Windsor Woman, Maryam Khan, First Muslim Woman Endorsed for House Seat in Connecticut
New
Age Islam News Bureau
26
January 2022
• Lisa
Smith 'Enveloped Herself In The Black Flag' Of Islamic State, Hears a Court
• Muslim
Schoolgirls Free To Wear Hijab – Kwara Govt
• Brunei's
Women In Science Competition Crowns Nur Amanina Champion
• First
Lady Of Pakistan Samina Alvi Emphasise Women Empowerment Thru Vocational
Training
• Afghan
Women In Pakistan Wait On Canadian Visas To Start New Life In Saskatoon
Compiled
by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/windsor-maryam-connecticut/d/126243
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Windsor
Woman, Maryam Khan, First Muslim Woman Endorsed for House Seat in Connecticut
Maryam
Khan, First Muslim Woman Endorsed for House Seat in CT
-----
By
Shannon Miller
January
26, 2022
It’s
a historic moment in Connecticut politics == Maryam Khan is the first Muslim
woman to be endorsed as a candidate for the Connecticut House of
Representatives.
“As a
woman, as a woman of color, as an immigrant, a teacher, young person, there's a
lot of of diversity that I bring to the state legislature,” Khan said.
Maryam
was nominated for Connecticut’s 5th District seat representing Windsor and
Hartford and it's representation she says is part of her motivation, setting an
example for young Muslim women.
“At
their age, I didn't know what local politics was. I didn't know what people
could do to be involved and I didn't think that there would be room for me in a
place like that. So I'm happy that they're able to have that and they're able
to see that, you know, you can be both Muslim and you can be, you know, part of
your community,” Khan said.
The
33-year-old mother of three is also an educator at heart. She is a special
education teacher, four-year member of the Windsor Board of Education, and
former mentor to young women at her mosque, who hopes to bring the issues of
educators to the forefront of legislators’ minds.
“My
big concern for our schools is, if we are having teachers leave the field
within their first couple years, or their first five years, what is school
going to look like in the next 10,15, 20 years?” Khan said.
Maryam
will have to secure the seat during a Special Election on March 1.
Source:
nbcconnecticut
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Lisa
Smith 'Enveloped Herself In The Black Flag' Of Islamic State, Hears a Court
Brian
Lawless/PA/BBC News
----
January
26, 2022
A
former Irish Defence Forces soldier "enveloped herself in the black
flag" of the Islamic State (IS), a court has heard.
Lisa
Smith, 39, pleaded not guilty to charges of membership of the organisation and
providing funds to it.
The
Republic of Ireland's Special Criminal Court heard Smith's conduct when she
travelled to Syria could "prove membership" of IS.
The
court heard the County Louth woman had travelled to the country in 2015.
Sean
Gillane, SC, for the prosecution said the court would hear evidence that Smith,
a former Air Corps soldier, had taken part in "Hijrah" or migration
to territories controlled by the IS.
"Hijrah
in this context is a central act of allegiance to this proto-State, without
which the organisation cannot survive. It is the very lifeblood of the Islamic
State," he said.
Mr
Gillane said the migration was to "self-identify as a member" of the
organisation.
He
said evidence would show Smith had willingly stayed in Syria, married there and
that her movements mirrored that of the group when they lost territories in the
region.
Mr
Gillane said evidence would show Smith was part of a Telegram group in June
2015 that discussed a video by the Islamic State showing the drowning of five
men in a cage.
He
said members discussed why they had been drowned and Smith responded: "Ok,
I understand why they were drowned. I didn't know half of the story."
The
court heard Smith bought a one-way ticket from Dublin to Istanbul and from
there, crossed the border into Syria and IS-controlled territory.
At
this time Smith "made clear to her family her desire to stay", the
court heard.
The
court also heard from the first witness, Una McCartney, from Dundalk, who was a
friend of Smith for a number of years.
She
told the court that she and Smith had discussed religion around the time of her
conversion to Islam.
She
said Smith had talked about moving to a Muslim country because she wanted to be
"surrounded by people who were the same faith as her", but said she
did not recall Smith stating any intention to travel to Syria.
It is
alleged that between October 2015 and December 2019 Smith was a member of the
terrorist group.
She
has also been accused of financing terrorism by sending €800 (£669) to a named
individual in 2015.
Smith
has denied the charges and the trial continues.
Source:
BBC News
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60127178
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Muslim
Schoolgirls Free To Wear Hijab – Kwara Govt
January
26, 2022
January
26, (THEWILL) – The Kwara State government has said that willing Muslim
schoolgirls in all categories of public schools in the state are free to wear
Hijab to school.
The
state Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Hajia Sa’adatu
Modibbo Kawu, made this known during a peace meeting with Muslim and Christian
stakeholders in Ijagbo, Oyun local government area of the state.
“The
policy statement of the Kwara State Government allowing willing Muslim
schoolgirl to wear the hijab in all public schools, including grant-aided ones,
is binding. This conforms with the judicial pronouncements of the courts of law
and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, the commissioner
said.
She,
therefore, appealed to both Muslim and Christian leaders to allow peace to
reign in the state.
Hajia
Modibbo-Kawu also directed the principal of Oyun Baptist High School, Ijagbo to
immediately implement the government’s policy statement on the use of approved
hijab in public schools.
She
warned that anyone found trying to sabotage the peaceful coexistence among the
people of the state will face the full wrath of the law.
The
meeting was attended by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Mary Adeosun; chairman,
Teaching Service Commission, Alhaji Taoheed Bello; board members of the
Teaching Service Commission, president of All Nigeria Conference of Principals
of Secondary Schools(ANCOPSS), Alhaji Toyin Abdullahi and chairman of the
Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Alh Umar Abdullahi.
Also
in attendance were the chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Ijagbo
chapter, Rev. Samuel Ajayi, chairman, Muslim stakeholders, Offa/ Oyun, Alh Abubakar
AbdulWasiu and chairman, Kwara State Muslim Stakeholders, Alh Isiaka
AbdulKareem.
Source:
The Will Nigeria
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Brunei's
Women In Science Competition Crowns Nur Amanina Champion
26
Jan 2022
BANDAR
SERI BEGAWAN (Borneo Bulletin/Asia News Network): Nur Amanina @ Siti Hawa
Ariffin from Ma’had Islam Brunei, Tutong was crowned the champion of the second
season of Women in Science (WIS) competition organised by Seria Energy Lab
(SEL).
Over
80 female participants from schools nationwide participated in the competition,
theme related to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
education or sustainable development goals (SDG).
The
competition aimed to encourage more female students to pursue STEM education
while fostering 21st Century skills beneficial in the future.
Participants
engaged in development workshops such as science communication,
entrepreneurship, leadership and proposal writing; and took part in Race to
Solution challenges.
Nur
Amanina impressed the judges with her innovative project titled ‘Skill
Enhancement and Entrepreneurship Development (SEED) Programme’ – aimed to
create public awareness on addressing youth unemployment within the school
community.
Nur
Amanina and her group were supervised by teacher Muizzah Mohd Nor.
Despite
restrictions and health measures to curb the spread of Covid-19, her project
was executed successfully through virtual awareness talks, upskilling workshops
and entrepreneurship week; as well as collaborations with Big BWN Project,
Brunei Computer Emergency Response Team (BruCERT), Foodelico and Dainty Hands
& Co.
“I
want to help youth in Brunei to achieve their entrepreneurship goals and
prepare for their future ahead, and Big Bwn Project is my inspiration as it has
similar concepts,” Nur Amanina said.
“I
feel a boost in self-esteem, and it motivates me to inspire girls out there
that even if we’re not truly sure with ourselves, we can prove that we can go
beyond expectations”.
Nur
Amanina was also appointed the new ambassador for SEL, which the centre hopes
will inspire and encourage other aspiring scientists and innovators.
Project
Manager of Women in Science 2021, Nurul Fathien Mohd Amirul Hamdie said, “From
day one, it was clear that the team from Ma’had Islam Brunei were strong
contenders.
“They
asked clever questions and took extra measures to ensure their project proposal
was written excellently. Out of the dynamic, Amanina stood out and proved to us
that she has what it takes to be in the top three.
“Unfortunately,
during the execution months, our nation was faced with the second wave of the
Covid-19 and we were advised strongly to stay home and follow the health
measures set by the MoH.
“It
did not stop Nur Amanina and her group to progress through the adversity. They
managed to execute the SEED programme outstandingly using the means of
technology creatively.”
Source:
The Star
The
season 3 of the competition is now open for registration.
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First
Lady Of Pakistan Samina Alvi Emphasise Women Empowerment Thru Vocational
Training
January
25, 2022
KARACHI:
First Lady Samina Alvi stressed the need for the empowerment of women through
vocational training programmes to help them meet their financial needs.
Visiting
the Government Polytechnic Institute for Women in Sukkur on Tuesday, Alvi said
the government was striving to provide relief to the downtrodden segments of
the society since the day it assumed power.
She
said the government was committed to the empowerment of women to put Pakistan
on a development trajectory and promised all-out support to differently-abled
persons to improve their vocational proficiency bringing them to the mainstream
of national development process.
Alvi
said women were provided vocational training as per job requirements before
their placement to help them not only to become self-sufficient but also to be
able to support their families.
She
visited classrooms where she also talked to the students getting technical
education. The girls presented flowers and a traditional ajrak shawl to the
first lady.
Later,
Alvi also visited Dar ul-Ehsaas orphanage. Speaking on the occasion, she
questioned if the women, who formed 50 percent of the population, sat at home,
how will the country progress?
Source:
Pakistan Today
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Afghan
women in Pakistan wait on Canadian visas to start new life in Saskatoon
JANICE
DICKSON
JANUARY
24, 2022
In a
hostel in Islamabad, more than 150 Afghans are waiting for Canadian visas so
they can join members of their community who are settling into their new lives
in Saskatoon. Many in the hostel, including young women, had to leave their
families behind.
Last
September, about 250 refugees escaped Afghanistan, with most travelling
overland to Pakistan, fortunate to have had visas arranged by a Toronto-based
charity, Prince’s Trust Canada. They are primarily members of the Hazara
minority and include students who attended Kabul’s Marefat High School, which
champions women’s rights and democratic values.
But
as those in Saskatoon ease into their new routines, with adults going to
language classes and children going to school, members of their community are
waiting for word from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. There are
157 people, including 50 unaccompanied young women, in Pakistan, and 52 people,
mostly girls, waiting in Afghanistan.
One
young woman in the hostel said fleeing the country was her only option to
survive, even though it meant leaving her family behind. She remembers watching
her little brother cry, asking what was happening. She said her dream is to see
her family again. Luckily, she has her sister with her. Still, they don’t know
what will happen and they don’t feel safe where they are.
The
22-year-old said she wants to reach Canada to get a master’s degree, continue
her education and help others. The Globe and Mail is not identifying any of the
individuals to protect their safety.
Also
in the hostel is a 14-year-old who sang in a popular music group. She said that
when the Taliban took over, she was frightened. The first thing to be afraid of
in a Taliban society, she said, is being Hazara, being a girl and finally being
a girl with social activities. She is all three, she said.
She
wants to come to Canada and become someone who can help people there, and in
Afghanistan. Life has not been easy, she said, adding that she feels lucky to
be with her mom, two brothers, sister and her sister’s husband. And her friends
in Saskatoon continue to offer support, calling on video chat and trying to
keep their hopes up.
Her
28-year-old sister also went to Marafat, later going to Bangladesh to take an
undergraduate degree in politics, philosophy and economics. She hopes to go to
Canada to work and help those left behind.
The
effort to evacuate the Marefat School community began after the Taliban took
control of the country in August, and was aided by Thirty Birds Foundation,
Prince’s Trust Canada and the Raoul Wallenberg Centre.
Mark
Fell, Prince’s Trust Canada chair, said he has advocated for the school
community, and in the early days of evacuation efforts, reached out to IRCC to
arrange visas.
Abuzar
Royesh, the son of the co-founder of the school, and founding member of Thirty
Birds Foundation, helped co-ordinate the evacuation, along with a small group
of volunteers. The foundation was set up to support the girls in Pakistan and
Saskatoon.
Mr.
Royesh said Canadian officials would not accept unaccompanied minors, and so
they prioritized girls younger than 18 and their families, which is why one
group was evacuated before the other. Those who remain in Pakistan, he said,
include 105 women and girls, and 50 are unaccompanied. As well as some younger
girls and their families.
Mr.
Royesh said it took Ottawa about two weeks to approve the first group of
people, and it has been months since the second list of names have been
submitted and they still have not heard if they will be approved. He’s hoping
they hear soon, and that the girls will be resettled in Saskatoon.
“For
the single girls who are unaccompanied, the only family they have in this world
outside of Afghanistan is in Saskatoon.”
When
asked at a press conference last week if Ottawa would issue visas to those left
behind in the hostel, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser said he is aware of the
group and will work with partner organizations to help those who qualify under
the government’s program.
“But
we do need to focus on getting them here through pathways that protect the
integrity of the process and allow more people to arrive as quickly as
possible,” he said.
Maryam
Masoomi, 26, has safely made it to Saskatoon and is hoping her friends and
community members join her there soon.
“They
are so worried about their future and they are so upset. They hope to come here
soon and start their life because their education, their work, is all gone.”
Ms.
Masoomi was one of the first to cross the border into Pakistan, a scary
experience, she said. She helped others who followed with paperwork, guiding
them through how to behave when stopped by the Taliban and ushering them
through the process at the border.
She
said her family is settling in, they have found an apartment and bought new
furniture. “We are safe here, we have security here. We have many facilities
here and we can dream.” She said her 13-year-old sister is in school, and her
21-year-old brother and her mom are taking language classes. “They are so happy
now,” she said.
Ms.
Masoomi was leader of the music group that included the 14-year-old from the
Islamabad hostel. She said that when the rest of the members arrive, they will
come together again, and continue singing.
Source:
The Globe And Mai
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URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/windsor-maryam-connecticut/d/126243