Afghanistan: 2,000 Female Security Officers in Forces in Ministry of Interior
New Age Islam News Bureau
16 October2024
· Afghanistan: 2,000 Female Security Officers in Forces in Ministry of Interior
· “Love of Hossein” A Story About the Romantic Life of Amira Zolghadri, An Iranian Transgender Woman
· Muslim Woman Tears Down 'European Lives Matter' Poster of Children Stabbed To Death
· A Tale of Iranian Rural Women’s Skilled Hands
· Detroit Evening Report: Civil Rights Group Calls for Hate Crime Investigation After 7-Year-Old Muslim Girl Attacked
· Protests Against Alleged Rape of College Student Held InLahore, Other Cities
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/afghanistan-female-security-officer-forces/d/133455
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Afghanistan: 2,000 Female Security Officers In Forces In Ministry Of Interior
File: Female officers of the Afghan National Police in 2010.jpg
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Oct 15 2024
Kabul, Oct 15 (IANS): About 2,000 female security officers currently serve in Afghanistan's Ministry of Interior, local media reported.
"No employee or member of the Ministry of Interior, especially female police officers, will face any personal or official threats due to their duties in the previous administration," said Abdul MateenQani, spokesman for the ministry.
According to Qani, most female officers work in the ministry's service and inspection departments, reports Xinhua, quoting the TOLO news agency.
A few months back, a Taliban-led Afghan government announced the ratification of 'Law on the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice', with 35 articles detailing significant restrictions on the Afghan population with arbitrary and potentially severe enforcement mechanisms.
The so-called law imposes dress codes, notably ordering women to cover their bodies and faces in public. The decree also imposes that the voices of women must not be heard in public, which effectively deprives Afghan women of their fundamental right to freedom of expression.
Source:daijiworld.com
https://daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay?newsID=1235527
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“Love of Hossein” A Story About the Romantic Life of Amira Zolghadri, An Iranian Transgender Woman
“Love of Hossein” is a story about the romantic life of Amira Zolghadri, an Iranian transgender woman and gender equality activist.
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OCTOBER 15, 2024
“Love of Hossein” is a story about the romantic life of Amira Zolghadri, an Iranian transgender woman and gender equality activist.
Amira recounts her life from childhood, focusing primarily on the story of her first love.
She was the fourth child in her family, born after three daughters, which meant she was expected to be a boy.
At the age of seven, it became apparent that she could not inherit her parents’ legacy because she wasn’t seen as “man enough.”
Amira’s life story is a battle between her true self and her family, her true self and society. It’s about the conflict between religion and emotion, love and hate.
This is a complex struggle that many members of the LGBTQ+ community face in Iran’s religious and traditional setting - choosing between their true selves or conforming to societal, religious, and cultural expectations.
Amira’s account of her love life intertwines earthly love with divine love, something she sought during her teenage years. An earthly love that left only memories, and a divine belief that transformed her worldview.
During her teenage years, she became religious and immersed herself in studying religious texts, Islamic history, and jurisprudence.
These studies made her an excellent speaker, enabling her to connect with religious people and debate various topics. Often, her knowledge surpassed that of many religious adults, giving her a sense of confidence and importance that she hadn’t experienced at home.
At the age of 17, she fell in love.
She knew herself to some extent, but she was still trapped in a cocoon she couldn’t break out of. One day, she fell in love with a boy named Hossein in the mosque - a love that would later change her life.
They lived out their romance in the mosque, holding hands, kissing, and even lying next to each other - something that seemed forbidden. Hossein didn’t hide his love either. He expressed his feelings through mystical poetry. They recited Hafez and Rumi poems to each other, creating memories that might have seemed unconventional from society’s point of view.
Eventually, their relationship became known to some, and Hossein denied everything, putting the blame on Amira.
He claimed that Amira had pursued him and did everything he could to clear his name. It was difficult for Amira, but she continued to love him.
She was eventually forced to leave Iran, and perhaps more than for herself, it was for Hossein that she left.
She wanted to go to spare him from harm in a society where her presence was considered wrong and sinful.
Amira left, but Hossein’s love never left her. In the end, Hossein could not reconcile with himself, got married, and lived a reality that many people like him experience in a society like Iran, for countless reasons.
Source:iranwire.com
https://iranwire.com/en/iranwire-blogger/135076-a-transgender-womans-battle-for-love-and-freedom-in-iran-iranwire-podcast/
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Muslim Woman Tears Down 'European Lives Matter' Poster Of Children Stabbed To Death
SIBY JEYYA
16/10/2024
A recent incident in Southport, where a Muslim woman was caught tearing down a "European Lives Matter" poster, has ignited a heated debate about freedom of expression and societal tensions in Europe. The poster was part of a memorial for children who had been tragically stabbed to death, aiming to raise awareness about the value of European lives in the context of rising concerns over violent crime and immigration-related issues. The act of tearing down such a poster has been met with outrage, especially from those who view it as disrespectful to the victims and their families.
The incident has led to a flood of criticism online, with many netizens expressing frustration over what they perceive as ingratitude from some immigrant communities. The argument revolves around the notion that Europeans, through their taxes, support welfare programs and public services that benefit all residents, including immigrants. For many, seeing such a display of perceived disrespect only adds to existing frustrations regarding integration and the challenges of multiculturalism.
On the other hand, some argue that the poster, with its specific focus on "European Lives Matter," might have come across as divisive or exclusionary. This complex situation highlights the ongoing tensions in Europe, where issues of race, immigration, and national identity continue to provoke intense emotions and controversy.
Source:indiaherald.com
https://www.indiaherald.com/Breaking/Read/994754607/Muslim-woman-tears-down-European-Lives-Matter-poster-of-children-stabbed-to-death
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A Tale of Iranian Rural Women’s Skilled Hands
OCTOBER 15, 2024
Maryam Shaverdi, 40, is an inspiring woman from Shadegan County in Khuzestan Province. She began her journey 14 years ago, becoming the first woman in her community to cultivate mushrooms and raise quail. Driven by motivation and vision, Maryam began training young people who were eager to work but unsure of where to start both in person and virtually.
Even though Maryam’s first language is Arabic, she learned Farsi to reach more people and teach them effectively. She also grew up mastering traditional mat weaving and baking yellow bread, two crafts common in Khuzestan. These skills were about to change her life in ways she did not expect.
One day, the Ministry of Agriculture Jihad, as an implementing partner of the Conservation of Iranian Wetlands Project (CIWP) invited Maryam to join this project which is one of UNDP’s longest-running initiatives, launched in 2005. The project aims to improve beneficiaries’ livelihoods by empowering local communities including women. The main issues with the local people to enhance their livelihoods were access to markets such as digital market, or lack of opportunities to trainings that build on local cultures and traditions.
“When I learned about CIWP’s objectives and realized that I could help women improve their lives through their skills, I knew I had to be part of it. It changed my life,” Maryam recalled. “At the time, I did not have a fixed income. But once I started working with the project, I earned enough to buy essential equipment and move forward. The training sessions were very well received, and I was inspired to offer free trainings to those who had the drive but lacked the financial means to start their own businesses. I believe everyone—especially unemployed youth—deserves a chance to succeed.”
Maryam’s commitment to helping others is deeply rooted in her own experience. At the beginning of her journey, she faced significant challenges and had to travel to neighboring villages to attend training classes herself. This struggle motivated her to support others who are in similar situations. “I do not want others to face challenges the way I did and use their potential to reach their dreams even if they do not have the money,” she said. This empathy drives her to ensure that financial constraints do not hinder others from achieving their goals.
She started her training sessions in villages near Shadegan, where women were eager to learn and find ways to support themselves. To assist them, Maryam purchased their products, ensuring they had some financial security even when buyers were not immediately available. Now, she either sells their work directly or buys it herself, holding onto it until she can find buyers.
Maryam works with women of various ages, many of whom are the bread winners of their families and rely on mushroom cultivation, dairy production, or weaving for income. Since they lack a communal workshop, they work from their homes, skillfully crafting products using natural, plastic-free materials. Palm leaves and a type of weed found in palm groves are used as both the base and binding for their intricate creations, while the dairy products they make are entirely organic and free of additives.
“When I first started, it was just me,” Maryam recalled. “But little by little, neighbors joined, and then more women from the village came along. Today, there are around twenty of us, all weaving and producing together.” She continued, “My dream is to have a dedicated space soon—a weaving workshop where we can work and display our locally made products. Joining CIWP was a turning point for me. It gave me the chance to make a real difference in others’ lives while transforming my own. Since then, we have sold our products at exhibitions we were invited to. I am currently preparing to register our products on digital platforms to reach wider markets, and I am also working on getting export permissions for neighboring countries.” She added.
Maryam also shared that the project has inspired her to adopt environmentally friendly practices in her business. She is currently working on sustainable packaging for the products to reach a wider network and continue the mission she embraced with CIWP.
UNDP Iran remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote natural resource conservation and enhance beneficiaries' livelihoods, including women. Maryam’s impact goes beyond economic support; she has fostered a vibrant community. Her story exemplifies how individual efforts can lead to profound and transformative community change.
Source:undp.org
https://www.undp.org/iran/news/tale-iranian-rural-womens-skilled-hands
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Detroit Evening Report: Civil Rights group calls for hate crime investigation after 7-year-old Muslim girl attacked
SaschaRaiyn
October 15, 2024
The Council on American-Islamic Relations Michigan chapter (CAIR-MI) wants prosecutors to further investigate whether a recent attack on a 7-year-old girl at a Detroit park qualifies as a hate crime.
Subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.
Police allege that 73-year-old Gary Lansky slashed the girl’s neck with a knife as she was playing in Ryan Park on Detroit’s northwest side. The victim, a Yemeni American Muslim, was playing at the park when Lansky reportedly approached her without warning, lifted her head and sliced her throat with a knife.
The girl ran home and was taken to the hospital where she received treatment and was later released. Lansky currently faces charges including assault with intent to murder and felonious assault.
“While the charges faced by Garly Lansky are serious, we urge the Detroit Police Department and the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office to conduct a comprehensive investigation into this matter to determine whether hate was a motivating factor in the attack,” said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid in a statement.
Source:wdet.org
https://wdet.org/2024/10/15/civil-rights-group-calls-for-hate-crime-investigation-after-7-year-old-muslim-girl-attacked/
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Protests against alleged rape of college student held in Lahore, other cities
By UmmayFarwa
October 15, 2024
LAHORE: Protests against the alleged rape of a college girl in Lahore took place for the second day on Tuesday as students from across Punjab voiced their outrage against the incident.
A day earlier, a group of students gathered outside a private college on a protest call after reports of the alleged rape of a female student went viral on social media platforms.
The protests, however, turned violent after students clashed with the law enforcers which resulted in 28 people, including four policemen, being injured. The protest was put off and it was decided to resume the demonstration today again.
It may be noted that the police had arrested a security guard of the college, who was accused of raping the student and launched an investigation into the matter.
However, the suspect denied the allegations, while the police also couldn't find the evidence to prove them.
Earlier today, the Punjab police also refuted the claims related to the alleged rape of a private college student, saying that "there is no victim" linked to allegations.
However, the students continued their protest today and staged a sit-in in front of the Punjab Assembly on Charing Cross Mall Road amid heavy police presence.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) DefenceShehrbano Naqvi said while speaking to "Geo Pakistan" hosts on Tuesday that the girl who is being named as alleged victim was hospitalised 10 days prior to the day that is being claimed as the day of the incident.
"Her medical reports are available, the record of the hospitals she has been admitted to are also available, and information about the way she fell while getting ready for school at her own house is also available," the officer said.
The ASP noted that two girls in the college had the same names, one of them was completely fine, while the other one was the girl admitted to the hospital.
Meanwhile. the students from other cities of Punjab also joined the protests with some of them vandalising a college building on Bosan Road in Multan after which the police arrested dozens of students and baton charged them.
A motorcycle rally was taken out by students in Jahanian, while in Zafarwal, students blocked traffic by setting tires on fire, demanding justice and a transparent investigation into the matter.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Monday formed a six-member investigation committee under the chairmanship of chief secretary.
Meanwhile, Lahore police also asked details of the incident from the citizens, saying anyone with information should inform the Virtual Women Police Station.
Girl's family denies 'rape'
While the protests rocked the provincial capital, the girl's family surfaced and denied the claims regarding the purported rape.
In a video message with ASP Naqvi, the girl's father and uncle — with their faces covered with masks — said that "there has been no sexual assault" on their daughter.
"We are surprised to see the videos of ongoing protests on social media."
The girl's uncle said that she was currently under treatment in a hospital's intensive care unit (ICU) for the injury in her back that she had sustained from a fall in their house, adding that the protests in her name were being wrongly held.
In the video, ASP Naqvi said requested the masses to avoid involving anyone on the basis of false reports.
Police always register a case on their behalf in case of such offences, she insisted.
Source:thenews.com.pk
https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1240407-protests-against-alleged-rape-of-college-student-held-in-lahore-other-cities
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URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/afghanistan-female-security-officer-forces/d/133455