Actress Selma Blair Called Out for Saying ‘Islam Has Destroyed Muslim Countries’
New
Age Islam News Bureau
11
February 2024
• Actress Selma Blair Called
Out for Saying ‘Islam Has Destroyed Muslim Countries’
• Pak's Nobel Peace Laureate Malala Yousafzai: Accept
Election Results With Grace
• Lawyer Nik Elin Confirms
She's A Member Of Muafakat And Umno, But Explains Constitutional Challenge Was
Independent
• Nikhat Zareen Makes Light
Work Of Home Favourite To Reach Strandja Memorial Final
• The Rise And Fall Of The Turkey's First Woman
Central Bank Governor, Hafize Gaye Erkan
• Female Officers From Indian Armed Forces Praise
Kingdom’s Transformation, Women Empowerment
• Libyan Athletes Shine At Arab Women's Clubs Games,
UAE
• Turkey: The Rise And Fall Of The Country's First
Woman Central Bank Governor
Compiled
by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/actress-selma-blair-muslim-countries/d/131694
-----
Actress Selma Blair Called Out for Saying ‘Islam Has Destroyed Muslim Countries’
Selma
Blair's deleted comment was echoed by fellow actors Michael Rapaport and Debra
Messing. Charles Sykes/Invision/Associated Press
------
Stephanie Kaloi
February 10, 2024
Actress Selma Blair (“Cruel
Intentions,” “Legally Blonde,” “Hellboy”) is facing a mighty backlash after she
posted, then deleted, a comment with what’s been seen as anti-Muslim rhetoric.
Blair commented on a video that disparages Rep. Cori Bush and Rep. Rashida
Talib. She called for the deportation of “these terrorist supporting goons” and
wrote, “Islam has destroyed Muslim countries and then they come here and
destroy minds.”
Blair’s entire comment read
in full, “Thank you very much. Deport all these terrorist supporting goons.
Islam has destroyed Muslim countries and then they come here and destroy minds.
They know they are liars. Twisted justifications. May they meet their fate.”
Actors Michael Rapaport and
Debra Messing also commented on the same video. Rapaport replied, “Love it,”
while Messing wrote, “THANK YOU.”
Blair’s comments were condemned
by Muslim civil rights and advocacy group the Council on American-Islamic
Relations. CAIR Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell issued a statement on
behalf of the organization and invited Blair to a conversation about Islam.
Mitchell said, “No one is
born a bigot, and we should never assume that someone is doomed to remain a
bigot. Based on the hateful and ignorant
remarks that Ms. Blair made, we doubt that she has ever engaged in any
meaningful interactions with her Muslim colleagues in Hollywood or other
members of the American Muslim community. We encourage Ms. Blair to apologize,
and we also invite her to dialogue with our community.”
“We also call on Hollywood
studios and agencies to stop punishing artists who express support for
Palestinian human rights while ignoring hateful comments by artists who support
the ongoing genocide in Gaza,” referencing the backlash faced by performers
such as Melissa Barrera for comments on the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
Blair’s comment has angered
and hurt people around the world. Journalist Carolyn Hinds tweeted, “Selma
Blair revealing herself to be a raging Islamophobic bigot…well. Suddenly, I’m
wondering about the reason why I, a journalist and film critic with MS, never
got any replies to my requests for interviews with her and the director of her
documentary about living with MS.”
Writer Hend Amry also voiced
her disapproval. She tweeted, “According to Selma Blair, I am a scourge unto
the Republic. An interloper who should have stayed in the broken backwoods of
the Muslim world where my dirty kind belong. She believes I should meet a
terrible fate. This is who @BritishVogue wants you to believe is an icon.”
Blair, who was raised Jewish
after she converted in the second grade, has not made further public comments
about her post. Dom Kelly, the founder and CEO of disability justice and rights
non-profit New Disabled South, broke down the myriad levels to Blair’s comment
and why it was so hurtful.
He tweeted, “There are so
many layers to the Selma Blair stuff, but a couple of things I’m thinking about
as a disabled Jew: 1. I’ve always felt weird about celebrities being labeled
‘disability activists’ especially when they are just coming into their disabled
identities…”
“They get propped up and
centered and they’re almost always white and typically have zero political
education. I’m not saying that someone new to disability identity and culture
can’t be an activist, but there has to be humility and learning and staying
quiet for a while.
“And it’s pretty much always
been perpetuating inspiration porn. Like let’s be for real about the
‘inspiring’ narrative she’s upheld within and outside of Hollywood and, from my
view, has done nothing to stop.”
He added, “The things that
she’s said and co-signed on social media have been blatantly Islamophobic and
racist, but unfortunately I have seen and directly heard similar rhetoric from
many Jewish family and friends the past few months.”
“As Jews, how can we expect
people to join us in the fight against actual antisemitism when we do nothing
to call out or fight against Islamophobia, esp from the most prominent voices?
Some of the folks I’ve seen claim to fight for social justice have said the
most heinous s–t.”
He added, “I think we have a
responsibility as Jews to hold each other accountable, especially those who
claim to speak for us. The same thing applies for disabled folks.” Blair
follows Kelly on social media.
Source: The Wrap
Please click the following
URL to read the full text of the original story
https://www.thewrap.com/selma-blair-islam-destroyed-muslim-countries-islamophobia/
-----
Pak's Nobel Peace Laureate
Malala Yousafzai: Accept Election Results With Grace
Nobel
Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai
-----
Feb 11, 2024
Pak's Nobel Peace Prize
laureate Malala Yousafzai said on X that her country needs "free and fair
elections, which includes transparency in counting votes and respect for the
results". "We must accept the voters' decision with grace. I hope our
elected officials, whether in government or opposition parties, will prioritise
democracy and prosperity for the people of Pakistan," she said.
Source: Times Of India
-----
Lawyer Nik Elin Confirms
She's A Member Of Muafakat And Umno, But Explains Constitutional Challenge Was
Independent
By ZafSeraj
11 Feb 2024
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 11 —
Lawyer Nik Elin Zurina Nik Abdul Rashid who recently won in her challenge
against the state of Kelantan over the latter’s lack of jurisdiction to enact
laws, confirmed that she is a member of MuafakatNasional (MN).
Nik Elin also admitted that
she is a member of Umno, and had previously backed its splinter
PartiMelayuSemangat 46, but underlined that she is not a politician.
“The MN president himself
invited me to join. Upon reviewing their website, it emphasises unity, love,
and the pursuit of freedom and justice, which I believe is beneficial for
Malaysia,” she told the daily New Straits Times in its podcast.
“I am not a politician, but
I am affiliated with whichever political parties that seem okay,” she
reportedly added, referring to her political party membership.
The lawyer was responding to
claims by numerous parties on her membership in MN, including Prime Minister
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who asserted that two days ago.
She also clarified that no
political party had backed the constitutional challenge but was solely the
effort of herself, her daughter Tengku Yasmin Natasha Tengku Abdul Rahman and
their team of lawyers.
Nik Elin and her daughter
challenged the constitutionality and validity of 18 provisions under the
Kelantan Shariah Criminal Code (l) Enactment 2019, claiming that the Kelantan
State Legislature does not have the power to enact laws on these offences
because there are federal laws covering the same.
The Federal Court decided in
their favour on Friday and declared that 16 out of 18 provisions of Kelantan’s
Shariah Criminal Code (I) Enactment 2019 were invalid, as the Kelantan state
legislative assembly had overstepped its powers or had no powers to make such
laws.
Following the win, Nik Elin
said the Federal Court’s ruling on the constitutionality of several provisions
under the Kelantan Shariah criminal enactment is a testament to the Federal
Constitution as the supreme law of the nation.
Acknowledging the court’s
ruling, Nik Elin said her challenge had nothing to do with Islamic doctrines
but rather the competency of state legislative assemblies as determined by the
Federal Court.
Source: Www.Malaymail.Com
Please click the following
URL to read the full text of the original story
-----
Nikhat Zareen makes light
work of home favourite to reach Strandja Memorial final
By: Express News Service
February 11, 2024
In boxing, it is often tough
to go up against athletes from home country, especially closer to the business
end of an event. But when you are as skillful as Nikhat Zareen, it makes life
easier. She conquered her Bulgarian opponent in a measured display of attacking
boxing to reach the final at the 75th Strandja Memorial Tournament in Sofia on
Saturday, leading the way as five other Indians followed suit.
The two-time world champion
was taking her time at the start against ZlatislavaChukanova, with the home
fans in good voice. But the Indian contingent, sat in a group behind the ring,
made their voices heard too. The little things matter, and they cheered on
every punch that Nikhat landed, letting the judges know she was in control. The
opening round was tough, going 3-2 in favour of the Indian. But she grew in
confidence and timed her punches to perfection largely in the second and third
rounds to emerge with a 5-0. win.
Nikhat will square off
against Uzbekistan’s Sabina Bobokulova in the gold medal match on Sunday.
The other Indians to reach
the finals in their categories were Amit Panghal, Arundhati Choudhary, Barun
Singh Shagolshem, Sachin, and Rajat.
Amit had a very comfortable
outing in men’s 51kg as he won 5-0 against Turkey’s GumusSamet. Amit didn’t
have to move upward from third gear in the bout, finishing things off with
plenty of fuel left in the tank. He will take on the reigning world champion
Kazakhstan’s SanzharTashkenbay.
Later, Arundhati (66kg) made
light work of Jessica Triebelova of Slovakia to secure a 5-0 win. Arundhati
will face a tough challenge from reigning World and Asian champion, China’s
Yang Liu. Barun (48kg) continued India’s dominance with a 5-0 unanimous
decision win over KhenoussiKamel of Algeria. He will take on KhodzhievAnvarzhan
of Kyrgyzstan in the final on Sunday.
Sachin (57kg) defeated
Ukraine’s Abduraimov Aider after taking some time to find his feet in the
match. Sachin lost the first round with a close 2-3 score but the southpaw showed
his class in the second round, as he made full use of his long reach and
delivered multiple strong left hooks to the opponent. The third round saw
Sachin throw a flurry of accurate punches to grab a comeback 4-1 win. He will
go up against Uzbekistan’s ShakhzodMuzafarov in the summit clash on Sunday.
Rajat (67kg) also entered
the final after his opponent GuruliLasha of Georgia gave a walkover.
Akash (71kg) started with a
solid 5-0 round against Uzbekistan’s IkboljonKholdarov, but the latter fought
back to take the second round 3-2, before dominating the final three minutes.
Naveen Kumar (92kg) went down against GeorgiiKushitashvili of Georgia, after
receiving three standing counts in the opening round, as the referee stopped
the contest.
------
The Rise And Fall Of The
Turkey's First Woman Central Bank Governor, Hafize Gaye Erkan
By RagipSoylu in Ankara
10 February 2024
When Turkish President Recep
Tayyip Erdogan picked Hafize Gaye Erkan as the country's first woman central
bank governor, it came as a surprise.
Nominated by new Finance
Minister Mehmet Simsek, Erkan came to the fore with strong educational and
professional credentials, including a recent role as a top official at an
American bank.
Erdogan, who appreciates
people with western education and experience, likely chose her believing in her
qualifications but also banking on her profile, according to two sources
familiar with the issue.
Additionally, appointing a
woman central bank governor was rumoured to be on the opposition's agenda had
they won the May presidential elections.
The president changed course
after the elections with the appointment of mainstream former economy official,
Simsek, as finance minister and Erkan, who quickly reined in the central bank.
Delivering one interest rate
increase after the other, taking it from 8.5 percent in May to 45 percent in
January, Erkan helped improve Turkey’s financial credibility and investor
trust.
Shocked by the dismissal,
European officials and observers questioned whether sexist allegations against
her in Turkish media were behind the decision.
But sources close to the
government paint a different story, one filled with internal strife, long
absences and accusations of misconduct.
Even though many hadn't
heard of her before her short stint at the central bank, Erkan wasn't a total
stranger in government circles.
While working at the
investment bank Goldman Sachs, assuming different roles over nine years
including heading financial institutions, she had many engagements with Turkish
officials and companies with ties to the current government.
"Many question who
brought Erkan on board," one former Turkish official told Middle East Eye.
"It is Simsek, no doubt. The rest is total gossip."
But Erkan's impeccable CV,
which includes a PhD in risk management, had already been dented due to her
tenure at San Francisco-based First Republic Bank, where she first worked as
chief investment officer then as the bank's president and finally as a CEO,
until she left in December 2021.
Her run-ins with other
senior executives there were described as "toxic", according to the
Financial Times, insinuating her conduct might have complicated the bank's
already stressed structure.
However, her first few
months as Turkey's central bank governor were calm and competent, as she
delivered a succession of interest rate increases and simplified the financial
system to better help its restoration.
One month after her
appointment in June, Erdogan named several economists to the bank's monetary
policy committee, further strengthening the bank's credibility. They included
well-known banker CevdetAkcay; FatihKarahan, a former principal economist with
Amazon; and HaticeKarahan, a long-time Erdogan adviser.
According to two sources who
have knowledge of the issue, over time Erkan started to have a difficult
relationship with Akcay and HaticeKarahan.
Erkan treated the monetary
committee not as a consultation body but merely as having a symbolic role while
following the governor's wishes, the sources told MEE.
By November, following her
presentation of an inflation report to the media, Erkan started to spend her
time mainly at the central bank's Istanbul branch rather than in the capital,
Ankara, a Turkish official told MEE. She also acquired the services of a public
relations professional at that time.
Erkan told the newspaper she
couldn't afford to rent an apartment in Istanbul, finding it more expensive
than Manhattan, which forced her to stay at her mother's house instead.
The comment was quickly
dismissed by commentators as a public relations stunt since she was paid a high
salary and owned assets worth millions of dollars from her banking career.
She also said she had asked
Erdogan to give her "three strategic sectors" to incentivise and
support, such as the defence industry, which has grown over the years under the
president's directive.
The remarks made the rounds
in Ankara, with some viewing it as Erkan stepping out of her line as a
bureaucrat and moving towards politics. Some wondered whether Erkan had wishes
to become a minister.
According to several
officials speaking to MEE, Hafize relied on her parents for help at the bank
when she needed to care for her baby boy, who was nine months old when she
assumed her new role.
But by January, Erol was
accused of behaving like a de-facto chief of staff, firing and disciplining
personnel at will, according to a central bank worker who filed a petition to
the presidency with these complaints.
The employee, Busra Bozkurt,
who was fired from the bank allegedly by Erol, later told the media that Erol
also allegedly slapped an employee at the bank.
Erol told local media the
allegations against him were part of a "conspiracy", adding that
someone orchestrated "systematic attacks" against him and his daughter,
calling the reports "fake news".
Bozkurt also revealed to the
media that Hafize spent almost a month in the US just before Christmas and
until after the New Year for investor meetings. Two separate sources told MEE
that she didn't assign a deputy to take over her responsibilities while she was
away.
Hafize in a statement denied
the allegations, called them "a smear campaign", and said she would
file a complaint against those behind it.
But the damage was done.
Endless rumours started to circulate within the corridors of ministries and
among foreign investors, eating up her credibility.
With scandals piling up,
investors and Turkey-focused analysts started to informally play a bet on
whether Erdogan would sack Erkan for her father's conduct. With decisive local
elections coming up in March, many thought he would wait until after then.
Simsek, a former Wall Street
banker himself, had become aware of the loss of confidence by the markets in
Erkan, the very person he single-handedly brought to office.
He also recognised the
growing tensions between Erkan and the monetary committee staff and concerns
that some members could resign, which would further erode the hard-earned
credibility of the bank within the international financial world.
Four separate Turkish
officials told MEE that as Erkan excelled in her job, her father began
promoting her as the most likely "first-ever woman president of the
Turkish republic", raising eyebrows among top advisers.
After the monetary committee
meeting that increased interest rates to 45 percent in late January, the
finance minister paid Erdogan a visit, according to two separate sources
familiar with the meeting.
Simsek broke down how
Erkan's credibility had been eroded by the allegations against her. He told the
president that keeping her in her post until after the elections could lead to
further disarray at the bank, undermining Turkey's standing in the financial
markets.
The finance ministry, the
central bank and the presidency then worked on a series of public statements,
which painted Erkan's departure as a personal choice to protect her and her
family against smear campaigns.
Simsek in a formal statement
said Erdogan would appoint a new governor "in line with" his
recommendation, a sign of trust that hasn't been given to any finance minister
before.
"The president wanted
to show the financial markets that the change wasn't about the financial
policies that were implemented by Erkan," one Turkish official said.
"It was about restoring the credibility of the bank beyond those
concerns."
Another official said the
sacking was a concrete confirmation that Simsek was now the ultimate person in
charge of the economy, receiving a rarely seen independence and authority from
Erdogan.
Source: Middleeasteye
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-rise-and-fall-countrys-first-woman-central-bank-governor
-----
Female officers from Indian
Armed Forces praise Kingdom’s transformation, women empowerment
RASHID HASSAN
February 10, 2024
RIYADH: A women’s
representation from the Indian Armed Forces, which was part of the government’s
empowerment initiatives and took part in the World Defense Show in Riyadh, has
praised the transformation in the Kingdom, which includes females being
admitted into the Saudi defense forces.
The WDS, which was organized
by Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Military Industries, ran from Feb. 4-8
and provided a global forum for innovation and technological discourse within
the defense industry: air, land, sea, space, and security.
India sent a three-member
delegation of women officers, each of them a holder of a frontline role in the
forces, to take part in the event.
Squadron Leader Bhawana
Kanth (air force), Col. Ponung Doming (army) and Lt. Cmdr. Annu Prakash (navy)
represented the Indian armed forces at seminars during the WDS.
Fighter pilot Kanth took
center stage as a panelist on Feb. 7 at a seminar called “International Women
in Defense — Investing in an Inclusive Future,” which was hosted by Saudi
Ambassador to the US Princess Reema bint Bandar.
The delegation later said:
“We are very happy to be here. From the outside world we have different views;
coming over here was a very different experience.
“We are seeing the women,
they are excelling in everything. (We are) glad to see women in Saudi Arabia
being part of various services, joining Saudi defense forces. Our country is
also working towards women empowerment and has sent a tri-service women
representation.”
Doming said: “It was good to
see women driving cars in the streets, taking leading positions in various
sectors, and lots of women sitting in the conference room.
“It is good to learn that
the Saudi military launched the first military section for women in the Saudi
Arabian Armed Forces in January 2021.”
It was in November 2021 when
women candidates in India were first given the chance to take an examination
for admittance to the National Defence Academy — the first tri-services
training academy in the world — in Khadakwasla, Pune.
With India and Saudi Arabia
now engaged in a strategic partnership with closer military ties, the women
expressed their hope of future joint military training with their Saudi
counterparts.
The trio also delivered an
inspirational talk about their experiences at the International Indian School,
Riyadh, on Thursday to about 700 children from various establishments.
Kanth spoke of soaring
through the skies and becoming part of the revered fighter pilot club in India.
Her insights on leadership, resilience and the evolving role of women in modern
warfare resonated with the diverse audience, which was impressed to learn about
her journey. She took part in the Indian Republic Day parade in 2021 and the
flypast this year.
Doming shared her
experiences, which include commanding the world’s highest border task force at
15,000 feet in India’s northern sector.
Prakash shared her expertise
in maritime security and operations. Her journey illustrated the crucial role
women play in safeguarding India’s vast coastline and ensuring regional
stability. She also spoke of managing her time between service and married life
and family.
Teachers and students at the
IISR later told Arab News: “It (the talk) served as a platform in showcasing
the diverse talents and leadership skills of Indian women in uniform, inspiring
us to follow their dreams and cover new grounds.”
Source: Www.Arabnews.Com
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2457561/saudi-arabia
-----
Libyan athletes shine at
Arab Women's Clubs Games, UAE
10/02/2024
Libyan champion Sama
Al-Ferjani on Friday clinched the silver medal in the Karate Kumite competition
for the over 55kg category at the 7th Arab Women's Clubs Games in Sharjah,
United Arab Emirates, which continues until February 12th.
Al-Ferjani's achievement
comes after champion Retaj Al-Saih secured the gold medal in Thursday's
competition, breaking the Arab and Libyan record in the discus throw event.
The Libyan team comprised
Retaj Al-Saih (discus throw), Sama Al-Ferjani and Raneem Al-Saqli (Karate Kata
- Kumite), and Zeinab Al-Sherif (table tennis).
Source: Libyaobserver.Ly
https://libyaobserver.ly/inbrief/libyan-athletes-shine-arab-womens-clubs-games-uae
-----
Turkey: The rise and fall of
the country's first woman central bank governor
By Ragip Soylu
10 February 2024
When Turkish President Recep
Tayyip Erdogan picked Hafize Gaye Erkan as the country's first woman central
bank governor, it came as a surprise.
Nominated by new Finance
Minister Mehmet Simsek, Erkan came to the fore with strong educational and
professional credentials, including a recent role as a top official at an
American bank.
Erdogan, who appreciates
people with western education and experience, likely chose her believing in her
qualifications but also banking on her profile, according to two sources
familiar with the issue.
Additionally, appointing a
woman central bank governor was rumoured to be on the opposition's agenda had
they won the presidential election last May.
Before the election,
Erdogan's obsession with lowering interest rates, while imposing sudden changes
of central bank governors, had triggered a vicious circle of inflation and
depreciation of the Turkish lira.
The president changed course
after the election with the appointment of mainstream former economy official,
Simsek, as finance minister and Erkan, who quickly reined in the central bank.
Delivering one interest rate
increase after the other, taking it from 8.5 percent in May to 45 percent in
January, Erkan helped improve Turkey's financial credibility and investor
trust.
Shocked by the dismissal,
European officials and observers questioned whether sexist allegations against
her in Turkish media were behind the decision.
But sources close to the
government paint a different story, one filled with internal strife, long
absences and accusations of misconduct.
Even though many hadn't
heard of her before her short stint at the central bank, Erkan wasn't a total
stranger in government circles.
While working at the
investment bank Goldman Sachs, assuming different roles over nine years
including heading financial institutions, she had many engagements with Turkish
officials and companies with ties to the current government.
"Many question who
brought Erkan on board," one former Turkish official told Middle East Eye.
"It is Simsek, no doubt. The rest is total gossip."
But Erkan's impeccable CV,
which includes a PhD in risk management, had already been dented due to her
tenure at San Francisco-based First Republic Bank, where she first worked as
chief investment officer then as the bank's president and finally as a CEO,
until she left in December 2021.
Her run-ins with other
senior executives there were described as "toxic", according to the
Financial Times, insinuating her conduct might have complicated the bank's
already stressed structure.
However, her first few
months as Turkey's central bank governor were calm and competent, as she
delivered a succession of interest rate increases and simplified the financial
system to better help its restoration.
One month after her
appointment in June, Erdogan named several economists to the bank's monetary
policy committee, further strengthening the bank's credibility. They included
well-known banker Cevdet Akcay; Fatih Karahan, a former principal economist
with Amazon; and Hatice Karahan, a long-time Erdogan adviser.
According to two sources who
have knowledge of the issue, over time Erkan started to have a difficult
relationship with Akcay and Hatice Karahan.
Erkan treated the monetary
committee not as a consultation body but merely as having a symbolic role while
following the governor's wishes, the sources told MEE.
By November, following her
presentation of an inflation report to the media, Erkan started to spend her
time mainly at the central bank's Istanbul branch rather than in the capital,
Ankara, a Turkish official told MEE. She also acquired the services of a public
relations professional at that time.
Erkan told the newspaper she
couldn't afford to rent an apartment in Istanbul, finding it more expensive
than Manhattan, which forced her to stay at her mother's house instead.
The comment was quickly
dismissed by commentators as a public relations stunt since she was paid a high
salary and owned assets worth millions of dollars from her banking career.
She also said she had asked
Erdogan to give her "three strategic sectors" to incentivise and
support, such as the defence industry, which has grown over the years under the
president's directive.
The remarks made the rounds
in Ankara, with some viewing it as Erkan stepping out of her line as a
bureaucrat and moving towards politics. Some wondered whether Erkan had wishes
to become a minister.
According to several
officials speaking to MEE, Hafize relied on her parents for help at the bank
when she needed to care for her baby boy, who was nine months old when she
assumed her new role.
But by January, Erol was
accused of behaving like a de-facto chief of staff, firing and disciplining
personnel at will, according to a central bank worker who filed a petition to
the presidency with these complaints.
The employee, Busra Bozkurt,
who was fired from the bank allegedly by Erol, later told the media that Erol
also allegedly slapped an employee at the bank.
Erol told local media the
allegations against him were part of a "conspiracy", adding that
someone orchestrated "systematic attacks" against him and his
daughter, calling the reports "fake news".
Bozkurt also revealed to the
media that Hafize spent almost a month in the US just before Christmas and
until after the New Year for investor meetings. Two separate sources told MEE
that she didn't assign a deputy to take over her responsibilities while she was
away.
Hafize in a statement denied
the allegations, called them "a smear campaign", and said she would
file a complaint against those behind it.
But the damage was done.
Endless rumours started to circulate within the corridors of ministries and
among foreign investors, eating up her credibility.
With scandals piling up,
investors and Turkey-focused analysts started to informally play a bet on
whether Erdogan would sack Erkan for her father's conduct. With decisive local
elections coming up in March, many thought he would wait until after then.
Simsek, a former Wall Street
banker himself, had become aware of the loss of confidence by the markets in
Erkan, the very person he single-handedly brought to office.
He also recognised the
growing tensions between Erkan and the monetary committee staff and concerns
that some members could resign, which would further erode the hard-earned
credibility of the bank within the international financial world.
Four separate Turkish
officials told MEE that as Erkan excelled in her job, her father began
promoting her as the most likely "first-ever woman president of the
Turkish republic", raising eyebrows among top advisers.
'The president wanted to
show the financial markets that the change wasn't about the financial policies
that were implemented by Erkan'
After the monetary committee
meeting that increased interest rates to 45 percent in late January, the
finance minister paid Erdogan a visit, according to two separate sources
familiar with the meeting.
Simsek broke down how
Erkan's credibility had been eroded by the allegations against her. He told the
president that keeping her in her post until after the elections could lead to
further disarray at the bank, undermining Turkey's standing in the financial
markets.
The finance ministry, the
central bank and the presidency then worked on a series of public statements,
which painted Erkan's departure as a personal choice to protect her and her
family against smear campaigns.
Simsek in a formal statement
said Erdogan would appoint a new governor "in line with" his
recommendation, a sign of trust that hasn't been given to any finance minister
before.
"The president wanted
to show the financial markets that the change wasn't about the financial
policies that were implemented by Erkan," one Turkish official said.
"It was about restoring the credibility of the bank beyond those concerns."
Another official said the
sacking was a concrete confirmation that Simsek was now the ultimate person in
charge of the economy, receiving a rarely seen independence and authority from
Erdogan.
Source: Middleeasteye
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/actress-selma-blair-muslim-countries/d/131694