Islam, Women and Feminism ( 26 Sept 2014, NewAgeIslam.Com)
Somalia's Shebab Stone Woman to Death for Polyandry
Home Secretary Theresa May speaks at the Making
A Stand launch event
Christian
Woman Who Wore a Hijab All Week Says It Was a 'Positive' Experience
Egyptian
Beauties Get Ready For Miss Egypt 2014 Pageant
Afghanistan’s
First Lady to Focus on Humanitarian Assistance
31
Couples Marry In a Mass Wedding in Capital Kabul
Africa:
Invest in Women and Girls for a Better World By 2030
Indian
State Govt to Promote Internet among Women through e-Shakti Abhiyan
Beheaded
British Hostage's Daughter Calls for Isil to Be 'Eradicated'
Kenya:
Nurse Faces Death for Assisting Patient Procure Abortion
We Don’t
Need No Mixed-Sex Schools, Says Turkey's Conservative Teachers Union
One of
the 200 Schoolgirls Kidnapped By Boko Haram Is Given Back To Her Family
Nigeria:
Abandoned Chibok Girl Four Months Pregnant
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
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Somalia's
Shebab Stone Woman to Death for Polyandry
27 Sep,
2014
MOGADISHU:
A Somali woman has been stoned to death in the Shebab-controlled part of the
country for secretly marrying several husbands, officials and witnesses said
Saturday.
Witnesses
said the woman was buried up to her neck and pelted with rocks and stones by
hooded men in front of a large crowd in the southern coastal district of
Barawe.
“The
woman married four husbands and confessed to the crime. I questioned her
several times while she was in prison and she told me she was mentally fit. All
the four husbands were questioned and they have confirmed that they had married
her,” Islamic court judge Sheik Mohamud Abu Abdullah told the gathering.
The
woman, 33-year-old Safiyo Ahmed Jumale, was executed on Friday in front of
dozens of onlookers.
“The
woman was brought with her eyes covered and she was buried up to her neck
before she was stoned to death by hooded men,” said Ali Yare, a resident who
witnessed the execution.
Somalia's
Al Qaeda-affiliated Shebab control large swathes of territory in the south and
centre of the war-torn country, where they impose a strict interpretation of
Islamic law.
http://www.dawn.com/news/1134698/somalias-shebab-stone-woman-to-death-for-polyandry
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Theresa
May Calls British Muslim Women to Challenge Extremism
Theresa
May: 'British Muslim women must challenge extremism and fight the Islamic
State'
Sep 27, 2014
Theresa
May has called on British Muslim women to challenge extremism in their
communities, in the fight against the Islamic State.
The Home
Secretary said that Muslim women should try and “exert influence” in their
local areas and stop hate preachers “preying” on their children.
She
spoke at the launch of the ‘Making a Stand’ campaign, which has seen Muslim
women openly condemning the Islamic State (Isil).
May
encouraged mothers to stop children being radicalised here in Britain and said:
“I truly believe that [as] women, as mothers, sisters and daughters, you have a
unique and powerful role to play in helping to combat the extremist challenge
here and abroad, and in taking lead to stop preachers of hate preying upon your
young people.
“Challenging
hatred and extremism is a job for all of us and we must challenge it wherever
we find it.
“If as
women in your communities you can exert influence, can create local support
networks… then I and the Government will support you.”
Her
words come as around 60 British women are thought to have signed up to the
Isil’s all-women police force the al-Khanssa brigde, in the Syrian city of
Raqqa.
The
‘Making A Stand’ campaign, launched by counter-extremism organisation Inspire,
aims to help British Muslim mothers spot signs of their children being
radicalised by extremists.
It also
brings young Muslim women together and offers them support, at a time when they
are being targeted online by pro-Isli sympathisers.
May
spoke of her support for the campaign and praised the women speaking up against
the actions of jihadists.
She
said: “Your declaration that the actions of Isil are the most un-Islamic
actions of all is being heard in every corner of the world.
“People
from across the UK are swift to condemn these atrocities and the [acts] of
inhumanity we’ve seen in Iraq and Syria where Isil have lured people from all
communities.
“At the
root of these actions is a poisonous political ideology that feeds, supports
and sanctions terrorism. It’s far removed from the peaceful views held by one
billion Muslims worldwide.
“It’s an
honour to stand alongside Muslim women who have gathered together across the UK
to challenge extremism and terrorism.”
The Home
Secretary also expressed her sympathy for the families of hostages who have
recently been murdered by the Islamic State, including British David Haines and
American journalists Steven Sotloff and James Foley.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-politics/11118828/Theresa-May-British-Muslim-women-must-challenge-extremism-and-fight-the-Islamic-State.html
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Christian
Woman Who Wore a Hijab All Week Says It Was a 'Positive' Experience
Sep 27,
2014
For the
past seven days Kate Leaney, 27, a committed Christian, has attracted curious
looks on the street.
That's
because she has been wearing a Hijab everyday in an act of 'love and
solidarity' with her many Muslim friends.
Recently,
mates of the asylum seeker worker, who is from Adelaide, have said they are
scared to wear the head-dress in public. Their concerns followed incidents in
the past few weeks involving alleged terror suspects as well as a rise in
reported anti-Islamic attacks.
'After
the news I saw on TV, i don't want to tell people I'm a Muslim!' one friend
texted Ms Leaney. 'i think Australians don't like Muslims!'
So last
week she decided to take a stand, don the headscarf and send a message of 'love
over fear'.
On the
seventh day of wearing her headscarf, Ms Leaney today told Daily Mail Australia
that it had been an interesting, although sometimes confronting, experience.
On the
one hand, the reaction from her friends was 'overwhelmingly positive'. Many
friends who wore a headscarf thanked her for her efforts.
'I was
getting messages from (my friends)...They were fearful of retribution or
getting racially attacked and I wanted to do something,' Ms Leaney said.
'It
wasn't so much about educating the public but standing in solidarity with my
friends who are Muslim and showing them they should be able to walk in public
and feel safe.' '
'There's
a real sense of gratitude for someone who doesnt identify as Muslim wearing it.
Most of the reaction has been overwhelming and positive.'
Ms
Leaney said one the best examples was when the mother of one of her friends, a
Muslim woman in her 40s who speaks very little English, was heartened by her
actions.
'She's
worn a headscarf for her entire life and for the first time has considered
taking it off, because of what it would result in.'
'His
heart was breaking for his mum... Him telling her what I was doing for the week
had given her a little security or hope she could continue to wear it.'
But it
wasn't all smooth sailing. She experienced many of the negatives women who wear
the Hijab experience in Australia - particularly, an underlying sense some
people felt suspicious of her.
'I have
had looks and seen people looking really uncertain... or I get a feeling
someone is not happy with it (the Hijab).'
Some
people were more blatant. A petrol station worker quizzed her about the Hijab,
asking: 'Why would you wear that, when you look like them?'
Ms
Leaney faced hostility from some people in the Christian community. She has
copped abuse on social media. A mother and her daughter even crossed the road
to apparently avoid her.
'It
could have been a coincidence, but there seemed to be no other reason,' Ms
Leaney said. 'Simply because of a piece of fabric on my head, when if I wasn't
wearing it she probably would have engaged me in a conversation or dialogue'.
And
despite being the type of person who 'always' gets stopped by security at the
airport, she said she faced the most intense security check of her life
greeting a friend at Adelaide Airport.
The
search included her Hijab, her clothing and in the depths of her bag. 'I can't
read too much into it, but it was definitely interesting,' she said.
A
spokeswoman for the Australian National Imams Council this week said a passerby
allegedly ripped a Hijab from a woman's head this week.
Other
Islamophobic incidents included a pig's head being placed on a cross out the
front of a mosque and car in south-west Sydney vandalised with graffiti which
said: 'F---N' MUSLIMS'.
These
incidents occurred following the release of a number of beheading videos by the
Islamic State terror group, the largest counter-terrorism raids in Australia's
history this month, and the stabbing of two police officers by Numan Haider,
18, in Melbourne's south-east.
The
chief religious leader of the Islamic community, Grand Mufti Dr Ibrahim Abu
Mohammed, condemned the Islamic State's 'fatwa' against Australians and other
Westerners earlier this week and many Muslims have joined a viral worldwide
phenomenon where they have taken pictures of themselves holding signs saying
the actions of the Islamic State were
#NotInMyname.
Ms
Leaney said her experience reminded her that many Islamic women often encounter
distrust and suspicion wearing the Hijab.
'I have
had a few negative moments, and that was always bound to happen,' Ms Leaney
said.
'I think
it highlights for people who are Hijabis, they experience this everyday, not
just the week I decided to wear this,' she said.
'That's
their everyday life.'
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2770225/I-stand-Always-forever-Love-fear-The-Christian-woman-wore-Hijab-week-solidarity-Muslim-friends-tells-heartwarming-awkward-experiences.html#ixzz3EYn9BFdo
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Egyptian
beauties get ready for Miss Egypt 2014 pageant
Sep 27,
2014
Egypt is
getting ready to crown its beauty queen this month in the annual Miss Egypt
2014 competition, which is returning following a three year hiatus.
“Gamalek
Ya Masr, Miss Egypt 2014, is finally making its comeback after being halted for
three years,” Kareem Hussein, the beauty contest’s spokesman, told Al Arabiya
News, referring to the competition by its Arabic name.
“We
stopped the program after the 2011 revolution,” Hussein said, stating that
broadcasting an entertaining show while people were “dying and suffering” would
not have been appropriate in his view.
He added
that the Muslim Brotherhood government did not encourage the broadcast of such
entertainment shows during its time in power.
During
the contest, which will take place in the coastal resort city of Sharm
el-Sheikh on Sept. 26, the 18 contestants will be scrutinized by a nine-member
panel including former Miss Egypt Donia Hamed and fashion designer Hani
al-Beheiri.
The jury
will be chaired by Youssed Spahi, who has organized the competition since 1998.
“Our
expectations for this year are higher than in previous years as we want a Miss
that would represent Egypt the right way,” Spahi told Al Arabiya News.
The
chair further explained that the competition it is not only about the
contestants’ appearance but also judges the participants on their education
levels and their knowledge of Egypt’s culture and heritage.
“She has
to speak several languages and be willing to travel during her reign [as Miss
Egypt],” he added.
The
winner of the prestigious beauty contest will be automatically qualified to
represent Egypt for the Miss World, Miss Earth and Miss Universe pageants.
She will
also be awarded a number of gifts.
“In
addition to being crowned Miss Egypt and having the privilege of wearing the
2014 Miss Egypt sash, the winner will be given a car and jewelry,” Hussein
said.
Not only
about beauty
The
competition also aims to boost tourism in the country, which has seen a
dramatic drop in visitors since the 2011 uprising.
"All
the [film shootings] happened in touristic places such as the Pyramids and Khan
al-Khalili [a historic Cairo market] to show the world what Egypt has to
offer,” Hussein said, adding that the title of the competition does not only
refer to the beauty of the contestants but also the country.
Private
camp
Ahead of
the competition, the women representing the country’s different governorates,
which vie for the title, are immersed in a private camp to prepare for the show
and learn the manners required of a beauty queen.
According
to Spahi, one of the hopefuls failed to do so and was “dismissed” from the
competition.
“One of
the contestants was left out of the show after she failed to respect the rules
of the competition and our system,” Spahi said.
“She
wasn’t taking the show seriously and wasn’t punctual,” he said, stating that
Miss Egypt attracts international attention and needs to portray Egyptian women
in the best way possible.
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/life-style/fashion-and-beauty/2014/09/26/Egyptian-beauties-get-ready-for-Miss-Egypt-2014-pageant.html
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Afghanistan’s
first lady to focus on humanitarian assistance
Sep 27,
2014
Afghanistan’s
first lady Rula Ghani Ahmadzai will focus on humanitarian assistance after Dr.
Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai takes office as the new president of Afghanistan.
Dr.
Ashraf Ghani said his wife will start charitable works for women and children
and internally displaced individuals who are in need of assistance.
Shukria
Barekzai, a member of Dr. Ghani’s camp, said the decision by Afghanistan’s
first lady is a good news for women and children who are in need of support and
assistance.
Barekzai
said Rula Ghani was involved in humanitarian assistance activities in the past
as well but she will double her activities after her spouse takes office.
The
presidential inauguration for the president-elect of the country is expected to
be organized on coming Monday.
Dr.
Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai was declared the president-elect by the Independent
Election Commission of Afghanistan earlier this week.
The
announcement was made following the conclusion of an agreement between Dr.
Ashraf Ghani and Dr. Abdullah for the formation of a national unity government.
http://www.khaama.com/afghanistans-first-lady-to-focus-on-humanitarian-assistance-6750
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31
couples marry in a mass wedding in capital Kabul
Sep 27,
2014
A mass
wedding ceremony was organized by a non-governmental organization in capital
Kabul where 31 couples belonging to economically weak families tied the knot.
The
officials of Khairkhwah Foundation said the wedding ceremony was organized with
an aim to assist the engaged individuals who were unable to bear the wedding
expenses due to weak economy.
An official
from Khairkhwah Foundation, Abdul Rahim Rashid said they are expecting that
similar wedding ceremonies are organized with the cooperation of businessmen
and wealthy individuals to assist the youths who are unable to pay for their
wedding ceremony.
The
foundation also vowed that employment opportunities will also be provided for
the youths who tied the knot today.
Kabul
governor Abdul Jabar Taqwa who attended the wedding ceremony said the
government will consider land for each couple where they could build their
home.
The
ceremony was also attended by relatives of the couples and high level
government officials including members of the parliament.
Similar
wedding ceremonies have been organized in other provinces of the country in the
past, including Herat, Balkh and Helmand provinces.
http://www.khaama.com/31-couples-marry-in-a-mass-wedding-in-capital-kabul-6748
----------
Africa:
Invest in Women and Girls for a Better World By 2030
Sep 27,
2014
What
type of world do I want to live in by the year 2030? This question was posed
this week during two inspiring days at the Social Good Summit, in New York,
where I heard activists and global leaders discuss the impact of new media on
social good initiatives around the world.
As a
woman and an infectious diseases physician, I can tell you quickly the issues
close to my heart; gender equality, and sexual and reproductive health,
including HIV. But coming from a generation that didn't grow up with social
media, I was curious to find out how we can "unite to unlock the potential
of technology to make the world a better place" by the time I may have
grandchildren.
Sexual
and reproductive health
Women's
empowerment was a theme throughout the summit, like a candle in the dark. When
we talk about girls we need to think about our daughters, our sisters and
remember the millions around the world who suffer unwanted pregnancies and
exposure to HIV, and other sexually transmitted diseases, because of lack of
access to family planning and ability to negotiate safe sex.
But as
Melinda Gates pointed out during the summit: "Contraceptive access is just
the tip of the iceberg for women's sexual and reproductive health needs and
rights."
In one
year the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) expire. Governments and the United
Nations now face the challenge of developing a new framework that could make
history by bringing about an end to poverty, an end to inequality and an end to
diseases such as AIDS. We need a more equitable and sustainable world, but it
won't be achieved unless we, as members of civil society, don't step up our
game and ensure our voices are heard.
For me,
this means getting gender inequality on the table, as it has a massive impact
on public health. As a result of lower economic and socio-cultural status, many
women and girls are disadvantaged when it comes to negotiating safe sex. Young
women (15-24) have HIV infection rates twice as high as young men, accounting
for a quarter of all new HIV infections.
Tackling
child marriage
It's
vital that we join together and use our voices - both men and women - to ensure
a standalone goal for gender equality and gender transformative approaches in
the post 2015 development framework. I was encouraged to hear about a new
global UN solidarity campaign He for She which urges men to advocate for gender
equality, as they will definitely need to be part of the solution.
The
question is: are we prepared to do whatever it takes to move forward and go for
societal and institutional transformation, to bring about equality for women
and girls? According to Graca Machel, Mozambican politician, humanitarian and
widow of Nelson Mandela, this is the only way to ensure no one is left behind.
Machel
hammered home the point by talking about child marriage and the devastating
consequences it brings across all aspects of a girl's life. "Every year 15
million girls are forced into marriage. Child marriage is the entry point to so
many MDGs; education, health, poverty," she said.
If girls
can be retained in school, not only until they finish primary education, but
also secondary school, they will not only gain skills for employment, but also
the tools and resources they need to make decisions on marriage and family
planning.
Full
report at:
http://allafrica.com/stories/201409251038.html
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Indian
State Govt to Promote Internet among Women through e-Shakti Abhiyan
Sep 27,
2014
BHOPAL:
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will launch a campaign to impart training
of internet by Information Technology Department to 5 Lakh women to promote use
of internet and computer among women in the state.
It has
been named e-Shakti Abhiyan. The trainees will be informed about benefits of
daily use of internet. The campaign will be conducted with the cooperation of
Google India.
The CM
will inaugurate e-Shakti Abhiyan at Model Higher Secondary School here at 5.30
pm on August 29. Information Technology Minister Bhupendra Singh will be
present on the occasion. It is noteworthy that it was decided to run e-Shakti
Abhiyan with the cooperation of Google India at a meeting of state-level
empowered committee (Apex) headed by Secretary Anthony de Sa. Secretary to CM
and Information Technology Hari Ranjan Rao has directed all district collectors
to ensure conduct of the campaign effectively.
The
target trainee groups under the campaign are Anganwadi workers, assistants and
supervisors of Women and Child Development Department, ANMs and ASHA workers of
Health Department, lady teachers of School Education Departments, inspectors
and other women police personnel, members of women's self-help groups under
Panchayats & Rural Development department, women workers of municipal
corporations and women Kisan Mitras (Kisan Didis) of Farmers Welfare and
Agriculture Development Department.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Govt-to-promote-internet-among-women-through-e-Shakti-Abhiyan/articleshow/43554953.cms
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Beheaded
British hostage's daughter calls for Isil to be 'eradicated'
Sep 27,
2014
The
teenage daughter of a British hostage beheaded by Isil has said she supports
all military action to “eradicate” the Islamic extremists as the House of
Commons prepares to vote on Britain joining air strikes in Northern Iraq.
Bethany
Haines said the murder of her father, David, had “torn the family apart” but
Isil could not be allowed to “get away with it”. The 17-year-old concluded:
“They need to be stopped”.
Mr
Haines, an aid worker, had been held captive for 19 months before his execution
earlier this month and was the third prisoner to have been murdered and paraded
on camera by Isil.
A video
released by the extremist group showed him moments before he was killed,
trembling as he was forced to denounce his country.
But Miss
Haines told STV News he should not be judged by the footage and predicted he
would have been thinking about his family during his final moments.
The
17-year-old, from Scone in Perthshire, said: “I never thought the day would
come when I got told, Bethany, the worst happened. He’s been killed. I always
thought he would get out.
“IS
(Isil) need eradicated. They can’t continue this way. They can’t be doing this
to people and get away with it, no matter what nationality, if they're western
or not.
“Hundreds
of Syrians have been killed by them and they need to be stopped. If air strikes
and ground force is what it takes, that’s what it takes.”
Miss
Haines added: “What if they attacked Britain? What if they attacked any other
country?”
She said
the group has torn her family apart in some ways but had “made it a stronger
unit” in others. “They can say what they want about him. They can put a video
up and show him in a worse light but he was strong,” she said.
“He
wouldn’t have given up. In that moment he would have known he was going to die
but the fact was he would have been thinking of his family, the people he loved
… He would want us to be strong now and that’s what we have to do.”
She said
her family takes strength from memories of him and she expressed a hope that
his body will be flown home to the UK. “He was a brilliant man. He will be
remembered and not for the way he was shown in that video but for the truly
amazing work he did and for the great character he was,” she added.
Mr
Haines grew up in Perth and married his childhood sweetheart Louise, Bethany’s
mother, at 22. After serving in the RAF, he worked for a series of aid
organisations in countries such as Croatia, South Sudan and Libya.
He was
kidnapped in March last year while working for a French aid organisation at a
Syrian refugee camp near the Turkish border.
Ten days
into the mission, Mr Haines and his Italian colleague Federico Motka were
taken. Mr Motka was released two months later.
Mr
Haines also leaves behind a four-year-old daughter, Athea, and his second wife
Dragana, with whom he lived with in Sisak, Croatia.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iraq/11122237/Beheaded-British-hostages-daughter-calls-for-Isil-to-be-eradicated.html
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Kenya:
Nurse Faces Death for Assisting Patient Procure Abortion
Sep 27,
2014
Nairobi
— A nurse has been sentenced to death by the High Court after he was found
guilty of assisting a woman to procure an abortion that led to her death.
Justice
Nicholas Ombija sentenced 41 year-old Jackson Namunya Tali to death for
committing the offense on July 27 2009.
The
convict was stationed at Kihara sub district hospital, in Gachie as a medical
officer at the time.
According
to evidence adduced in court, Christine Atieno who was apparently pregnant
visited the clinic of the accused with the express intention of having her
pregnancy terminated.
The
convict procured an abortion which led to over bleeding and culminated into the
patient's death.
The
convict did not deny he attended to the deceased and offered her some form of
treatment but denied he procured an abortion.
In his
defence he told the court that the deceased had been treated elsewhere eight
days before she visited him for consultation.
"I
was not responsible for the injury which led to over bleeding and subsequent
death," he told the court.
While
convicting him, judge Ombjia said malice afore thought an ingredient to the
offence of murder was established.
"Against
the backdrop of evidence, as to who interfered with the fetus that led to over
bleeding was a fact within the accused knowledge. Only he could explain how the
deceased who visited his clinic while well and not bleeding happened to over
bled culminating into her demise," he ruled.
"The
facts are inconsistent with the innocence of the accused and incapable
explanation on any other hypothesis other than that of guilt,"
"I
accordingly find and hold as a matter of law that the accused herein with
malice afore thought caused the death of the deceased by assisting her to
procure abortion. I convict him accordingly," he added.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201409260232.html
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We don’t
need no mixed-sex schools, says Turkey's conservative teachers union
Sep 27,
2014
Eğitim-Bir-Sen,
an education sector trade union with conservative views, has demanded the
abolition of mixed-sex education, a move that comes in the wake of the
government’s decision to allow grade-five girls to wear headscarves in class –
another of the group’s demands.
The
declaration by Eğitim-Bir-Sen, which is headed by Ahmet Gündoğdu, who also
heads the umbrella organization Memur-Sen, said mixed-education system was a
"violation of rights."
“The
boundaries beyond democratic education rights, which limit the basic
preferences of the people, should be eliminated. Compulsory ‘mixed’ education,
which holds the will and preferences of the people captive, should be ended.
The state should withdraw from its assertiveness on the issue,” said a
declaration that was drafted after meetings last week.
It also
called for a change in the syllabus to prioritize “moral and social values.”
Eğitim-Bir-Sen
is known for its nationalistic and conservative stance.
The
union had called for the abolition of a ban on headscarves in all public
schools, which was followed by a recent government announcement to lift the ban
for children starting from grade five, which normally corresponds to the age of
10 in Turkey.
The
changes have drawn a reaction, although some people had already started sending
girls to school wearing headscarves anyway, even before the relevant regulation
came into effect.
Eğitim-Bir-Sen
had previously collected 12.3 million signatures for a petition that calls for
the lifting of the headscarf ban on public workers, another campaign that
yielded results. The union had said it would continue “civil disobedience”
protests until the bans were lifted.
Meanwhile,
the union has also called for freedom in the dress code as part of a reaction
against the compulsory wearing of ties for men.
Members
of one of the two other sector unions, the left-wing Eğitim-Sen, went on strike
Sept. 24 in protest at the government’s education policies.
The union
demanded an “end to political moves in the education system and the compulsory
rotations of teachers and principals,” while also highlighting the need for a
secular education system.
Gündoğdu’s
Memur-Sen, which is known for its warm stance toward the government, heads the
collective bargaining teams for public workers, as it is the largest in the
country.
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/we-dont-need-no-mixed-sex-schools-says-turkish-teachers-union.aspx?pageID=238&nID=72213&NewsCatID=341
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One Of
The 200 Schoolgirls Kidnapped By Boko Haram Is Given Back To Her Family
Sep 27,
2014
One of
200 schoolgirls abducted by Islamist Boko Haram rebels in the north-eastern
Nigerian village of Chibok was freed this week, police and a parent of some of
the other missing girls said on Thursday.
Boko
Haram militants took the girls from a secondary school in the village near the
Cameroon border in April.
The case
of the abducted school girls drew global attention, magnified
by#BringBackOurGirls Twitter campaign that drew in celebrities including
Michelle Obama and Angelina Jolie.
Nigerian
President Goodluck Jonathan told the United Nations General Assembly on
Wednesday that authorities were still working to free the girls.
Jonathan
has been criticized at home and abroad for his slow response to the kidnapping
in the rural northeast and for his inability to quell the violence by the
Islamist militant group, whose name means 'Western education is forbidden.'
'Although
it has been over three months since they were abducted, we have never relented
in our efforts to set them safely free,' Jonathan told the 193-member world
body.
'Together
with our partners, we are working assiduously to free our daughters and reunite
them with their families,' he said. 'We shall not waiver until we end this
mindless war on the innocent and bring all the perpetrators to justice.'
A
year-old intensive military operation against Boko Haram has so far failed to
crush the rebels, whose struggle for an Islamic state in largely Muslim northern
Nigeria has killed thousands since it was launched in 2009.
However,
Nigeria's military on Wednesday claimed for the first time that Abubakar
Shekau, the leader of Boko Haram, was dead, as it said troops had killed a
lookalike who had been posing as the militant commander.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2769540/Bring-girls-One-200-schoolgirls-kidnapped-Islamic-fanatics-Boko-Haram-given-family.html#ixzz3EYocNpXq
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