Asian Woman, Kurshida Mirza, Becomes Buckinghamshire's First Muslim High Sheriff
New Age Islam News Bureau
15 April 2024
·
Asian Woman, Kurshida Mirza,
Becomes Buckinghamshire's First Muslim High Sheriff
·
Afghanistan’s First Female
Olympian, Friba Rezayee Calls For Games Ban Over Taliban’s Rights Record
·
‘Free Palestine’: Chicago
Politician Rossana Rodriguez Slammed For Seemingly Celebrating Iran Attack
·
Farah Malik Bhanji, India’s
Wealthiest Muslim Woman – She Leads Rs 28,773 Crore Company
·
Why I Married Boko Haram
Terrorist – Freed Chibok Girl
·
Haya Alsulaiman’s Mission To
Empower Women Through Golf In Middle East
Compiled by New Age Islam News
Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/asian-kurshida-buckinghamshire-sheriff/d/132141
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Asian
Woman, Kurshida Mirza, Becomes Buckinghamshire's First Muslim High Sheriff
Kurshida's court dress reflects her Islamic faith
and her Asian culture and heritage
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April
15, 2024
A
BRITISH Asian woman has made history by becoming Buckinghamshire's first Muslim
High Sheriff.
Kurshida
Mirza, BEM of Milton Keynes, was appointed as the 790th High Sheriff of
Buckinghamshire on Sunday, April 14.
An
esteemed community leader, Kurshida is set to bring her Islamic values of
peace, justice, and love for humanity into her year in office.
Additionally,
an integral part of her role will entail prioritisation of activities and
organisations which promote inclusivity and tackle social exclusion.
The
role of High Sheriff is a non-political Royal appointment, lasting a single
year.
Key
responsibilities include upholding the Crown and Judiciary, and supporting and
promoting the work of the police, prison services, emergency services and crime
prevention and reduction agencies.
Nevertheless,
the position also extends to endorsing the voluntary, public, and business
sectors.
With
her tenure of High Sheriff underpinned by her core Islamic values and her
interfaith work, Kurshida aims to create opportunities to further inclusivity.
She
shared her enthusiasm for the role, stating: "It is an honour to have been
appointed as High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire and I am very much looking forward
to working with the communities across Buckinghamshire."
Her
plans also encompass facilitating interfaith dialogue and advocating for the
youth, our future High Sheriffs, through her affiliation with multi-faith
chaplaincy and High Sheriff College Champions.
She
further added: "I never in a million years imagined to be the High Sheriff
of Buckinghamshire arriving as a little Indian girl to the UK.
"It
is a testimony that the work by generations of people past and future to
further diversity and opportunity are important pillars for a just, peaceful and
loving society."
Prior
to her appointment, Kurshida has been a prominent figure in community
engagement through her innovative initiatives.
A
resident of Milton Keynes since 1990, she has founded the Trubys Garden Tea
Room, a pop-up interfaith café aimed at breeding positive dialogue between
Muslims and the wider community.
Her
engagement with music through the creation of the Trubys Abrahamic Women’s
Choir highlights women's strength and shares rich tradition of recitation
within their faith- singing in Arabic, Hebrew and English.
Kurshida's
strong track record in community work extends to her stint as Chair of Citizens
MK from 2016-2019, and Chair of the Housing Learning and Improvement Network
(Housing LIN) between 2016-2020.
From
her early days as an immigrant child faced with racism and lack of
opportunities, Kurshida embodies resilience, using lived experiences to fuel
her fervour for community work.
She
attributes her accomplishments and passion to her "pillar of support and
strength", her husband Jabeer Butt, their children, and her sisters- her
"best friends" and constant beacons of good advice.
Source:
bucksfreepress.co.uk
https://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/24253192.woman-becomes-buckinghamshires-first-muslim-high-sheriff/
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Afghanistan’s
First Female Olympian, Friba Rezayee Calls For Games Ban Over Taliban’s Rights
Record
Friba Rezayee, the first woman to represent
Afghanistan at the Olympics
------
15
April, 2024
GENEVA
(Reuters) – Friba R ezayee, the first woman to represent Afghanistan at the
Olympics, has been appalled by the treatment of women since the resurgence of the
Taliban and is now campaigning for the country to be kept out of the Paris
Games.
Rezayee,
a judoka who competed at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, has called on the
International Olympic Committee (IOC) to ban Afghanistan due to the Taliban’s
human rights record. She has argued that under a such ban, Afghan women should
still be allowed to participate as part of the IOC Refugee Olympic Team.
“Given
tons and tons of evidence about the Taliban, about their brutal treatment of
women and children, they are very dangerous,” Rezayee, who now lives in
Vancouver, told Reuters.
“If
the IOC allows them to enter the Olympics at the heart of Europe, in Paris in
2024, it’s very dangerous for the people.”
Zabihullah
Mujahid, spokesman for the Taliban administration, declined to comment.
The
Taliban — who say they respect women’s rights in line with their interpretation
of Islamic law and local customs — have closed girls’ high schools and placed
travel restrictions on women without a male guardian and restricted access to
parks and gyms.
Asked
to comment on Rezayee’s call, the IOC referred to a statement made last month
by James Macleod, its Director of National Olympic Committee Relations and
Olympic Solidarity.
Macleod
said at the time that the IOC was in dialogue with Afghanistan’s National
Olympic Committee (NOC) and sport authorities “with the aim to reverse the
current restrictions on access to sport for women and young girls in
Afghanistan.”
He
said that although the IOC acknowledged different views on whether Afghanistan’s
NOC should be suspended, it “doesn’t believe that isolation of the Afghan
sporting community at this time is the right approach.”
Separately,
the IOC said that athletes needed a refugee status confirmed by the United
Nations refugee agency to be eligible for the IOC Refugee Olympic Team.
‘STRONGER
THAN MEN WITH GUNS’
Rezayee
was 18 when she stepped onto the mat in Athens in an historic moment for her
country.
She
was convinced her pioneering role would help advance women’s rights.
“I
actually believed that we would only progress from here,” she said.
“When
I returned from Athens, I stayed in Afghanistan and I wanted to stay in
Afghanistan. I continued my training because I saw the important changes it was
making in every single girl’s life.”
But
her hopes of seeing her countrywomen gain more rights were crushed when the
Taliban seized power in August 2021.
“It
feels like whatever I did to support women’s rights and gender equality back in
2004, it has been all undone by the IOC and by the Taliban and people who
tolerate the Taliban,” Rezayee said.
In
February, a United Nations expert described the Taliban’s disrespect for the
rights of women and girls as “unparalleled in the world,” and said their
takeover had “exacerbated a high prevalence of gender-based violence against
women and girls.”
The
IOC suspended Afghanistan’s NOC in 1999, and the country was barred from the
2000 Sydney Games. Afghanistan was reinstated after the fall of the Taliban, in
time for Rezayee to compete in Athens.
Rezayee,
who left Afghanistan in 2011 and settled in Canada, founded Women Leaders of
Tomorrow, a non-profit that provides scholarships and education programs for
Afghan women, including athletes.
The
38-year-old has received threats for her activism.
“I
believe that my principles and the principles of human rights, women’s rights
and women’s dignity are stronger than men with guns,” she said.
Source:
theprint.in
https://theprint.in/sport/afghanistans-first-female-olympian-calls-for-games-ban-over-talibans-rights-record/2041685/
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‘Free
Palestine’: Chicago Politician Rossana Rodriguez Slammed For Seemingly
Celebrating Iran Attack
Danielle
Greyman-Kennard
APRIL
15, 2024
Councilwoman
Rossana Rodriguez, who represents Chicago’s 33rd district, was slammed by the
Israeli consulate after she posted “Free Palestine” on X as Iran launched an
unprecedented attack on Israel on Saturday night.
"We
condemn in the strongest terms this Chicago Alderwoman's celebration of Iran's
unprecedented attack on Israel.,” the consulate shared online. “This is the
same Alderwoman behind the highly controversial "ceasefire"
resolution. We see a pattern - not aiming for peace, but for Israel's
destruction. We hope @ChicagosMayor will speak out this time. #Chicago
#StandWithIsrael”
We
condemn in the strongest terms this Chicago Alderwoman's celebration of Iran's
unprecedented attack on Israel.This is the same Alderwoman behind the highly
controversial "ceasefire" resolution.We see a pattern - not aiming
for peace, but for Israel's destruction.We hope… pic.twitter.com/GQPpqhWX2R
The
ceasefire proposal referenced in the consulates post, Ceasefire Resolution
R2023-0005730 submitted by the Chicago Progressive Staffers, called for the
release of Israeli hostages kidnapped by Hamas on October 7. However, it also
demanded the release of Palestinian security prisoners arrested by Israel,
describing them as “arbitrarily detained Palestinians,” according to a copy
shared by CBS News.
The
resolution also included the note “We cannot remain silent as we hear a groundswell
of Chicagoans who reject the notion that the United States must continue to use
its geopolitical position to enable a genocide” and “it is not anti-semitic to
want an end to the Israeli imposed Palestinian apartheid – in fact, we see many
of our Jewish siblings in Chicago echoing this same call.”
The
consulate shared a screenshot of a post from Rodriguez’s personal account.
After
posting her comment, the councilwoman later tweeted “Ive been saying Free
Palestine for decades & specially the last few months. I do not celebrate
war or the loss of human life in any way. I just got off a plane to see people
again trying to demonize me for saying something basic. Same people who have
been cheering on a genocide.
“I
hadn’t seen the news about the attacks when I tweeted, I had just watched a
video of Gaza with a father sobbing holding his dead child. This moment is
immensely tragic and it’s sad that there’s people choosing to create so much
more hate.”
I
hadn’t seen the news about the attacks when I tweeted, I had just watched a
video of Gaza with a father sobbing holding his dead child. This moment is
immensely tragic and it’s sad that there’s people choosing to create so much
more hate.
The
Israeli consulate has since contacted Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson about the
incident, according to the New York Post.
Rodriguez
has previously shared X posts calling for a single Palestinian state, and the
eradication of Israel, according to ABC7 Chicago. In November, Rodriguez
posted "From the river to the sea,
Palestine will be free."
"This
means to the Jewish community erasing Israel, erasing the Jewish presence in
our ancient homeland, and ending the Jewish experiment in the Middle
East," Dan Goldwin, executive director of public affairs for the Jewish
United Fund, told ABC.
How
are social media users responding to the councilwoman’s post?
Social
media users were quick to criticize Rodriguez, with one user writing “Nobody
believes this. Also, how about tweeting free the hostages?”
Another
user cast doubt over Rodriguez’s excuse that she had not seen the news, writing
“'I live under a rock, please be nice to me' lol”
Source:
jpost.com
https://www.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-797063
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Farah
Malik Bhanji, India’s Wealthiest Muslim Woman – She Leads Rs 28,773 Crore
Company
April
15, 2024
As
the nation revels in the joyous festivities of Eid Ul Fitr, one might ponder
upon the identity of India’s wealthiest Muslim woman. Look no further than
Farah Malik Bhanji, the dynamic force steering the helm of the illustrious
Metro brand, renowned for its premium footwear offerings. With a staggering net
worth exceeding Rs. 26,000 crores, Farah stands as a beacon of success and
innovation in the realm of business.
Born
into opulence as the daughter of billionaire Rafique Malik, chairman of Metro
Shoes, Farah inherits a legacy rooted in excellence. Founded by her
grandfather, Malik Tejani, in 1955 in Mumbai, Metro Shoes has flourished under
Farah’s visionary leadership, evolving into a bastion of modern retail.
Embracing her role as Managing Director, Farah has orchestrated a
transformative journey for the company, ushering in a new era of growth and
prosperity.
Under
her stewardship, Metro Brands Limited boasts a market capitalization of Rs.
35,117 crore as of December 8, a testament to Farah’s astute business acumen
and strategic vision. With over two decades of experience in the footwear
industry, Farah has masterfully navigated the company through dynamic market
landscapes, propelling Metro Shoes to unprecedented heights of success.
From
reimagining the company’s technology roadmap to forging strategic alliances
with global titans such as Skechers, Crocs, and Clarks, Farah has solidified
Metro Shoes’ position as an industry leader. Her meticulous attention to
detail, coupled with a keen sense of style, has not only revitalized the brand
but also fostered a culture of innovation and excellence within the
organization.
Beyond
business prowess, Farah’s commitment to fostering growth extends to Metro
Shoes’ extensive network of over 598 stores across 136 Indian cities. Through
nurturing relationships with over 250 trusted vendors, Farah has cultivated a
robust ecosystem that fuels the company’s expansion and success.
As
Metro Brands Ltd. continues to soar on the stock market, with a market cap of
Rs. 28,773 crore, Farah Malik Bhanji’s indelible imprint on the business
landscape serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs and industry
stalwarts alike. With each stride forward, Farah reaffirms her status as a
trailblazer, reshaping the narrative of success and empowerment for generations
to come.
Source:
financialexpress.com
https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/meet-farah-malik-bhanji-indias-wealthiest-muslim-woman-she-leads-rs-28773-crore-company-and-owns-several-luxurious-properties/3456841/
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Why
I Married Boko Haram Terrorist – Freed Chibok Girl
15
April 2024
Rachel OkporuFadoju
A
decade after, one of the 276 abducted schoolgirls of Government Girls’
Secondary School, Chibok, in Borno State, Amina Ali Nkeki, has recounted the
horrific event of her abduction by Boko Haram terrorists on April 14, 2014.
Naija
News reports that Nkeki, who regained freedom in 2016 with a baby, in an
interview with Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, opened up on why
she decided to marry a Boko Haram fighter.
Nkeki
said marrying a Boko Haram terrorist was a route to escape from captivity because
the abductors had threatened to enslave them for life.
She
said, “For me, I married so that I will get freedom to go where I wanted and
from there, I will escape.
“They
told us that if we didn’t agree to marry them, we are going to be their slaves.
So, because of that fear, some of us thought instead of being slaves, let’s get
married.
“That’s
how some people decided to get married. And some people took all the risk. Some
of us got married that may be it will be a way for of escape, most especially a
person like me.”
Speaking
further, Nkeki, now a 200-level student of Mass Communication at a university
in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, said some of her colleagues gave birth to
four children for insurgents who held them hostages.
According
to Nkeki, 92 of her colleagues are still in captivity and would be going
through hunger, sicknesses and other challenges of motherhood in the forest.
She
added, “Some of them are mothers of three children, four children. It’s not
easy for them.
“I feel so sad because that place is not a
good place for anyone, I hope they will be released one day.”
Narrating
how she escaped in 2016, Nkeki said, “I escaped when soldiers were in the
forest to fight those Boko Haram people. They (insurgents) were running to the
bush to hide and we (the hostages) also ran.
“After
that, we went our own way. That was how we escaped but because of how big the
bush was, and we didn’t know our way, it took us one month plus before we came
out (of the forest).”
Source:
naijanews.com
https://www.naijanews.com/2024/04/15/why-i-married-boko-haram-terrorist-freed-chibok-girl/
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Haya
Alsulaiman’s mission to empower women through golf in Middle East
April
14, 2024
DUBAI:
Thirty-one-year-old Haya GhassanAlsulaiman, Saudi owner of the Dubai-based golf
coaching center Golftec, is hoping to encourage more women to play the sport in
the Middle East.
Already
one of the US’ most popular institutions for golf development, Golftec — with
Alsulaiman at the helm — launched in 2023 at Dubai City Walk.
The
organization was initially founded in 1995 in the basement of a Denver,
Colorado, country club, and has since become a household name around the world,
operating in six countries, with more than 210 locations employing in excess of
800 full-time golf coaches.
However,
it remains little known in the Middle East.
Alsulaiman
is ready to change that across the UAE and wider region and, in the process,
empower more women to embrace a sport that has long been seen as the domain of
men.
“I
am used to being the only woman in a male-dominated industry,” Alsulaiman told
Arab News, explaining that she had previously worked for her father’s
automotive dealership in Saudi where she was the only female employee among
more than 200 men.
Growing
up in Saudi Arabia, Alsulaiman would vacation in California with her family
every summer, and would regularly play tennis with her father.
When
her father injured his knee, he switched to golf and learned how to play with
Golftec.
“It
was much easier for my father to understand the sport with this type of
learning facility,” she said. “Then he encouraged my sister to get involved by
first becoming his caddy.
“The
more she went with my father, the more she desired to play,” Alsulaiman said.
“Then she suggested to take lessons with him at Golftec.”
Haya
soon caught the bug and joined her father and sister in taking golf classes.
From
2014 she began playing golf each summer during the family holiday in
California.
“The
routine was to take a lesson or two at Golftec and then go out on the range to
practice what we were taught in the lesson and then, two days after, go play on
an official golf course,” she said. “That was our routine, week after week.”
Alsulaiman
developed a great love for the sport. However, when she returned to Saudi after
the summer, she had nowhere to practice and play.
“In
Saudi there were not the facilities for golf that there are today and no
coaches, so we could only play in the summer,” she said. “We played from summer
to summer. The sport bonded our family. We so enjoyed it. We laughed, had fun
and engaged in family friendly competition.”
After
the pandemic, Alsulaiman decided to leave Saudi Arabia and move to Dubai.
Following her father’s entrepreneurial spirit, she opened her own business —
Golftec’s first branch in the Middle East.
The
business allows her to do what she loves and, she said, encourage more women to
play the sport.
While
golf has become a popular sport in the UAE, with many golf courses and training
centers, Alsulaiman said that there was nothing that matched Golftec’s teaching
methodology, with the advanced use of motion technology and video feedback
making it easy for trainees to follow. She also finds the learning environment
less intimidating than that of a golf club.
“It’s
relaxed and fun and is a perfect place to encourage more women to learn,” she
said.
Just
under a decade ago the idea of a Saudi female golfer would have been hard to
imagine. Today, thanks to a slew of social reforms under Saudi Vision 2030,
golf and many other sports are increasingly accessible to women across the
country.
In
2020, the inaugural Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by the Public
Investment Fund was held at the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in King
Abdullah Economic City, signaling a turning point for women’s golf in the
Kingdom.
The
event also launched a comprehensive national golf sustainability strategy that
oversees the environmental, economic and social aspects of the sport.
In
December 2023, the Royal Diriyah Golf Club was unveiled in an event that saw
Saudi women and men take to the Greg Norman-designed golf course for the first
time alongside international guests.
Abeer
Al-Johani, director of the Federation Office at the Saudi Golf Federation, said
that the strides women were making in the sport reflected the social and
economic changes in the Kingdom.
“Saudi
women aside, women playing golf need much more sport, more media coverage and
more opportunities,” Al-Johani told Arab News. “We need similar encouragement
to what men receive but I believe we are beginning to see a lot of change — a
lot of women are supporting other women in the sport specifically.”
Source:
arabnews.com
Alsulaiman
and Golftec are more than playing their part in making that happen.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2493046/sport
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/asian-kurshida-buckinghamshire-sheriff/d/132141