Another Girls’ School Torched in North Waziristan by Unidentified Terrorists
New Age Islam News Bureau
29 May 2024
·
Another Girls’ School Torched in North
Waziristan by Unidentified Terrorists
·
Labour’s Dy Angela Rayner Begs Muslim Voters to
Back Her; Promises to Officially Recognise the State of Palestine
·
US And Australia Envoys Laud Saudi Women for
Social, Economic Achievements
·
Peacekeeper Maj Radhika Sen to Receive UN Award
for Gender Advocacy
·
Growing Number of Indian Women Perform Hajj Without
Male Guardians
·
Arab Women Leaders in International Media
Discuss Global Impact AtArab Media Forum
·
Key Partnership to Empower Emirati and Arab Women
·
Guards Sexually Assault Iranian Political
Prisoner's Wife
·
‘New Cairo Slaughterer of Women’ is a Popular
TikToker in Egypt
Compiled by
New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/girls-school-waziristan-terrorists/d/132410
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Another
Girls’ School Torched in North Waziristan by Unidentified Terrorists
May 29,
2024
NORTH
WAZIRISTAN/SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: Some unidentified terrorists torched a girls’
middle school in the Razmak tehsil of North Waziristan district, while a police
officer escaped unhurt in a remote-control bomb attack targeting his vehicle in
South Waziristan district on Tuesday.
Officials
said that there were no casualties in the two incidents. An official told Dawn
that on Monday night some unidentified attackers entered the building of Golden
Arrow Girls Middle School in Shakhimar village of Razmak tehsil and set it on
fire. The fire gutted the furniture, ceiling, computers, books and other
equipment.
Abrar, a
member of Shakhimar Welfare Organisation, told Dawn this school was constructed
by an organisation along with Pakistan Army’s 7th Division in 2020.
He said
in March this year, some unknown attackers had destroyed the school’s solar
power system. The attack had caused panic among the school students, but the
area’s elders had persuaded the girls to continue their education.
Attacks
on schools have recently surged in North and South Waziristan. On May 9,
terrorists set a girls’ private school in the Shawa area of South Waziristan on
fire.
Similarly,
on May 17, unidentified terrorists bombed an under-construction girls’ private
school in Lower South Waziristan.
Police
officer survives attack
Meanwhile,
Usman Mehsud, the additional SHO of Azam Warsak Police Station, Lower South
Waziristan district, narrowly survived a remote-control bomb attack targeting
his vehicle on Monday.
SHO Azam
Warsak Zabiullah Wazir told Dawn that the blast took place about 150m from the
police station in which the vehicle of Mr Mehsud was targeted. He said Mr
Mehsud escaped unhurt, adding that the officer’s car damaged in the attack.
Source: dawn.com
https://www.dawn.com/news/1836339/another-girls-school-torched-in-north-waziristan
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Labour’s Dy Angela Rayner Begs Muslim Voters to Back Her; Promises to Officially Recognise the State of Palestine
Labour’s Dy Angela Rayner
------
28 MAY
2024
Labour’s
Deputy Leader Angela Rayner has appealed to Muslim voters by pledging that a
Labour Government would officially recognise the state of Palestine. The Mail
has the story.
Video
circulating online shows the party’s Deputy Leader speaking to voters in her
Ashton-under-Lyne seat and thanking them for getting her “over the line” at the
2019 election.
She then
admits “people are angry” about the growing humanitarian disaster in Gaza
following the Israeli invasion triggers by the October 7th Hamas terrorist
attack.
In the
footage, believed to have been shot at an event on Sunday, Ms. Rayner tells the
audience that Labour “supports” the International Criminal Court, which last
week said it would seek the arrest of Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu – and
senior Hamas leaders – over claims of war crimes in Gaza.
She then
warns them a Labour Government would have “limited” influence to change the
situation, adding: “Qatar, Saudi Arabia, all of these people, we are all
working to stop what’s happening at the moment, we want to see that.
“I
promise you that’s what we want to see. If Labour get into power we will
recognise Palestine.”
Labour
faces a major backlash from its Muslim voters over the party’s stance on Gaza.
Sir Keir Starmer initially refused to back calls for a permanent ceasefire
saying Israel had a right to defend itself.
The
stance was blamed in part for Labour losing the Rochdale by-election to George
Galloway earlier this year.
Meanwhile,
Ms. Rayner faced pushback from television presenter and Reform U.K. President
Nigel Farage, as he sounded the alarm about inner cities and towns moving into
an era of “sectarian politics with women completely excluded”.
Mr.
Farage was launching Howard Cox as the party’s Dover candidate this morning –
having refused to stand for a seat himself.
In a
tough speech, he claimed Rishi Sunak called an early election on July 4th
because he knew his plan to deport Channel migrants to Rwanda would not work.
He also
doubled down on his attack on British Muslims, despite criticism from the
Tories and other politicians over using the term “invasion” to describe the
situation facing Britain.
Complaining
that Channel migrants had access to services like housing and dentistry before
locals, Mr. Farage said: “Frankly, I think this is very dangerous. You only
have to look at what has happened in Sweden, in cities like Malmo, to see that
a large influx of young males coming from an entirely different culture – and
certainly coming from a culture in which woman are not even regarded as
second-class citizens – has had frankly disastrous social effects.”
Source: dailysceptic.org
https://dailysceptic.org/2024/05/28/angela-rayner-begs-muslim-voters-to-back-her-with-gaza-vow/
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US And
Australia Envoys Laud Saudi Women for Social, Economic Achievements
May 28,
2024
RIYADH:
The envoys of Australia and the US have praised women in Saudi Arabia for their
work and achievements across all sectors of the country’s economy.
In an
interview with Arab News, the US Deputy Chief of Mission Alison Dilworth and
Australia’s Deputy Head of Mission Kim Ralston reflected on their experiences
working alongside Saudi Arabia’s women and witnessing firsthand their
perseverance.
“I have
been incredibly impressed with the Saudi women I have met here in the Kingdom.
From tech and finance to the arts, to diplomacy, Saudi women are achieving new
heights, and I am proud to work with them,” Dilworth said.
Each
month, in partnership with other embassies, the US Embassy hosts a Women’s
Majlis to celebrate women’s
accomplishments, experiences and share expertise in a private and intimate
setting.
“Through
the Women’s Majlis, a series of monthly events co-hosted with the Australian,
New Zealand, German, and British embassies, and with HRH Ambassador Reema bint
Bandar, we have explored the themes of ‘Women in Defense,’ ‘Women in Tech,’
‘Women in the Visual Arts,’ ‘Women in Poetry’ and ‘Women in Shariah Law,’”
Dilworth said.
The idea
of the majlis was created in 2019 in a collaboration between the American,
Australian, British and Canadian embassies in Abu Dhabi.
“We work
with Saudi women across all aspects of our work. As an example, Australia and
Saudi Arabia enjoy close relations in agriculture and food security, with
embassy staff working closely with female counterparts to promote trade and
remove barriers,” Ralston said.
Since
her arrival in the Kingdom in 2023, Ralston has worked with Saudi Arabia women
in the public and private sectors, sports, and the arts.
Ralston
said “Saudi women are intelligent and driven. They are open, warm, and
passionate about their work. I have thoroughly enjoyed hearing about their
goals and objectives, which are not unlike my own.”
“I have
particularly enjoyed sharing experiences with women on social policy matters.
The talented women at the Quality of Life Program have inspired me as they encourage
culture, entertainment, sports, and tourism to flourish in Saudi Arabia,”
Ralston added.
She
explained how impressed she was by the Kingdom’s focus on ensuring women are
represented in areas where they have not traditionally worked, including the
military.
When
asked how she would characterize the ambitions of the Kingdom’s females,
Dilworth said: “Saudi women never stop reaching for the next level.”
“I
admire them (they are) fearless,” she added.
She said
that when she asks Saudi Arabia women about what they will do next, they
immediately say: “I want to run the business, become the next minister, or set
the next record.”
The most
recent majlis took place in Riyadh on May 21 at the German Embassy and focused
on women in the technology sector.
One of
the previous events was co-hosted by the US and Australia embassies and titled
“Women in Poetry.”
Dilworth
said: “We had five outstanding female poets present their original works, which
were creative and inspiring. Then, to our surprise, five other women stood up
and presented their poems.”
“I was
so happy to see women sharing this Saudi pastime and such a key aspect of Saudi
culture,” she added.
Dilworth
said these events build cooperation between women from Saudi Arabia and the US.
“I have witnessed the achievements of US women working in diplomacy over my
27-year career, and I am proud to be a female diplomat.
“Through
sharing our stories, and hearing from others, we all add to the journey of
women throughout the world who want to achieve and to make the world a better
place for all.”
She
added that outside the Kingdom and among those who have never visited the
country, there are still many misconceptions surrounding Saudi Arabia’s women.
People who have not interacted with them are not aware of their successes,
drive and ambition.
When
asked about her expectations before coming to the Kingdom, Dilworth said: “I
did not expect Saudi women to be so prepared, so ready for the next
opportunity. I wrongly assumed Saudi women would need to learn various tradecrafts,
how to drive, how to run a business.
“What I
found was an extremely educated, motivated, and talented workforce of women who
had gained experience and knowledge either outside the country or behind closed
doors, and when opportunities opened up, they were not only ready but they were
also driven to prove what they can do and achieve.”
The US
deputy chief of mission said that she encourages those who question the talents
and motivations of Saudi Arabia’s women to “come and see for themselves.”
“Come to
the Kingdom and meet the women living and working here and advancing Saudi
society. Just like there are many misconceptions about the United States that
we can correct when visitors come and see our beautiful country, having
visitors meet women and interact here in Saudi Arabia is vitally important,”
she said.
Ralston
said that before arriving in the Kingdom from Australia she knew very little
about Saudi Arabia, adding that “it was difficult to find information.
“I
arrived with a strong sense of curiosity and was keen to hear about the strides
made by women here. I was impressed to hear that Saudi Arabia was recently
ranked 15th in the world on wage equality in the World Economic Forum Global
Gender Gap Report 2023.”
When
asked what her views on the misconceptions, Ralston said: “Misconceptions don’t
concern me — they exist in every country.
“Over
time, people’s perspectives of Saudi Arabia will be shaped by their own
experiences, particularly as more people visit the country. Around the world,
Saudi Arabia also has many female ambassadors making a positive impression.”
This
includes those working in the private sector, studying abroad and even serving
at the Saudi Embassy, Ralston added.
Source: arabnews.com
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2518691/saudi-arabia
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Peacekeeper
Maj Radhika Sen to receive UN award for gender advocacy
29-05-2024
United
Nations
Indian
Army Major Radhika Sen has been selected to receive a UN award recognising her
advocacy for women and girls while serving as a peacekeeper, Stephane Dujarric,
the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, announced here.
Dujarric
said that Guterres will present Sen with the 2023 Military Gender Advocate of
the Year Award on Thursday, which is observed as the International Day of UN
Peacekeepers.
The
award recognises the efforts of a military peacekeeper in promoting the
principles of the 2000 Security Council resolution that calls for protecting
women and girls from conflict-related sexual violence and sets gender-related responsibilities
for the UN.
Congratulating
her, Guterres called her “a true leader and role model. Her service was a true
credit to the United Nations as a whole”.
Sez
served with the Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic
of the Congo (MONUSCO) where she helped create the Community Alert Networks in
North Kivu as a platform that brought in community leaders, young people, and
women “to voice their security and humanitarian concerns”, according to the UN.
With her
MONUSCO colleagues, she worked to address those concerns.
Guterres
said that “with humility, compassion and dedication”, she earned the trust of
“conflict-affected communities, including women and girls” as her troops
engaged with them “in an escalating conflict environment in North Kivu”.
Sen
said, “Gender-sensitive peacekeeping is everybody’s business - not just us,
women. Peace begins with all of us in our beautiful diversity."
“This
award is special to me as it gives a recognition to the hard work put in by all
the peacekeepers working in the challenging environment of the Democratic
Republic of the Congo and giving their best to bring a positive change in the
society,” she added.
Hailing from Himachal Pradesh, Sen is a
biotech engineer who was studying for a master’s degree at the Indian Institute
of Technology Bombay when she decided to join the Army.
She was
assigned to MONUSCO in 2023 as the Engagement Platoon Commander with the Indian
Rapid Deployment Battalion, and completed her tenure in April 2024.
Sen is
the second Indian peacekeeper to receive the honour after Major Suman Gawani,
who served with the UN Mission in South Sudan and received the award in 2019.
Of the
6,063 Indian personnel in UN peacekeeping operations, 1,954 serve with MONUSCO,
32 of them women.
The UN
said that Sen, who led mixed-gender engagement patrols and activities, became a
role model for both men and women by fostering “a safe space for men and women
to operate together under her command”.
She also
made sure that peacekeepers under her command operated with sensitivity to
gender and sociocultural norms in the eastern DRC “to help build trust and
thereby increase her team’s chance of success”, the UN said.
Among
the activities she launched for women were English language classes for
children, and health, gender, and vocational training for adults.
“Her
efforts directly inspired women’s solidarity, providing safe spaces for
meetings and open dialogue”, the UN said.
She
encouraged women in the village of Kashlira, near Rwindi town, to organise themselves
to advocate for their rights, particularly in local security and peace
discussions.
Source: awazthevoice.in
https://www.awazthevoice.in/india-news/peacekeeper-maj-radhika-sen-to-receive-un-award-for-gender-advocacy-29026.html
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Growing
number of Indian women perform Hajj without male guardians
May 28,
2024
NEW
DELHI: The number of Indian women going on Hajj without a male guardian has
increased by nearly 20 percent since last year, the Haj Committee of India said
on Tuesday.
With
more than 200 million Indians following Islam, the Hindu-majority country has
the world’s largest Muslim-minority population. Under the 2023 Hajj quota,
175,000 of them are traveling to Saudi Arabia this year for the spiritual
journey that constitutes one of the five pillars of Islam.
The
pilgrim breakdown is 51 percent male and 49 percent female, according to Haj
Committee of India data, which also shows that the number of female pilgrims is
on the rise, especially those traveling on their own.
Saudi
Arabia last year lifted a rule that required female pilgrims to be accompanied
by a mahram, or male guardian. India tweaked its Hajj policy accordingly in
February 2023, and sent 4,000 pilgrims registered in the category for women
traveling without a guardian.
“This
time 4,665 women are going without mahram, and it was around 4,000 last year,”
Haj Committee of India chairman A.P. Abdullakkutty told Arab News.
“It is
heartening to see the growing number of female pilgrims every year. This
signifies growing female empowerment among Muslim women and their growing
confidence. Women are asserting their independence more than before.”
Most of
the women traveling alone come from the southern state of Kerala, where Muslims
constitute about 27 percent of the population, and Islam is the second-largest
religion after Hinduism.
“Out of
the 4,665 women going without mahram this time 3,000 are from Kerala,”
Abdullakkutty said.
“The
reason more women are going from Kerala is because the imams are more
encouraging.”
This
year, Hajj is expected to begin on June 14 and end on June 19. While the
pilgrimage can be performed over five or six days, many pilgrims choose to
arrive early for what may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fulfill their
religious duty.
Hajj
flights for Indian pilgrims started on May 9.
At least
two of the flights will be run only by women and carry only female pilgrims.
Both are Jeddah-bound and scheduled to depart from Kerala’s Kochi International
Airport.
Source: arabnews.com
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2518631/world
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Arab
women leaders in international media discuss global impact at Arab Media Forum
May 29,
2024
An Arab
Media Forum session titled Arab Voices… Global Impact highlighted the personal
experiences of media professionals Caroline Faraj, Vice President of CNN
Arabic, and Samia Nakhoul, Global Foreign Policy Editor at Thomson Reuters on
the first day of the Arab Media Forum, which is being held as part of the Arab
Media Summit.
The 22nd
edition of the forum commenced on Day 2 the Arab Media Summit, which also
encompasses the Arab Youth Media Forum that concluded yesterday, the 23rd Arab
Media Award, and the fourth Arab Social Media Influencers Award.
With
nearly 30 years of experience in their respective fields, both media industry
leaders speaking during the session emphasised the significant opportunities
available for Arab women in foreign media organisations, including the
potential to reach senior positions.
Moderated
by Emirati media presenter Maryam bin Fahad, the session covered a range of
topics, including how the work environment was like 30 years ago, how the
speakers balanced their family and professional lives throughout their careers,
the work environment within foreign media organisations, and the challenges of
working during wars and crises.
Caroline
Faraj noted that the current media landscape has changed significantly compared
to three decades ago. Previously, audiences relied on newspapers and radio
broadcasts for information, often receiving news after it was disseminated by
state-owned news agencies. Today, media is more open, diverse, and driven by
technology, empowering individuals to choose what they consume. Samia Nakhoul
echoed this sentiment, highlighting the role of technology in accelerating
information access and dissemination.
As
leaders in their respective organisations, both Caroline Faraj and Samia
Nakhoul agreed on the importance of a human-centric approach to leadership,
emphasising the need for seriousness, perseverance, and vision. Samia Nakhoul
highlighted the demanding nature of their work, stating that they operate
"24/7."
Regarding
the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on journalism, Samia Nakhoul
acknowledged its significance but argued that it cannot replace journalists in
reporting and verifying information. Caroline Faraj addressed the importance of
human perspective and emotional intelligence, qualities that AI lacks. She
cautioned against relying entirely on AI, stating that its inherent margin of
error could compromise factual accuracy.
When asked
about the message they would like to convey to aspiring Arab women in media,
Caroline Faraj and Samia Nakhoul agreed that “With determination, ambition, and
a clear vision, Arab women can achieve leadership positions in foreign
media."
Source: emirates247.com
https://www.emirates247.com/world/arab-women-leaders-in-international-media-discuss-global-impact-at-arab-media-forum-2024-05-29-1.732821
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Key
partnership to empower Emirati and Arab women
The
Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation (AGF), in partnership with Skyrize Partners and
Nestlé UAE, has launched the fourth cohort of the Nomu Women programme in Abu
Dhabi.
The Nomu
Women programme aims at enhancing the management and leadership skills of
Emirati and Arab women, improve their career opportunities, and equip them for
success in the corporate sector and beyond.
A cohort
of 48 women participants will develop management and leadership skills, gain
marketing and sales insights in the fast-moving consumer goods sector, and
experience Nestlé's dynamic culture during a 5-week programme.
The
training series will enable participants to collaborate on a real-life case
study designed by the Nestlé team.
The
programme underscores the importance of gender equality and women empowerment
in the workplace and showcases a shared vision for creating substantial
community impact.
“Through
Nomu Women, we are dedicated to empowering young Emirati and Arab women with
essential management and leadership skills that help create pathways to
meaningful careers. It's not solely about skill development; it's about
fostering future women leaders,” said Mona Ghander, VP Programs and
Partnerships of AGF.
“By
collaborating with industry leaders, we’re maximizing our impact, placing these
talented women where they can drive real change, benefiting both their personal
growth and contributing to the broader economic goals of the UAE.”
Sarah
Sefiane, the Founder of Skyrize Partners, said: “As the implementing partner of
the Nomu Women program, Skyrize Partners is firmly committed to providing
practical skills and connecting the Nomu Women participants with female mentors
from the private sector, which we believe is a truly invaluable experience.
“We’re
proud to collaborate with strategic partners, whose contributions have been of
great value to the learners.”
She
added: “Through this strategic partnership, our training series has been
designed to not only widen its reach but also impart executive-level expertise,
ensuring the initiative has a substantial and lasting impact.”
Sergej
Pracevic, General Manager for Nestlé UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar, said: “We are
honoured to collaborate with the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation in empowering
future female Emirati and Arab leaders with the skills essential for thriving
in the workforce and contributing to the ongoing progress of the nation and its
youth.
“As we
welcome these talented women to Nestlé, we aim to inspire them on leadership,
business, and our fascinating Food and Beverage sector, nurturing their
professional growth and success.” - TradeArabia News Service
Source: tradearabia.com
https://tradearabia.com/news/MISC_422571.html
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Guards
Sexually Assault Iranian Political Prisoner's Wife
Female
guards at a prison near Tehran have sexually assaulted the wife of a political
prisoner under the guise of a "search" as state-sanctioned abuse in
Iranian prisons continues, Iran International has learned.
Consistent
with hundreds of similar reports from Iran's Me Too movement, the woman was
stripped completely, subjected to verbal abuse and humiliation, before the
sexual assault at Ghezelhesar Prison, near Tehran.
The
severity of the assault was such that the woman suffered severe bleeding in
addition to the psychological trauma, a source from the association of prisoner
families at the prison claiming the practice is a daily occurrence.
From
April to December last year, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International
released reports detailing "sexual assault" by agents of the IRGC,
Basij, Ministry of Intelligence, and various police departments against women,
men, and children during the protests following Mahsa Amini's death in police
custody in 2022.
In May
last year, several female civil and political activists shared their
experiences during detention or imprisonment, describing how Islamic Republic
forces forced them to strip completely naked in front of guards or on camera,
allegedly to ensure they had not concealed anything.
The
Iranian judiciary's news agency Mizan confirmed the occurrence of such strip
searches yet claimed that "no images were recorded or taken" though
it is widely reported by Me Too that such searches are conducted under the
video surveillance of male guards.
Source: iranintl.com
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202405287075
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‘New
Cairo Slaughterer of Women’ is a Popular TikToker in Egypt
May 28,
2024
A
recently arrested Egyptian serial killer, dubbed the ‘New Cairo Slaughterer’,
was revealed to be a TikToker with over 600,000 followers on the platform.
The
social media influencer, whose real name is Karim, amassed a following by
creating content for non-English speaking audiences on American slang and ways
of speaking.
The
murderer’s TikTok page, known as ‘Hooked onFonix’, has since been deleted along
with his YouTube channel ‘Speak EZ Hub’.
Karim,
37, graduated from an American university and holds dual citizenship in Egypt
and the United States. Upon graduation, he worked as a teacher before pursuing
content creation.
The
murderer, who was married and has one child, relocated to Egypt after divorcing
– residing in a gated community in New Cairo.
Egyptian
security forces had received a report, prior to his capture, that a woman’s
body was found on the desert road to Ismailia and later, another woman’s body
was found in Port Said. Both victims had similar injuries, indicating that both
were killed by the same person.
Major
General Mahmoud Abu Omra, Assistant Minister of Interior for General Security,
had formed a task force to investigate the crimes and to find the killer. With
secured surveillance cameras, detectives conducted investigations and
identified Karim as the suspect.
Security
sources stated that the number of victims is six. The three bodies found were,
according to preliminary investigations and security forces are working on
locating the remaining bodies.
INVESTIGATIONS
AND CONFESSIONS REVEAL HORRORS
Please
note that the below information may be triggering due to the graphic and
violent nature of the murders.
Investigations
revealed that the murderer had relationships with his victims who he would
later bring to his apartment.
He
confessed that he would spend a ‘romantic night’ with the victims during the
first date and would commit the crime at their second meeting.
A drug
test revealed traces of hashish, tramadol, and methamphetamine in Karim’s blood
system, revealed investigations. Karim would later confess that he would
pressure and coerce his victims to use the substances with him.
The
killer also confessed to investigators various sadistic tendencies, stating
that he would watch several sexually sadistic videos – at times while the
victims were at his apartment.
Phone
footage obtained by authorities showed that he recorded the crimes, revealing
instances of victims being tied and tortured.
The
scene of the crime itself – a room in the suspect’s apartment – was
soundproofed to isolate his victims and block the sound of their screams.
Detailing
his murderous process, Karim would place the victim’s body in his car trunk
late at night, and dump them in a desolate place.
News of
the murders and the identity of the serial killer stirred social media, with
many citizens comparing him to now-jailed Egyptian serial killer Gaddafi Farag
– commonly known as ‘The Giza Slaughterer’ due to a popular television show
chronicling his story – who also murdered love interests.
The
horrors of the crime also raised questions over the safety and security of
Egyptian women, with the country facing a recent spur of public femicide cases
in the past few years.
A court
date is yet to be publicly announced.
Source: egyptianstreets.com
https://egyptianstreets.com/2024/05/28/new-cairo-slaughterer-of-women-is-a-popular-tiktoker-in-egypt/
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URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/girls-school-waziristan-terrorists/d/132410