Phone documentary details struggles of Afghan women under Taliban
New Age Islam News Bureau
16 Nov2024
· Phone documentary details struggles of Afghan women under Taliban
· Is Iran quietly sweeping controversial hijab law under the rug?
· 58% of Muslim women feel stereotyped in media and advertising
· Woman arrested for dismembering body of daughter-in-law over 'witchcraft allegations'
· What's Iran 'treatment clinic' for women who defy hijab laws
· 1st female airman awarded Silver Star for shootdown of Iranian drones
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/documentary-struggles-afghan-women-taliban/d/133732
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Phone documentary details struggles of Afghan women under Taliban
16 November, 2024
(L-R) Pakistani education activist and producer Malala Yousafzai, US actress Jennifer Lawrence, producer Justine Ciarrocchi and director Sahra Mani attend the Los Angeles premiere of "Bread and Roses" at the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles [Getty]
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A rare inside account of the tyranny of the Taliban and their impact on Afghan women hits screens next week with the smartphone-filmed documentary "Bread & Roses."
Produced by actress Jennifer Lawrence ("Hunger Games") and Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, this feature-length film immerses the viewer in the daily asphyxiation endured by half the population of Afghanistan since the withdrawal of US troops paved the way for the Taliban to seize power.
"When Kabul fell in 2021 all women lost their very basic rights. They lost their rights to be educated, to work," Lawrence told news agency AFP in Los Angeles.
"Some of them were doctors and had high degrees, and then their lives were completely changed overnight."
The documentary, which debuted at Cannes in May 2023, was directed by exiled Afghan filmmaker Sahra Mani who reached out to a dozen women after the fall of Kabul.
She tutored them on how to film themselves with their phones -- resulting in a moving depiction of the intertwined stories of three Afghan women.
We meet Zahra, a dentist whose practice is threatened with closure by the Taliban, suddenly propelled to the head of the protests against the regime.
Sharifa, a former civil servant, is stripped of her job and cloistered at home, reduced to hanging laundry on her roof to get a breath of fresh air.
And Taranom, an activist in exile in neighboring Pakistan, who watches helplessly as her homeland sinks into medieval intolerance.
Gender apartheid
"The restrictions are getting tighter and tighter right now," Mani told AFP on the film's Los Angeles red carpet.
And hardly anyone outside the country seems to care, she said.
"The women of Afghanistan didn't receive the support they deserved from the international community."
Since their return to power, the Taliban have established a "gender apartheid" in Afghanistan, according to the United Nations.
Women are gradually being erased from public spaces: Taliban authorities have banned post-secondary education for girls and women, restricted employment and blocked access to parks and other public places.
A recent law even prohibits women from singing or reciting poetry in public.
The Taliban follow an austere brand of Islam, whose interpretations of holy texts are disputed by many scholars.
"The Taliban claim to represent the culture and religion while they're a very small group of men who do not actually represent the diversity of the country," Yousafzai, an executive producer of the film, told AFP.
"Islam does not prohibit a girl from learning, Islam does not prohibit a woman from working," said the Pakistani activist, whom the Taliban tried to assassinate when she was 15.
The documentary captures the first year after the fall of Kabul, including moments of bravery when women speak out against repression.
"You closed universities and schools, you might as well kill me!" a protester shouts at a Talib threatening her during a demonstration.
These gatherings of women -- under the slogan "Work, bread, education!" -- are methodically crushed by the regime.
Protesters are beaten, some are arrested, others kidnapped.
Slowly, the resistance fades, but it doesn't die: some Afghan women are now trying to educate themselves through clandestine courses.
Three years after the Taliban seized power from a hapless and corrupt civilian government, few countries have officially recognized their regime.
In the wake of Donald Trump's re-election to the US presidency, the fundamentalists have made it known that they hope to "open a new chapter" in relations between Kabul and Washington, where a more transactional foreign policy outlook is expected to prevail.
For Mani, that rings alarm bells.
Giving up on defending the rights of Afghan women would be a serious mistake -- and one the West could come to regret, she said.
The less educated Afghan women are, the more vulnerable their sons are to the ideology that birthed the attacks of September 11, 2001.
"If we are paying the price today, you might pay the price tomorrow," she said.
"Bread & Roses" begins streaming on Apple TV+ on November 22.
Source:newarab.com
https://www.newarab.com/news/new-documentary-details-struggles-afghan-women-under-taliban
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Is Iran quietly sweeping controversial hijab law under the rug?
Maryam Sinaiee
A hijab patrol has stopped a woman, who is led to a police van for questioning. Undated
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Iran's President and Parliament Speaker appear to have put the brakes on the enforcement of the ultra-hardliners’ controversial Hijab Act by refraining from officially communicating it to the government for implementation.
The enforcement of the legislation, which imposes harsh penalties—including heavy fines and prison sentences—on women for not adhering to strict hijab regulations and on businesses for failing to enforce them, could be highly provocative under the current circumstances and risk igniting anti-government protests.
The legislation must have been sent to the President within five days of its approval by the ultra-hardline Guardian Council in late September to sign and communicate to all government bodies.
The finalization of the legislation, which seemed deliberately delayed during Ebrahim Raisi's presidency to avoid a popular backlash and shield his government from vulnerability, was completed shortly after the new administration took office. This move has largely been interpreted as a direct challenge to Pezeshkian and his administration, who promised to adopt a softer stance toward hijab violations.
Normally, as seen under previous presidents, the Parliament Speaker would send the new law to government agencies within three days if the president chose not to.
However, neither Masoud Pezeshkian, who vowed to prevent violence and pressure on women over hijab, nor Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, who has consistently supported hijab restrictions, has taken this step or provided any explanation.
In the past few days, ultra-hardliners have taken new steps to keep the hijab issue alive and push the government to enforce the legislation including an announcement about a “clinic” in Tehran to rehabilitate women who flout the mandatory hijab.
The state hijab enforcement enity, Amr-e be Marouf Headquarters, is headed by Kazem Sediqqi, one of Tehran’s several interim Friday imams. The imams are considered appointees of the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
The establishment of the ‘hijab rehabilitation clinic’ is meant to prevent Pezeshkian’s government from easing hijab enforcement, veteran politician Mohammad Tavassoli, the former leader of the reformist Iran Freedom Movement (Nehzat-e Azadi) contended in a tweet.
Government officials have denied having any part or knowledge of the facility's establishment.
The official, Mehri Talebi-Darestani, defined the mission of the “clinic” as offering “scientific and psychological treatment” to women to bring them to voluntarily abide by the Islamic dress code.
While she described visits to the “clinic” as “optional,” a senior official from the same state body revealed in an interview with a news website that participation in these rehabilitation programs would be offered as an alternative to the cash fines imposed on women by the courts.
Social media users, the "reformist" media, and mental health professionals have widely criticized the move.
In a joint statement Wednesday, the Iranian Psychological Association and Psychotherapy Associations condemned ultra-hardliners’ new move.
The use of the words “clinic” and “rehabilitation” suggests that not abiding by the prescribed Islamic dress code is a mental disorder or illness, the statement said, adding that they considered it a “clear example of misapplication of psychology and psychiatry.”
“You can mock this hijab rehabilitation clinic now but you will find out what they have in store for the nation when they drag people there, make up a record of mental illness for them, as well as a lot of financial costs,” a critic tweeted while warning Pezeshkian to be wary of the consequences of hardliners new plan.
Source:iranintl.com
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202411156982
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58% of Muslim women feel stereotyped in media and advertising
15th November 2024
A new report has uncovered a significant gap in the representation of Muslim women in media and advertising.
The study, conducted by media agency UM in partnership with Amaliah, a media company focused on amplifying female Muslim voices, surveyed more than 200 Muslim women.
The study found that just 19% of Muslim women feel positively represented in advertising, 58% believe they are stereotyped in ads and media and a mere 14% report seeing their culture represented ‘often’ or ‘very often’ in media. Some 35% say representation occurs ‘rarely’ or ‘never’.
The research points to a significant opportunity for brands to better engage with the Muslim community, with 75% of respondents saying they would be more likely to purchase products from brands that portray Muslims authentically.
There are 3.9 million Muslims in the UK and half are under 30. Muslims also contribute £31 billion to the UK economy annually.
Entertainment brands (such as TV channels) were seen as most likely to stereotype Muslims (65%), followed by dating/relationship apps at 57%. Beauty and makeup brands were viewed as least likely to use stereotypes, though just 25% felt Muslims were authentically represented in this category.
Founder and CEO of Amaliah, Nafisa Bakkar said, “One of the misconceptions brands have is that independent media do not have brand scale. However our campaigns have proved both relevancy and reach and in turn brand uplift which we measure. Our audiences are not ‘hard to reach’, you just have to be able to know how to reach them, which is our superpower.”
Amaliah has previously worked with Sainsbury’s on its Ramadan campaign. Consumer polling showed the brand was considered third after two of its competitor supermarkets. After the campaign, Sainsbury’s ranked number one, with increased positive sentiment.
There is a need for marketers to engage more authentically with the Muslim community, said Gabriela Paiva, UM insights director: “Marketers need to listen and learn, and actually research what Muslims want to see and hear rather than relying on stereotypes. That means building authentic connections with the community and ensuring Muslims are involved in the decision-making process.”
Source:marketing-beat.co.uk
https://www.marketing-beat.co.uk/2024/11/15/muslim-women-misrepresented/
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Woman arrested for dismembering body of daughter-in-law over 'witchcraft allegations'
November 15, 2024
A woman in tehsil Daska of district Sialkot allegedly killed her daughter-in-law and chopped her body into pieces, accusing the latter of practising 'witchcraft'.
The woman, identified as Sughran, with the help of her daughter and others, chopped victim Zara's body into pieces, sealed it in a sack and disposed of into a sewage drain.
In a statement given to police, the key suspect alleged that the daughter-in-law used to practice 'witchcraft' on her family, which she said, was suffering ever since her son got married to the victim.
Sughran also blamed the victim’s 'witchcraft practices' for the deaths that occurred in her family.
Meanwhile, the District Police Officer (DPO) Sialkot said that the female suspect called her paternal cousin, Naveed, from Lahore for assistance in killing the daughter-in-law.
The police registered a first information report against the suspects on the complaint of Shabbir Ahmed, the father of the victim.
“The accused first put the pillow over her face to suffocate her during her sleep and then dismembered the body. The parts of the body were sealed in a sack and thrown into the drain,” the official said.
The police, in a statement, said they have so far arrested the woman, her daughter Yasmeen and grandson Abdullah, adding that the father-in-law’s role in the murder is not clear yet.
Meanwhile, the police have seized a digital video recorder (DVR) as part of their efforts to unravel the events surrounding the incident.
In the CCTV footage, it was confirmed that the victim had not left the house on the day of the incident.
The police also obtained CCTV footage from the market, in which the woman and another suspect Naveed can be seen buying knives. All CCTV footage will be sent to the forensic lab for a photogrammetric test.
Source:thenews.com.pk
https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1251461-woman-arrested-for-dismembering-body-of-daughter-in-law-over-witchcraft-allegations
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What's Iran 'treatment clinic' for women who defy hijab laws
Nov 16, 2024
Iran has announced plans to set up a "hijab removal treatment clinic" for women who violate the country's mandatory hijab laws.
The announcement was made by Mehri Talebi Darestani, head of the Women and Family Department at Tehran Headquarters for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.
She said this facility would provide "scientific and psychological treatment for hijab removal."
Criticism
Clinic announcement sparks widespread condemnation
The clinic's announcement has drawn fierce backlash from human rights groups and Iranian women, who see it as a further escalation of the government's assault on women's rights.
The announcement was made shortly after a university student was reportedly detained and sent to a psychiatric hospital after she protested against dress code enforcers by stripping down to her underwear.
Human rights
Concerns over forced medication and torture in state facilities
Amnesty International and other human rights organizations have raised concerns over reports of forced medication and torture in state psychiatric facilities.
These methods are reportedly employed against protesters and dissidents branded as mentally unstable by authorities.
Sima Sabet, a UK-based Iranian journalist, slammed the move as "shameful," adding that setting up clinics to "cure" unveiled women is chilling.
You're 50% through
Legal perspective
'Neither Islamic nor aligned with Iranian law'
Iranian human rights lawyer Hossein Raeesi also condemned the clinic, saying it's "neither Islamic nor aligned with Iranian law."
The announcement has stoked fear and anger among Iranian women and protest groups like "Woman, Life, Freedom."
An anonymous young woman from Iran said, "It won't be a clinic, it will be a prison. We are struggling to make ends meet and have power outages, but a piece of cloth is what this state is worried about."
Rising incidents
Increase in arrests and disappearances linked to hijab law violations
Reports suggest a rise in arrests, disappearances, and businesses shut down for purported hijab law violations.
The Center for Human Rights in Iran drew attention to the case of Roshanak Molaei Alishah, who was arrested after confronting a man over her hijab. Her whereabouts remain unknown.
"Since her detention, there has been limited information regarding her health and conditions of imprisonment. The lack of transparent information about...political prisoners in Iran remains...widespread concern," Hengaw, a Norway-based human rights organization said.
Source:newsbytesapp.com
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/world/whats-iran-treatment-clinic-for-women-who-defy-hijab-laws/story
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1st female airman awarded Silver Star for shootdown of Iranian drones
ByLuis Martinez
November 15, 2024
The Air Force has awarded the Silver Star to a female airman for the first time following her role in the shootdown of more than 80 Iranian drones that were part of Iran's large missile and drone attack on Israel in mid-April.
The historic award of the nation's third-highest award for valor to a female airman comes at a time when the role of women in ground combat units has been front and center because of critical comments made by Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's pick to be the next defense secretary.
Capt. Lacie "Sonic" Hester, an F-15E instructor weapons systems officer, is the first Air Force woman to receive the Silver Star and only the 10th female service member ever to receive the award. Also receiving the Silver Star on Tuesday was her pilot, Maj. Benjamin "Irish" Coffey, for his role in coordinating the shootdowns from their two-seat fighter and then using all of their missiles and their fighter's Gatling guns to bring down some of the drones.
The actions by the U.S. Air Force units involved in the shootdown of about 80 Iranian drones have been described as the largest air-to-air enemy engagement by the United States in over 50 years.
Tuesday's award ceremony at Hester's and Coffey's home base of Royal Air Force Lakenheath in the United Kingdom honored the men and women of the 494th Fighter Squadron and the 494th Fighter Generation Squadron with two Silver Stars, six Distinguished Flying Crosses with the valor device, four Distinguished Flying Crosses with the combat device, four Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Bronze Stars, seven Air and Space Commendation Medals and seven Air and Space Achievement Medals.
On the night of April 13, Iran launched more than 300 ballistic missiles and drones at Israel in retaliation for an Israeli missile strike in Damascus, Syria, that killed a top Iranian commander. U.S. military aircraft and naval ships helped Israel in bringing down 99% of the weapons Iran fired at Israel in the attack.
Soon after the attack, President Joe Biden reached out to the commanders of the two units involved, the 494th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and 335th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, to praise their units' actions.
One of those commanders was Lt. Col. Timothy "Diesel" Causey, the commander of the 494th Fighter Squadron.
"We all fell into an execution rhythm: Call, shoot, and confirm the target was destroyed before we moved on to the next task we had to accomplish to keep everyone safe," Causey said in a U.S. Air Force story about this week's ceremony.
On the night of April 13, the F-15E's from his squadron flew 14 sorties from an undisclosed base in the Middle East to shoot down the incoming drones. Patriot air defense missiles at the base were also fired to intercept the drones. Some of those fighters had to return to the base to rearm their planes before going back up to engage more of the drones, some of which occurred so close to that base that some of the falling debris landed on that base. Other aircraft had to be redirected to mid-air refueling tanker aircraft so they could stay in the air longer.
"Although intelligence provided the numbers of how many [one-way attack] drones we could expect to see, it was still surprising to see them all," Hester said in an Air Force interview.
That night, Coffey and Hester were the airborne mission commanders directing the fighters toward the drones and were also actively engaged in shooting down drones, resorting to bringing the drones down with their fighter's Gatling guns after they had used up all of their air-to-air missiles.
"It takes a high-performing team with high-performing individuals to be able to find these things to begin with and then to engage it," Coffey said.
Among those receiving awards this week were many members of the squadrons' airmen on the ground who helped keep the fighters flying in and out, especially as some of the fighters experienced in-flight emergencies.
Hester's receipt of the Silver Star occurred the same week that Hegseth drew scrutiny for recent comments on a podcast in which he criticized the decision to allow women to serve in ground combat units.
"I'm straight up just saying, we should not have women in combat roles," Hegseth said last week on the "The Shawn Ryan Show."
The process of integrating women into combat units was a gradual one that began in 1993, when Defense Secretary Les Aspin issued an order that allowed women to fly fighter jets and bomber aircraft in combat.
But women were not allowed to serve in ground combat units until 2013, when Defense Secretary Leon Panetta rescinded the ban, which was subsequently enhanced in 2015 by Defense Secretary Ash Carter, who cleared the path for women to serve in jobs that were still limited to men, including some in special operations.
On the podcast, Hegseth drew a distinction between women serving as pilots and those serving in ground combat units.
"I'm not talking about pilots," Hegseth said. "I'm talking about physical labor type, labor intensive type job. … I'm talking about something where strength is a differentiator. Pilots? Give me a female pilot all day long. I got no issues with that."
Source:abcnews.go.com
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/1st-female-airman-receives-silver-star-shootdown-iranian/story?id=115896168
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/documentary-struggles-afghan-women-taliban/d/133732