Bangladesh Political Party Demands Direct Election for Women in 100 Parliamentary Seats
New Age Islam News Bureau
22 April 2025
· Bangladesh Political Party Demands Direct Election for Women in 100 Parliamentary Seats
· Iran Testing Advanced Surveillance Tech to Enforce Hijab in Isfahan, Says Watchdog
· Father Kills 18-Year-Old DaughterWorking Secretly in Iranian Salon
· Actress Nargis Wanted to Be Buried After Her Death as Per Muslim Rituals, RevealsDaughter PriyaDutt
· Qatar Awqaf Ministry Honours Female Winners of Al Muhaddith Al Saghir Competition
· UAE’s First All-Women Supercar Rally, All You Need to Know
· Two Baha’i Women Begin Prison Sentences in Mashhad
· Ebadi: Iran Using Nuclear Talks as Cover for Rights Abuses
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/bangladesh-political-party-election-women/d/135263
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Bangladesh Political Party Demands Direct Election for Women in 100 Parliamentary Seats
Apr 22, 2025
Photo: Collected
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Leaders of the National Citizen Party (NCP) today described the reserved seats in the parliament for women as a form of disrespect and demanded direct elections for women in 100 constituencies instead.
This demand was made during a discussion meeting titled, "Women in Politics and as Citizens", organised by the Chattogram Women's Cell of NCP at the July Revolution Memorial Hall of the Chattogram Press Club yesterday.
Senior joint convenor SamantaSharmin said, "The way women were supposed to be brought into politics has completely changed due to Sheikh Hasina's approach. Because of her portrayal and role, women no longer feel the urge to come forward in politics. On the other hand, although BNP talks about women's empowerment in their 31-point agenda, they are strategically excluding women. Yet, women have played key roles in many movements, and in the 2024 movement, several decisions made by women shifted its entire course."
Central joint convenor TasnuvaZerin said, "There are currently 23 women in the NCP central committee. Although the number was relatively low in the beginning, NCP believes that without women, no future politics is possible -- no political party can survive. Women are the strength of NCP. The reserved seats are often given to someone's wife or relative, and they don't represent real women. NCP wants leadership to emerge from ordinary families through a competitive, voter-based process in 100 seats."
Joint convenor SarwarTushar said, "According to the Reform Commission's proposal, 100 women will be elected to parliament through direct votes. We urge people to reject those in the next election who oppose this proposal. The previous system has not empowered women. It only allowed certain individuals..."
Source: thedailystar.net
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/politics/news/ncp-demands-direct-election-women-100-parliamentary-seats-3877186
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Iran testing advanced surveillance tech to enforce hijab in Isfahan, says watchdog
Maryam Sinaiee
April 22, 2025
Local authorities are deploying advanced surveillance technologies in Isfahan to identify and threaten women who defy the country’s strict hijab regulations, according to research by internet watchdog Filterwatch.
The NGO, which specializes in internet freedoms in Iran and the Middle East, released a report last week detailing new technologies and tools allegedly used by authorities in Isfahan, Iran's third most populous city, for hijab enforcement.
These include International Mobile Subscriber Identity-Catchers (IMSI-Catchers), data from contactless card readers, and urban surveillance cameras.
IMSI-Catchers—also known as fake cell towers—can intercept and track mobile phone communications by impersonating legitimate towers. A portable fake cell tower carried by a hijab enforcer, for instance, can connect to the cell phone of a woman not wearing the hijab on the street and identify her number.
“The combined use of IMSI-Catchers, contactless card readers, and surveillance cameras—along with access to government databases and the cooperation of telecom operators—has created a powerful, multilayered tool to systematically violate women’s rights through identification, tracking, and intimidation,” Filterwatch said in its report.
Stricter hijab enforcement in Isfahan
So far, this surveillance-driven enforcement strategy appears limited to Isfahan, a conservative bastion where hardliners have pushed for stricter hijab enforcement—even after the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) temporarily shelved a controversial new 'hijab and chastity law' in September to avoid sparking unrest if it was brought into effect.
The law has been slammed globally by rights groups and the UN which said it amounted to gender apartheid.
In December, Iranian media unveiled the details of the new law which had been kept secret. Stricter measures against women who unveil in public would include travel bans, social media bans, prison sentences, and lashes. It also criminalizes anyone promoting the encouragement of hijab defiance.
“The Isfahan case is a serious alarm bell about the escalation of digital authoritarianism and the use of technology as a weapon against the rights of citizens, especially women, in Iran,” NimaAkbarpour, a tech expert and filmmaker, warned in a post on X.
Warning text messages reveal extent of data access
In recent weeks, dozens of women reported on social media that they received threatening text messages after visiting public places in Isfahan during the Nowruz (Iranian New Year) holidays in late March as the crackdown escalates.
Screenshots shared online show messages from various state entities, including the provincial branch of the Office for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, the Department of Justice, and the police.
The first two agencies warned recipients of potential legal prosecution should the violation of hijab rules be repeated. The third message, from the police, informed recipients that “evidence of the crime” had been submitted to the judiciary.
The messages included the women’s full names and specified the exact locations where the alleged violations occurred—indicating the authorities had access to their personal and location data.
In some cases, the same messages were reportedly sent to the recipient’s husband or father, demonstrating the extent of data collected.
While reports of such warnings first emerged in June 2023, local authorities only recently confirmed the practice after it appears to have become more widespread.
Last week, Amir-Hossein Bankipour, an ultra-hardline lawmaker from the province, said, "[Sending text messages] began some time ago, and its impact has already been observed, with approximately 80–90 percent of recipients complying after receiving the text message. This method has proven effective without causing social tension".
Public defiance continues
Public acts of defiance against the hijab have grown to new heights in the past year despite authorities' threats of severe legal crackdowns, occasional violence against women on the streets, and measures such as impounding vehicles if unveiled women are spotted in them.
A nationwide movement against compulsory hijab intensified following the death of MahsaAmini in the custody of the morality police in September 2022. Her death sparked protests across Iran under the slogan "Woman, Life, Freedom," shifting public sentiment decisively against compulsory hijab.
Many women now refuse to wear the compulsory head covering, long tunics, and trousers as dictated by the country's Shariah law. They are also now often seen singing and dancing in public in defiance of the religious establishment.
Source: iranintl.com
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202504223623
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Father Kills 18-Year-Old DaughterWorking Secretly in Iranian Salon
APRIL 22, 2025
An 18-year-old woman was killed by her father at her workplace in Islamshahr city of Tehran Province.
FatemehSoltani had been working secretly at a women’s beauty salon, fearing her father’s reaction.
Sources told IranWire that she had been living independently due to her father’s history of violence against her and her mother.
The father found the address her workplace by calling a booking number listed on her Instagram page.
Around 9 a.m. on Friday, when Soltani realized her father was waiting outside, she called her mother in distress for advice.
Women’s rights activist PardisRabiei reported on social media that eyewitnesses saw the father enter the salon with a knife and stab his daughter multiple times in front of employees and customers.
He attempted to behead her while holding her by the hair but fled when bystanders screamed.
He then called his wife, saying, “I’ve left you with this grief.”
The HRANA news agency has reported the arrest of the perpetrator, with a case filed against him.
In Iran, official bodies do not provide accurate statistics on femicides, though incidents are reported in Iranian newspapers.
According to Etemad newspaper, 78 women were murdered by their relatives or family members between March and September last year.
In 2023, Shargh newspaper reported that male family members killed at least 165 women between 2021 and 2023.
Of these, 27 women were murdered in the first three months of 2023 alone, with “honor killings” cited as a primary motive.
These figures reflect only reported murders, and the actual number is likely much higher.
Source: iranwire.com
https://iranwire.com/en/women/140545-father-kills-18-year-old-daughter-in-iranian-salon/
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Actress Nargis Wanted to Be Buried After Her Death as Per Muslim Rituals, Reveals Daughter Priya Dutt
Apr 22, 2025
Sunil Dutt and Nargis got married in 1958. They have three children - Sanjay Dutt, Priya Dutt and NamrataDutt. Nargis passed away too soon and in a recent interview Priya revealed that she was just 14 years old. Nargis passed away due to Cancer. The actress was born Muslim and married a Hindu man, Sunil. But Priya has now revealed that she wanted a Muslim cremation and not Hindu rituals. Nargis wanted to be burried next to her mother.
Priya revealed that Nargis went through seven surgeries in two weeks. "She kept bleeding so much so that they had to keep opening her up and perform a surgery. Eventually, it reached a point where she could not longer be stitched even. They had to tape her up. So, there was a lot that happened. We were so young to see both your parents in such a situation. It changes your entire life. You grow up suddenly and you are no longer than 15-year old girl. We grew up when that happened," Priya said in an interview with VickeyLalwani.
She added, "My father was not eating when my mom was in hospital. He was constantly smoking, worried. So, we had to take care of him and make sure he's eating because we could not even lose him."
Priya said it was a hard time for Sanjay Dutt as she was not there to see his first film. She said, "Mom had said that the release of the film should not be delayed. She had said she will come on a stretcher also to see the film. But she passed away just 3-4 days before the release of Sanjay's first film. It was extremely hard on Sanjay that she wasn’t there to see his first film, and to see his career take off. Rocky’s premiere happened, and we kept a seat next to Papa, empty, for mom. Her funeral was a very surreal kind of a scene. My father, of course, had priests from all over who came and prayed for her. He said, ‘Many people told me that she was married to a Hindu, so she should have a Hindu funeral’. But he said, ‘No, it was her desire to be buried, and we will do everything according to her wishes’.”
When Nargis passed away, she insisted on a Muslim burial. Priya said, "My mom wanted to be buried in her family kabristan. Then, we went to Haridwar also, mittileke, with dad. When we brought her body home, there was all this press, and one person asked me how I was feeling. I must’ve said something, because Papa took us to a room and told us that if we want to cry and scream, we should do it with him, but outside, we must maintain our composure.”
She added, "My mom wanted to be buried in her family kabristan. Then, we went to Haridwar also, mittileke, with dad. When we brought her body home, there was all this press, and one person asked me how I was feeling. I must’ve said something, because Papa took us to a room and told us that if we want to cry and scream, we should do it with him, but outside, we must maintain our composure.”
Source: indiatimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/nargis-wanted-to-be-burried-after-her-death-as-per-muslim-rituals-sunil-dutt-did-despite-people-saying-otherwise-says-priya-dutt-it-was-hard-on-sanjay-/articleshow/120511235.cms
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Qatar Awqaf Ministry Honours Female Winners of Al Muhaddith Al Saghir Competition
21 Apr 2025
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs (Awqaf) honoured the female winners of the 11th edition of the 'Al Muhaddith Al Saghir' competition.
The ceremony was organised by the Department of Da'wah and Religious Guidance, with the participation of several female leaders from the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE), as well as the winning students and their parents.
The Al Muhaddith Al Saghir competition is a continuation of the Quranic competitions held throughout Qatar. It is the fruit of cooperation between the Department of Da'wah and Religious Guidance, the General Directorate of Endowments at the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, and the MoEHE, represented by Jassim Bin Hamad Secondary School for Boys, Umm Al Qura Primary School for Boys, and Al Iman Secondary School for Girls.
Seventeen female students were awarded shields bearing the names of female narrators of hadiths from the female companions of the Prophet. The shields were presented to the winners by Assistant Undersecretary for Educational Affairs at the MoEHEMahaZayedAlRuwaili, and Assistant Director of the Department of Da'wah and Religious Guidance for Women's Activities at the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs WafaEssa Al Muhaiza.
125 female students who achieved distinction in the fifth level (elite 1) were also honored, as were four female students who achieved distinction in the sixth level, ten female students affiliated with the Audio Education Complex, and five female students affiliated with the Al Noor Center for the Blind.
Director of the Department of Da'wah and Religious Guidance at the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs Jassim Al Ali emphasized that the Al Muhaddith Al Saghir competition represents one of the most valuable initiatives that strengthens Islamic identity in the hearts of young people and deepens their connection to the Sunnah of the Prophet, not only through memorisation, but also through application, emulation, and reflection.
He added that choosing the names of the female companions to be on the honorary shields sends a valuable and emotional message, confirming to the students that they are following in the footsteps of the female companions in conveying the noble prophetic guidance and conveying his message.
He pointed out that this year's competition witnessed a significant increase in the number of participants and an increasing interest from schools and parents, reflecting the growing community awareness of the importance of connecting children to the noble prophetic heritage, in light of the successful strategic partnership with the MoEHE and the General Directorate of Endowments. At the same time, he urged the participating parties to continue their cooperation to pursue the prophetic educational message, to produce generations who memorise the noble hadith, act upon it, and love the Prophet and his noble companions.
12,381 students registered for the current edition of the competition, of whom 8,328 students from 443 schools and 1,313 parents qualified.
The competition's organising committee, in cooperation with the Endowment bank for the service of the Quran and Sunnah, affiliated with the General Directorate of Endowments, awarded valuable cash prizes to the top-ranked winners at all eight levels of the competition.
Prizes range in value from QR200 to QR2,500, depending on the level and degree of excellence, in the student and parent categories. Prizes for students who receive shields range in value from QR4,000 to QR6,000.
Source: thepeninsulaqatar.com
https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/21/04/2025/awqaf-ministry-honours-female-winners-of-al-muhaddith-al-saghir
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UAE’s first all-women supercar rally, all you need to know
April 22, 2025
Dubai: The Middle East’s first all-women supercar rally will take to the roads of the UAE, bringing together a powerhouse group of women drivers from around the world for an unforgettable four-day journey.
A four-day luxury tour across the UAE redefines motorsports with elegance, empowerment, and a bold new vision for women behind the wheel
From May 1—4, 2025, Arabian Gazelles, the world’s first all-women supercar collective, will make history by launching first-ever all-women supercar rally in the UAE.
Spanning Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Abu Dhabi, and back, the four-day rally brings together 20 extraordinary women from around the globe for an immersive driving experience that blends adrenalin with elegance, speed with storytelling, and motorsports with meaning.
“This rally is about more than just horsepower,” said HananSobati, Founder of Arabian Gazelles. “It’s about women claiming space, shifting the narrative, and driving the change they want to see — mile by mile.”
A rally style
The experience will begin with an exclusive track session at Dubai Autodrome, followed by a drive along the tranquil coastlines of Fujairah and a stay at a luxury beach vill and spa. The journey continues with an ascent of the dramatic Jebel Jais mountains, a serene overnight retreat at five-star hotel. Participants will then spend a night among the dunes and the stars of Qasr Al Sarab, before returning to Dubai for a grand celebration.
Beyond borders
Arabian Gazelles aims to grow this movement beyond borders, bringing more women to the region and taking those already here on unforgettable journeys across the world.
GhitaMejdi, co-organiser of the Arabian Gazelles Rally and Founder of the kliff project added: “This is a rally with a soul. Every detail was curated to honour the spirit of the women driving it, trailblazers, storytellers, and icons. They’re not here to compete; they’re here to connect, uplift, and inspire.”
Source: gulfnews.com
https://gulfnews.com/uae/transport/uae-s-first-all-women-supercar-rally-all-you-need-to-know-1.500101676
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Two Baha’i Women Begin Prison Sentences in Mashhad
APRIL 21, 2025
Two Baha’i women from Mashhad have been arrested and sent to Vakilabad Prison to serve eight-month sentences.
FaridehMoradi and GolnooshNasiri were taken into custody on Sunday after being summoned to the Sentence Enforcement Unit of the Revolutionary Court in northeastern Mashhad.
The women were initially sentenced in November 2023 by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad.
Each received three-year prison terms for “membership in groups and associations with the intent to disrupt national security,” and additional eight-month sentences for “propaganda activities against the Islamic Republic.”
Their sentences were later reduced to eight months each by the Court of Appeals of Razavi Khorasan Province, according to the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights.
Both women had previously been interrogated in early September 2023 after receiving court summonses and were temporarily released on bail while awaiting the conclusion of their cases.
Source: iranwire.com
https://iranwire.com/en/bahais-of-iran/140531-two-bahai-women-begin-prison-sentences-in-mashhad/
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Ebadi: Iran Using Nuclear Talks as Cover for Rights Abuses
APRIL 21, 2025
Nobel Peace Prize laureate ShirinEbadi has warned that the Islamic Republic is using its nuclear negotiations with the United States as a cover to intensify human rights violations at home.
"While media is filled with news about negotiations, the Islamic Republic is engaged in full-force domestic repression," she said.
"85 Baluch prisoners face execution. In Zahedan, Revolutionary Guards attacks have resulted in at least 26 detentions, including a child and a person with autism," Ebadi added.
The prominent human rights lawyer cited multiple rights violations occurring across Iran.
"Another 18-year-old girl has been killed by her father in Islamshahr. The disability rights campaign has been shut down, a kolbar has been taken to the gallows, three more women have been sentenced to death," she said.
"NahidShirpisheh remains in prison. FatemehSepehri has put her life on the line. Arab prisoners in Ahvaz's Sheiban prison are under severe pressure."
Ebadi concluded, "Which negotiations are you talking about? Everyone welcomes economic relief, but the main agreement should be with the Iranian people - an agreement to end the civil war."
Source: iranwire.com
https://iranwire.com/en/news/140519-ebadi-iran-using-nuclear-talks-as-cover-for-rights-abuses/
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/bangladesh-political-party-election-women/d/135263