Will You Ban Students from Wearing a Bindi or Tilak: Supreme Court On Hijab Ban in Mumbai College
New Age Islam News Bureau
10 Aug 2024
·
Will You Ban Students from Wearing a Bindi or
Tilak: Supreme Court On Hijab Ban in Mumbai College
· Two Iranian-Born Athletes Friends, Nahid Kiani, Kimia Alizadeh, Make Olympics History for Iran and Bulgaria
·
Afghan Refugees Report Closure Of Girls’ School
In Islamabad, Pakistan
·
Saudi Women in Najran Weave Success in Wicker Weaving
Revival
· Female Detainees Assaulted in Tehran Prison for Protesting Executions
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL:
Will You Ban Students from Wearing a Bindi or Tilak: Supreme Court On Hijab Ban in Mumbai College
10.08.24
Voice for rights
Sourced by the Telegraph
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The Supreme Court on Friday stayed a part of the Mumbai college circular that had banned the wearing of hijab, caps or badges but refrained from staying
the other restrictions like wearing Naqab (veil covering the face), even as it questioned whether the institution would impose similar restrictions on the sporting of Tilaks and Bindis.
Questioning the logic behind the imposition of such restrictions, the apex court noted that if the idea was to prevent a student from disclosing his or her identity then by the same yardstick even names of the wards would in any case disclose their religious denomination.
“What is this? Don’t impose such conditions. Your argument is that you don’t want students’ religion to be revealed. Would you then want the students to be allotted numbers at the gates instead of their names so that their religion is not revealed?” the bench of Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar asked senior advocate Madhavi Divan representing the college.
The court was dealing with a petition filed by a batch of Muslim students challenging a Bombay High Court order of June 26, by which it had upheld the decision of the NG Acharya and D.K. Marathe College to ban students from wearing Hijabs, Naqabs, Burqa, Stole, caps etc that reveal the religious identity of the students.
A two-judge division bench of the high court upheld the ban on the ground that the rules were enacted to enforce certain discipline among the students and the management was well within its right to enforce such rules under its fundamental right to establish and administer an educational institution.
Aggrieved, the students had filed the present appeal on the ground that the impugned rules infringe upon their fundamental right to choose their dress and their right to freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under Article 19 (1)(a) besides the right to practise and profess one’s own religion under Article 25.
The apex court sought justification from advocate Divan for the college to impose such restrictions suddenly although the institution had been functioning since 2008.
“Girl students must have freedom of choice in what they are wearing and the college cannot force them. It is unfortunate that you suddenly woke up to know that there are many religions in the college,” the bench remarked.
Divan justified the decision saying that if restrictions were not imposed, there would be students who would be coming to the college in saffron shawls etc.
“Will you ban students from wearing a bindi or tilak?” the bench asked.
The students were represented by senior advocate Colin Gonsalves.
Source: telegraphindia.com
https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/supreme-court-poses-bindi-query-over-hijab-ban-plea-by-mumbai-college-students/cid/2039946
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Two Iranian-Born Athletes Friends, Nahid Kiani, KimiaAlizadeh, Make Olympics History for Iran and Bulgaria
AUGUST 9, 2024
In a historic moment at the 2024 Paris
Olympic Games, two Iranian-born athletes, still friends and now representing
different nations, have both secured medals in women's taekwondo
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In a historic moment at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, two Iranian-born athletes, still friends and now representing different nations, have both secured medals in women's taekwondo.
Nahid Kiani, competing for Iran in the 57 kg category, secured the silver medal after defeating South Korea's Kim Yu Jin.
This medal makes Kiani the first female athlete in Iran's history to reach an Olympic final.
Minutes before Kiani's final match, Kimia Alizadeh, formerly of Iran but now representing Bulgaria, secured a bronze medal in the same weight class.
Alizadeh defeated opponents from China and Tunisia to claim her place on the podium.
This marks Alizadeh's second Olympic medal, following her bronze in the Rio Olympics where she competed under the Iranian flag.
Kimia and Nahid were once friends, companions, and "safe girls" for each other.
For over five years, Kiani had been both a training partner and a rival to Alizadeh.
During Alizadeh’s preparations for the 2016 Rio Olympics, Kiani supported her, despite knowing she would not compete in Rio.
She accompanied Kimia to the Chalos camp in the north of Iran, trained with her daily in Tehran and at the Taekwondo House, and was devastated upon hearing the news of Alizadeh's asylum in Germany, reportedly crying for hours.
Kiani was heartbroken because she knew about the departure of Alizadeh, Iran's taekwondo's only female Olympic medalist in the country's history at the time.
In January 2020, amidst the aftermath of government repression and public protests, and shortly after the downing of a Ukrainian passenger plane, Alizadeh's decision to seek asylum in Germany made headlines.
No longer wanting to compete or live under the Iranian flag, she published a post on Instagram explaining her departure.
She wrote, "Whatever they said, I wore. I repeated every sentence they ordered... They said my medal was due to the mandatory hijab and attributed it to their own management and tact."
After her defeat by Kimia Alizadeh in Tokyo, Nahid Kiani faced some of the most challenging days of her career.
She wrote afterwards: "Despite my family's opposition to championship sports, I had used the number 2020 in most of my passwords for years to remember that I have to participate in these competitions."
Upon returning to Iran after her elimination, Kiani received no welcome from the managers and sports authorities.
Yet, she persevered and achieved remarkable success, adding multiple titles to her hall of fame: a gold medal at the Islamic Games in 2021, a gold medal at the Asian Games in 2022, a gold medal at the Asian Championship in 2022, and a gold medal at the World Taekwondo Championship in 2023. She now enters the 2024 Paris Olympics with four consecutive championship titles.
Source: iranwire.com
https://iranwire.com/en/sports/132704-two-friends-make-olympics-history-for-iran-and-bulgaria/
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Afghan Refugees Report Closure of Girls’ School in Islamabad, Pakistan
August 9, 2024
According to the Afghan refugees, the Aftab School, which had been operational since early 2023, has ceased its activities.
Officials from Aftab School reported that during its nearly 18 months of operation, the school had enrolled over 400 girls who were deprived of education, following the curriculum of the previous Afghan government.
SeyedQasemHashemi, the founder of Aftab School, stated that the school, which was established with support from some Afghan benefactors living in Western countries and his own investment, had to close due to a shortage of funds. He mentioned that the closure has left more than 400 Afghan girls in Islamabad without access to education.
The founder, Mr. Hashemi, also added that he had repeatedly sought assistance from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and UNICEF to continue the school’s operations. However, these organizations did not offer support.
Mr. Hashemi explained that many Afghans had migrated to Pakistan due to educational restrictions for girls in Afghanistan. He stated that the Aftab School was established to continue the education of girls who were denied schooling by the Taliban.
Some Afghan families in Islamabad expressed concern over the school’s closure, saying that once again, their daughters are being deprived of education. These families noted that the Aftab School was built in a crowded area of Afghan refugees in Islamabad, and many families sent their daughters there because it was free and followed the Afghan curriculum.
Meanwhile, some Afghan refugees in Islamabad have called on the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and other child and refugee support organizations to provide educational opportunities for their daughters.
The situation for Afghan refugees in Pakistan and Iran is increasingly dire, with many lacking access to essential services such as education, healthcare, and work opportunities. Amid forced deportations back to Afghanistan, where the situation remains perilous, these refugees find themselves in a desperate struggle for survival.
In both Pakistan and Iran, Afghan refugees face significant barriers to integrating into society. The lack of access to education, especially for girls, and restricted healthcare and employment opportunities are pushing these communities further into poverty and vulnerability.
The international community is urged to address these pressing humanitarian needs and support Afghan refugees in securing a safer, more stable future.
Source: khaama.com
https://www.khaama.com/afghan-refugees-reort-closure-of-girls-school-in-islamabad-pakistan/
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Saudi Women in Najran Weave Success in Wicker Weaving Revival
August 10, 2024
NAJRAN: A group of 15 Saudi women in the Kingdom's southwest is mastering the art of wicker weaving, thanks to a training program organized by the Herfa institute of handicrafts. The month-long course, which runs until August 27, aims to preserve and promote this traditional craft.
Trainees have honed their skills in creating a variety of wicker products, including baskets, bags, and decorative items.
Instructor Masouma Al-Hamdan emphasized the importance of preserving this cultural heritage and the economic potential of the wicker industry.
“We are teaching women the entire process, from harvesting palm fibers to weaving intricate designs,” said Al-Hamdan. She added that the goal is to empower these women as entrepreneurs and to revitalize this ancient craft.
Wicker weaving has deep roots in Najran, with locals utilizing the region’s abundant palm trees for centuries. The craft has experienced a resurgence in recent years, thanks to government support and growing interest in sustainable and handmade products.
Source: arabnews.com
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2565956/saudi-arabia
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Female detainees assaulted in Tehran prison for protesting executions
10-08-24
A group of female political prisoners in the women's ward of Tehran's Evin Prison were assaulted by prison guards on Tuesday, after staging a protest against the execution of Iranian dissident Reza Rasaei.
Rasaei, who was executed earlier that morning in western Iran, had been arrested during the nationwide 2022 protests. His execution sparked widespread global condemnation including protests by political prisoners at Evin.
According to information obtained by Iran International, the protest at Evinwomen’s ward began when the prisoners received news of Rasaei's execution. They gathered in the prison courtyard, chanting slogans against the death penalty. The protest was met with a violent response from prison authorities, led by Hadi Mohammadi, the deputy officer in charge. Guards, acting on the deputy’s orders, violently dispersed the protesters, severely beating several women.
Among the injured was Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, who suffered a “respiratory attack and intense chest pain, causing her to collapse and faint,” after being beaten by prison guards along with several other inmates, according to a statement released by her family on Thursday.
“The women's ward was flooded with armed guards, and an order was issued to assault the protesters. Several women who stood in front of the security forces were severely beaten. The confrontation escalated, resulting in physical injuries for some prisoners and nervous breakdowns for others,” the statement said.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate ShirinEbadi has sounded the alarm over the safety of political prisoners in Evin Prison, including Narges Mohammadi and journalist-activist Sarvenaz Ahmadi.
"The lives of Narges Mohammadi, Sarvenaz Ahmadi, and all political prisoners in various prisons are in danger. They are paying the price for the insatiable totalitarianism of the Islamic Republic,” Ebadi said in a post on Instagram.
Political prisoner VarishehMoradi, who is facing charges that could result in the death penalty, was also among those injured during the assault. After being beaten by the officers, she sustained a serious wrist injury, and bruises across various parts of her body.
Sarvanaz Ahmadi collapsed from a panic attack, while Samaneh Asghari, ReyhanehAnsarinejad, and SepidehQoliyan were kicked and spat on by officers. Sarina Jahani and MahboubehRezaei suffered severe beating, leaving them with splinted hands and intense pain. NasrinKhazariJavadi, HouraNikbakht, and Rana Korkur fainted during the assault, requiring oxygen treatment. ParivashMoslemi was also severely beaten, causing extensive bruising and pain.
Despite sustaining injuries, at least 15 of the prisoners have been denied medical care and have not been transferred to the hospital for treatment.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights condemns Iran’s executions surge
This incident occurred amidst an alarming increase in executions in Iran, drawing international concern. Despite global condemnation of Rasaei’s execution, at least 29 more people were executed just a day later, on Wednesday.
On Friday, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, expressed extreme concern over reports that Iranian authorities had executed 29 people in the last two days. "This represents an alarmingly high number of executions in such a short period of time," said UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Liz Throssell.
Though the death toll could not be independently verified by the United Nations, the reported executions bring the total number to at least 345 this year, including 15 women.
Throssell also highlighted the disproportionate impact of these executions on minorities, including Kurds, Hawassi Arabs, and Baluch, and condemned the use of the death penalty for drug-related offenses. "Imposing the death penalty for offenses not involving intentional killing is incompatible with international human rights norms and standards," she stated.
The crackdown on Evin’s prisoners and the broader surge in executions reflect the ongoing human rights crisis in Iran, despite the election of President Masoud Pezeshkian in July. Since his election, at least 87 people have been executed, raising further concerns about the future of human rights under his administration.
Last year Amnesty International reported that of all recorded executions globally, Iran accounted for 74% with at least 853 people put to death.
Source: iranintl.com
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202408098607
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/ban-students-supreme-court-hijab-ban/d/132909