Whatever Happened To Mehsa in Iran, It Would Have Happened To Me That Day – Elnaaz Norouzi on the Hijab Controversy
New
Age Islam News Bureau
27
September 2022
• ‘Modern-Day
Slavery’: Kenyan Domestic Workers Tell Of Abuse in Saudi Arabia
• Pakistan
Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb Heckled by Tehreek-e-Insaf Hecklers in London
• Eman
Al Shamsi First Arab and Emirati Member of Women Leaders in Pediatric Oncology
Steering Committee
• In
Syrian North, Women Protest Over Death of Iran's Amini
• Kurdish
and Arab Women in Iraq Call For Action against Turkish Attacks
• ‘You
Want Me To Put Tarha On 10 Million Women?’ Former Egyptian President’s Speech Mocking
Hijab Rule Resurfaces
Compiled
by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/elnaaz-norouzi-mehsa-iran-hijab/d/128048
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Whatever
Happened To Mehsa in Iran, It Would Have Happened To Me That Day – Elnaaz
Norouzi on the Hijab Controversy
Elnaaz
Norouzi
----
By
Aditya Tarar
September
27, 2022
These
days Iran is burning badly in the fire of hijab controversy. The flames of the
hijab controversy have been rising higher after the recent death of 22-year-old
Mahsa Amini in police custody in Tehran. Mehsa Amini was detained only because
she was not wearing the hijab properly. The police did a lot of atrocities on
Mahsa Amini. She had also shared some pictures on social media, in which injury
marks were visible on her body. Later, Mahsa Amini died in police custody.
Since Mahsa’s death, the movement for the hijab in Iran has intensified. Women
are protesting against the dress and code and the laws related to it, burning
hijab and cutting their hair everywhere. The reaction of Bollywood actress
Elnaaz Naoroji, now living in Iran, has come. The entire family of Elnaaz is in
Iran and there is no communication with the family members.
Panicked
Elnaaz Norouzi has shared the video on her Instagram account. In this she is
saying, ‘My Indian friends and all my followers, I request all of you to spread
this news. Help Iran to fight this war which has been going on for 43 years.
Please create awareness. They are killing people every day on the streets. They
have shut down the internet and all means of communication.
Source:
Hindustan News Hub
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‘Modern-Day
Slavery’: Kenyan Domestic Workers Tell Of Abuse in Saudi Arabia
Kenyan
women are trained as domestic workers the East African Institute of Homecare
Management to prepare them for jobs in Saudi Arabia. Photograph: Joost
Bastmeijer/The Guardian
-----
27
Sep 2022
When
Joy Simiyu left Kenya for a new job as a domestic worker in Saudi Arabia, she
believed her life was about to take a turn for the better. While the
25-year-old had never envisioned herself making a living through housework, her
dreams had grown distant after she dropped out of college due to financial
pressure.
“I
was desperate for a job,” said Simiyu, one of a growing number of Kenyans who
travel to the Gulf to seek work, pushed out by the country’s high unemployment
rates.
But
within months, Simiyu Was back in Kenya, with a harrowing but familiar tale of
employer abuse, cautioning others against travelling to Saudi Arabia for work.
Saudi
Arabia is known for its poor labour and human rights record, and is widely
considered one of the most dangerous places to work in the world. Employers in
the Gulf state have been dogged by allegations of physically, mentally and
sexually abusing their migrant housekeepers for years; claims which continue to
resurface.
In
Kenya, reports of abuse sparked fresh outrage earlier this month when online
photos of a young Saudi-based Kenyan worker, Diana Chepkemoi, looking frail
went viral, along with claims that she was facing employer abuse and neglect.
Under growing pressure from the public, the government repatriated her and a
few other domestic workers facing a similar plight in the Gulf state, including
Simiyu.
Simiyu
says that she faced a torrent of abuse while in Saudi Arabia – that she was
forced to work in multiple homes, and deprived of food and rest. She also
claims her employer would withhold her wages, claiming that she was “not doing
enough work to demand pay”, or that she would be paid in due course since “she
was not going nowhere”.
“It’s
modern-day slavery,” said Fred Ojiro of Haki Africa, a Mombasa-based human
rights organisation that advocates for the rights of workers across the
continent.
Until
just a few years ago, Saudi Arabia’s kafala system required housekeepers to
gain permission from their employer if they wanted to change jobs or leave the
country. Rights groups say this policy left them vulnerable to abuse.
This
year alone, Haki Africa has received more than 51 complaints of abuse from
Kenyan domestic workers based in Saudi Arabia, several videos of distressed
women asking for help, and at least 10 new calls for help after reports of
abuse resurfaced in September.
The
Gulf is plagued by complaints of mistreatment of its domestic workforce, with
estimates by the International Trade Union Confederation showing that more than
2.1 million women employed in households across the region are at risk of
exploitation.
At
the height of the abuse, Simiyu says she escaped the house she was working in
and went to the agency that had recruited her, requesting to be transferred to
another household. The agency promised to get her work in two days, but that
stretched into weeks, and many other women had been waiting much longer.
She
alleges that agency officials would lock them in a hostel, with only one meal a
day, and hound them for sex in exchange for a new assignment. It was only after
Simiyu and a few other women escaped the hostel and publicly resisted agency
officials’ efforts at a forced return that the women were taken to the Kenyan
embassy in Saudi Arabia, which facilitated their return.
Simiyu
considers herself fortunate to have made it back home. At least 89 Kenyans,
most of whom were domestic workers, died in Saudi Arabia between 2020 and 2021,
according to a report by Kenya’s ministry of foreign affairs presented to the
national assembly late last year. Saudi Arabia attributed these deaths to
“cardiac arrest”.
Faced
with these grim statistics, the foreign affairs ministry proposed a ban on the
deployment of Kenyan domestic workers to Saudi Arabia until protection measures
were taken. But Kenya’s cabinet secretary for labour, Simon Chelugui, rejected
those calls, saying that hundreds of thousands of Kenyans were employed there
under “favourable conditions”.
Countries
like Uganda and the Philippines have previously halted deployment of their
domestic workers to Saudi Arabia over widespread reports of abuse, but later
lifted the bans. Like Kenya, both countries receive significant remittances
from their citizens working in Saudi Arabia.
The
Gulf is the third-largest source of diaspora remittances for Kenya, and
payments have doubled over the last two years, making a sustained ban on the
export of labour unlikely.
“The
response of the government has been poor at best,” said Hussein Khalid,
executive director of Haki Africa. “It’s not what you would expect from a
government when its citizens are in distress.”
The
government has taken some measures to mitigate the abuse, such as vetting
domestic worker-recruitment agencies, listing the accredited ones on its
website, and requiring them to pay a security bond that can be used to repatriate
Kenyan workers facing distress.
Women
who go to Saudi Arabia through unregistered agencies often face heightened risk
of abuse and unethical practices, with rights groups reporting that some
workers sign contracts in Arabic, with no understanding of the language. Ojiro
likens the rogue agencies to human traffickers.
The
government has also signed bilateral labour agreements with Saudi Arabia, and
set up a distress reporting portal. But the content of the agreements is not
public and at the time of publication, the portal could not be accessed.
Faced
with growing pressure, Saudi Arabia also implemented some measures to protect
domestic workers, including reforms to the kafala system and the introduction
of a wage protection programme. In a statement to the Guardian, Chelugui said
that the government was satisfied with the measures taken by Saudi Arabia to
protect Kenya’s workers.
But
as claims of pay abuse and the forcible detainment of Kenyan domestic workers
in the Gulf state persist, rights groups say that much more needs to be done.
Source:
The Guardian
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Pakistan
Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb Heckled by Tehreek-e-Insaf Hecklers in London
Antara
Baruah
27
September, 2022
Visits
to other countries are proving to be a trial for Pakistani ministers who are
often met with protests. On Monday, Pakistan’s minister of Information and
Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb was harassed and heckled at a London coffee
shop by supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, the party helmed by former Prime
Minister Imran Khan. Political scientist Ayesha Siddiqa, while speaking to
ThePrint, points to the laxity of the UK government in curtailing such
incidents, which would otherwise warrant immediate—and often harsh—punishment
in countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
On
a more macro-level, social activist Farhan Khan Virk, who is affiliated with
PTI, blames social media and an ever-growing dependence on algorithms that can
be manipulated to fuel unrest.
A
viral video of the Monday incident shows a rather composed Aurangzeb purchasing
and then sipping her drink while being bombarded by overseas Pakistani
protesters who eventually followed her out onto the street shouting “chorni,
chorni (thief, thief).” A heckler can also be heard accusing the minister of
“making grand claims on television ‘there’ but ‘here’ she does not wear a
Dupatta on her head.”
The
Pakistani minister is in London as part of Shehbaz Sharif’s delegation to the
77th United Nations General Assembly.
As
startling and uncalled for as it was, Aurangzeb appears remarkably poised
throughout. In another video shared by Pakistani journalist Ihtisham Ul Haq,
she can be seen answering all questions—gently, but firmly.
‘Violent
and vicious’
Ayesha
Siddiqa says such incidents tend to occur in the UK due to authorities not
taking action “unless there is actual physical violence.”
She
went on to say that it is this atmosphere that permits “violent and vicious”
actions of the PTI and that they “benefit from the relaxation in laws and feel
encouraged by this.”
In
April, then newly-appointed PM Shehbaz Sharif was heckled on a visit to Saudi
Arabia. Protesters were once again seen chanting “chor, chor.” Yet, the result
was drastically different as 5 people were arrested for ‘insulting’ Sharif’s
delegation.
“People
are willing to go to any extreme to get views regardless of their political
party affiliation, which is condemnable and should be stopped,” Virk told
ThePrint.
The
Pakistan Muslim League leader, was the recipient of a wave of support. People
pointed out the shocking nature of such harassment while reprimanding the PTI
for fostering “politics of hate and divisiveness.” This included fellow
ministers, noted journalists, and Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari, daughter of the
late Benazir Bhutto.
“For
anyone with a basic IQ – It is a huge matter of pride to not be an Imran Khan
supporter,” Bhutto proclaimed on Twitter.
Noted
Pakistani journalist Shiffa Z. Yousafzai also came out in the minister’s
support. “Not okay at all. @Marriyum_A stay strong – everyone has a right to
protest but this cannot be called protesting – This is outright harassment,”
she wrote.
In
a wily political manoeuvre, Aurangzeb clapped back on social media,
highlighting her patience in dealing with unruly protesters and the sad
realities of those taken in by PTI’s “toxic politics.”
Farhan
Khan Virk commented on the nature of digital media giants, saying that “they
are pushing masses towards extreme polarization.”
Source:
The Print
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Eman
Al Shamsi First Arab and Emirati Member of Women Leaders in Pediatric Oncology
Steering Committee
27-09-2022
DUBAI,
27th September, 2022 (WAM) -- Dr. Eman Taryam Al Shamsi, Consultant and Head of
Pediatric Hematology Oncology service at Al Qassimi Women and Children's
Hospital, a part of Emirates Health Services (EHS), has been announced as the
first Arab and Emirati member of the Women Leaders in Pediatric Oncology (WLPO)
Network's Steering Group.
Dr.
Al Shamsi membership in the WLPO steering is a significant achievement and a
new success for the EHS medical staff.
The
WLPO network, part of the International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP),
promotes female leadership in pediatric oncology and connects female
professionals in global health through public events, role modelling, and
networking opportunities, building the next generation of talented female
pediatric oncologists.
"I
believe this is a result of EHS' support for its medical staff and providing
them with the opportunity to develop, grow and enhance their knowledge. Being
part of the WLPO's Steering Committee is an opportunity to support this field
during my duties at Al Qassimi Women and Children's Hospital," said Dr. Al
Shamsi.
Source:
WAM
http://wam.ae/en/details/1395303087128
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In
Syrian north, women protest over death of Iran's Amini
September
26, 2022
QAMISHLI,
Syria, Sept 26 (Reuters) - Hundreds of women protested in Kurdish-controlled
northern Syria on Monday over the death of an Iranian Kurdish woman in the
custody of Iran's morality police, with some cutting their hair and burning
headscarves in an echo of demonstrations in Iran.
Mahsa
Amini, 22, died earlier this month after being arrested in Tehran by police
enforcing the Islamic Republic's strict restrictions on women's dress. Her
death has touched off Iran's biggest unrest since 2019.
Protesters
held aloft pictures of Amini as they marched through a street in the
northeastern Syrian city of Qamishli.
"She
was subjected to brutal treatment by the Iranian tyrants. We don't accept this
insult to any woman in society," said Sawsan Hussein, 52, an employee of
the Kurdish-led administration who was at the protest.
Amini's
father has said she had no health problems and that she suffered bruises to her
legs in custody and holds the police responsible for her death.
Iranian
police have denied harming her, saying she fell ill as she waited with other
detained women. Iran's foreign ministry on Monday accused the united states of
using the protests to try to destabilise the Islamic Republic.
Kurdish
groups have controlled swathes of north and northeastern Syria since the early
days of the Syrian civil war, establishing autonomy as President Bashar
al-Assad - an ally of Iran - sought to put down rebellions elsewhere in Syria.
"We
support the protests and uprisings in Iran," said Arwa al-Saleh, a member
of the Kongra Star women's rights organisation that called for the protest.
"No to injustice, no to oppression ... yes to women's rights," she
said.
Women
have played a prominent role in the demonstrations in Iran, waving and burning
their veils, with some publicly cutting their hair in a direct challenge to
clerical leaders. Iran's Kurdistan province is one of the region's swept by
unrest.
The
Kurdish ethnic minority live mostly in a region straddling the borders of
Armenia, Iraq, Iran, Syria and Turkey.
Dozens
of people protested over Amini's death on Sunday in the Iraqi Kurdish town of
Suli. Last week, one of Iraq's main Kurdish leaders - Masoud Barzani - called
her family to pay condolences.
Source:
Reuters
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Kurdish
and Arab women in Iraq call for action against Turkish attacks
26
Sep 2022
Iraqi
and Yazidi Kurdish women made a press statement yesterday (Sep. 25) at the Al
Mound Hall in Baghdad concerning the increasingly ongoing Turkish air strikes
against Iraq.
The
Iraqi and Kurdish women stated that they took a step against the invasion
attacks carried out by the invading Turkish state in South Kurdistan in an
attempt to “stop Turkish aircraft that put the peace and security of the region
in jeopardy and kill the Kurdish people.”
Interviewed
by Rojnews, the activists said that they wanted to collect 1 million signatures
to denounce the invasion attacks of the Turkish state.
Esma
Shemeri, deputy head of the Peace Message Organization and an activist, called
on the Iraqi government to object to the invasion of the Turkish state. She
stressed that the Iraqi government should take a stand against the Turkish
violation of Iraqi sovereignty.
Ala
Qeytan, head of the International Inanna Media Institution, stated that all
political parties in Iraq should support their campaign in order to end the
occupation of the Turkish state. “The Turkish violation of Iraqi sovereignty
should be taken to the United Nations. Furthermore, Iraqi forces who want to
remove the Turkish state from Iraqi territory should be endorsed,” Qeytan
added.
The
invading Turkish state seeks to expand its invasion in South Kurdistan and
Iraq. It is increasing the number of its military bases, particularly around
the regions of Duhok and Mosul. Moreover, the Turkish state is plundering the
nature of Iraq and South Kurdistan by burning forestlands.
Source:
ANF ENGLISH
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‘You
Want Me To Put Tarha On 10 Million Women?’ Former Egyptian President’s Speech
Mocking Hijab Rule Resurfaces
September
25, 2022
Massive
protests have been going on in Iran in the wake of the death of 22-year-old
Mahsa Amini who was allegedly detained by the “morality police” for not wearing
the hijab. From burning headscarves and shouting anti-government slogans to
cutting off hair, women protesters in the country have been involved in
widespread agitations, which have even led to the deaths of over 20 people in
clashes.
Amid
the protests, netizens have dug out an old clip of former Egyptian president
Gamal Abdel Nasser in which he is heard mocking the need for making the hijab
mandatory for women in Egypt. In the video, the revolutionary leader recounts his
exchange with Hassan al-Hudaybi, the head of the Muslim Brotherhood, in 1953.
The clip – posted by journalist Seamus Malekafzali on Twitter – was apparently
recorded eight years after the interaction, at a party gathering.
“We
really wanted to compromise with the Muslim Brotherhood. If they were willing
to do so in the correct and proper manner. And I met the head of the Muslim
Brotherhood and he sat with me and made his requests. What did he request? The
first thing he said to me was to make wearing a hijab mandatory in Egypt and
make every woman walking in the street wear a tarha (scarf). Every woman
walking!” Nasser is heard saying in the video.
The
crowd was quick to express its disappointment, with one person even shouting:
“Let him wear it”. Nasser chuckles and continues, “So I told him if one were to
make that a law they will say that we have returned to the days of Al-Hakim
bi-amri Ilah who forbade people from walking at day and only allowed walking at
night and my opinion is that every person in his own house decides for himself
the rules.
Denouncing
the need to make the hijab mandatory, Nasser adds, “And he replied: ‘No, as the
leader you are responsible’ I told him ‘Sir you have a daughter in The College
of Medicine… she’s not wearing a tarha. Why didn’t you make her wear a tarha?”
“If
you are unable to make one girl – who is your daughter! – wear a tarha, you
want me to put a tarha on 10 million women? By myself,” he asks as the audience
applauds.
Meanwhile,
the Iranian police have denied reports that Mahsa Amini died in custody. The
Associated Press quoted the force as saying that Amini died of a heart attack
and was not mistreated. However, her family has expressed doubts about the
police response. In the aftermath of the massive agitation, several Iranians
have sought the downfall of the Islamic republic and many countries have also
stepped forward to condemn Amini’s death.
Source:
Indian Express
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