Bamiyan Girls, Deprived From Schooling, Turn to Painting, Engraving, And Calligraphy
New Age
Islam News Bureau
06 May
2024
·
Bamiyan
Girls, Deprived From Schooling, Turn to Painting, Engraving, And Calligraphy
·
Appointment
of Iran President’s Wife, Jamileh Alamolhoda, to University Board Sparks Outcry
·
Nargis,
From Kabul, Masters Beadwork, Finds Contentment In Earning
·
Ban On
Women In Iranian Stadiums Broadens After A Female Fan Without Mandatory Hijab Embraces
Esteghlal FC's Goalkeeper
·
OIC urges
Taliban to respect women’s rights in Afghanistan
·
Critics
Say Iran’s Government Allows Corruption While Pursuing Hijab
·
Dr. Sara Faris, Granddaughter Of Iconic Explorer
Abdullah Philby, Recounts His Influence On Her Life And Pursuits
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/bamiyan-painting-engraving-calligraphy/d/132269
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Bamiyan Girls, Deprived From Schooling, Turn to
Painting, Engraving, And Calligraphy
Bamyan girls
----
05-05-24
In Bamiyan, several girls who have been deprived from
schooling have found solace and opportunity in the arts—specifically painting,
engraving, and calligraphy.
These young artists report that selling their
creations enables them to contribute financially to their families.
They are also advocating for better facilities and
more suitable spaces to nurture their artistic talents, seeking attention from
local authorities to improve their conditions.
Marzia, who is deprived of schooling, says she paints
her dreams on blank paper and funds her family's expenses through selling them.
This girl, who dropped out in the eighth grade, is
calling for the reopening of educational opportunities and the creation of
better conditions in the arts for girls.
"It has been a year since I started drawing
various paintings. Since I missed out on school, I've created this hobby for
myself, and I want it to be a source of income in the future,"Marzia told
TOLOnews
Two female graduates of painting and engraving have
established a vocational training ground in a corner of Bamyan city for many
girls who were left out of school.
Marzia Sadat, a teacher, said: "We have created
this opportunity for girls who have been left out of education, to keep them
engaged and to create a source of income for them."
SediqaJafari, another teacher, stated, "The
purpose of establishing vocational painting education for these girls is to
teach them the art of painting and to help them earn income in the
future."
The head of information and culture in Bamyan pledged
support for artistic activities in the province.
SafiullahRaed, head of Information and Culture of
Bamyan, said: "We send Bamyan artists to exhibitions held in Kabul and
support their artistic activities with all our might."
Handicraft production, fish farming, beekeeping, dairy
processing, painting, calligraphy, and pyrography are among the most important
activities for women in Bamyan, and through these, they support the living
expenses of their families.
Source: tolonews.com
https://tolonews.com/index.php/arts-culture-188640
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Appointment of Iran President’s Wife, Jamileh Alamolhoda,
to University Board Sparks Outcry
President Ebrahim Raisi's
wife, Jamileh Alamolhoda
------
05/05/2024
The appointment of Jamileh Alamolhoda, the wife of
President Ebrahim Raisi, to the executive board for faculty recruitment at
Tehran University has stirred controversy.
Political figures close to the government have voiced
their discontent for the appointment of Alamolhoda who has denied the
oppression of women in Iran They labelled the appointment as an act of nepotism
and favouritism at the university known as a hotbed of government-appointed
loyalists. She also does not the academic credentials to be part of such a
committee.
She is the daughter of firebrand Shiite cleric Ahmad
Alamolhoda, who has close ties to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and known for
his extremist views on foreign policy and mandatory hijab.
In response to mounting pressure, the public relations
department of Tehran University's Family Sciences Department issued a statement
defending Alamolhoda's appointment, citing her "legal” right to the
appointment.
The controversy unfolds against a backdrop of
political turmoil within Iranian academia, especially at Tehran University,
where numerous professors have faced expulsion, suspension, or forced
retirement under Raisi's government.
Last August, Etemad newspaper published a report
documenting the expulsion of 157 professors from Iranian universities,
indicating a trend that commenced with Raisi's assumption of office in 2021.
The wave of suspensions and expulsions has prompted student councils to
denounce it as part of a broader effort to purge universities nationwide.
The phenomenon of "political purification"
extends beyond academia, with regime hardliners targeting rivals across various
organizations and institutions. Coined by former Parliament Speaker Ali
Larijani, the term describes efforts by ultraconservative allies of President
Raisi to consolidate power by sidelining other politicians and officials.
The trend of purges within academia traces back to
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's presidency and has persisted through Hassan Rouhani's
administration and President Raisi's tenure. Over the years, successive
governments have systematically expelled experienced professors for their
perceived "secular views" and other political reasons.
The second wave of purges, intensifying shortly after
the protests of the Woman, Life, Freedom movement in September 2022, has
escalated with the support of senior officials.
In addition, the Raisi government has been widely
criticized for its poor record in managing the economy, blamed partly on the
appointment of incompetent hardliner loyalists to important positions.
Alamolhoda is also known for some of her unusual
actions and statements, such as expressing her aspiration to write a book
similar to that of Michelle Obama. “They asked me to write a book similar to
this one. I read the book, and it was very beautiful, captivating, and
influential. I even showed some parts of it to the president, and he said that
writing a book in this field is the right thing to do.”
She was thrust into the limelight last September when
she accompanies her husband to the UN General Assembly. She spoke to some of
the world’s top media, including ABC and Newsweek.
Source: iranintl.com
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202405048230
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Nargis, From Kabul, Masters Beadwork, Finds
Contentment In Earning
May 4, 2024
Earning a living through “needlework” has engaged
Nargis since six months ago. She has mastered the intricate art of beadwork
through instructional videos available on YouTube and now has an income she’s
content with. Nargis aims to expand the scope of her work according to her
abilities.
Using her smartphone, she has learned techniques for
incorporating pearl beads into her needlework projects and has now, after seven
months of independent work, achieved an income that satisfies her. She acquired
this skill in an environment that imposed restrictions on girls’ education.
This young woman, Nargis, is around 20 years old and
lives in Kabul. She has formed a team consisting of her brother, mother, and
sister-in-law. The product of this small team is girls’ bags (party bags)
featuring the art of beadwork. Each of the girls’ bags that Nargis skillfully
works on sells for 700 to 1800 Afghanis.
The time it takes Nargis to make handcrafted bags
varies depending on the design and the complexity of the orders. It also
depends on the type of beads used, sometimes small pearls – which are more
difficult – and sometimes larger pearls – which are simpler. A simple bag takes
about 10 hours to complete and deliver to the customer.
She says heart-shaped designs are among the most
ordered, with more orders from girls.
While it’s been about seven months since Nargis
started working, she says she now earns more and imports her pearls from
“China.” The pearls she imports are of good quality and don’t lose their
colour.
As Nargis’s work has flourished, she aims to launch a
large-scale training workshop in the near future. She herself says, “I want to
pass on the art I possess to others, especially girls.”
She is striving to start an online training workshop
soon to collaborate with other girls who wish to learn this art through social
networks and Instagram.
Nargis adds that in the past week, she has received
several orders from countries like the USA, Australia, and Uzbekistan, so she
wants to expand her business.
The creamy pearls have worked magic in Nargis’s hands.
Even though she wasn’t unaware of the potential of her beadwork skills, she is pleased
with her current income and believes she has achieved results beyond her
imagination.
According to Nargis, thousands of people may use
YouTube, but most don’t know how to utilize it effectively. She says, “One must
start something, regardless of whether it yields results or not, but one must
do it.”
Nargis believes, “Success means allowing oneself to
make mistakes until eventually reaching the goal, trying life’s challenges, and
not living today like yesterday.”
Source: khaama.com
https://www.khaama.com/nargis-masters-beadwork-finds-contentment-in-earning/
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Ban On Women In Iranian Stadiums Broadens After A
Female Fan Without Mandatory HijabEmbraces Esteghlal FC's Goalkeeper
06-05-24
Iran has decided to prohibit women from attending
football matches involving FC Nassaji Mazandaran against popular teams such as
Persepolis FC and Esteghlal FC.
The ban extends similar restrictions previously placed
in cities like Arak and Tabriz and was reportedly influenced by an incident in
Arak where a female fan without mandatory hijab, referred to as a 'jimmy jump',
embraced Esteghlal FC's goalkeeper Hossein Hosseini at the end of a match.
Additionally, recent tensions escalated during a match
between Persepolis and Sepahan FC, where verbal altercations between female
fans of Persepolis and male fans of Sepahan further complicated the situation.
The newspaper Etemad highlighted what it describes as
a "strange project" to re-ban women from stadiums, suggesting that
each minor incident is being used as a pretext to justify broader restrictions.
"This time, a general directive to ban women's
entry to stadiums will not be issued. Instead, any small or significant
incident in any stadium will be used as a pretext to ban women's entry to that
particular stadium. Later, it will probably be told to FIFA that women's entry
to stadiums is not banned, but in a specific stadium, it has been temporarily
suspended until the infrastructure is improved in the near future," wrote
Etemad.
Conversely, the conservative Kayhan daily, which has
ties to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, supports the exclusion of women from
stadiums. It argues that the environment at football matches makes the spaces
unsuitable for families and women.
The ongoing debate over women's presence in stadiums
has been a contentious issue in Iran, with FIFA pushing for inclusivity for
several years. Despite occasional relaxations allowing limited female
attendance, persistent barriers continue to restrict their full participation,
often under the guise of protecting cultural values or awaiting infrastructural
upgrades.
Source: iranintl.com
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202405058655
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OIC urges Taliban to respect women’s rights in
Afghanistan
May 6, 2024
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation emphasized
support for the rights of Afghan women and girls, particularly their right to
education and employment, through the issuance of a resolution.
During its fifteenth session, which was attended by
the Taliban delegation, the organization underscored the necessity of forming
an inclusive government in Afghanistan.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s session
occurred on Saturday, May 4th, in Banjul, the capital of Gambia, with heads of
state and foreign ministers of member countries and concluded on Sunday.
Part of this resolution refers to support for
Afghanistan as “peaceful, stable, and inclusive,” emphasizing addressing the
challenges faced by the Afghan people, including humanitarian, human rights, national
security, terrorism, and narcotics challenges.
Member countries of the Organization of Islamic
Cooperation, in this resolution, “emphasized the importance of full respect for
human rights, especially the rights of women to work and education,” and called
for increased engagement with the Taliban on these issues.
“Reaffirm our support for a peaceful, stable,
prosperous and inclusive Afghanistan and, in this regard, reiterate the need to
address the challenges faced by Afghan people, such as humanitarian, human
rights, ethnic groups, security and terrorism, narcotics and social
challenges,” the statement said.
in addition, the organization also emphasized “Stress
the importance of full respect for the human rights of all Afghans and the need
to protect the fundamental rights of Afghan girls and women, especially the
right to education and work, and call for more communication with the de facto
authorities on these issues. We also emphasize the need to make more efforts to
address the challenges associated with ethnic groups, terrorism, drugs and
social aspects for inclusive governance to achieve sustainable stability.”
Previously, the organization had also emphasized
women’s right to education, but the Taliban rejected the requests of this
organization and other major Muslim countries.
Despite the emphasis of the Organization of Islamic
Cooperation on securing the rights of Afghan women, the Secretary-General of
this organization stated that they would continue their interaction with the
Taliban within the framework of a humanitarian approach.
Source: khaama.com
https://www.khaama.com/oic-urges-taliban-to-respect-womens-rights-in-afghanistan/
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Critics Say Iran’s Government Allows Corruption While
Pursuing Hijab
06-05-24
Maryam Sinaiee
British Iranian journalist and political analyst
Critics of Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi are
demanding to know why he has not acted upon promises to pursue rampant
corruption among top government officials that has led to many recent scandals.
Instead, the government has re-doubled its efforts to
force women to wear the hijab, sending back the notorious ‘morality police’ to
the streets to harass and intimidate women.
The morality police street patrols are known as
Guidance Patrols (Gasht-e Ershad) in Iran. The public is highly critical of the
recent return of the patrols to enforce hijab laws under a plan spearheaded by
the interior ministry called the Nour (Light) Plan.
It was in the custody the morality police that Mahsa
Amini lost her life in September 2022 at the age of 22. Amini’s death sparked
several months of protests across the country and triggered widespread defiance
of compulsory hijab. Some commentators in Tehran now say that the situation
will never return to the pre-2022 status, when almost all women used a
headscarf in public.
The Raisi government has become an advocate of
Guidance Patrols and completely forgotten its election promises of dismantling
them, an editorial in the reformist Shargh newspaper on May 1 said while
criticizing the full force return of the patrols to the streets.
A Shargh newspaper's editorial on May 1 sharply
criticized the Raisi government for embracing hijab Guidance Patrols, reneging
on its election pledge to dismantle them, and sanctioning their resurgence on
the streets.
Raisi made the promise during his election campaign in
2021. Official media such as the government mouthpiece, the Islamic Republic
News Agency (IRNA), claim that the “Administrators’ Guidance Patrol” has made
“an 80 percent progress” through evaluation and surveillance of government
administrators’ performance in the past two years.
The government had promised to launch special
investigative units as “guidance patrols” to clamp down on corruption, but no
verifiable information has emerged to prove that actual investigative
operations took place.
Hasan Darvishian, appointed by Raisi as his Special
Inspector to supervise anti-corruption patrols, disclosed several months ago
that the government had dismissed over ninety administrators for misconduct or
incompetence. These included officials appointed by both previous
administrations and Raisi's own.
In response to recent public backlash, Darvishian
asserted on Thursday that the patrol's mandate had been rigorously executed
within the "people's government." However, critics contend that
rather than combatting corruption and inefficiency, the government has
concentrated its efforts on purging dissenting voices to solidify hardliner
control over state institutions, including universities.
The government has a hard time to convince the public
about the sincerity of its anti-corruption claims due to several massive
corruption cases such as the $3.5bn Debsh Tea case and other scandals that so
far have not resulted in any prosecutions or transparency.
“They should have dealt with the wrongdoing government
officials instead of forcing women and girls into vans and creating bitter
incidents like the sad incident of Mahsa Amini’s [death in the custody of
morality police],” Nazer Khabar news website said in an unattributed editorial
last week, criticizing the government for letting massive corruption go
unpunished due to political considerations.
The article also highlighted the recent oversight of
corruption allegations against one of Tehran’s Friday imams, KazemSedighi, despite
the government's purported efforts to combat corruption, inefficiency, and
negligence.
Last month, undeniable evidence emerged implicating
Sedighi in the illicit acquisition of a $20 million land plot in northern
Tehran. Despite this, he faced no legal action or removal from his position.
Instead, he merely admitted to being "neglectful" after being
exposed, and things returned to normal.
The revelation of Sedighi's land acquisition scandal,
brought to light by a whistleblower, sparked outrage in Iran. Initially,
Sedighi denied any involvement and claimed that his signature on the deeds had
been forged.
“Instead [of taking action against Sedighi], once
again they dragged crying and screaming women and girls into the [police
vans,]” Nazer Khabar wrote, adding that the experience of using the ‘morality
police’ was a failed experience the authorities were repeating.
Source: iranintl.com
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202405057878
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Dr. Sara Faris, Granddaughter Of Iconic Explorer
Abdullah Philby, Recounts His Influence On Her Life And Pursuits
May 05, 2024
JEDDAH: As the granddaughter of the renowned explorer
Abdullah Philby, Dr. Sara Faris Abdullah Philby’s decision to pursue her
medical education in Saudi Arabia echoes the pioneering spirit that defined her
grandfather’s historic exploration of the Arabian Peninsula.
In honoring her family’s heritage, Sara follows in the
footsteps of Sheikh Abdullah Philby, whose multifaceted contributions continue
to inspire generations.
“My grandfather led a truly remarkable life,” Sara
told Arab News. “From his legendary expeditions to his conversion to Islam, his
influence extends far beyond our family.”
She said he has had a profound impact on her life:
“Simply contemplating his image fills me with warmth and optimism. My
grandfather, Abdullah, possessed a rare combination of traits — uniqueness,
dedication, and punctuality — that set him apart. As an explorer and writer, he
navigated uncharted territories with grace and determination, leaving an
indelible mark on history.”
Who was Abdullah Philby?
Harry St. John Bridger Philby, an explorer and
Arabist, received his education at Westminster School and Trinity College,
Cambridge. After joining the Indian Civil Service, where he mastered several
languages including Urdu, Punjabi, Baluchi, Persian, and Arabic, Philby was
recruited to Basra in Mesopotamia (modern Iraq) in 1915 by Percy Cox. His
service in Baghdad and Basra eventually led to a mission to meet Ibn Saud in
Riyadh, a journey across Arabia for which he was awarded the Royal Geographical
Society Founders Medal.
From their first encounter, Philby was captivated by
the magnetic personality of Ibn Saud, and the two formed a friendship that
lasted 36 years. Despite his involvement in business and writing, Philby’s true
passion lay in exploration. Over three decades, he embarked on extraordinary
journeys, notably crossing the Empty Quarter in 1932, a feat that tested the
limits of endurance.
Traveling by camel and later by Land Rover, Philby
meticulously documented his expeditions, recording place names, temperatures,
compass bearings, and more. His scholarly contributions earned him high honors
from academic societies worldwide.
“He lived to witness a golden chapter in his life,
marked by numerous creations of detailed maps, priceless books including
unmatched details of his journeys, and contributions to several fields such as
history, politics, and wildlife. Some of the specimens he has gathered are held
in the British Museum in London,” Sara told Arab News.
As a trusted advisor to Ibn Saud, Philby’s insights
and candid opinions were valued by the monarch. His conversion to Islam in 1930
further strengthened their bond, and Philby was bestowed the name Sheikh
Abdullah.
In 1960, at the age of 75, Philby died during a visit
to Beirut, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest Arabian explorers. He
was buried in the Muslim graveyard at El-Bouchara, with his son Kim’s
inscription on his grave marking his profound impact on exploration and
scholarship.
“(He) left behind a spectacular life story and a
loving family, led by my beloved uncle Khaled Philby and my beloved father
FarisPhilby, who would adore him for the rest of time,” Sara said.
His involvement in Arabia during World War I, his
close relationship with Ibn Saud, and his pivotal role in the Arab Revolt and
the creation of Saudi Arabia highlight his enduring influence on the region's
history and culture.
Sara explained that her grandfather’s legacy continues
to influence her approach in life and her career in medicine: “His interests in
exploration and travel might differ from my academic interests in medicine and
clinical embryology. However, that doesn’t diminish his huge impact on my
educational decisions.
“With his legacy as a beacon, I am motivated to continuously
push myself to new heights, embracing challenges and opportunities for growth
along the way,” she added. “His love for history, the desert, maps, and
wildlife will forever capture my heart, despite my academic pathway heading
somewhere different.”
Sara pursued her education in Alfaisal University in
Riyadh. After completing a bachelor’s degree in medicine and another in
surgery, she was drawn to the intricate world of embryology.
“My interest in this field stemmed from a personal
fascination with reading books on embryology and reproductive sciences,” she
noted. “Moreover, I was deeply inspired by the noble goals of this discipline,
particularly in addressing infertility and assisting couples in starting
families according to God’s will.”
Sara’s religious and cultural background plays a
pivotal role in shaping her career aspirations. “As a Muslim, my faith serves
as a guiding light,” she affirms. “Islam’s teachings emphasize compassion and
kindness, influencing my academic pursuits. The profound references to
embryology in the Holy Qur’an have deepened my interest in this field.
“The Holy Qur’an beautifully elucidates the stages of
human embryonic development in multiple verses,” she noted. “This further
solidified my conviction to pursue a career in clinical embryology and
reproductive biology.”
Following her passion, this year Sara graduated from
Alfaisal University with a master’s degree in biomedical sciences, specializing
in clinical embryology and reproductive biology, achieving first honors.
Speaking about the enriching experience at the
university, she said: “Alfaisal University has been an integral part of my life
for many educationally fruitful years … I am hopeful for its continued success
and prosperity in the future.”
Her journey through academia had its own challenges:
“The rigorous demands of the field required unwavering commitment and patience.
However, these experiences have shaped me into the person I am today,
instilling in me a sense of resilience and determination.
“Embrace the journey, stay true to yourself, and
remain dedicated to your goals,” she advises aspiring professionals. “Believe
in your abilities and seize the opportunities that come your way.”
Balancing personal aspirations with her family’s
legacy is a central theme for Sara. “I place great importance on aligning my
personal aspirations with the expectations associated with my family’s legacy,”
she explains. “By staying true to myself and honoring my family’s heritage, I
find harmony in pursuing my goals.”
As she navigates the complexities of academia and
embarks on her own path of exploration, Sara remains steadfast in her
commitment to honoring the rich heritage passed down to her by her grandfather.
“For me, honoring my grandfather’s legacy is not
merely a goal but a life purpose,” Sara said.
Source: arabnews.com
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2505136/saudi-arabia
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URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/bamiyan-painting-engraving-calligraphy/d/132269