Al-Azhar Condemns Assault On Muslim Woman Over Her Hijab in Reims, France
New Age Islam News Bureau
22 June 2025
• Al-Azhar Condemns Assault On Muslim Woman Over Her Hijab in Reims, France
• 'The Blue Trio': UAE Female Divers Making Waves In Ocean Protection
• Michelle O'Neill And Emma Little Pengelly Statement After Islamic Centre Attack
• UAE Court Sides With Wife, Blocks Husband’s Plan To Marry Again And House Both Wives Together
• Women And Children At Risk: Algeria, A Reflection Of Violence In Africa
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/al-azhar-muslim-woman-hijab-france/d/135947
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Al-Azhar Condemns Assault On Muslim Woman Over Her Hijab in Reims, France
21 Jun 2025
Al-Azhar headquarters in Cairo. Al-Ahram.
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Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism has condemned on Saturday an attack on a Muslim woman in the Croix-Rouge district of Reims, France, where she was assaulted by a group of 20 individuals for refusing to remove her hijab.
French authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, which, the Observatory stated, highlights the urgent need to enforce laws that ensure the protection of all citizens, regardless of their beliefs.
Al-Azhar stressed that equality before the law is an inalienable right and must be applied equally to all, whether victims or perpetrators.
According to news reports, a group of 20 people attempted to force the woman to remove her hijab. When she refused, they violently attacked her, struck her in the face, and tried to remove her headscarf, resulting in a nose injury.
Source: English.Ahram.Org.Eg
https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/548374.aspx
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Michelle O'Neill And Emma Little Pengelly Statement After Islamic Centre Attack
Niall Deeney
21 Jun 2025
PSNI stock image(Image: Declan Roughan / Press Eye)
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An attack on the Islamic Centre in Belfast with people inside has been condemned by Northern Ireland's First Minister and deputy First Minister.
The Sinn Fein and DUP politicians issued a joint statement following the attack, when a viable device was thrown into the centre during evening prayers on University Road at around 10pm on June 20.
In a joint statement issued by The Executive Office at Stormont on Saturday, First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “There can be no place for the hatred we have seen, the pain it has caused and the devastation it has left behind.
The deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly said: “All violence is wrong and we must not see the terrible scenes of disorder repeated. People have the right to protest, this does not extend to violence or threat. No one should be subject to sectarianism or racism.
“Everyone in Northern Ireland – regardless of background or belief– should feel safe and supported. The Executive is united in condemnation of violence that has taken place.”
Source: Www.Belfastlive.co.uk
Please click the following URL to read the full text of the original story:
https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/michelle-oneill-emma-little-pengelly-31907426
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'The Blue Trio': UAE Female Divers Making Waves In Ocean Protection
By: Ruqayya Al Qaydi
22 Jun 2025
Three Emirati women are not just passionate divers; they are dedicated guardians of the UAE’s marine environment. Their shared love for the ocean has evolved from a hobby into a profound lifestyle, deeply intertwined with their professional lives in marine conservation.
As they prepare for their fourth, advanced rescue diving licence, their story highlights a unique blend of personal passion and environmental stewardship.
Marwa Almahmoud, 35, Sheikha Alhmoudi, 29, and Aisha Al Hosani, 35, are all from Sharjah. Their journey into the underwater world began together as they learned to dive at the same specialisedcentre. “We started learning to dive in the same year, through a specialisedcentre, and since then we have been doing most of our diving trips together,” they told Khaleej Times.
The three divers have also harnessed the power of social media, establishing ‘the blue trio’ to champion marine awareness. Their message is clear: “The sea is not just a place for diving… but a world that deserves to be listened to, protected, and its voice conveyed to everyone.”
Inspiration for their aquatic pursuits stems from diverse sources. Aysha Al Hosani credits her father. “The person who inspired me the most was my father. Since our childhood, he used to take us to the sea every week, and share his stories about his trips and his free diving experience.”
Aysha work in marine conservation is a natural extension of that early passion. “Diving, for me, has become more than just a hobby — it’s part of my identity, a continuation of those treasured memories that began on the shore, beside my father”, she added.
Marwa Al Mahmoud’s passion deepened through her 13 years of working closely with the marine environment. Her connection to the sea has developed over the years and transformed the way she sees everything beneath the surface.
“Witnessing the fragility of marine life stirred something deep within. One of the most impactful experiences for me was participating in the breeding and release of certain fish species back into their natural habitat. It was a moment where science met emotion, resulting in an indescribable sense of pride and belonging,” Marwa emphasised.
Sheikha Alhmoudi’s childhood fascination with marine creatures led her to diving. “From the first dive I felt that every experience underwater was a new lesson,” Sheikha explained.
While they explore diving sites across the UAE, particularly in KhorFakkan and eastern regions, and even internationally, KhorFakkan remains their cherished destination due to its rich biodiversity.
Their diving experiences have taught them the profound interconnectedness of humans and the ocean, emphasising the critical need for preservation. “This experience taught us that the simplest act, such as throwing a piece of plastic or touching live coral, can negatively affect marine life,” they said.
During their weekly trips, they make sure to remove any waste they encounter, rescue creatures that get caught in nets or between rocks, and release them into their natural environment. As they put it, “Every dive is a new opportunity to learn and give.”
These trailblazing women advocate for Emirati youth to embrace diving, not only for exploration and knowledge but also for fostering deep environmental awareness. “We believe that everyone who has a passion for nature and the marine environment deserves to embark on this unique adventure,” they affirmed.
They acknowledge the UAE’s robust support for diving through licensed centres and marine protected areas, creating a safe and ideal environment for enthusiasts.
Some governmental bodies and institutions also organise periodic environmental events, such as marine environment cleaning campaigns and coral reef cultivation initiatives, which not only contribute to environmental protection but also provide participants with the opportunity to gain valuable field experience.
They also strongly encourage women to join this field, believing their participation enriches environmental initiatives and leaves a positive impact.
Challenges like fear of the unknown and poor visibility were overcome through continuous training, consistent practice, and strict adherence to the body system, building their confidence underwater. “Continuity and perseverance are key, and over time, challenges become part of learning, not an obstacle to it,” they noted.
Among their unforgettable moments underwater are profound observations of marine life behaviour, such as witnessing fish mating seasons and natural defence mechanisms. “Seeing these details up close, away from books and screens, was a scientific and emotional experience at the same time,” they said.
Source: Www.khaleejtimes.Com
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/female-divers-marine-protection-blue-trio
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UAE court sides with wife, blocks husband’s plan to marry again and house both wives together
Jun 22, 2025
A court in Fujairah has ruled in favor of a woman who filed a legal case against her husband, claiming that his persistent threats to marry a second wife and force both spouses to live in the same residence amounted to psychological harm. The case, initially dismissed by a lower court, was successfully appealed, marking a notable application of the UAE’s Personal Status Law in protecting women’s rights within polygamous marriages.The legal conflict began as a personal disagreement within the household but quickly escalated. According to court documents, the husband had not only expressed his intention to take a second wife, but also made it clear he expected both women to live together in the same home. The wife argued that this created a hostile emotional environment, inflicting psychological pressure and fear over the wellbeing of her children and the sanctity of her personal life.
As reported by Emarat Al Youm, the appellate court found that these repeated threats constituted more than mere domestic tensions, they were a form of "veiled intimidation" that directly impacted the wife’s mental health and the stability of her family unit.
Central to the appellate court’s decision was Article 77 of the UAE Personal Status Law, which stipulates that a wife has the right to a separate residence not shared with another spouse. The court stated that this right is "a fundamental part of the marital contract", thereby reinforcing the wife's legal and emotional autonomy in the context of a polygamous union.
The lower court had initially dismissed the wife’s request to prevent her husband from housing a second wife in their shared home. However, upon appeal and after reviewing arguments submitted by legal counsel for both parties, the appellate court reversed this portion of the judgment. It ruled that the wife had the right to exclusive use of the marital residence, citing the psychological impact and potential emotional harm of forced cohabitation.
While the court sided with the wife on the matter of residential exclusivity, it upheld all other elements of the lower court’s ruling, particularly concerning financial obligations. These include:
These responsibilities were confirmed as part of the husband’s continuing duties, regardless of any future marital arrangements he might pursue.
However, the appellate court rejected another request by the wife, to bar the husband’s relatives from entering the family home. The court ruled that such a restriction is “not practically enforceable,” and encouraged both parties to “reach a mutual understanding” in line with prevailing social customs and family values.
In its final ruling, the Fujairah court annulled the provision allowing cohabitation with a second wife, recognizing it as a source of psychological distress and a violation of the wife's rights. However, the wife was ordered to bear the court fees and pay Dh200 in legal costs.
Source: Times Of India.
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Women and children at risk: Algeria, a reflection of violence in Africa
21/06/25
During the 59th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, a side event highlighted the systemic violence suffered by women, girls, and boys across the African continent. Organized by Africa Watch, the Altamirano Foundation, and the OIDUR Observatory, the parallel conference addressed the issue of violence against women, girls, and children on the African continent and in the Tindouf camps, located in Algerian territory and controlled by the armed group Polisario.
Gathered in the city of human rights, Geneva, the speakers offered a forceful analysis of the situation in several conflict zones in Africa, with a particular focus on fundamental rights violations in the Sahrawi camps in Tindouf, Algeria. Moderated by Abdelouahab Gain, president of the NGO Africa Watch, the debates revealed the often hidden realities of these territories, which are outside the sovereignty of any state. Sara Baresi, director of OIDUR (Italy), opened the debate by analyzing the root causes of violence against women and children in Africa: armed conflict, violent extremism, poverty, ethnic discrimination, and marginalization.
She strongly denounced early and forced marriages imposed in the Tindouf camps, describing them as a tool of ideological domination and selective control, concluding that these practices are routinely used to create a generation completely subordinate to Polisario propaganda.
ShaibataMrabihRabou, a human rights activist, presented a heartbreaking case: that of young Ennouha, who was prevented from reuniting with her seriously ill mother in France due to arbitrary decisions by the camp's military leaders. This case, he said, illustrates the cynical use of family separation as a tool of political control. He called for international mobilization for the immediate release of the girl and family reunification, in accordance with international law.
Pedro Ignacio Altamirano, president of the Altamirano Foundation (Spain), denounced the post-conflict trauma suffered by children in the Tindouf camps. He described a climate of terror in which children and women are used as human shields, sex slaves, or propagandists, exposed to physical, psychological, and sexual violence. He specifically accused the armed group in the camp of being guilty of “lies, manipulation, and cowardice,” forever tarnishing the future of these populations.
JuditSegarra, a Spanish psychologist and member of the Altamirano Foundation, highlighted the essential role of the family and the State in protecting children. She recalled that in the Tindouf camps, children are deprived of their education, their rights, and their future, while in the Kingdom of Morocco, including its southern provinces, constant efforts are being made to ensure equal access to education, health, and social protection.
In conclusion, the organizers and speakers unanimously urged the United Nations and its Member States to end impunity in the Tindouf camps, support independent Sahrawi NGOs, and recognize Morocco's efforts for human development and respect for fundamental rights. This side event highlighted a fundamental fact: the cause of women and children cannot be politically exploited, and any attempt to violate human rights for separatist purposes must be strongly condemned.
Furthermore, also within the framework of the 59th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, during the interactive dialogue with GehadMadi, Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Migrants, Algeria was again singled out for its flagrant violations in this area.
Speaking on behalf of the Network for Training, Research and Action on African Migration (REFORMAF), Ms. BerfinHayran denounced the mass and inhumane expulsions carried out by the Algerian authorities. Since 2024, numerous migrants, including women and children, have been abandoned in the Sahara desert without water, food, or assistance. These practices, described as systematic, constitute serious violations of international law and humanitarian conventions.
REFORMAF also sounded the alarm about the mass disappearances of migrants and exploitation by human trafficking networks, particularly in Libya, in a climate of impunity.
This intervention serves as a reminder of Algeria's direct responsibility for the current drift in migration policies, pointing to a regime which, behind an official discourse of solidarity, practices rejection and deliberate abandonment of human lives on the ground.
Source: Www.Atalayar.Com
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/al-azhar-muslim-woman-hijab-france/d/135947