr. DalhoKolhi. After kidnaping they brought her at Madina
Mosque/ Madrasa at Mirpurkhas and converted into Islam where she got here new
religious name Ms. Fatima. The perpetrator Mr. Akbar Khokhar a truck driver
(age…) got marriage with her.
Mother
of Neelan was in search of her daughter but she was no idea about her daughter
conversion and marriage into Islam. Neelan, few days after her forceful
conversion got chance of fleeing. She came to her own original village at
Garibabad KGM where she cried and told loudly to her parents and relatives that
she was kidnapped, and converted in to Islam. She appealed for a shelter to
save her life. Meantime, Islamist perpetrators
followed her and came to her parent’s village where they tortured little
Neelan in front of her mother and other neighbors.
Police
reached on the spot and brought her at police station. She was kept in in
police custody and abductors were also arrested. Today/ October 2, 2014, she
was appeared in the court where more than hundreds Molvis gathered outside the
courts but the Session Judge gave his judgment in favor of 11 years old Hindu
girl. They culprits of the case were not charged in any case however the Hindu
Community particularly Neelan and her family fells fear and insecurity. The
situation is tense in the village.
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'No-One
Sits Next To Me Anymore': Australian Muslim Women
October
03, 2014
Muslim
Australians have reported an increase in discrimination and abuse in the wake
of counter-terrorism raids in major Australian cities and the raising of the
national terror alert to "high".
Women
who wear traditional Islamic headscarves have been the targets of numerous hate
attacks.
Fears of
Islamic extremism have led to debate about Islamic full-body veils, such as Burqas,
with Liberal Senator Cory Bernardi and Palmer United Senator Jacqui Lambie
among those calling for bans, and new rules at Parliament House prohibiting the
clothing from certain areas.
The ABC
spoke to five Muslim women on the streets of Sydney about what they choose to
wear and their experiences in the current political and social climate.
Manaya
Chaouk, 27, social worker and mother, Guildford
"What
happened to freedom of expression? Freedom of religion? We're already a target.
Now the Prime Minister is helping the bigots and bogans take their anger out on
us. He's trying to instil fear in people. People look [at] me the wrong way.
They say silly things. I've heard a lot of stories and seen a lot of stories.
For any woman to be attacked, that's not right. There's still a lot of racism.
Now the bigots have come out of hiding. I'm afraid now, I'm looking over my
shoulder whenever I leave my local area. That's wrong. I shouldn't feel like
that. No-one should feel like that."
Randa
Jada, 32, accountant and mother, Granville
"I
was born here. Now that all this is happening, I've been getting a lot of dirty
looks. I find it very concerning. They're ignorant. What's their reason to hate
us? No-one sits next to me anymore, people move their kids away from my kids,
people don't communicate as much. It's sad."
Name
withheld, 33, mother and former secretary, Auburn
"I
wear [the niqab] because I love it. I do this to please Allah [God]. It's my
choice. I've been wearing it for one and a half years now. The Prime Minister
has to be very careful what he says. It's very divisive. It's all
fear-mongering. He's ruining any chance of bringing the Muslim community and
wider community together. Why do we get prosecuted for wearing this? We're
productive citizens of Australia. For any woman who is attacked, it's disgusting.
Veil or no veil. Muslim or non-Muslim."
Maryam
Ali, 56, grandmother of eight, Berala
"Everybody
has got a choice. It shouldn't be a problem what others choose to wear. I have
been discriminated [against] because of my head covering. Australian culture is
accepting. Let's respect that."
Hayfa
Bakour, 17, student, Greenacre
"[The
reported targeting of Muslim women] is a bit scary. It actually makes me more
scared to walk around. Nothing has happened to me directly. Now my mum always
says make sure you're never alone, always leave the library with someone, with
one of my girlfriends. When I was younger I thought I was lucky to live in
Australia. But now hearing all these terrible stories of woman being abused is
really confronting.
https://au.news.yahoo.com/a/25171507/no-one-sits-next-to-me-anymore-australian-muslim-women-on-how-their-lives-have-changed/
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Women
Invited For Eid at Open Mosque in Cape Town
October
03, 2014
Cape
Town - The controversial Open Mosque has invited Muslim women “to celebrate the
end of the hajj pilgrimage on Sunday”, in the latest volley in the saga.
Dr Taj
Hargey opened the mosque, at 4 Lester Road, Wynberg, on September 19 - and has
since been involved in debate within the local Muslim community around the
status of women in Islam.
He said:
“The Open Mosque warmly welcomes all female worshippers as full and equal
participants. While it is common for most Muslim women throughout South Africa
to remain at home and not attend Eid al-Adha prayers, this pernicious form of
gender apartheid was not sanctioned by the Prophet Muhammad himself.
“For the
first time, Muslim women will be at the centre stage and heart of Eid devotions
in a mosque.”
Hargey
said contrary to “blatant misrepresentation”, his mosque had been open since
September 19 - “despite attempts by the Muslim Judicial Council-supporting
people in the city council trying to close us down on technicalities”..
The MJC
declined to comment on the matter on Thursday.
http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/western-cape/women-invited-for-eid-at-open-mosque-1.1759241#.VC5y0WddU4U
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Egyptian
Women's Council Offers Sex Harassment Hotline For Eid Holiday
October
03, 2014
Egypt's
state council for women said Thursday it will specify a hotline for females to
report cases of sexual assault during the Islamic feast of Eid Al-Adha, which
starts on Saturday.
The
hotline will operate from 10am to 10pm during the four days of the Eid holiday.
Mervat
El-Talawy, head of the National Council for Women, said the council will collaborate
with the police's department of combating violence against women to quickly
interfere in cases of harassment and to arrest harassers.
Egypt
has long suffered from sexual harassment, a problem that has gone unreported
and hasn't been tackled for years. Eid celebrations usually witness the worst
cases of sexual violence, with large numbers of young men on the streets.
In 2006,
several girls were brutally harassed and stripped of their clothes by a mob in
downtown Cairo for Eid Al-Fitr celebrations marking the end of Ramadan.
The
event played a major role in bringing the issue of harassment in Egypt to
light.
A United
Nations survey from last year said that over 99 percent of Egyptian women have
been exposed to some kind of harassment, from minor incidents to rape.
Campaigners
have also reported dozens of incidents of mob sexual assaults and rapes during
public gatherings since 2011, and have complained of a failure by authorities
to respond to the spread of assaults.
Until
May, there was no specific law banning sexual harassment in Egypt – three
articles in the penal code were sometimes applied instead.
But in
recent months authorities have passed a new anti-sexual harassment law and
sentenced assailants to lengthy jail terms.
The law
punishes sexual harassment with a prison sentence, a fine or both.
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/112269/Egypt/Politics-/Egyptian-womens-council-offers-sex-harassment-hotl.aspx
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