In Bangladesh, Islamists Are Stepping up Actions Against Women
New Age Islam News Bureau
4 February 2025
· In Bangladesh, Islamists Are Stepping up Actions Against Women
· Taliban minister ‘forced to flee Afghanistan’ after speech in support of girls’ education
· Jailed Indian Muslims fight Delhi election to ‘set the record straight’
· The Role of Women in Islamic Revolution of Iran
· Karnataka govt still indecisive on hijab ban in educational institutions
· Women players beat the odds to cut a path for ice hockey in Iran
· All-Women Teams Steal the Show at the UAE SWAT Challenge 2025
· How Saudi women are redefining entrepreneurship in the Kingdom
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/bangladesh-islamists-stepping-against-women/d/134520
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In Bangladesh, Islamists Are Stepping up Actions Against Women
By SubirBhaumik
February 04, 2025
Islamist radicals, long considered a fringe group in Bangladesh, managed to stop two women’s football friendly matches in the north of the country in late January, raising fears of increasing Talibanization in what was until recently seen as a moderate Muslim nation anchored on liberal Bengali language-driven syncretic culture.
This comes immediately after three incidents of Islamist mobs preventing leading actresses from inaugurating showrooms and restaurants for business groups.
In late January, a women’s football friendly match in the northwestern town of Joypurhat had to be cancelled following violent protests by students from religious seminaries. The students were joined by Islamist radical activists who ransacked the venue and chased away spectators who had bought tickets to witness the matches.
Another similar match involving two women teams was postponed in the nearby town of Dinajpur a day before following a similar demonstration by angry protesters who had armed themselves with clubs.
Abu Bakkar Siddique, the headmaster of a local religious school in Joypurhat, took part in the protests with his students and teachers and those from several other religious schools.
“Girls football is un-Islamic and it is our religious duty to stop anything that goes against our beliefs,” Siddique told Al Jazeera.
The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) took a strong stand to defend women’s football, with its media manager SadmanSakibsaying ” football is for everyone, and women have full rights to participate in it.” Other football organizers in Bangladesh pointed to women’s football teams in other Muslim-majority nations, including conservative Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, as well as Morocco, which reached the African Cup final and lost to South Africa.
However, there has been a worrying silence from the interim government on the attacks against women’s football.
Women’s football became very popular in Bangladesh after the country’s women’s team first won the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) championship in 2022 and then successfully defended it two years later, defeating Nepal in the final last November. The women footballers went on to become instant heroines in a country starved of sporting glory.
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, the head of Bangladesh’s interim government, also accorded the SAFF-winning Bangladesh women’s football team a formal reception at his office and said the players had given the country “a taste of success it badly needed.” The Nobel laureate asked the women footballers to “write down and share their individual aspirations, struggles, and demands,” promising to fulfil their demands. “If anything can be addressed now, we will do it now,” Yunus promised the players.
Barely two months later, the future of women football in Bangladesh is facing a challenge. Football organizers say that if incidents like the ones at Joypurhat and Dinajpur multiply, girls will start dropping out of the game as family pressures will multiply. Most Bangladesh women footballers come from poor rural families who will be worried over the rising surge of religious conservatism.
Women rights activists in Bangladesh, who saw the victory of the women’s football team as a success for women’s empowerment in Bangladesh, are worried. Leading women journalist and activist Masuda Bhatti called out the “hypocrisy” of the Yunus administration, which was installed after the massive student protests ousted the Sheikh Hasina government from power in August last year. Bhatti wrote in a Facebook post that women joined the protests in large numbers, but “now they are not needed anymore.” She alleged that on the question of women rights, Yunus was “no different from the hardline Islamic fundamentalists.”
Another leading lawyer and women rights activist, Tania Amir, sees in the stopping of women football matches a much more sinister trend – one of authorities surrendering to Islamist radicals who may now be emboldened to push for new laws that may deny women space in education and jobs and seek to limit them to the household space.
These incidents comes hot on the heels of three instances when threats from Islamist groups prevented as many top actresses from inaugurating new showrooms and restaurants. In November, actress Mehazabien Chowdhury had to turn back just before she was to open a new showroom in the port city of Chittagong. She cited a “security issue” as the reason for the scrapped ceremony; local media reports pointed to protests opposing the showroom inauguration on religious grounds.
On January 26, film star Pori Moni was forcibly prevented from opening a new department store in Tangail in northeast Bangladesh due to anger from Hefazat-e-Islam and other groups. Two days later, another actress, Apu Biswas, was stopped from opening a restaurant in Dhaka due to opposition from local religious clerics. The clerics “stated that if Apu Biswas were to inaugurate the restaurant, they would create unrest,” a police official told local media.
Pori Moni took to Facebook to protest against “excesses against women in the name of religion.” Shortly after, an old case of alleged assault was reopened against her, with an arrest warrant put out against the actress. Pori Muni alleged that the legal case was retaliation against her for speaking out: “Why can’t I work safely in my own country? … If speaking out against injustice means I’ll keep going to jail, then so be it.”
Exiled Bangladeshi writer TaslimaNasreen, who lives in India, saw in these actions “state sponsorship of Islamist radicalism.” Critics fear that the appeasement of Islamist radicals may be a prelude to far-reaching changes in Bangladesh’s body polity, and one inspired, if not totally driven, by Shariah or Islamic law.
Since taking charge, the Yunus administration has lifted the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami, the nation’s biggest Islamist party, which opposed Bangladesh’s independence and sided with the Pakistan Army in its genocidal campaign during the 1971 Liberation War. Hardline Islamist radicals sentenced for murder and on terrorism charges, like JasimuddinRahmani, chief of Ansarullah Bangla Team, have been let off. The Ansarullah terror group, which enjoys close ties with the Al Qaida in Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) had threatened media companies to sack their women employees or face severe consequences.
This is surely several steps backward for Bangladesh, which prided itself on women’s empowerment both at the elite level and at the grassroots with women dominating the workforce of the country’s burgeoning garment industry.
For a country which had two women prime ministers – Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted in the 2024 protests, and Khaleda Zia – serve six full five year terms between themselves and who still lead the two leading political parties of Bangladesh, girls being chased off the football field is extremely disturbing, as are the instances of film actresses being prevented from opening a new store or restaurant due to opposition from Islamic groups. Many believe this is something that goes against the founding ideals of South Asia’s youngest nation.
Source:thediplomat.com
https://thediplomat.com/2025/02/in-bangladesh-islamists-are-stepping-up-actions-against-women/
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Taliban minister ‘forced to flee Afghanistan’ after speech in support of girls’ education
3 Feb 2025
Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, who is reported to have fled to Dubai after criticising the education ban and the Taliban’s leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada. Photograph: Sefa Karacan/Anadolu/Getty
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A senior Taliban minister who expressed support for reversing the ban on girls’ education in Afghanistan appears to have been forced to flee the country.
Speaking at a graduation ceremony in Khost province, near the Afghan-Pakistani border, on 20 January, Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, the Taliban’s deputy foreign minister, criticised the government’s ban on girls attending secondary schools and higher education.
“There is no excuse for this – not now and not in the future,” Stanikzai said. “We are being unjust to 20 million people.
“During the time of the prophet Muhammad, the doors of knowledge were open for both men and women,” he said. “There were such remarkable women that if I were to elaborate on their contributions, it would take a considerable amount of time.”
After this speech, and reports of Stanikzaicriticising him, the Taliban’s supreme leader, HibatullahAkhundzada, allegedly ordered the minister’s arrest and issued a travel ban, which pushed Stanikzai to leave Afghanistan for the United Arab Emirates.
Stanikzai confirmed to local media he had left for Dubai but claimed it was for health reasons. The Taliban were contacted for comment but did not respond.
Since the Taliban’s takeover in 2021, the rights of women and girls to education, work, travel and appearing in public have been severely curtailed.
Last month, the international criminal court’s chief prosecutor requested arrest warrants for the Taliban’s supreme leader and Afghanistan’s chief justice on the grounds that their persecution of women and girls in Afghanistan is a crime against humanity. Source:theguardian.com
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/feb/03/mohammad-abbas-stanikzai-taliban-minister-flees-afghanistan-over-support-girls-education
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Jailed Indian Muslims fight Delhi election to ‘set the record straight’
By Yashraj Sharma
3 Feb 2025
New Delhi, India — Nooreen Fatima, 41, anxiously watches the hands of the clock, waiting for her sons to return from school. She has a surging crowd of supporters waiting for her on the corner of her street, and she needs to meet them as soon as she can.
When they arrive, she hastily collects their schoolbags, then slides into a skin-toned abaya to rush downstairs before her team stops her to shoot a crowdfunding appeal, canvassing votes for her jailed husband, ShifaurRehman.
“Fighting for your rights, my husband has been in jail for nearly five years,” she says, scratching her fingers nervously.
In April 2020, Rehman, a 48-year-old human rights activist, was arrested by the Delhi police, accusing him of mobilising student protests against a controversial citizenship law. Critics have described the law as discriminatory because it fast-tracks naturalised citizenship for people from India’s neighbouring nations if they belong to any minority community — other than Islam.
Rehman and Tahir Hussain, another prisoner waiting for his trial in cases related to the riots and demonstrations that erupted in New Delhi in 2020 over the law, are running in upcoming elections to the Indian capital’s legislative assembly on February 5. In all, 53 people were killed in the 2020 violence, a majority of them Muslims.
After five years of intense legal battles, and dozens of appeals before Indian courts, their families are now turning to the Delhi election with a hope for redemption.
“We have been treated as gangsters and terrorists [since Rehman’s arrest]. In this election, we have to prove our innocence,” Fatima tells Al Jazeera. “When we win, people unjustly imprisoned for years win with us.”
Fatima leads a group of women, raising slogans from handheld speakers, through narrow lanes dotted with potholes, leaking sewers, and fading slogans on the walls from the days of the protest movement. “How will we answer oppression?” she shouts at the top of her voice. “By our vote to Shifa!”
‘Setting record straight’
As she campaigns in southeast Delhi’s Okhla constituency, Fatima recalls the dark days after Rehman was arrested, right when COVID-19 had also first hit. The pandemic was “the worst of times”, Fatima says.
She remembers the time when her sons, Zia and Arhan, would fall sick and there were no good hospitals nearby. Now, when she steps out for campaigning, she not only reminds people of her partner’s imprisonment, or difficulties during the pandemic, but also about clogged sewage, dusty roads, and crumbling infrastructure.
Both Rehman and Hussain are contesting on tickets of the All India Majlis-e-IttehadulMuslimeen (AIMIM), headed by AsaduddinOwaisi. Though the party is contesting only these two seats, Owaisi, a five-time member of parliament from the southern Indian city of Hyderabad, has been campaigning to rally support for them.
In one rally for Rehman, Owaisi hit out at former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the leader of the AamAadmi Party (AAP), which has been in power for 10 years in the capital city. The AAP has won a bulk of the Muslim votes in the last two Delhi elections. But many in the community believe it has since let them down at a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) — in power nationally — has increasingly faced accusations of adopting Hindu majoritarian policies. The AAP, for instance, has backed the controversial citizenship law that lead to the 2020 protests and has refused to support those imprisoned over protests.
“I dare him, to ever come to Okhla, and walk on these streets,” Owaisi said. “Then he will know how people live here.”
Okhla is among seven constituencies in the 70-seat assembly where Muslims are either in a plurality or have a large enough population to significantly affect the election outcome. With many analysts predicting a close contest between the BJP and the AAP in Delhi, these seven seats could prove critical in determining who rules in a city that enjoys major political influence in India as the capital. Okhla is witnessing a four-cornered contest, with the ruling AAP, the BJP, India’s grand old party Congress, and AIMIM competing.
The AAP has refrained from personally targeting Rehman and Hussain but took digs at Owaisi. Amanatullah Khan, AAP’s sitting MLA in Okhla, told Al Jazeera that AIMIM’s entry to the fray “is meant to divide Muslim votes and hand over the seat to the BJP”. Meanwhile, the BJP has hit out at Owaisi too, warning against “polarising the elections” by nominating candidates accused in riot-related cases.
Fatima walks through a dense market area near ShaheenBagh — which was a hub of women-led demonstrations against the contentious citizenship law five years ago — and approaches an eatery. She tells the elderly man who runs the shop to press on Rehman’s “kite” symbol on the electronic voting machine when he votes on February 5.
Nasruddin Shah, 61, blesses Fatima and pledges his support. “The government’s arrogance needs to be shattered. Shifa is one of us and he fought for us,” Shah tells Al Jazeera later.
“Unlike Delhi, we are not voting to form the government here. We are voting to set the record straight,” says Shah, walking out of his shop and joining Fatima.
‘It is overwhelming’
Nearly 25km (15 miles) away, on the northeastern border, the dusty district of Mustafabad — among Delhi’s most densely populated — is abuzz with election chatter. The area is among the least developed in Delhi, and the blackened facades of several buildings are reminders of the fire that broke out here during the 2020 protests.
In a room full of men passing around paan (betel-leaf) and tobacco while speaking loudly, a teenager sits on a wooden chair in a corner preparing for a political rally.
Shadab Hussain, 19, is visibly tired and his throat is sore. But he and the others in the room have heard some good news: In late january, India’s top court had allowed his father, Tahir Hussain, a six-day parole from custody to campaign for his election.
The last time Shadab was part of a political rally was in 2017, when his father won the local council election. “I remember that winning rally when I walked with him; I was only 11,” Shadab says, sitting in his father’s office while his mother, ShamaAnjum, goes door-to-door to canvass votes for Hussain.
Hussain had made his impact in local politics under Kejriwal’s AAP banner. But the party expelled him after the police accused him of inciting riots in 2020.
Shadab says his father’s absence for the last five years has left a deep void in his family. “My father was targeted because he is Muslim; because of his influence here,” Shadab tells reporters gathered around him. “Through this election, we will remove the stains.”
The campaign focuses on the poor sanitation, water and overall development in the constituency, with 250,000 voters, and Shadab concedes that it can get “really overwhelming”.
And the elation over Hussain’s parole is tempered by details that soon filter in: the Supreme Court had restricted Hussain’s parole to daytime hours, barred him from visiting his home, and ordered that he return to the jail before sunset. Still, Shadab says, “I’m just happy that my father is able to walk in these streets and be among his people”.
‘Never be afraid’
Back in Okhla, after the top court granted Hussain custodial parole, Rehman’s campaign too moved the court and secured parole the next day, under similar restrictions.
“Never be afraid, never be weak, because ShifaurRehman was never weak,” Rehman says in a thundering voice, as he descends from a police vehicle for a rally, his hair and beard greyer than they look in his campaign posters.
“It is not about winning or losing. It’s about proving that we want our self-respect and our dignity. We won’t bow before anyone,” Rehman says, surrounded by police personnel.
Fatima and the children meet him briefly. Then Fatima and Rehman head out in different directions, both campaigning. Unlike Rehman — whom she lovingly describes as stubborn — Fatima says she is not really cut out for political rallies. “I’m not that type of a person,” she says. “But I got to do this.”
Because, she says, the election results on February 8 will hold a deep significance for her. “I want to be able to teach my children to stand up for [what is] right,” she says, holding back tears. “Their father, Shifa, fought for people but was called a terrorist.”
She pauses for a long breath, and continues, “Five years is a very long time: imagine five Eids, five Ramzans [Ramadans], five birthdays, without Shifa, and I saw everyone moving on with their lives. But I cannot do it any more.”
Source:aljazeera.com
https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2025/2/3/jailed-indian-muslims-fight-delhi-election-to-set-the-record
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The Role of Women in Islamic Revolution of Iran
Feb 3, 2025,
The 1979 Islamic Revolution of Iran was pivotal in modern history, reshaping the nation's political, social, and cultural landscape. Women's contributions were crucial in securing the Revolution’s success.
Iranian women from different walks of life actively participated in protests, mobilized communities, and played key roles in underground resistance efforts. Their involvement extended beyond the streets, as they engaged in political discourse, and supported Revolutionary forces. Women defied societal norms by challenging the monarchy and demanding change, demonstrating their resilience and commitment to the Revolution’s ideals.
This report examines women's diverse roles in the victory of the Revolution, highlighting their sacrifices, organizational skills, and lasting impact on post-Revolutionary Iran.
Women’s political awakening under the Pahlavi regime
Under Mohammad Reza Pahlavi's reign, Iran underwent rapid Westernization during the White Revolution (1963). The regime’s oppressive policies, including political repression by the SAVAK (secret police) and economic disparities, fueled discontent. Women, from different walks of life, found themselves increasingly drawn to the growing opposition led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
Women’s participation in anti-Shah protests
Women actively participated in demonstrations, particularly after Ayatollah Khomeini's exile in 1964. Their participation intensified in 1978, as mass protests erupted across the country. Women of all classes—students, housewives, intellectuals—took to the streets. They organized rallies, distributed leaflets, and used their voices to denounce the Pahlavi regime. The sight of women in black chadors chanting slogans against the Shah became a powerful symbol of resistance.
Key events marking women’s contributions
One of the most significant events showcasing women’s role in the revolution was the demonstration of September 8, 1978, known as Black Friday. Thousands of protesters gathered in Tehran’s Jaleh Square, where the military opened fire, and martyred hundreds. According to some reports, 64 were killed in Jaleh Square on Black Friday, with two females: one woman and a young girl.
Their martyrdom further galvanized opposition against the Shah. Women also played a crucial role during the mourning ceremonies that followed, using religious and cultural traditions to sustain the protests against the Pahlavi regime.
Another landmark moment was the massive demonstrations of December 1978, during the holy month of Muharram. These protests, attended by millions, saw an unprecedented number of women participating, reinforcing the revolution’s grassroots nature. The religious symbolism of Muharram, commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, resonated with Iranian women, who saw their struggle against the Shah as a continuation of this historic resistance.
Women not only attended Muharram mourning ceremonies but also actively engaged in protests by chanting slogans and expressing religious and social sentiments. Their participation, particularly through poetry, prose, and other artistic and cultural expressions, reflected their deep involvement in the political and social struggles of the time.
By actively participating in Muharram ceremonies, women reinforced their religious and national identity. These activities helped them build solidarity with other segments of society, demonstrating that religious values and beliefs could serve as a means of resistance against authoritarian rule.
How Women Shaped in the Islamic Revolution
Women played a pivotal role in disseminating Revolutionary messages. They distributed Imam Khomeini’s sermons, often disguised as lullabies or household conversations to evade SAVAK’s scrutiny. Many women turned their homes into hubs for political discussions, planning protests, and providing medical aid to wounded demonstrators. Female students and intellectuals wrote articles and gave speeches, articulating the Revolution’s goals and mobilizing more women to join the cause.
Women's contribution to overthrowing Shah
They helped the striking workers, organized the logistics for protest movements, and at times clashed with the security forces. Their resilience and dedication greatly contributed to the success of the Revolution, which finally came with the return of Imam Khomeini from exile on February 1, 1979, and the eventual collapse of the Pahlavi regime on February 11, 1979.
Women played an integral role in the success of the Islamic Revolution of Iran in 1979. They fought against the monarchy and succeeded in the formation of the Islamic Republic through their activism, sacrifices, and planning skills. Women’s involvement was a powerful expression of political determination, playing a crucial role in a significant historical event. Their contributions to the Revolution are solid evidence of their resilience and influence in Iran’s history.
Source:mehrnews.com
https://en.mehrnews.com/news/227693/The-Role-of-Women-in-Islamic-Revolution-of-Iran
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Karnataka govt still indecisive on hijab ban in educational institutions
04 Feb 2025
More than one-and-a-half years after coming to power, the Congress government has made no decision regarding allowing students to wear the hijab to educational institutions.
School Education and Literacy Minister MadhuBangarappa said on Monday, January 3, that the state government had not yet taken any decision on the issue as the case is being heard by the Supreme Court. He said that there would be more clarity on the issue after he discussed it with Home Minister G Parameshwara.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has said many times in the past that the government would withdraw the government order banning the hijab.
The government’s inaction affects the education of many students who have been suspended from their schools and colleges, or have dropped out due to the restrictions. Students may lose more time as year-end exams are around the corner.
The issue started in December 2021, when six hijab-wearing students were denied entry to their college in Udupi district. The AkhilBharatiyaVidyarthiParishat (ABVP), the RSS’ student arm and other Hindutva groups carried out a campaign, demanding that if hijabs are allowed in college, so should saffron shawls.
On February 5, 2022, the BJP government banned the wearing of hijabs by issuing an order stating that students must adhere to the dress code prescribed by the educational institution.
This order was challenged in the Karnataka High Court which upheld it. The petitioners then approached the Supreme Court, where a two-judge bench delivered a split verdict on October 13, 2022. The matter will now be heard by a larger bench.
Source:thenewsminute.com
https://www.thenewsminute.com/karnataka/karnataka-govt-still-indecisive-on-hijab-ban-in-educational-institutions
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Women players beat the odds to cut a path for ice hockey in Iran
04 Feb 2025
Tehran: Iran may seem an unlikely setting for women's ice hockey, but a fledgling league has seen its young players confront the country's deeply conservative values and financial obstacles to blaze a trail for the sport.
"The first time I was given a stick, I fell in love with this sport," said SoheilaKhosravi, a member of the Iranian women's league, which played its inaugural round just three years ago.
Khosravi left her family home two years ago to dedicate herself fully to ice hockey in Tehran, where Iran's only Olympic ice rink is located.
"It's hard to live alone here, but it's for the love of hockey," said the 17-year-old athlete from the central province of Isfahan.
Many of the players often face difficult odds, from social pressures to logistical and financial challenges in pursuing the sport.
The players are required to wear the hijab head covering under their helmets, in keeping with the Islamic dress code mandated after the 1979 Islamic Revolution -- though in recent years women in big cities have increasingly flouted the law.
But despite these challenges and its very recent inception, the women's league has seen a stellar rise since its first round in December 2021, when four teams competed.
The Iranian women's team claimed the title at the 2024 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Asia and Oceania Cup after defeating the Philippines in the finals, completing an unbeaten run.
The victory marked a leap forward for the sport, allowing it to emerge from the sidelines and claim a place in the country.
"Hockey is a sport that requires courage and bravery, and you see these two characteristics in Iranian women," KavehSedghi, a former captain of the men's national team, told AFP.
"We are the only country with more female players than male ice hockey players," added Sedghi, who is now the president of Iran's ice hockey association.
'Motivated'
At the rink in Tehran, two teams battle it out for victory to the frenzied cheers of hundreds of exuberant spectators -- both women and men.
The M.R team, wearing red and white, and the Pandas, in green and black jerseys, are two out of the six teams competing in the league this year.
The young women glide across the ice, skillfully manoeuvring the puck at the Iran Mall ice rink -- one of only four in the country -- which opened less than six years ago.
Iran's ski federation, which oversees ice hockey, introduced a girls' ice hockey league last August to support the newly established women's league.
But the road to the league is not without obstacles.
"We observe hijab when we play and no, we have no restrictions," said national team player Dorsa Rahmani.
"Our jerseys are exactly the same as men. From afar, sometimes you can't even tell if a girl is playing or a boy," the 19-year-old added.
Financial constraints can nonetheless be a significant hurdle as many talented athletes come from less affluent backgrounds.
"They are motivated, but the expenses are their biggest difficulty," explained AzamSanaei, the coach of the Iranian women's team.
According to her, a hockey stick, which may need to be replaced every two months, costs around $200 -- equal to the average monthly salary in Iran.
Despite these challenges, the players remain highly motivated and show great potential, according to Sanaei.
Rahmani echoed this sentiment.
"We work hard to achieve results," said the young player who proudly wears the national jersey.
Source:thepeninsulaqatar.com
https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/04/02/2025/women-players-beat-the-odds-to-cut-a-path-for-ice-hockey-in-iran
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All-Women Teams Steal the Show at the UAE SWAT Challenge 2025
03 Feb, 2025
DUBAI, UAE, Feb. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The sixth edition of the UAE SWAT Challenge features five local and international women's teams competing alongside their male counterparts. Their exceptional skills and tactical strategies have captivated audiences, highlighting the teamwork, spirit, and determination needed to overcome challenging scenarios.
Organized annually by the Ministry of Interior and hosted by Dubai Police, the UAE SWAT Challenge has emerged as one of the most significant tactical sports competitions in the policing and security sector. It showcases police forces, special operations, and security teams competing in events that demand high levels of coordination, physical strength, tactical intelligence, and endurance. Participants, regardless of gender, engage in tasks and scenarios that closely mirror their real-life duties in combating crime and apprehending offenders.
Individual and Team Skills
Karla Nastri, Special Investigator in Brazil and Leader of the Brazilian Team (GRT), emphasized the diverse challenges and field designs presented in the competitions, which require both individual and team skills. She expressed excitement about their first-time participation alongside three other Brazilian men's teams this year. She stated, "We drew inspiration from the remarkable experiences shared by our colleagues in other police and security agencies in Brazil. Their stories motivated us to participate, especially since this challenge strengthens our relationships with other police and security forces while allowing us to learn best practices in the field. This large gathering is a powerful opportunity for building connections and exchanging knowledge and expertise. Our team has trained for six months, and we aim to deliver an outstanding performance and achieve impressive results."
Tangible Progress
Lieutenant Latifa Al Salman, leader of the Dubai Police's Women's Team, shared her excitement about the significant improvements observed in the performance of both male and female competing teams. She noted that they were the first women's team to compete alongside men in the fourth edition of the challenge and expressed pride in the participation of local and international women's teams in this year's and previous events. "In our debut, we achieved tenth place among 55 men's teams, which was a remarkable accomplishment, especially considering it was our first participation," Al Salman continued.
She also highlighted that the increasing participation of women's teams from various countries each year underscores the global success of the challenge. Al Salman noted that the growing number of teams reflects the strong international reputation the challenge has built and its effectiveness in attracting more participants. "Additionally, the inclusion of women's teams showcases the empowerment of women across all professions, including challenging roles in special forces, highlighting their achievements in the field and their active involvement in global competitions," she concluded.
Women Empowerment
Noura Al Shamsi, Leader of the Sharjah women's team, highlighted the participation of women's teams in a global challenge that marks a significant milestone in the advancement of tactical sports. She continued, "It also reflects the social and cultural shifts in communities regarding women's empowerment in various fields, including policing, security, and special operations. Al Shamsi expressed her excitement about their inaugural participation this year alongside strong teams from around the globe. "We trained for six months in a similar field at Sharjah Police, as these competitions demand physical strength, high fitness levels, and considerable effort. We aim to achieve outstanding results and showcase our skills throughout the competitions," she concluded.
Weather Challenge
Major BussarapornChaikaew, Leader of the Tai Women's Team, expressed enthusiasm about participating for the second time this year. They have prepared thoroughly to address the challenges encountered during their first experience, particularly the differing weather conditions between Thailand and the UAE. She explained, "Last year, we struggled with the cooler temperatures in the UAE compared to Thailand. This year, we trained intensively in Thailand under cooler conditions to better acclimate to Dubai's climate. This challenge is an excellent opportunity to showcase the capabilities of Thai women's teams and to learn from police teams worldwide, discovering the best tactics and practices they employ to tackle real-world challenges."
Kazakhstan's Tomiris
The Kazakhstan Women's Team 'Tomiris' is making its debut this year alongside 11 Kazakh teams from various security and police agencies within their country. "This participation builds on the impressive performance of Kazakh teams in last year's events, where the 'Sardar Kazakhstan' team achieved third place overall.
KyalbekovaBalnur noted, "Our team comprises female members from various cities in Kazakhstan, including those from special police forces. Over the past three months, we have intensified our training to showcase our skills and strengths at this unique global gathering, which features specialized teams worldwide. We are confident our experience this year will pave the way for even better results next year."
It's worth mentioning that Kazakhstan stands out as the leading foreign nation in terms of the number of teams participating in this year's challenge. The country has ensured its teams are well-prepared by emphasizing early training in both physical fitness and tactical skills, selecting the most qualified members through thorough testing and field exercises.
Source:prnewswire.com
https://www.prnewswire.com/ae/news-releases/all-women-teams-steal-the-show-at-the-uae-swat-challenge-2025-302366608.html
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How Saudi women are redefining entrepreneurship in the Kingdom
04 February 2025
In the heart of Riyadh, a quiet yet powerful transformation is taking place. Saudi women, long celebrated for their resilience and ambition, are now spearheading a new wave of entrepreneurship that is reshaping the Kingdom’s economic landscape. While the world often focuses on the grandeur of Vision 2030’s megaprojects, the stories of these women — armed with innovation, determination, and a vision for the future — are equally compelling yet far less told.
The numbers speak for themselves. According to recent data from Saudi Arabia’s Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority, women now own over 45 percent of small and medium-sized businesses in the Kingdom. This marks a staggering leap from just a decade ago when female entrepreneurship was often sidelined by societal and structural barriers. Today, Saudi women are not just participating in the economy — they are driving it forward, one startup at a time.
But what is truly fascinating is how they are doing it. From tech-driven ventures to sustainable fashion brands, Saudi women are leveraging their unique perspectives to tap into niche markets that were previously overlooked. Take, for instance, the rise of female-led agritech startups. In a region where water scarcity and food security are pressing concerns, these entrepreneurs are introducing cutting-edge solutions — think vertical farming and AI-powered irrigation systems — that are both innovative and impactful.
Then there is the cultural renaissance led by women in the creative industries. Platforms like Saudi Design Week and Ithra’sTanween are brimming with female talent, showcasing everything from contemporary art to avant-garde architecture. These women aren’t just creating products — they are crafting narratives that reflect the Kingdom’s rich heritage while embracing its future.
Of course, this progress has not come without challenges. Access to funding remains a hurdle for many female entrepreneurs, despite initiatives like the Women’s Empowerment Fund launched by Monsha’at. Cultural perceptions, though evolving, still persist in some areas. Yet what sets these women apart is their ability to turn obstacles into opportunities. They are not waiting for change — they are becoming the change.
So, what does this mean for the future of Saudi Arabia? For starters, it underscores the importance of fostering an ecosystem that supports female entrepreneurship. This means not only providing financial resources but also creating mentorship programs, networking opportunities, and platforms for collaboration. It also means celebrating these women — not as exceptions, but as the norm.
As the Kingdom continues its journey toward Vision 2030, the role of women in shaping its economic and cultural identity cannot be overstated. They are not just participants in this transformation; they are its architects. And while their stories may not always make headlines, their impact is undeniable.
In a world that often seeks the loudest voices, perhaps it is time we listen to the quiet revolutionaries — the women who are redefining what it means to be Saudi, one business at a time.
Source:arabnews.pk
https://www.arabnews.pk/node/2588884/how-saudi-women-are-redefining-entrepreneurship-kingdom
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/bangladesh-islamists-stepping-against-women/d/134520