Some Black Voters Wonder Whether Americans Were Ready to Elect a Black Woman, Kamala Harris,To The Nation’s Highest Office
New Age Islam News Bureau
22 July 2024
·
Some Black Voters Wonder Whether Americans Were
Ready to Elect a Black Woman, Kamala Harris,To The Nation’s Highest Office
·
Princess Vicky Haastrup Receives Prestigious
African Female Business Leadership Award in UK
·
Eighty-Five Femicide Cases Recorded in Iran in
the First Quarter of the Past Three Years
·
How Artificial Intelligence Is Altering the
Narrative for Muslim Women
·
Behind Closed Doors: The Hidden World of Sex
and Prostitution in Iran
·
African Widows Summit: Hope for Women in
Widowhood
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL:
Some
Black Voters Wonder Whether Americans Were Ready to Elect a Black Woman, Kamala
Harris,To The Nation’s Highest Office
July 21,
2024
President
Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris gestured to a crowd at the White
House earlier this month.Credit...Eric Lee/The New York Times
---------------
President
Biden’s endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him on the
Democratic ticket left some Black voters anxiously wondering whether Americans
were ready to elect a Black woman to the nation’s highest office.
“It’s
kind of sad, but I don’t think Harris will do well nationwide,” said Kristy
Smith, 42, who is from Atlanta and works in sales.
As a
Black woman herself, Ms. Smith said she thinks Ms. Harris is entering the race
with two strikes against her. “America is just not ready for a woman president
— especially not a Black woman president,” she said.
“As much
as I would love to see Kamala become president, I just don’t think it’s going
to happen,” Ms. Smith said, adding that Ms. Harris could lose some voters who
were with Mr. Biden until he decided to drop out.
Don
Johnson, a 65-year-old truck driver from Milwaukee, said he always supports
Democrats and generally supports candidates who, like him, are Black. But he
has his doubts about whether voters would back Ms. Harris.
“Even in
2024, America is not ready for a Black, female president,” he said, adding that
he would support Ms. Harris. “I think she’s a pretty good politician but
overall it boils down to race and gender. And America is going to hold that
against her.”
Broadly
speaking, Ms. Harris is well liked among Black voters, recent polls have shown,
with large majorities approving of her job as vice president. The Biden
campaign has deployed her where it believes her popularity is an asset, namely
among younger voters and others concerned with abortion rights.
Some
voters said in interviews on Sunday that Ms. Harris was battle-tested and ready.
Antoine
Marshall, 37, was playing video games at home with his three daughters when a
friend texted him about President Biden’s decision to leave the race and
support Ms. Harris.
“I
didn’t want him to run for a second term,” said Mr. Marshall, an attorney in
Raleigh, N.C., before citing Mr. Biden’s pledge to be a transitional figure.
But the
prospect of another Trump presidency and what it could mean for African
Americans was among Mr. Marshall’s top concerns.
“The
four years under Trump were bad, and I think people forget how bad they were,”
said Mr. Marshall.
At the
point when it had seemed that Mr. Biden’s candidacy was inevitable, Mr.
Marshall had been on board, he said. He said those calling for Mr. Biden to
drop out had not offered a path forward.
“I think
a lot of people don’t realize the lift that it’s going to take to put somebody
else at the top of the ticket,” Mr. Marshall said.
Now that
Mr. Biden has stepped aside, he said, he believes Ms. Harris is the best option
to step in. “I do like Kamala Harris, and I do think that she needs to be the
nominee, not just for logistical purposes, but because of her track record,”
Mr. Marshall said.
If the
Democrats were to go with another nominee, he said, “I don’t know how you see
it as anything other than a slap in the face of Black voters, Black women in
particular.”
Mr.
Johnson, the truck driver, said he did envision one scenario in which Americans
would elect a Black woman. He said he had watched Mr. Trump’s political rise
and concluded that his celebrity, more than anything else, gave him the edge he
needed with voters.
So what
Black woman could win? “Oprah Winfrey,” Mr. Johnson said.
Source: nytimes.com
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/21/us/black-voters-kamala-harris.html
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Princess
Vicky HaastrupReceives Prestigious African Female Business Leadership Award in
UK
July 22,
2024
By
Godwin Oritse
AWARD:
Chairman, Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), Princess
Vicky Haastrup (middle); Executive Director, ENL Consortium, Mark Walsh (left)
and Lydia Agbashe when Haastrup received the African Female Business Leader of
the Year Award in London, the United Kingdom last week
--------------
The
Chairman, Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), Princess
Vicky Haastrup, on Wednesday July 17, 2024 received the African Female Business
Leader of the Year Award in London, the United Kingdom.
Princess Haastrup, who is also the
Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of leading terminal operating firm, ENL Consortium,
and Patroness of the Customs Officers Wives Association (COWA), defeated
BeataHabyrimana of Rwanda’s BK Group; SibongileMoyo of Zimbabwe’s Nedbank;
Kadijah Amoah of Ghana’s Pecan Energies and Seinye Lulu-Briggs of Moni Pulo
Nigeria to clinch the prestigious award organised by UK-based African
Leadership Magazine.
The
award is coming a few weeks after the STOAN Chairman was conferred with the
Leadership Award of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).
The African Business Leadership Awards was organised to recognize and celebrate
outstanding business leaders in Africa. Haastrup was particularly recognized
for making significant contributions to Africa’s development through her
leadership, innovation, and dedication through the maritime sector.
“I want
to say a big thank you to Africa Leadership Magazine for this award. This is
not the first or second award, and I can’t but dedicate it to God almighty for
making me to be the strong woman that I have grown to be today.
”
I grew up in a very
small village in Kwara State, Nigeria. I grew up as a normal child from a very
humble beginning. I never knew I could be who I am today but I thank God for
his strength in my life.
” I dedicate the award to my husband
who has allowed me to spread
my wings and fly as much as I could, and to my wonderful management team at ENL
Consortium.
”My wonderful management team has supported me to
excel. ENL Terminal has been one of the best terminals in the sub-region, and
we wouldn’t have done that without their support. I am grateful to Africa Leadership Magazine for
the recognition that you have accorded me,” Princess Haastrup said shortly
after receiving the award.
She advised African women to be
resilient, hardworking, resolute, and determined in their professional pursuits.
”For every girl-child who does not have
hope, there is hope for women in Nigeria; you can be anything you want to be.
Don’t devalue yourself, don’t allow anyone to put you down. There is no
limitation to a woman’s growth in Nigeria; just spread your wings and fly,” she said.
In addition to her numerous
contributions to the development of the maritime sector, Princess Haastrup has
been involved in empowering women and supporting capacity building in the
sector. She serves as
the President of the Certified Institute of Nigeria (CISN) and as a role model
for members of the Women in Logistics and Transport (WILAT).
The
African Leadership magazine, which organises the Africa Business Leadership
Awards, is published in the UK by African Leadership (UK) Limited. It focuses
on bringing the best of Africa to a global audience, telling the African story
from an African perspective, while evolving solutions to peculiar challenges
being faced on the continent.
Source: vanguardngr.com
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/07/haastrup-receives-prestigious-african-female-business-leadership-award-in-uk/#google_vignette
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Eighty-Five
Femicide Cases Recorded in Iran in the First Quarter of the Past Three Years
JULY 21,
2024
The
newspaper “Etemad” reported on femicide in Iran, stating that in the first
quarter of the years 2022 to 2024, at least 85 femicide cases were recorded in
Iran, with most of the accused being husbands.
Etemad
emphasized that news of the murder of women and girls, referred to in
government literature as “honor killings” or family disputes, is often not
reported by the media.
honor
killing is the killing of a relative, especially a girl or woman, who is
perceived to have brought dishonor on the family.
According
to the newspaper, such killings have been on the rise in Iran over the past
three years.
Etemad
wrote that in the first quarter of the past three years (from March 21 to June
20), at least 85 women and girls were killed by their husbands, fathers,
brothers, and other close male relatives.
According
to this report, in the first quarter of 2022 (from March 21 to June 20), at
least 22 women and girls, in the first quarter of 2023 at least 28 women and
girls, and in the first quarter of 2024 at least 35 women and girls were killed
in various cities in Iran.
The
report also mentioned the geographical distribution of the murders, stating
that in the first quarter of 2024 (from March 21 to June 20), the highest
number of murders occurred in the cities of Urmia, Talesh, Tabriz, Mashhad,
Iranshahr, and Tehran.
According
to Etemad, “Tehran with five femicides” topped the list in this period.
Similarly, during the same period in 2023, the highest number of murders
occurred in the cities of Divandarreh, Kuhdasht, and Tehran, with “Tehran
having 11 femicides” at the top. In the first quarter of 2022, the highest
number of murders also occurred in “Tehran with 10 femicides,” most of which
were committed by the victims’ husbands during the same period.
The
report emphasized that most of the killers were husbands, with statistics
showing that in 2022, 16 women, in 2023, 15 women, and in 2024, 27 women were
killed by their husbands.
According
to reports, 156 cases of “femicide” were recorded in Iran in 2023, averaging 13
murders per month.
In 92%
of recorded femicide cases, the killer knew the victim, with the killer being
the woman’s husband in half of the cases and violence being perpetrated by
relatives other than the husband in 57 cases.
Women’s
rights activists say the lack of judicial strictness towards femicide
perpetrators has led to an increase in these cases. In recent years, there have
been many instances where a father or brother killed a young woman on the
pretext of not observing hijab or having a relationship with another man, and
the killer faced minimal punishment.
Some
academic articles and theses have reported an annual statistic of 375 to 450
cases of femicide in Iran, referred to as “honor killings” in official
government literature.
According
to the laws of the Iranian regime, a victim’s father, if he is the killer, is
practically immune due to the right of blood and what is called “guardian of
the blood” in regime laws. In cases of uxoricide or femicide, Islamic penal
laws also leave openings for the killer to gain immunity under pretexts such as
“honor” or suspicion of “illicit relations.”
According
to the regime’s Islamic Penal Code, the punishment for “murder” is
“retribution,” but according to Article 630 of the Islamic Penal Code, “if a
man sees his wife committing adultery with another man and knows that the woman
has consented, he can kill them both at the moment. If the woman was coerced,
he can only kill the man.”
Civil
activists and human rights defenders have protested against discrimination
against women in Iranian regime laws for decades. International organizations
and the United Nations have repeatedly called on the regime’s officials to
abolish discriminatory laws in their periodic reports, a demand that has
remained unanswered for the past four decades.
Source: iranfocus.com
https://iranfocus.com/general/51628-eighty-five-femicide-cases-recorded-in-iran-in-the-first-quarter-of-the-past-three-years/
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How
Artificial Intelligence Is Altering the Narrative For Muslim Women
7.21.24
The
digital age is transforming how we view representation, and a recent event has
shown just how powerful this shift can be. The crowning of the first Miss AI,
KenzaLayli, an AI-generated Moroccan lifestyle influencer, marks a significant
milestone — not just for DEI within technology, but for the Muslim community as
a whole. This is not just about celebrating an AI marvel; it is a step toward
breaking the stereotypes that have long plagued Muslim women.
KenzaLayli,
with over 200,000 Instagram followers and nearly 49,000 on TikTok, is entirely
AI-created — from her images to every single word she utters. She is not just a
digital face; she is now a symbol of diversity and inclusivity in the AI
landscape. Layli’s presence challenges the typical narratives, showcasing a
Muslim woman who is real and relatable, free from the usual stereotypes.
For
years, we — Muslim women — have been fighting against the harmful stereotypes
that depict us as oppressed and marginalized across all the mainstream domains.
The reality, however, is far more multifaceted. We live in a world where hijab
bans and biased views about our autonomy persist. Yet, in our everyday lives,
we are far from the oppressed figures often portrayed. We are editors, writers,
doctors, engineers, artists, and now, even AI-generated influencers who can win
beauty pageants.
KenzaLayli’s
victory in the AI beauty pageant is not just a win for her original creator or
AI enthusiasts; it is a win for Muslim women everywhere. It is a testament that
we can be represented without the usual tropes of oppression and extremism.
Layli’s digital presence offers a counter-narrative, allowing a Muslim woman to
simply exist, admired for her attributes and contributions, rather than her
adherence to or rebellion against traditional norms.
If
nothing else, this development brings to light the frequently overlooked
discourse regarding representation and human psychology. Repeated exposure to
positive representations of Muslim women can shift the mental images that
people evoke in their minds. Simply put, the more we see something, the more
likely we are to accept it. So, by consistently showcasing Muslim women in
diverse, empowering roles, societies can begin to challenge and change their
preconceived notions.
Take,
for example, Reem Bot, the recent AI-powered fashion and lifestyle editor at
SheerLuxe who has been all over the newsfeeds these days. Although the magazine
faced backlash for introducing Reem, the team’s clarification has served as a
stark reminder for us that AI cannot exist in isolation; it needs the human
factor for it to exist and function. But again, she represents the majority of
us out there who are independent and taking on roles that we are capable of
handling without the limitations of any inferiority complex that is often
imposed on us.
If some
argue that supporting AI’s integration of Muslim women limits our depiction to
a world of fantasies and fairy tales, we must ask why we care about the
fairytales depicted by Disney.
If some
argue that supporting AI’s integration of Muslim women limits our depiction to
a world of fantasies and fairy tales, we must ask why we care about the
fairytales portrayed by Disney. Why do we insist on having the right actors and
plot lines represent our stories authentically in the entertainment industry?
After all, Ms. Marvel, Aladdin, and even Cyclops from Prison Break season 5 are
all fictional characters that just so happen to have backgrounds that may
represent us somehow. If AI-generated stories are the modern fairy tales shaping
the mental images through which we get to be viewed, we must care about them
being done right.
As
Muslim women who have dedicated ourselves to securing our space in every
domain, we welcome the use of AI as a means to uphold our narratives and
amplify our voices to broader audiences with distinct preferences without
imposing any harm on anyone whatsoever.
As we
navigate the rapid digitization of our world, it is imperative that we
meticulously determine the portrayal of Muslim women in those images presented
by AI technology. This responsibility is ours to bear. We should not shy away
from pacing with the times or segregate ourselves from new, uncharted
territories.
Our role
at this moment moving forward lies in making sure that the images of
AI-generated Muslim women are as dynamic and multifaceted as we are instead of
perpetuating the false stereotypes that we used to see all over the internet
over a decade ago.
Source: muslimgirl.com
https://muslimgirl.com/how-ai-is-altering-the-narrative-for-muslim-women/
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Behind
Closed Doors: The Hidden World of Sex and Prostitution in Iran
Sunday,
07/21/2024
Despite
Iran's strict Islamic laws governing sexual behaviour, an expansive underground
industry of massage services is seemingly becoming a front for prostitution,
while a simple hijab violation can lead to violent arrest.
The
operations, flourishing on social media, reveal the deep socio-economic and
moral contradictions of the Islamic Republic. In a country where public
morality is dictated by Islamic principles, the seeming rise of massage
services on social media platforms like Instagram already presents a striking
paradox.
And,
while many of these pages appear to advertise therapeutic services, a closer
examination by Iran International uncovers a different reality: a covert
network of prostitution operating under the guise of massage therapy.
One such
page is run by a woman claiming to hold a degree in physiology from Tehran
University and an international certificate from Malaysia in massage therapy.
Her profile reads, “I am a massage therapist and provide massage services for
men and women in Tehran.”
Iran
International cannot independently verify the authenticity of the pages or
their content. Additionally, some videos appear to feature masseuses from other
countries.
The
services advertised include home visits, foot massages, hot stone massages, and
Thai massage, accompanied by photos of a salon purportedly located in northern
Tehran. Videos of young women massaging men are also posted, allowing clients
to select their preferred masseuse.
One of
the pages' links to a Telegram channel reveals a different side of the
services.
There,
the services listed go far beyond traditional massage therapy, encompassing
threesomes, lesbian encounters, group sex, and sex with "shemales".
The prices ranged from: 21 million rials (approximately $36) for a 90-minute
massage, 47 million rials ($81) for a massage plus sex, 62 million rials ($107)
for an overnight session, and 130 million rials ($224) for a 24-hour session.
Prostitution
is illegal in Iran, with severe penalties for those caught participating in or
facilitating it.
Adultery,
sex between unmarried people, and homosexuality can result in imprisonment,
flogging, and, in some cases, the death penalty.
Despite
the Islamic Republic's punitive laws, the underground sex trade persists,
according to observers and experts, fueled by factors such as poverty,
unemployment, drug addiction, and lack of education. Economic hardship in the
country has also been cited as a contributing factor, rendering Iranian women
vulnerable to exploitation and coercion into prostitution.
When
Iran International contacted the page administrator of the aforementioned
Telegram page for more information, an individual promptly responded with a
pre-prepared list detailing the rules and payment methods.
That
individual stated that half of the fee is paid in advance, with the remaining
half paid after the service. The advance payment was to be made to a bank
account under a different name, raising questions about the legitimacy of the
operation.
Whether
fraudulent or genuine, the pages paint a disturbing picture of life under the
Islamic Republic: Individuals are either exploiting Iran's illegal prostitution
trade to deceive and extort money from young people with impunity -- or, young
women in their 20s and 30s are engaging in prostitution for less than $50.
Further
investigation by Iran International revealed numerous similar pages operated by
Iranian administrators.
Some
pages only vaguely hint at sexual services through suggestive photos, while
others openly advertise prostitution. Prices on these pages varied from $35 to
$250, depending on the duration and specifics of the service.
Due to
the sensitive nature of the content and for the safety of the individuals
reportedly depicted, Iran International has refrained from using the names
listed on the pages.
A, aged
24, appears in an advertisement offering sexual services, accompanied by a
health certificate and proof of COVID vaccination to seemingly reassure clients
of no risk of sexually transmitted diseases. Charging approximately $225 per
day, she offers to accompany clients on trips, with photos ranging from casual
attire to partially nude poses.
Another
woman, M, has posted blurred videos depicting oral sex. Her photos showcase
herself posing on beaches, in studios, and at gyms, displaying her physique in
an apparent bid to attract potential clients.
R, aged
27, is presented as available for international travel upon request from
clients.
Another
woman, E, aged 25, is featured in a promotional video blowing a kiss and
winking from a swimming pool setting.
When it
comes to enforcing Iran's prostitution laws, the Iranian government exhibits
selectivity and inconsistency. Authorities frequently turn a blind eye or focus
on high-profile crackdowns, with their actions widely believed to be steered by
corruption and bribery.
While
the public perception of prostitution remains predominantly negative,
reflecting conservative religious values, there is an acknowledgment of the
socio-economic factors contributing to its existence.
Efforts
to combat prostitution in Iran are further hindered by both legal and cultural
constraints. Although there are some initiatives aimed at supporting and
rehabilitating sex workers, NGOs and activists encounter significant
challenges, including government restrictions and societal stigma.
Experts
have often lamented that effectively addressing prostitution in Iran
necessitates identifying and targeting its root causes, which include poverty
and limited opportunities, in addition to initiatives focused on raising
awareness and providing education, vocational training, and healthcare
services.
While
the government rigorously enforces moral codes such as mandatory hijab,
prostitution persists, exploiting vulnerable women right under its nose.
Source: iranintl.com
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202407167661
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African
widows summit: Hope for women in widowhood
July 22,
2024
It is no
longer news that a landmark event for African widows’ reform was held from June
20 to 22, 2024 in Zanzibar.
As
African women in widowhood continue to grapple with persistent challenges and
the prevalence of discrimination and disinheritance measuring across cultural
practices and beliefs, economic opportunity, political empowerment, social
services and security, having a policy within this border is an action that
will promote sustainable and universal empowerment for African widows, which
must be provided by the government. Hence the initiative of The African Widows
Summit.
Immense
appreciation must therefore be accorded His Excellency, Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi,
and the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar for believing in our mission and
welcoming the historic first-ever summit for widows on the continent.
The
summit, an initiative of the Almanah Hope Foundation in Nigeria, has set a new
benchmark in addressing the critical issues surrounding widowhood in Africa.
The three-day conference, under the theme “Women in widowhood: reforming the
African space”, brought together a diverse group of leaders, advocates and widows
to focus on widows’ inclusion, economic empowerment and policy reform, with
delegates from over ten countries of Africa participating. The objectives of
the summit were to deepen the understanding of widowhood issues and policy
development, improve access to knowledge and information related to widows’
rights and provide political leadership to addressing widows’ issues, in
addition to catalysing solutions that will improve the values of African
widows.
The
summit, which was opened by President Mwinyi, also had in attendance some past
and present first ladies, gender ministers and senior officials from the
African Union. The event provided a platform where widows and various
stakeholders explored and addressed the challenges faced by widows across the continent.
It also aimed to drive the narrative that focused on widows empowerment through
inclusion, emphasising the role of government in providing political leadership
and intervention through strategic policy, planning and allocation. In
addition, it discussed the social and economic roles of widows in their
communities and the need for supportive frameworks through government planning
and allocation.
The
summit had a compelling keynote address from Ms Prudence NonkululekoNgwenya,
the African Union’s Director of Women, Gender and Youth. Among her
contributions were on how to ensure that widows’ rights are upheld, be
empowered economically to improve their livelihood and support their families
to live in dignity, and be engaged in all decision-making at all levels to
ensure their perspectives are incorporated in political and national mission
and implemented.
The
summit organisers did a wonderful job, especially with their initiative of
ensuring that the conversations were spread across the media spaces.
Dr.
Auxillia C. Mnangagwa, First Lady of Zimbabwe, reiterated the need for all to
work together to challenge the practices that marginalised widows and advocated
for policies that provide widows to access quality education, economic
opportunities and social support to enable them tp live with dignity and
independence.
The
Second Lady of Kenya, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, in her advocacy speech,
highlighted that economic empowerment for widows should start with a change in
mindset, to help widows move away from grief and negative thoughts towards a
more dignified life. She said widows lose their husbands but not their
intelligence, hands, or capacity to work.
In my
speech as President of the Union of African Widows and the African Widows
Summit, I highlighted that sustainable and universal empowerment for African
Widows is key to unlocking the invisible women (widows) and that it is the
responsibility of the government at all levels to encourage the inclusion of
widows in policy, economy, education, health and housing plan.
Overall, the summit also stated the need for
the establishment of a dedicated fund to support widows, aiming to provide
financial resources and opportunities for self-sufficiency, as well as for the
donor policy and politics to begin the allocation of funds to widows’
empowerment.
High-level
plenary sessions, thematic workshops, side events presentations, policy
formulation, networking, and cultural exchange were among the highlights of the
historic event where participants engaged in discussions to develop actionable
strategies for widow empowerment and especially representatives of widows were
opportune to share experiences while contributing to debates and offering
advice in their various dialects. The participants were thereafter entertained
by the government and people of Zanzibar throughout the country with visit to a
few of their tourist attractions.
At the
end of the summit, African nations, women/gender ministers made actionable
recommendations for onward presentation to the African Union headquarters in
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
It is
gratifying that the union of African widows has laid a strong foundation for
the ongoing movement that will promote a unified effort to build the support
and empowerment of widows across Africa. The recommendations and collaborations
forged at the summit however require stakeholders’ partnerships to catalyze
future initiatives aimed at addressing the complex challenges faced by widows
and promoting their inclusion and well-being.
At this juncture, credit must be accorded to
some individuals including the Nigerian delegates to the summit and many others
who offered advisory, encouragement and prayers for the success of the event.
Already, the African Widows Summit 2025 has been scheduled to be held in the
first week of June in the southern African region and the organisers have
commenced talks with two countries, out of which one will be chosen in due
course. Suffice it, therefore, that partners and sponsors would be most
appreciated in this resolve.
Widows’
inclusion is of utmost necessity and there is no better time to express this
than now.
Source: thecable.ng
https://www.thecable.ng/african-widows-summit-hope-for-women-in-widowhood/
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/americans-black-woman-nation-voters/d/132760