Actress Rakhi Sawant: I Follow Islam From Heart And Observe Roza; Trolls Ask Me To Wear Burqa And Sit At Home
New
Age Islam News Bureau
29
March 2023
•
Safia Farhat — Tunisian Artist, Educator And Activist Now Gaining Global Renown
•
Aligarh Muslim Family Offers 'Chunri' at Durga Temple, Seeks Blessings During
Navratri
•
Jordan’s Queen Rania Visits Bizat Al-Reeh Exhibition, Islamic Arts Biennale In
Jeddah
•
Women Who Tell Our Stories: Celebrating Their Contributions In The US And Qatar
•
Punjab Woman, Swaranjit Kaur, Returns From Oman, Says Was Sold For Rs 80,000 By
Travel Agent
Compiled
by New Age Islam News Bureau
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Actress
Rakhi Sawant: I Follow Islam From Heart And Observe Roza; Trolls Ask Me To Wear
Burqa And Sit At Home
Mar
29, 2023
Controversy
queen Rakhi Sawant, whose married life with Adil Khan Durrani had hit a rock
bottom after she filed a domestic violence case against him, now wants to get
divorced and lead a free life.
The
actress was recently spotted outside a gym by photographers where while
interacting with them she talked about her personal life. She shared the secret
behind her happiness and called it because she is getting divorced. She also
revealed she is getting comments from people asking her to sit at home and wear
a burqa.
“Meri
Khushi ka raazMera divorce hone waalahai, Aur hum Azaad hone waalehain. There
are few things in life which you should leave up to God and move on in life. Ab
hum Azaadhojaanachahteinhain, ab Uskojisse Shaadi karnihaiKarne do (I want to
be free now and let him (Adil) get married to whoever he wants),” she said.
She
also revealed that she is observing Roza and is having a great time. “pure din
hum bhookepyaserehtehain, Allah ka rehem haiHumareupar, ke Na
humeinpyaaslagtihai Na bhook and in the evening I come to gym.”
Rakhi,
who has been in the industry for close to two decades revealed that people are
asking her to convert to Islam and sit at home. “Why are people preaching me,
embrace Islam and sit at home. You will feed me, or your uncle or neighbours.
Itna free ka time kaisehai logon kepaas. Jaise he sehri karke main photo
daaltihoon, they praise but the moment I wear glamorous clothes they start
writing comments “dimaagkharab mat karo”. Hum Islam meinhai, I know my limit
and I read namaz, don’t preach unnecessarily. They ask me to sit at home and
wear Burqa. I read namaz and follow Islam from heart and don’t need anyone's
preaching,” shared the actress.
She
further revealed that she will soon be leaving to shoot a web-series in
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh and she would request the government to provide her
security. She also stated that I have already spoken to my friend Ravi Kishan
to provide her safety since she is beautiful and doesn’t want crowd. Rakhi
shared that the project is very controversial and is based on someone’s life.
It is a biopic about a legend.
Source:
Times Of India
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Safia
Farhat — Tunisian Artist, Educator And Activist Now Gaining Global Renown
RawaaTalass
March
29, 2023
Safia
Farhat's tapestry 'Mother and Children,' created around 1960 - Image courtesy
of Barjeel Art Foundation, Sharjah. (Supplied)
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DUBAI:
Tunisian artist Safia Farhat was not only a dynamic tapestry creator, but had
an impressive resumé including ceramicist, educator, women’s rights activist,
and publishing pioneer. She was a woman who
accumulated a list of historic firsts in her lifetime.
She
contributed to the growth of visual culture in independent Tunisia under the
progressive leadership of President Habib Bourguiba. Farhat designed national
stamps, had her fiber art displayed in the country’s banks, hotels, and
schools, and worked with expert weavers and artisans in her studio.
Farhat
was born in the harbor city of Rades in 1924 and raised in a well-to-do family.
It was her maternal aunt, who was skilled in knitting and crochet, who
cultivated Farhat’s love of art. She went on to study at the Tunis Institute of
Fine Arts and was reportedly just the third Tunisian woman to enroll there.
She
later became the institute’s first female director in 1966 — remaining in the
role for more than a decade. She encouraged female students to take part in the
institute’s programming. Farhat also founded Tunisia’s first magazine for
women, “Faiza,” delving into feminism and decolonization, among other social
issues.
Her
colorful, thickly lined tapestries depict animals, plants, and men and women
wearing traditional clothing. “When I saw her work, I was really fascinated by
its sculptural elements, the color, the various techniques that were embedded
in it — and by their stories,” Jessica Gerschultz, a professor of African
studies at the University of Kansas, told Arab News.
“She
seems to really play on self-referentiality,” she continued. “Her works are
referring to her other works, so there are many symbols — lots of triangles and
zigzags — integrated into her weavings and other works that she did in ceramics
and iron.”
Farhat,
who died in 2004, is a name still recognized by some older people in her
homeland, but she has been generally overlooked, ironically, by young art
students in Tunisia. “At the institute, maybe students know her name, but
they’re not very familiar with her,” noted Gerschultz. “Maybe they don’t know
her at all.”
International
interest in Farhat, however, was boosted last year as a result of her works
being showcased at the Venice Biennale. “It’s wonderful to see her
contributions now being viewed more widely,”
said Gerschultz.
Source:
Arab News
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2277476/lifestyle
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Aligarh
Muslim Family Offers 'Chunri' at Durga Temple, Seeks Blessings During Navratri
MARCH
28, 2023
The
family sought blessings of the Goddess in a temple located at Sarai Miyan in
Police Station Delhi Gate area on Monday night. (Photo: News18)
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The
city of Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh is abuzz with discussions about a Muslim
family offering ‘chunri’ to Goddess Durga in a famous temple of the city and
offering prayers there as well. The family sought blessings of the Goddess in a
temple located at Sarai Miyan in Police Station Delhi Gate area on Monday night
as Chaitra Navratri is being celebrated.
The
family expressed their faith and said that they believe in all religions and
they came to the temple after a wish they had prayed for had been fulfilled.
Appreciably, the gesture of this family is enough to send a message that common
people are not divided in the name of mandir or masjid.
Manjit
Singh, a resident of the area, has confirmed that the Muslim family has offered
prayers at the temple on the occasion of Navratri. According to Singh, 10-15
people from the same family visited the temple and worshiped the Goddess,
offering articles related to makeup and coconut too.
They
had followed the same worshiping method which is done during Navratri. Singh
said, “According to this family, their desire was fulfilled by Ma Durga so they
wanted to express his feelings and gratitude to the mother."
The
devotee who has offered ‘chunri’ to the Goddess, Kafeel Qureshi, is a resident
of Sarai MiyanJangal Gadi. He said, “I respect all religions and today I have
fulfilled my duty. I am giving the message of Hindu-Muslim unity.
“By
performing aarti and worship of the mother, I also showed what is the duty of
one religion towards the other. Even our leaders visited Ajmer Sharif and
offered chadar, I happily offered ‘chunri’ to my devi maa. I appeal to all of
society to maintain the unity of Hindu-Muslim and fulfill their duties for the
integrity of the country," he said.
Source:
News18
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Jordan’s
Queen Rania visits Bizat Al-Reeh exhibition, Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah
March
28, 2023
JEDDAH:
Jordan’s Queen Rania on Monday attended the opening of the 22nd Bizat Al-Reeh
exhibition at Jeddah Superdome, the Jordan News Agency reported.
Proceeds
from the six-day event, being held under the patronage of Princess Adilabint
Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, will go toward the National Charity Foundation
for Home Healthcare of which the princess is chairwoman.
Foundation
vice president, AbeerQabbani, welcomed the queen and noted that her attendance
gave added significance to the exhibition and emphasized its global reach,
evidenced by this year’s strong international presence.
Bizat
Al-Reeh — organized by the Saudi Ministry of Culture as part of the Kingdom’s
Ramadan celebrations — plays host to at least 170 local and regional
participants from more than 15 countries.
Jordan
River Designs was making its debut at this year’s event with a display of
handcrafted heritage items.
Other
products being showcased include home accessories, jewelry, food, and fashion
items and a series of activities allow visitors to interactively browse
displays and artworks.
Queen
Rania also visited the Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah produced by Diriyah
Biennale Foundation, a non-profit organization established in 2020 by the
Ministry of Culture.
The
foundation’s chief executive officer, Aya Al-Bakree, showed the queen around
the gallery which hosts more than 300 artworks, including 40 pieces created by
international institutions and around 200 heritage items produced locally that
feature several valuable historical artifacts from the Two Holy Mosques.
Titled
“Awwal Bait” (“First House”) in reference to the Kaaba in Makkah, the first
edition of the Islamic Arts Biennale features more than 60 established and
emerging artists from around the world, at least 60 new commissions, 280
artifacts, and 15 artworks exhibited for the first time.
In
addition, the Jordanian royal visited Makkah to perform Umrah and held an iftar
banquet for a number of Jordanian women, part of her Ramadan Umrah mission
consisting of 500 women.
Source:
Arab News
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2277136/saudi-arabia
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Women
who tell our stories: Celebrating their contributions in the US and Qatar
BY
NATALIE BAKER
MARCH
29, 2023
As
a diplomat, I have witnessed the crucial role women play in building America’s
diplomatic relations in the world with their strong leadership, expanded
network of contacts, and relationships based on mutual trust and understanding.
I have seen how US embassies play key roles in enhancing US diplomatic ties
with other countries and that women are instrumental in those efforts.
Under
the guidance of Ambassador Timmy Davis, the embassy is committed to celebrating
women all year, while also raising awareness about the ongoing struggles for
gender equity.
Women
have promoted peace and understanding between nations for centuries, working
tirelessly to build bridges between cultures and communities. My own mother, a
strong advocate for education and diplomacy, instilled in me a love for
learning, exploration, and dialogue. My mother’s example has had a significant
impact on my life trajectory and set the foundation for my career in diplomacy.
Women’s
History Month is an important time to recognise and celebrate the contributions
of women throughout history. This year’s theme, “women who tell our stories,”
highlights the vital role that women play in shaping our understanding of the
world around us.
From
writers and journalists to filmmakers and historians, women are at the
forefront in telling stories that illuminate the human experience.
In
the United States and Qatar, women continue to make significant contributions
to the world of storytelling. American writers including Maya Angelou, Isabel
Allende, and Alice Walker created some of the most powerful and enduring works
of literature in the country’s history. Women like Hellen Keller, a deaf-blind
disability rights advocate who published 12 books and was the first deaf-blind
person to earn a bachelor’s degree. Journalists such as Barbara Walters, Gwen
Ifill, and Joan Didion have fearlessly reported on the most pivotal news
stories of our time. Filmmakers like Ava DuVernay capture the history of the
United States and share stories of underrepresented groups. We should also
acknowledge the original storytellers, Indigenous Americans, and women like Te
Ata Fisher, who helped to popularise the tradition of Native American oral
storytelling during a period of discrimination and prejudice.
Under
the wise and inspirational leadership of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad
al-Thani, Qatari women play a critical role in shaping the nation’s diplomatic,
cultural, and educational landscape, and their collective journeys tell Qatar’s
story. Her Highness Sheikha Mozabint Nasser is a leading visionary and advocate
for education, and women’s rights, in Qatar and around the world. Thanks to Her
Highness Sheikha Moza, six US university branch campuses are thriving among the
powerhouse that is Education City. Likewise, the dynamic vision and efforts of
HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al-Thani, Vice-Chairperson and CEO of the Qatar
Foundation, are developing the next generation of women leaders, innovators,
engineers, researchers, and entrepreneurs.
Known
for her significant contributions to the country’s cultural and artistic
landscape, Sheikha Al Mayassabint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Chairperson of
the Qatar Museums Authority, has created a hub for art and culture in the
region, attracting world-class exhibitions, talent, and events to Qatar.
Minister
of State for International Co-operation HE Lolwahbint Rashid AlKhater’s work in
diplomacy raised Qatar’s profile on the international stage, while also
advocating for human rights and women’s education in conflict zones and
marginalised communities.
My
dear friend Dana Alfardan, Qatar’s first female contemporary composer, singer,
and songwriter, is breaking boundaries and bringing global communities together
through her gift of song and composition. Sheikha Mayes al-Thani, the Chair of
the US-Qatar Business Council and successful entrepreneur, has achieved success
across several business sectors and is bringing the US-Qatar relationship
closer through business and sub-national partnerships. I am awed and inspired
by these amazing women leaders.
The
list of Qatari women leaders is expansive and would take many pages to name.
These women are making great strides in every facet of society. Their work and
advocacy help create a more just and equal world, inspiring future generations
to follow in their footsteps. I am honoured to work alongside these incredible
individuals.
As
we celebrate Women’s History Month, we remember the many women who have
dedicated their lives to telling our stories. Throughout history, women have
used their talents and creativity to shed light on global challenges and to
propose innovative solutions. They remind us of the power of storytelling to
connect us to one another, transcend parochial views of the world, and build
lasting bonds of peace and community.
As
Jill Biden, First Lady of the United States, said in honour of this month, “We
know that there is still far to travel, but we keep moving, guided by the
strong hands of the women who came before us, continuing the path they forged
with sweat and pain and love.”
The
US embassy in Qatar celebrates the historical contributions of women this
month, and all year. By doing so, we ensure their voices and stories continue
to be heard and that the power of storytelling remains a force for positive
change in the world. I am appreciative of the strong leaders I have met in
Qatar and look forward to continuing to weave the beautiful story of the
US-Qatari partnership together into the future.
Source:
GulfTimes
*
The writer is Deputy Chief of Mission at US embassy, Doha
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Punjab
Woman, Swaranjit Kaur, Returns From Oman, Says Was Sold For Rs 80,000 By Travel
Agent
by
Anju Agnihotri Chaba
March
29, 2023
A
woman from Punjab who was stuck in Oman since December 2022 after she moved to
the Gulf nation for a better-paying job but eventually found herself trapped by
a travel agent-cum-‘trafficker’ there, finally, landed in India Tuesday, thanks
to the efforts made by Rajya Sabha member Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal.
Forty-one-year-old
Swaranjit Kaur, who was received by Seechewal at Delhi International Airport,
told The Indian Express that she was sold for Rs 80,000 in Oman by her agent.
She said that there are several hapless women like her in Oman who are still
stuck there.
Kaur’s
husband Kuldeep Singh, a resident of Moga, said the travel agent had taken his
wife to Muscat on the pretext of giving her domestic job in Dubai.
Kaur
said that she had gone to Muscat three months ago due to financial constraints
at home. She has four daughters and a son. She said that her husband is a daily
wager.
“After
the agent sold me as a domestic maid, I was forced to do household work for
several hours and as a result, I fell ill and wanted to return to Punjab, but
the travel agent got in my way. Also, I did not have money to pay for the
return ticket,” Kaur said, adding that she somehow managed to reach the Indian
Embassy.
Seechewal
was contacted by her husband through a Chandigarh-based advocate Gurbej Singh.
Seechewal
sent a ticket to her at the request of the staff of the Indian Embassy in
Muscat, but the Indian Embassy did not send her for reasons best known to it.
Seechewal
then took up the matter with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). He wrote a
letter to the MEA, mentioning the unprofessional behaviour of the Indian
Embassy staff at Muscat.
Seechewal
told The Indian Express that when he raised the matter with Foreign Minister S
Jaishankar, he immediately acted on it and made arrangements to bring Swaranjit
Kaur back.
Seechewal
said that poor families of Punjab are cheated in Arab countries by taking undue
advantage of their poor economic conditions. These families are taken for a
ride by luring them with high-paying jobs. The environmentalist appealed to the
people of Punjab to be aware and to get complete information about all the
conditions there before going to Arab countries. The RS member also appealed to
the Punjab government to take strict action against travel agents running the
business of illegal immigration without a valid licence.
Swaranjit
Kaur told The Indian Express that many girls from Punjab, including Jalandhar,
Hoshiarpur, and Amritsar, are living a hellish life in different cities of Oman
due to false promises made by travel agents. She said just like her, there were
about 12 Indian girls on the return flight who came back home safe.
Source:
Indian Express
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