Sandwell Council Welcomes First Female Muslim Mayor, Syeda Khatun
New Age Islam News Bureau
23 May 2024
·
Sandwell
Council Welcomes First Female Muslim Mayor, Syeda Khatun
·
142
Saudi Women Soldiers Graduated
·
PTI's
Yasmin Rashid Shifted to Hospital from Jail After She Complained of Abdominal
Pain
·
Muslim
Students Win Suit On Hijab Wearing At University Of Ibadan International School
·
Abducted
Zamfara Lawmaker’s Daughters Freed After 17 Months
·
Call
To Address Underutilization of Women Human Resources
·
First
Female Band of Saudi Nationals Earns Applauds at Riyadh Show
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/female-muslim-mayor-sandwell/d/132372
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Sandwell
Council Welcomes First Female Muslim Mayor, Syeda Khatun
Councillor Syeda Khatun was first elected in 1999, becoming the first
Bangladeshi woman to be elected in the Midlands region
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22nd May
Councillor
Syeda Khatun will serve as the mayor of Sandwell for the 2024/25 year following
a ceremony in Oldbury on Tuesday.
The
long-standing Sandwell councillor was first elected in 1999 becoming the first
Bangladeshi woman to be elected in the Midlands region and the first Muslim
woman to win a seat on Sandwell Council.
She was
awarded an MBE in the 2004 New Year Honours for her services to community
development in Sandwell.
At the
full council meeting on Tuesday evening, Cllr Khatun said she was “very humbled
and honoured” to become the borough’s first citizen.
On
becoming mayor, Cllr Khatun said: “This is a great privilege and honour and my
promise to all is that I will uphold this honour and make Sandwell proud.
“I am
Sandwell’s first female Muslim mayor which helps to reflect our diverse
population in the borough and I feel very proud to be representing everyone in
Sandwell.
“I want
to wish every success to the leader, Councillor Kerrie Carmichael, her cabinet
and all councillors new and old across the chamber whatever their political
allegiance.
“I would
also like to thank the outgoing mayoral team for all their hard work over the
last year.”
At
Tuesday’s meeting, Cllr Steve Melia, who represents the Great Barr with Yew
Tree ward, was also appointed deputy mayor. Cllr Melia’s sister, Val Thacker,
will serve as deputy mayoress.
At the
ceremony, votes of thanks were also passed to the outgoing mayor Councillor
Bill Gavan and deputy mayor Councillor Elaine Giles.
Cllr
Khatun’s daughter Syeda Hasna will serve as mayoress.
The
mayor will be raising money for children’s charity Acorns and the Yemeni
Community Association’s Let’s Talk Hope project.
Acorns
offers a network of palliative care and support to life-limited and
life-threatened children and their families.
Source:
halesowennews.co.uk
https://www.halesowennews.co.uk/news/24338910.sandwell-council-welcomes-first-female-muslim-mayor/
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142
Saudi Women Soldiers Graduated
The graduation ceremony of the sixth batch of women soldiers was held
under the patronage of Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif
and in the presence of Public Security Director Lt. Gen. Muhammad Al-Bassami.
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May 22,
2024
MAKKAH —
A total of 142 female soldiers have graduated from the Women’s Training
Institute under the directorate of Public Security. The graduation ceremony of
the sixth batch of women soldiers was held under the patronage of Minister of
Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif and in the presence of Public
Security Director Lt. Gen. Muhammad Al-Bassami.
The
graduates have completed their basic training course, and these included
training in applications and various branches of knowledge, as well as
theoretical and practical lessons on the skills required by the tasks and
security work entrusted to them while undertaking security jobs and special
assignments.
It is
noteworthy that Saudi Arabia started allowing Saudi women to serve in the armed
forces during the year 2019. Both men and women in the Kingdom can apply for
positions in the military through the defense ministry’s unified admission
portal.
Women
can sign up to join the Saudi Arabian Army, Royal Saudi Air Defense, Royal
Saudi Navy, Royal Saudi Strategic Missile Force, and Armed Forces Medical
Services.
They can
also be recruited as soldiers, lance corporals, corporals, sergeants, and staff
sergeants.
Source:
saudigazette.com.sa
https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/643039/SAUDI-ARABIA/142-women-soldiers-graduated
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PTI's
Yasmin Rashid Shifted to Hospital from Jail After She Complained of Abdominal
Pain
May 22,
2024
LAHORE:
After being declared a "critical prisoner" by jail authorities,
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader Dr Yasmin Rashid has been shifted
to Services Hospital, Geo News learnt on Wednesday.
Documents
from the hospital administration confirmed that Dr Rashid has been admitted and
was undergoing medical tests after she complained of abdominal pain.
The
politician, who is a cancer survivor, will be kept under observation for 24
hours, the administration added.
It was
learnt that the jail administration declared the PTI leader a "critical
prisoner", a document issued by the Kot Lakhpat Jail's medical officer
read, adding that she did not eat anything since Wednesday morning.
Additionally,
Dr Rashid was also facing dehydration after "multiple episodes of
vomiting" at the jail.
Dr
Rashid has been jailed for months in multiple cases related to the May 9 riots
that broke out across the country over arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan in a
corruption case last year.
Following
the riots and a stream of arrests that followed, many PTI leaders, workers and
supporters remain behind bars or were rearrested time and again in multiple
cases registered against them.
In a
hearing earlier this month, Dr Rashid wrote a letter to Chief Justice of
Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, demanding him to constitute a judicial commission
on May 9 as they had been waiting for justice for a year now.
Dr
Rashid also asked the "fake government" why police did not turn up
with the cases’ records and where the prosecutor went when it was his turn to
present arguments.
She also
wrote that it had been one year since the May 9 incident and the women
belonging to her party were still imprisoned.
Source:
thenews.com.pk
https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1192014-ptis-yasmin-rashid-shifted-to-hospital-from-jail-after-health-worsens
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Muslim
Students Win Suit On Hijab Wearing AtUniversity Of IbadanInternational School
May 22,
2024
An Oyo
State High Court, Ibadan has ruled that female Muslim students of the
International School, University of Ibadan have the right to wear hijab on top
of their school uniform.
Justice
Moshood Ishola said the right to practise religion is enshrined in the
constitution of Nigeria.
Delivering
judgment in the suit on Wednesday, the judge said his decision was hinged on
previous Supreme Court judgments.
Some
Muslim students of the school, backed by their parents, filed the suit against
the school management in 2018.
They
insisted that they enjoyed the fundamental human right to wear hijab on their
school uniform.
Also
joined in the suit were some principal officers of the school.
The
plaintiffs included Faridah Akerele, Aaliyah Dopesi, AkhifahDokpesi, Raheemah
Akinlusi, Imam Akinoso, Hamdallah Olosunde, Aliyyah Adebayo, MoriddiyahYekinni,
Ikhlas Badiru, Mahmuda Babarinde, and Fareedah Moshood.
The
judge said the school, being a public institution, should allow female Muslim
students the right to wear hijab.
He also
noted in addition to the constitutional provisions, some charters grant freedom
of religion and association.
The
judge said: “The school, staff, or its agents have no right to punish students
for using hijab on the school premises or outside the school premises.
“Fundamental
human rights are inalienable rights and cannot be taken, even by the powerful
government. The school is a public institution.”
Source:
thenationonlineng.net
https://thenationonlineng.net/muslim-students-win-suit-on-hijab-wearing-at-ui-international-school/#google_vignette
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Abducted
Zamfara Lawmaker’s Daughters Freed After 17 Months
23rd May
2024
The
Office of the National Security Adviser, in conjunction with the Nigeria Police
Force, has secured the release of two daughters of a member of the Zamfara
State House of Assembly, Honourable Aminu Ardo, after 17 months in captivity.
While
handing over the children, Maryam, 10, and Nana Asma’u, eight, to their father
at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, on Wednesday, the Deputy Force Public
Relations Officer, IsukuVictor, said their rescue followed a combined effort of
security agencies, with the coordination of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu
Ribadu.
The
police further said the children were abducted with their mother and other
siblings, but luckily, the mother escaped with the other children.
The
Deputy FPRO said, “In November 2022, the quiet village of Jangebe in
TalataMafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State was shattered by an act of
violence that would forever change the lives of one family.
So This
Happened (249) reviews Niger speaker's plan to marry off 100 orphans,
others0.00 / 0.00
“Bandits,
riding over 60 motorcycles, invaded the residence of Honourable Aminu Ardo, a
member of the Zamfara State House of Assembly. In a brutal display of terror,
they abducted his wife, Hauwa’u, and their four young children: Maryam, Nana
Asma’u, Ummul Khairi, and Abdulrazaq.
“The abductees were taken to an unknown forest
in Katsina State, enduring a harrowing journey by foot and motorcycle;
throughout their captivity, these children were sustained on meagre rations of
maize and salt, drinking water from a nearby stream.
“While
in captivity, Hauwa’u gave birth under extremely harsh conditions, but
tragically, the newborn did not survive. Despite the unbearable circumstances,
Hauwa’u’s strength and resolve remained unbroken.
“One
night, during the rainy season of 2023, she managed to unchain herself and
escape with two of her children, Ummul Khairi and Abdulrazaq. However, Maryam
and Nana Asma’u were left behind, still in the grip of their captors.”
Speaking
further, the police deputy spokesman said, “Today’s briefing on the successful
rescue operation is a direct result of these strategic initiatives stemming
from leveraging advanced intelligence from our Force Intelligence Department
and operational tactics from the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, Katsina command as well
as tactical support from the Nigerian Air Force 215 FOB, Funtua, which led to
locating and safe rescue of these minors.”
He
promised that the police were now determined to tackle kidnapping and other
violent crimes in the country.
“While
we celebrate this successful rescue, we remain acutely aware of the ongoing
challenges in our fight against kidnapping and other forms of violent crimes.
“Let me
emphasise that the Nigeria Police Force, under the leadership of IGP Kayode
Egbetokun, is more determined than ever to tackle kidnapping and other violent
crimes head-on.
“Our
zeal is evident in our relentless pursuit of criminals, our strategic
deployment of resources, and our commitment to adopting the latest technologies
and intelligence-gathering methods.
“We are
resolute in our quest to dismantle criminal networks and ensure that justice is
served leveraging on the dedication of our officers and intelligence sharing
and synergy between the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement
agencies, as well as timely support from the community.”
The
police expressed sympathies to families affected by the crimes, adding, “Your
resilience in the face of such adversity inspires us to intensify our efforts.
We stand with you, and we will continue to fight tirelessly to ensure that no
child, no mother, no father, no family has to endure such horrors again.”
Source:
punchng.com
https://punchng.com/abducted-zamfara-lawmakers-daughters-freed-after-17-months/
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Call To
Address Underutilization of Women Human Resources
May 23, 2024
ISLAMABAD:
In an event organised by the International Governance and Sustainability
Institute (IG-SI), the need for urgent action to address the underutilisation
of women human resources was emphasised.
During
the programme held at Margalla College F-7, Founding Director and CEO of IG-SI
Dr Sultan Azam Temuri spoke about the current state of gender equality in
Pakistan, revealing alarming statistics from the World Economic Forum’s Global
Gender Gap Report 2023. Pakistan ranked 142nd out of 146 countries, with
significant disparities in economic participation and educational attainment.
Women
constitute 49.6pc of Pakistan’s population, yet the country ranks 142nd out of
146 in the Global Gender Gap Index 2023 by the World Economic Forum.
This
discrepancy underscores significant challenges, particularly the lack of
quality education and skill development among the youth, who make up 64pc of
the population, known as the youth bulge.
He said
that the event aimed to address crucial issues surrounding gender equality and
women’s empowerment, with a focus on fostering positive change in Pakistan.
Dr
Temuri emphasised Pakistan’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development, affirmed by a unanimous National Assembly Resolution in 2016. He
urged a concentrated effort on Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG-5), which
focuses on achieving gender equality and empowering all women.
He
stressed the importance of bridging the gender gap through enhanced education
and increased economic participation. In his discourse, Dr Temuri shared both
national and international examples to elucidate effective strategies for
gender equality.
Notably,
he discussed the gender strategy of police, which he has successfully
implemented on both national and international levels. Key components of this
strategy include increased female representation in police (promoting
visibility through strategic role positioning) and capacity building (enhancing
the skills and competencies of female police personnel).
Besides,
a conducive living and working environment (ensuring supportive and safe
environments for women in the police force) and female networking (facilitating
networks for women within the police to foster support and growth).
Former
UN Police Commissioner and Inspector General of Police Helena Iqbal Saeed
shared her experiences and advised the young students to focus on their studies
and maintain simplicity.
Former
Turkish police officer and UN peacekeeper Esin Gulsen gave a virtual message to
the students and inspired them with her own life story.
Principal
of Margalla College F-7/4 Ayesha Kiani thanked the guest speakers and concluded
the programme.
Source:
dawn.com
https://www.dawn.com/news/1835111/call-to-address-underutilisation-of-women-human-resources
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First
female band of Saudi nationals earns applauds at Riyadh show
RIYADH
(Web Desk) - Leaning into the microphone in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Nora let
loose a primal scream. Guitars wailed and drums throbbed behind her as part of
a set with her bandmates during a recent show.
The
performance by Seera, an all-women psychedelic rock band that blends
traditional Arabic melodies with the resurgent psychedelia of bands like Tame
Impala, would have been unthinkable just years earlier in the kingdom.
“We
didn’t know how people would react,” said Meesh, the band’s bassist, who like
other members asked to be identified by their stage names. “We believe strongly
in self-expression. To our surprise, they really had open arms for us.”
The
band’s name, Seera, can mean “life” or “biography” in Arabic. Band members say
they try to embrace the multiple meanings one can draw from a word in the
language in its sound, whether through the driving drums and cymbals or the
synthesizer backing the guitars.
Seera’s
music style revolves around the life experiences of the four-member band, who
are all Saudi nationals.
“I
thought this would be great as a reflection of the culture, the heritage and
the roots,” she said.
“At the
same time it would be a cool representation between the traditional and the
modern and the expression of it. That’s also within our sonic identity as
well.”
Seera is
quick to point out they aren’t the first female band in the kingdom. Instead,
they say that goes to The Accolade, which formed in 2008 and could only play
underground.
Source:
dunyanews.tv
https://dunyanews.tv/en/Entertainment/813248-First-female-band-of-Saudi-nationals-earn-applauds-at-Riyadh-show
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URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/female-muslim-mayor-sandwell/d/132372