Indian Singer Anuradha Paudwal Seeks Ban On Loudspeakers For Azaan
New
Age Islam News Bureau
7
April 2022
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Indian Singer Anuradha Paudwal Seeks Ban On Loudspeakers For Azaan
•
Arab Singer Balqees Fathi Inspires Ramadan Fashion Collection
•
West Bengal Govt To Get First All-Women Armed Battalion
•
Villanova Hosts Olympian Ibtihaj Muhammad
Compiled By New
Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/indian-singer-anuradha-paudwal/d/126746
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Indian
Singer Anuradha Paudwal Seeks Ban On Loudspeakers For Azaan
Veteran
singer Anuradha Paudwal
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Apr
07, 2022
Singer
Anuradha Paudwal has waded into the raging controversy over Azaan on
loudspeakers. Paudwal has sought a ban on loudspeakers for Azaan claiming that
Muslim countries have already banned it. Speaking in a interview Paudwal said,
“I have visited many places in the world. I have not seen anything like this happening
except in India. I am not against any religion, but it is being forcibly
encouraged here. They play Azaan on loudspeakers from Mosque. Other communities
question if they can use loudspeakers why cannot others do the same."
Watch this video for more details.
Source:
Hindustan Times
https://www.hindustantimes.com/videos/anuradha-paudwal-seeks-ban-on-loudspeakers-for-azaan-even-muslim-nations-101649319686590.html
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Arab Singer Balqees Fathi Inspires Ramadan Fashion Collection
The collection is based on a set of five quotes from
the singer’s most popular songs. Supplied
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06
April 2022
DUBAI:
Chinese online fashion retailer Shein has launched a Ramadan collection for the
Middle East inspired by Yemeni-Emirati singer Balqees Fathi’s music.
The
collection is based on a set of five quotes from the singer’s most popular
songs, and includes narrative T-shirts designed with modern calligraphy and
embellishments.
A
portion of proceeds from the capsule collection will go to those in need in
recognition of Ramadan’s virtues of sharing and gratitude.
Profits
from a Shein livestream on April 9 will be directed to organizations such as
the Emirates Red Crescent and Sanad Children’s Cancer Support Association.
Fathi
took to Instagram to promote the launch. She shared with her 13 million
followers sneak previews in recent weeks and a full collection video this week.
“A
new collection with Shein inspired by the lyrics of my songs, now available on
Shein website,” she wrote to her fans.
The
singer, who rose to fame in 2013, was born in the UAE to Yemeni-Emirati
parents, and credits her father Ahmad, who is also a musician, with teaching
her about the industry.
Fathi’s
personality and popularity have helped her become a regional influencer, as
well as a role model.
During
her career the “Hala Jdeeda” singer has worked with many charities and been a
consistent advocate of women’s rights.
As
part of her philanthropic work, the singer previously visited Yemeni refugee
camps in Djibouti and launched the #DontCoverItUp campaign, which aims to raise
awareness on domestic abuse.
She
was named a UN Champion for Women’s Rights in the Middle East in 2016.
She
has also collaborated with major fashion houses, and was the first Middle
Eastern celebrity to partner with jewelry and luxury watch brand Piaget.
In
2020, Fathi launched her own beauty brand, Bex — a nickname used by close
friends and family.
The
label focuses on the Arab ideal of beauty, with products such as foundation
colors with different undertones, a humidity-proof eyeliner and a variety of
nude shade long-lasting lipsticks.
Source:
Arab News
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2057906/lifestyle
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West
Bengal govt to get first all-women armed battalion
Apr
7, 2022
KOLKATA:
In a first, the state government has decided to set up an all-women armed
battalion and its units will be posted in all the districts and in the police
commissionerates as well, an official said. This decision was taken by the
Bengal cabinet on Wednesday. The finance department has already given the
approval for the new expenses of the women’s battalion.
The
aim of the force is to bring about gender parity and a sense of security among
women.
This
special battalion will be used in fighting crimes against women and also ensure
that women are safe on the roads.
There
has been a women Rapid Action Forces (RAF) battalion in the state, but not
armed police battalions.
Women
personnel are also there in the commando units and the special units, including
the Special Forces. An all women’s force, Winners, is regularly deployed across
Kolkata for law and order duties.
In
each unit there will be 30 police women who would be trained in various skills
of combat. These units would be posted in all districts, and as and when
necessary would be shifted to different places.
After
the Central Reserve Police Force inducted 500 women personnel in Kashmir, Kerala
Police formed its first all-women battalion with 578 members on August 1, 2018.
The
top brass of Kolkata Police is also planning to establish the first all-women
Rapid Action Force battalion. This will be an expansion from the single-company
women’s RAF team that is presently stationed at Lalbazar.
Source:
The Times Of India
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/state-to-get-first-all-women-armed-battalion/articleshow/90694799.cms
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Villanova
Hosts Olympian Ibtihaj Muhammad
Kathy
Fair, Staff Writer
April
6, 2022
On
Monday, March 28, the University hosted Olympic bronze medalist and World
Champion Ibtihaj Muhammad for a Spotlight on Leadership Lecture. Muhammad is an
entrepreneur, activist, speaker and author. In 2016, she became the first
American woman to compete in the Olympics in a hijab.
The
lecture was mediated by Crystal Lucky, English professor and CLAS Associate
Dean of Baccalaureate Studies. Muhammad grew up in northern New Jersey and
began fencing through a program at her high school. She emphasized the attitude
her first coach instilled in her that every kid had the ability to be the best,
and every kid belonged in the sport.
“I
found fencing as much as fencing found me,” Muhammad said. “It’s a uniquely
accommodating sport to my faith, and it allowed me to be an athlete,
unapologetically.”
“When
I was a kid and put on my mask, I always felt like I was a superhero,” Muhammad
said. “No one knew my gender, no one knew my race, no one knew my faith.”
After
fencing at Duke University, Muhammad began to study for law school following
her graduation. She was back at home in New Jersey, and she explained that
“something about being back home made me want to get back into fencing.”
She
began to train in New York City, with intentions to make Team USA after a
“random idea” to do so. Muhammad had never competed internationally, had no
world rank and had never even competed at Junior, Senior or Cadet levels.
She
gathered the resources to compete at a World Cup event and finished nearly last.
“I
literally think I can do anything,” Muhammad said. “I just need more time and
I’ll make it happen.”
In
2009, Muhammad began to work with a new coach, Akhi Spencer-El, and by 2010,
she was on the USA National Team.
“I
was always the first person in the gym and the last to leave,” Muhammad said,
explaining the drive she found within herself. “You literally have to be crazy
and know how bad you want it… I don’t think I’m the most talented athlete, but
I do know that I’m always the hardest working person in the room.”
Lucky
inquired about Muhammad’s experiences with discrimination within her sport and
her time on Team USA.
Muhammad
responded that she thought Team USA would be a core group of women who respect
each other, but that was not the case.
“I
found that competing on Team USA was a very traumatic experience for me,”
Muhammad said. “There was a lot of nepotism, I was always made to feel like I
was replaceable, when [the coach] talked about the team it never included me,
and I was never celebrated. As a Black athlete, there was always this emphasis
on my strength, almost like I was unable to think tactically, which a lot of
Black athletes can say.
“I
felt like I was taking so many shots all the time, but that’s where my family
came in… my mom used to tell me: you have to let words be like water, and let
them roll off your back. Sometimes there was no one to protect me, but then
that’s when my own worth and perseverance came in. Kids of color have to learn
to be resilient at a young age. You have to almost mature faster.”
Muhammad
described the pressures of being an African American, Muslim-American, female
during the Olympics.
“My
journey has always been bigger than me,” she said. “All my interview questions
on Team USA were always political ones about really heavy topics, and my
teammates got to answer ‘what did you eat for breakfast?’ It was an opportunity
for me to reshape this narrative as a Muslim-American. There are Muslim women
who choose to wear hijab, that are verbal, that are not oppressed, and I’m
flipping that narrative, and also showing that there are Black people who
fence.”
Junior
Alex Allen attended the speaker event and was struck by the impact of
Muhammad’s high school coach, Frank.
“She
had a solid mentor that made her strongly believe in herself, even when she
questioned competing in this sport,” Allen said. “How she wishes everyone had
just one coach like that in their life makes me think about the impact one
person could have. Little did he know, he inspired an Olympian. It makes me
want to be that mentor or coach for someone else later in life.”
The
University was honored to host such a remarkable guest, and Muhammad’s lessons
on perseverance, leadership, family and equality left their mark on the campus
community.
Source:
Villanovan.com
https://villanovan.com/20485/news/villanova-hosts-olympian-ibtihaj-muhammad/
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URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/indian-singer-anuradha-paudwal/d/126746