Abducted Minor Dalit Girl Allegedly Trained For Terrorist Activities In Kerala
New Age Islam News Bureau
01 Jul 2025
· Abducted Minor Dalit Girl Allegedly Trained For Terrorist Activities In Kerala
· Leicestershire Police Drives Inclusivity With Bespoke Blue Light Hijab, Designed For Muslim Women Working In Police
· Kazakhstan Bans Face Veils As Muslim Women Told To Embrace ‘National Style’
· Popular Female Islamic Scholar, Alhaja Kafilat Kaola, Remanded In Kwara Prison Over A Defamation Case
· Women Of NE Syria Commemorate Martyr Zainab Kanaji Affirm To Continue Her Struggle
· African Women Are Key To Fighting Climate Change — These Are The Green Skills They Will Need
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/dalit-girl-terrorist-activities-kerala/d/136042
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Abducted Minor Dalit Girl Allegedly Trained For Terrorist Activities In Kerala
June 30, 2025
Image via India Today/Foreign Affairs
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The story of a minor Dalit girl, who was allegedly abducted from Prayagraj, forcibly converted to Islam in Kerala, and trained for terrorist activities point to a racket operating from the southern state involving minors in the terrorist activities.
According to police, the girl, a native of the Phulpur area, was kidnapped and taken to Kerala, where she was forcibly converted to Islam.
According to information, she was given arms training in the name of Jihad.
However, the victim managed to run away from the clutches of her abductors and reached a railway station in Kerala. The Railway Protection Force personnel informed the Prayagraj Police about the girl and the police brought the minor back to Prayagraj.
The police said, on the complaint of the victim’s mother, the police arrested Mohammad Kaif, an accused in the case, along with a minor girl who is his companion.
Meanwhile , three police teams have been formed to investigate the matter and interrogate the arrested accused.
The matter being related to terrorist training, Prayagraj unit of the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) is also involved in the investigation and is interrogating the accused. An ATS team also took the statement of the victim girl.
Source: thestatesman.com
Source: thestatesman.com
https://www.thestatesman.com/india/abducted-from-prayagraj-minor-girl-allegedly-trained-for-terrorist-activities-in-kerala-1503451576.html
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Leicestershire Police Drives Inclusivity With Bespoke Blue Light Hijab, Designed For Muslim Women Working In Police
1 July 2025
Image credit: Alex Hannanm Photogrpahy.
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Leicestershire Police has developed a new, bespoke uniform Hijab designed specifically for Muslim women working in policing environments.
Branded as the Blue Light Hijab, the product is due to launch soon and has already attracted national and international interest for its innovative, safety-conscious design.
The project was led by Detective Constable Yassin Desai, who is the founder of Leicestershire Police’s Association of Muslim Police (AMP) and also sits on the national AMP (NAMP) as lead for uniform and equipment.
20 years in the making
Yassin, who comes from a background in research and corporate strategy, has spent nearly two decades championing the need for suitable religious headwear within the police force. Explaining his motivation behind the initiative, he said: “I find myself getting drawn into fixing a problem that I identify and not giving up until I achieve a solution. This was probably why I joined the Police 24 years ago and became a Detective thereafter.”
He first identified the gap in uniform provision almost 20 years ago, when he realised there was no consistent, approved Hijab that met the operational, religious, and safety needs of Muslim women officers. “We had several failed attempts to get the right product from suppliers and have been looking for the right design and product,” he said. Trials with designs used in New Zealand, North Yorkshire, and the NHS proved insightful but ultimately unsatisfactory. “Having not identified a design that our officers felt comfortable and confident wearing, we decided to design our own.”
Bringing the vision to life
To bring this vision to life, Yassin approached De Montfort University (DMU), where he had previously studied. Together, a joint-funded collaboration was formed between Leicestershire Police and DMU’s textiles team. Working closely with Muslim police constables based in city centre stations, they co-designed a two-piece Hijab that prioritised safety, comfort, modesty, and operational functionality.
The development process, which has spanned nearly two years, included national wearer trials and extensive combat testing. The result is a legally protected design, registered with the Intellectual Property Office, under the name Blue Light Hijab® – Confident and Proud.
Earlier this year, a tender process was undertaken to find a local manufacturer. Leicestershire Police is now working with local textile companies using sustainable materials and suppliers. Final testing is underway, with plans to launch the product in Leicestershire imminently.
“There have been several enquiries from national and international contacts,” said Yassin. “I have been liaising with national and local Police Federations, other forces across England and Wales, and the Home Office about this being a national option for emergency services and frontline staff.”
Broader potential
The potential applications go far beyond policing. With its unique safety features and academic backing, the Blue Light Hijab could be adopted across various sectors including ambulance services, fire and rescue, the military, and other public and private organisations seeking to offer inclusive workplace uniforms.
Yassin emphasised the local impact: “For policing within Leicestershire, it’s really important our Muslim officers have an opportunity and a choice. It looks professional, complements our current police uniform, and has relevant design, aesthetic drape, and safety features.”
The design collaboration was led by Kay Radford and Dr Angela Davies from DMU’s Textiles and Materials Testing (TEAM) research group. Dr Davies explained: “Leicestershire Police approached us because they had identified that the absence of an approved and suitable uniform Hijab left the police and the officers with uncertainty around appropriateness and uniformity of standards.”
Kay added, “It’s important for the officers to be comfortable, modest and look professional.” Working closely with Hijab-wearing officers, the team tailored the design for practical needs, including earpiece compatibility and variations in fit. “We’ve created two sizes to fit different sized heads and faces.”
Designed by officers, for officers
The final prototypes were sent to other forces for feedback, with specific attention to comfort, religious appropriateness, and safety—particularly around the neckline where the Hijab fastens.
Frontline officers PC Maryam Allison and PC Aliyah Waka played a key role in testing the new design. “The one we wear currently doesn’t drape correctly and cover as adequately as we would like,” said PC Allison. “It’s quite easy for the neck to be pulled tight, and we need to know we can wear something safe.” PC Waka added, “We have seen how it looks, how it folds… we explained what we would feel comfortable and safe with, as well as having it breathable in the summer and looking smart and professional.”
In March 2024, the Blue Light Hijab® project was recognised for its creativity and innovation as a finalist in the Leicestershire Innovation Awards.
With final tests nearing completion, Leicestershire Police is poised to lead the way in inclusive uniform design, offering Muslim women officers a choice that is safe, professional, and respectful of their faith.
Last year, researchers at Lancaster University launched the first national police uniform and equipment survey. Carried out in partnership with the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW), and the National Uniform Portfolio as part of the National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC), the survey aims to reveal a comprehensive picture about the day to day experiences of police officers and staff to highlight any key uniform and equipment issues and where improvements need to be made.
N.B. Much of the information contained in this piece was first featured in the January edition of Uniformity.
Source: emergencyservicestimes.com
https://emergencyservicestimes.com/2025/07/01/leicestershire-police-drives-inclusivity-with-bespoke-blue-light-hijab/
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Kazakhstan Bans Face Veils As Muslim Women Told To Embrace ‘National Style’
01 July 2025
Kazakhstan is prohibiting people from wearing clothing in public that obscures the face and impedes facial recognition, becoming the latest Central Asian country to restrict veils worn by Muslim women.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Monday signed a law banning clothing that "interferes with facial recognition" in public places. Such clothing is now only allowed for medical reasons, during adverse weather and at sporting or cultural events in the majority Muslim country.
“Wearing items of clothing in public places that impede facial recognition is prohibited,” the law states, “except in cases where this is necessary to comply with the laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan, fulfill official duties, or for medical, civil defense, weather-related or event-specific purposes”.
Mr Tokayev previously said the ban was an opportunity to celebrate the ethnic identity of Kazakhstan. “Rather than wearing face-concealing black robes, it's much better to wear clothes in the national style," he was quoted as saying by Kazakh media.
“Our national clothes vividly emphasise our ethnic identity, so we need to popularise them comprehensively.”
Restrictions on the wearing of face veils have previously caused outrage among Kazakhs of the Muslim faith.
The Tokayev government banned headscarves from educational institutions in 2023 claiming the “requirements for school uniform prohibit the wearing of the hijab”.
At least 150 girls dropped out of school in protest at the decision.
According to official data, almost 70 per cent of Kazakhstan's population practises Islam, with Christianity the second most practised religion.
The latest clothing ban follows similar restrictions on face veils by other Central Asian countries. Neighbouring Kyrgyzstan passed a law earlier this year prohibiting face veils from public places. Police in Kyrgyzstan conduct street patrols and raids to enforce the ban on the niqab face veil worn by some Muslim women, according to local media.
Uzbekistan has also banned burqas and veils in public places and imposed a fine of over $250 for any violation. The country has cited security concerns and promotion of secularism as justification for the ban.
Tajikistan passed a similar law in 2023 banning the wearing of any clothing that "contradicts national culture and traditions”.
Source: independent.co.uk
https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/central-asia/kazakhstan-niqab-hijab-ban-muslims-b2780052.html
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Popular Female Islamic Scholar, Alhaja Kafilat Kaola, Remanded In Kwara Prison Over A Defamation Case
30th June 2025
Adekunle Sulaimon
A popular Ibadan-based female Islamic scholar, Alhaja Kafilat Kaola, has been remanded at the Oke Kura Correctional Facility in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Kaola was ordered to be in remand by the Upper Area Court in Ganmo town over a defamation case involving another renowned Islamic scholar, Alhaji Taofeek Akeugbagold.
Recently, she called out Akeugbagold for allegedly being a diabolic cleric whom she claimed people especially those seeking knowledge about Islamic religion should run away from.
Debunking the claim, Akeugbagold said he wasn’t ready to trade words with the female scholar while urging her to provide evidence of the damning claims because her accusation has tinted his name and caused a lot of loss to his businesses.
He also stressed that although notable Islamic scholars have interfered in the matter but that he won’t let go of Kaola except she cleared him of all the accusations.
However, during the proceeding on Monday, counsel for Kaola pleaded with the court to grant his client bail on self-recognisance and account of her public status, assuring the court that she would not abscond.
And counsel for the plaintiff, Ajasa Ademola, opposed the bail application, arguing that Kaola was not entitled to such privilege under the law, citing her alleged involvement in a similar matter.
Ajasa, when prompted to provide evidence to support his objection, presented a viral video in which Kaola was allegedly seen disparaging a judge and a lawyer over a previous legal case.
Citing relevant legal provisions, Ajasa maintained that individuals who publicly ridicule judicial officers should not be granted bail under such circumstances and insisted that she be remanded.
Following arguments from both parties, the judge ordered that Kaola be remanded at the Oke Kura Correctional Facility in Ilorin until the next adjourned date, July 17, 2025.
Source: punchng.com
https://punchng.com/defamation-popular-female-islamic-scholar-remanded-in-kwara-prison/#google_vignette
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Women Of NE Syria Commemorate Martyr Zainab Kanaji Affirm To Continue Her Struggle
30 June, 2025
A series of events were held in cities across the Jazira Canton, North and East Syria, marking the 29th anniversary of the martyrdom of Zilan (Zainab Kanaji), who carried out a self-sacrificial operation against the Turkish occupation army in the city of Dersim in Northern Kurdistan on June 30, 1996.
In this context, the people of the towns of Girkê Legê and Rimelan commemorated the 29th anniversary of the martyrdom of Zilan today. The event, organized by Kongra Star, was held in the Workers’ Union Hall in Rimelan.
The event witnessed wide participation from residents and members of civil institutions. It began with a minute of silence in tribute to the martyrs, followed by a speech from Ilham Mohammed, a member of the General Council of the Democratic Union Party (PYD). She praised Zilan’s sacrifices, describing her as "a symbol of free resistance and the women’s struggle for dignity and freedom."
In her speech, Ilham Mohammed affirmed that "Zilan has not disappeared; she has become a torch lighting the way for future generations. Her message was a call for every woman to remain steadfast on the path of struggle and liberation." She urged continued resistance in her footsteps until the goals for which she gave her life are achieved.
The event included the reading of Zilan’s letter, which she wrote to the Leader Abdullah Ocalan before carrying out her operation. Candles were lit in front of her photo, and the event concluded with chants of "Woman, Life, Freedom."
Similarly, Kongra Star organized an event in the city of Çil Agha at the Culture and Art Center. The event was attended by members of communes, the Council of Martyrs’ Families, civil and service institutions, as well as political and military representatives.
Salama Remo, a member of Kongra Star, read martyr Zilan’s letter, followed by a speech by Netwa Ghimegin, an administrator in the PYD’s Women’s Council. She discussed the significance of Zilan’s self-sacrificial action, stating it "transformed the nature of the struggle and established a genuine women’s resistance that is not confined to the mountains but extends to all fields of life."
Netwa stressed that Zilan represented "the model of the revolutionary woman capable of breaking chains and confronting injustice and tyranny," calling on women and peoples of the region to continue resisting with the same spirit and determination.
The event concluded with chants honoring the martyrs, expressing loyalty to Leader Abdullah Ocalan, and affirming commitment to the path of freedom.
Meanwhile, the Council of Zenobia Women’s Gathering in Raqqa organized a commemorative event for Zilan, held at the Cultural Center in downtown Raqqa.
The event was attended by members from both civil and military institutions, as well as the Co-Chair of the Executive Council in Raqqa Canton, Hevin Ismail. It began with a moment of silence, followed by Jihan Mohammed, a member of the Zenobia Women's Gathering Coordination in Raqqa Canton, reading the letter of the martyr Zilan. The letter carried profound meanings of courage, faith, and sacrifice.
In her message, Zilan expressed her unwavering commitment to the Kurdish cause and her readiness to give her life for the freedom and rights of the Kurdish people, stating that such sacrifice represents the highest form of loyalty and devotion.
Following the letter reading, a short film (senfîzyon) was screened documenting Zilan’s life and struggle. The event concluded with a musical performance by the Helîn Cudi troupe affiliated with the Helal Zêrîn Movement for Women’s Culture.
Deir ez-Zor Canton
In a related event, the Zenobia Women's Gathering organized a commemoration in the People's Council Hall in the town of Hajin in eastern Deir ez-Zor countryside. The event was attended by local councilwomen, representatives from municipalities and the assembly, and a large number of residents.
The event began with a moment of silence, followed by a welcoming speech from Safa Al-Ahmad, an administrator in the gathering. She recounted Zilan’s life story, from her birth in the village of Elmalı near the city of Malatya in Northern Kurdistan, to the political and revolutionary awareness shaped by her environment.
She noted that Zilan joined the Kurdish Freedom Movement in 1995, adopting the name "Zilan" in honor of the Zilan Valley, the site of a massacre against Kurds in 1930.
Safa also spoke about Zilan’s operation in Dersim in 1996, considered the first of its kind led by a woman in the movement. She emphasized that Zilan’s struggle inspired women in North and East Syria and opened the way for their participation in all spheres of life.
For her part, Imtithal Al-Ali, a member of the training committee of Zenobia Women's Gathering training committee in the Euphrates city, stated that Zilan faced difficult conditions with unshakable willpower. She noted that Zilan’s revolutionary journey marked a turning point in the history of women’s resistance. Her self-sacrificial act laid the foundation for a female resistance approach and shattered traditional stereotypes about women's roles.
Imtithal added that Zilan became a symbol of sacrifice and strength, a source of inspiration and empowerment for today’s women. Her legacy remains alive in the hearts of women fighters, and her sacrifice paved the way for women’s involvement in political and military struggle, breaking societal constraints.
The event featured a documentary film about Zilan’s life, her role in the Kurdish liberation movement, and her contribution to building a revolutionary female legacy inspired by the leader’s support for women.
The commemoration concluded with candle-lighting in front of Zilan’s photo and chants celebrating women’s resistance and calling for freedom.
The Zenobia Women’s Gathering Council in Tabqa Canton also commemorated the martyrs Zainab Kanaji and Sama Yoja during an event attended by women from the towns of Al-Jurniyah and Al-Mansoura. The event was held at the Council Hall in central Tabqa.
The commemoration began with the lighting of candles and a minute of silence in tribute to the souls of the martyrs. Then, Kawthar Al-Ahmad, an administrator of the Zenobia Women’s Gathering Council in Tabqa, read the two martyrs’ letters, which focused on national values and highlighted the role and thought of Leader Abdullah Ocalan in liberating peoples, especially the Kurdish people, from the chains of slavery and exploitation.
Afterward, attendees watched a short documentary showcasing the lives and struggles of the two martyrs in the path of freedom, a path that has become a model for freedom advocates around the world. The event concluded with chants celebrating women’s resistance and Leader Abdullah Ocalan.
Source: hawarnews.com
https://hawarnews.com/en/women-of-ne-syria-commemorate-martyr-zilan-affirm-to-continue-her-struggle
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African women are key to fighting climate change — these are the green skills they will need
01 Jul 2025
Women are an important and often underutilised human resource in Africa. They’ve faced many problems historically. Limited access to land, finance, education and decision-making platforms have meant that women across Africa haven’t been able to take part fully in the green economy.
A green economy is one that enhances well-being and social equity while reducing environmental risks. It demands that people use fewer resources to create more.
With the world moving towards renewable energy and finding ways to adapt to climate change, new sectors of work are opening up. With access to green skills, women’s productivity in the green economy could triple. This is especially the case in agriculture, energy, manufacturing and processing.
For example, farmers might learn climate-smart agriculture techniques, such as drip irrigation or cultivating drought-resistant crops, while technicians could be trained to install and maintain solar panels. These are practical forms of reskilling (updating people’s abilities to match emerging green jobs).
Global green upskilling and reskilling efforts, such as the Green Jobs for Youth Pact, often prioritise young people in formal employment. But in Africa, women are not only among the most affected by climate change, they are also key to delivering solutions. From agriculture to water collection and household energy use, women lead in finding innovative ways to cope with climate change.
Many African women already apply traditional practices that care for the environment. Women are also more likely to adopt sustainable practices and influence community-level adaptation. However, to keep pace with evolving climate challenges, they must also be equipped with modern, tech-enabled skills. This is so that green reskilling preserves local knowledge, and enhances it with new tools and techniques.
Read more: Women are seen as 'saviours' or 'victims' in climate change debates: why this is a problem
We are specialists in gender, climate change, sustainable development, and economics. We research how Africa’s growth can be advanced through combining gender equality, climate action, digital finance and technological innovation.
Our latest book builds on this vision by exploring strategies to drive sustainable development across Africa. Chapter 9: Green Reskilling of African Women for Climate Action focuses on green and gender-inclusive skills, as well as digital green skills, that are essential for women to thrive in the continent’s climate transition.
For women to get these green skills, governments and development partners must design inclusive programmes that prioritise gender equity, particularly for rural, disabled and marginalised women. Policymakers must make green reskilling part of national climate strategies, education reforms and employment plans.
This is the only way to create a just transition that does not leave women behind.
Women should not only be beneficiaries of climate solutions but also active co-creators and leaders in shaping them.
Green & gender-inclusive skills
This is the first set of green skills that African women need to be equipped with. These skills include:
Natural asset management skills. The ability to identify, assess, and conserve resources such as forests, water bodies and soil. These are found in jobs that aim to balance the environment into the future, even as the climate gets hotter.
Low-carbon industry support skills. These are skills needed to work in lowering greenhouse gas emissions. These include renewable energy, reducing the environmental impact of shipping and transport, and sustainable manufacturing.
Climate-resilient skills. Skills that help communities adapt to climate change. Growing drought-resistant crops or building infrastructure that can withstand floods are examples.
Resource-efficient skills. The ability to use natural resources wisely, reducing waste and cost. Some examples are recycling, water-saving, or sustainable packaging.
Green digital skills
This is the second set of vital green skills that women in Africa need:
Green digital and marketing skills. The ability to use digital platforms to market and promote eco-friendly products and services.
Digital green monitoring and inspection skills. Using technologies like sensors and data analytics to track environmental changes and monitor whether climate policies are being followed.
Digital green agricultural skills. These are needed for farming, such as weather apps, precision agriculture, and advice from agriculture specialists that can be accessed online or by phone. These reduce farmers’ risk of suffering climate damage and increase their crop yields.
Digital green communication skills. The use of digital media to raise environmental awareness, influence behaviour, and advocate for climate policies.
Digital green design skills. The ability to create digital tools, such as apps and smart systems, that support sustainability and green innovation.
Green mobile technological skills. These are jobs in mobile technologies that promote energy efficiency, reduce waste, or support climate resilience.
What needs to happen next
To make these skills more accessible, African countries must invest in expanding green-focused technical and vocational education and training programmes. Informal learning pathways that are used by women in rural or marginalised communities must also get access to green skills training.
These changes are needed:
Gender-responsive policies – to ensure women are not left behind in national climate strategies. Many African countries have adopted gender-sensitive climate policies and national adaptation plans. But these are not always implemented due to limited funding, weak institutional frameworks, and poor coordination.
Investments in green education and training – new and inclusive training models are needed. These should combine digital access, local language delivery, and practical, community-based learning.
Access to finance, technology, and markets – this will help women turn green skills into viable businesses and create jobs.
Partnerships among governments, civil society, academia, and the private sector – to ensure coordinated action, shared knowledge, and sustained support for women-led climate innovation. In Tanzania, for example, partnerships have helped make gender equality part of national climate strategies.
When African women acquire green skills, this boosts the whole community’s resilience to climate change. It speeds up ways of adapting to climate change and also drives inclusive economic growth.
Involving men in the journey toward gender equality is crucial. Changing social norms and promoting shared responsibility means entire communities will benefit. Ultimately, green reskilling is not just about training — it’s about transformation.
Ogechi Adeola, Full Professor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Administration and Human Resources, University of Kigali; Innocent Ngare, Adjunct Lecturer in Environmental Sciences & Education, Kenyatta University, and Olaniyi Evans, Senior Lecturer, Pan Atlantic University
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Source: downtoearth.org.in
https://www.downtoearth.org.in/africa/african-women-are-key-to-fighting-climate-change-these-are-the-green-skills-they-will-need
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/dalit-girl-terrorist-activities-kerala/d/136042