Hijab-Wearing Reporter, Zeina Yassine, Resigns from Lebanon's State TV Over 'Bias'
New Age Islam News Bureau
7 April 2025
· Hijab-Wearing Reporter, ZeinaYassine, Resigns from Lebanon's State TV Over 'Bias'
· Pakistani Novelist, Alishba Khan Barech, Bags Global Award at Women Changing the World Awards 2025
· Tajikistan, The First Muslim Country to Ban the Hijab
· Iranian Women’s Labour Force Participation Plummets to Historic Lows
· PezeshkianPraises Iran’s NPC for Winning Women’s Day Recognition Award
· AMMWEC & Muslim Women Speakers Join Muslims Israel Dialogue for a Historic Gathering Promoting Peace & Healing
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/hijab-wearing-lebanon-state-resigns/d/135082
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Hijab-Wearing Reporter, ZeinaYassine, Resigns from Lebanon's State TV Over 'Bias'
06 April, 2025
Lebanon's media landscape has long mirrored its deeply entrenched sectarian divisions [Getty]
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The resignation of a hijab-wearing Muslim reporter from Lebanon's state-run television channel has reignited public outrage over what critics describe as outdated and discriminatory media practices that marginalise visibly religious women, particularly those who wear the Islamic headscarf.
ZeinaYassine, a journalist who joined Tele Liban (TL) three years ago, submitted her resignation last month in a letter addressed to Information Minister Paul Morcos.
She was the first hijab-wearing reporter to appear on the country’s only state-run broadcaster and contributed to coverage during the 2023 Israeli assault on Lebanon.
In her letter, which the journalist shared online this week, Yassine thanked TL for the professional experience but cited institutional bias as the main reason for her departure.
"Perhaps the hijab I wear is causing discomfort to some of my partners in the country," she wrote, describing what she saw as a hypocritical media environment that praises successful veiled women abroad but marginalises them at home.
"The double standards push me to respect myself and my mental health, and I submit my resignation from this national institution," she added, criticising TL for being, in her words, a space that only welcomes "those who do not wear the hijab".
While Yassine did not cite specific incidents or name individuals in her letter, she later posted it publicly on 2 April, voicing frustration that the information minister had not responded or sought to understand the circumstances of her resignation.
She claimed Morcos "preferred to deal with the matter indifferently".
The controversy has drawn renewed attention to TL’s longstanding on-screen appearance policy, which prohibits visible religious symbols - a rule critics say disproportionately impacts Muslim women and is out of step with Lebanon's pluralistic society.
In response to public criticism and rumours that Yassine had been banned from appearing on screen, TL's assistant director general and editor-in-chief, Nada Saliba, issued a statement denying "targeted discrimination".
She said TL's policy was rooted in a tradition of "religious neutrality".
"Tele Liban, historically and by tradition, does not adopt any religious signs or symbols of any kind on screen, while fully respecting all religions," Saliba claimed. "It broadcasts all religious occasions, regardless of their diversity."
In response to this claim, social media users were quick to point out instances of Tele-Liban presenters appearing on screen wearing Christian crosses.
Saliba also claimed that Yassine was employed in the social media department, not the newsroom, and that her role as an on-screen reporter during wartime coverage was "temporary".
She implied that Yassine's resignation was an attempt to pressure the channel into changing its policy to allow her regular on-screen appearances - something Saliba said was not within her authority to grant.
The issue of revising the channel's decades-old policy lies with a new board of directors currently being formed by the new information minister.
“Any change in these standards, which have been in place for decades, is within the exclusive powers of the Board of Directors, which the Minister of Information, Dr. Paul Morcos, is working to form," Saliba added.
Yassine, in her public posts, refuted the suggestion that she had used her resignation as leverage. She reaffirmed that the hijab itself — not a job title or promotion — had been the reason she left.
"I am a contracted employee at Tele Liban. What prompted me to resign was not the administration’s refusal to transfer me … but rather … the hijab that I wear," she said.
She also challenged the assumption that visible religious identity should disqualify someone from delivering the news.
"If a broadcaster wears a cross or a Quran around their neck … does the content of the news change?" she asked. "If the journalist's religious identity is clear, does it change the facts being reported?"
She later added that she had expected contact from the minister’s office to resolve the issue, having been told "through intermediaries" that someone would reach out.
"No one contacted me," she wrote. "Tele Liban is not for all Lebanese … it is, just like Lebanon, characterised by four seasons: sectarianism, racism, classism, and favouritism."
Yassine’s case has resonated widely online, with many Lebanese journalists and activists expressing solidarity.
Critics say that regardless of intent, the policy sends a harmful message — that religious visibility, especially when it comes to Muslim women, is incompatible with professionalism or neutrality.
Lebanon's media landscape has long mirrored its deeply entrenched sectarian divisions, but many of its institutional practices - including public sector hiring quotas and outdated dress codes - have come under increasing scrutiny in recent years for failing to evolve with society.
While some privately-owned Lebanese channels — notably Al-Manar and NBN, affiliated with Hezbollah and the Amal Movement respectively — regularly feature hijab-wearing presenters, most state institutions have been slower to reflect the full spectrum of Lebanese society.
Yassine's resignation adds to a growing number of cases highlighting workplace discrimination against visibly religious women in Lebanon.
In 2022, a prominent shopping centre in Beirut faced backlash after it dismissed a hijab-wearing employee, citing a ban on "public display of religious symbols".
Source: newarab.com
https://www.newarab.com/news/hijab-wearing-reporter-resigns-lebanon-state-tv-over-bias
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Pakistani Novelist, Alishba Khan Barech, Bags Global Award at Women Changing the World Awards 2025
April 06, 2025
Pakistani novelist Alishba Khan Barech attends the Commonwealth Asia Youth Alliance summit 2025 in Islamabad on Feb. 3, 2025. (alishbakhan.barech/Instagram)
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s self-published novelist Alishba Khan Barech bagged the “Young Woman of the Year” award at the Women Changing the World Awards 2025 program this week, state-run media reported, dedicating her victory to the people of the southwesternBalochistan province she hails from.
Barech is Pakistan’s youngest self-published author and a native of Balochistan province’s Nushki district, which often features in headlines for militant attacks. She was announced as one of 12 finalists for the Young Woman of the Year award in February 2025, selected from a pool of 751 nominations across over 50 countries.
The Women Changing The World Awards is a global program that honors women making a positive impact across industries such as business, sustainability, leadership, health, education, innovation, and technology. The awards ceremony was held at the Park Hyatt London River Thames from Apr. 2-3.
“As I’ve said before, my mission has always been to rewrite the narratives that define us,” Barech was quoted as saying by the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP).
“This award is dedicated with all my heart to my parents, my teachers, my beloved province Balochistan, and my country Pakistan.”
The Pakistani writer said winning the award was “more than a personal milestone” for her, adding that it was proof that stories of resilience rise from Nushki and “not just headlines of conflict and militancy we’ve grown used to.”
State-run APP said Barech’s work centers on rewriting dominant narratives, particularly around Balochistan, where separatists are fighting the state for a larger share in the province’s natural resources.
“She is Pakistan’s youngest novelist and memoirist, having written her debut novel at the age of 11, youngest memoirist at 14 and self-published author at 16,” the APP said.
It said Barech has worked with UNICEF Pakistan as its youth ambassador for mental health and polio eradication, adding that she currently serves as a youth adviser to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and is also a member of the National Youth Council.
The Pakistani author serves as a youth ambassador for the cricket franchise Quetta Gladiators and is the first Pashtun woman from Balochistan, South Asia, to secure a merit scholarship to the John Locke Summer University.
Source: arabnews.com
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2596066/pakistan
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Tajikistan, The First Muslim Country to Ban the Hijab
06/04/2025
A group of women walking along a road somewhere in Tajikistan. GETTY
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KHUJAND (TAJIKISTAN)In the bazaar of Khujand, Tajikistan's second-largest city, women in hijabs and abayas, others in European clothing with their hair uncovered, and others with scarves tied around their necks and colourful tunics, strolled until May of last year. Now, however, one of these garments has been banned. In a country with a Muslim population of over 90 percent, one might think that the state has banned wear your hair uncovered. But no. In Tajikistan, which is constitutionally secular, the woman who is fined is the one who wears the hijab.
Source: ara.cat
https://en.ara.cat/misc/the-first-muslim-country-to-ban-the-hijab-and-fine-women-who-wear-it_1_5339900.html
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Iranian Women’s Labor Force Participation Plummets to Historic Lows
By Mostafa Aslani -
6th April 2025
The labor force participation rate of Iranian women has dropped to its lowest level in recent years, reflecting deepening structural, cultural, and economic barriers to women’s employment in the country.
According to data published for fall 1403 (late 2024), women’s participation in the labor market fell to just 14.7 percent, the lowest figure recorded in recent years. This marks a 1.1 percentage point decrease from the previous year and highlights a growing gender divide in the Iranian workforce.
A report by the Statistics and Research Center of TarbiatModares University reveals that the overall economic participation rate—a key measure of labor market activity—also declined slightly, reaching 41.3 percent, down 0.5 percent compared to the previous year. However, the decline among women has been far more pronounced.
Growing Gender Gap Among Youth
The gender disparity is especially evident among Iran’s youth. In the 20–24 age group, the gender gap in labor force participation now stands at 21.1 percent. Unemployment is disproportionately affecting young women: 29.2 percent of women in this age group are unemployed, compared to 18.9 percent of their male counterparts.
Similarly, the unemployment rate for women aged 25–29 is reported at 26.7 percent, while for women aged 30–34, it stands at 20.6 percent, nearly three times higher than the 7 percent unemployment rate for men in the same group.
A Global Outlier
With only 14.4 percent of Iranian women counted as economically active, Iran lags significantly behind the global average of 49 percent. In fact, aside from Afghanistan and Iraq, Iran has the lowest rate of female economic participation in the region.
Experts attribute this alarming decline to several factors, including the scarcity of workplaces suited to women’s needs, employers’ reluctance to hire women, and widespread disillusionment among women regarding the possibility of finding suitable, dignified employment. Many have exited the labor market altogether, contributing to a widening gender employment gap. Currently, men are 5.6 times more likely to be employed than women in Iran.
Regional Disparities
Provincial statistics reveal stark inequalities. In Kurdistan, women’s labor force participation is as low as 3.5 percent, while Alborz reports the highest rate at 26.8 percent. In Tehran, the rate is 19.1 percent, slightly above the national average, while Khorasan Razavi (13.1 percent) and Isfahan (8.4 percent) fall below. In Qom, a significant 20.7 percent of employed women work more than 49 hours per week, reflecting both economic pressure and labor market imbalances.
Sectoral Employment Patterns
Iranian women’s employment is heavily skewed toward the service sector. Of the economically active women:
61.3 percent work in services,
25.5 percent in industry,
13.1 percent in agriculture.
This means the share of women in the service sector is 48.2 percent higher than in agriculture and 35.8 percent higher than in industry.
However, many educated women are increasingly pushed out of the formal job market and into precarious or informal work. The rise in women engaging in street vending, ride-hailing services, and online advertising illustrates the disconnect between women’s educational attainment and available job opportunities.
Structural and Cultural Barriers
Iran’s economy is deeply capital-oriented, with limited emphasis on human resources, which further marginalizes women’s participation. Without sufficient capital or clear career prospects, many women—especially the youth—are unable or unwilling to remain in the job market, leading to a surge in female poverty. Statistical data show that female-headed households bear the highest rates of poverty in Iran.
Economic downturns only exacerbate this problem. During times of recession and inflation, women are often the first to be laid off, as businesses prioritize male employment in line with patriarchal norms and state propaganda that reinforce traditional gender roles.
Between 2019 and 2022, women’s presence in managerial positions and formal employment declined sharply, underscoring the systemic nature of their exclusion.
Marriage also appears to be a turning point in women’s labor market participation. Many women leave their jobs after getting married due to social expectations and state messaging that prioritize male breadwinners and relegate women to the domestic sphere.
A Bleak Outlook
As Iran’s labor market struggles with stagnation and inflation, the outlook for women’s employment remains grim. The combination of economic hardship, deep-rooted gender inequality, and lack of policy support has cast a shadow of uncertainty over the future of women’s work in Iran.
If current trends continue, school dropout rates among girls are expected to rise in the coming years due to lack of motivation and diminishing hope for a stable and meaningful professional future.
Source: irannewsupdate.com
https://irannewsupdate.com/news/women/iranian-womens-labor-force-participation-plummets-to-historic-lows/
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Pezeshkian praises Iran’s NPC for winning Women’s Day Recognition Award
April 6, 2025
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) announced the three exceptional winners of the 2025 awards in early March: Penny Briscoe CBE from ParalympicsGB (Leadership), Paralympian ZakiaKhudadadi (Emerging Leadership), and the NPC of Iran (IPC Member), which were recognized for their outstanding contributions in advance of International Women’s Day.
Commenting on the NPC Iran's recognition in the Membership category, GhafourKaregari, President of NPC Iran, said, “NPC Iran not only believes in gender equality but also provides enhanced privileges, services, and support specifically tailored for women with disabilities. Through this vision and diligent oversight of its implementation, it has created a supportive and empowering environment for women with disabilities.”
In a letter to Karegari, Pezeshkian expressed his gratitude for the committee’s efforts and hard work, congratulating them on this significant honor and wishing the National Paralympic Committee continued success in upcoming events.
Source: tehrantimes.com
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/511461/Pezeshkian-praises-Iran-s-NPC-for-winning-Women-s-Day-Recognition
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AMMWEC & Muslim Women Speakers Join Muslims Israel Dialogue for a Historic Gathering Promoting Peace & Healing
Apr 07, 2025,
WASHINGTON DC, DC, UNITED STATES, April 7, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Former Hostages, Muslim Leaders, and Interfaith Allies to Unite in New York City for Historic Gathering Promoting Peace and Healing
On April 9, 2025, nine former Israeli hostages—civilians abducted by Hamas—will gather in New York City alongside prominent Muslim leaders and interfaith partners in a landmark event dedicated to healing, reconciliation, and a unified stand against terrorism. This extraordinary gathering follows the horrific October 7 attacks carried out by Hamas, which not only devastated Israeli communities but also sent shockwaves throughout the global Muslim world—prompting widespread condemnation and a renewed commitment to peace.
Organized by the Muslims Israel Dialogue, in collaboration with interfaith organizations, this event underscores a powerful truth: peace is possible when people of faith stand together.
Sheikh Musa Drammeh, President of Muslims Israel Dialogue, reflected on the tragedy in Kfar Aza:
*“The images of burned homes and broken families are etched in our hearts. This is why we must come together—not just as Muslims, Jews, or Christians—but as people united by our shared humanity.”*
Joining the initiative is AMMWEC (American Muslim &Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council), the only Muslim American women’s organization that led the “I Bear Witness” tour to Israel in partnership with **Combat Antisemitism** following the October 7 attacks. This courageous act of solidarity brought Muslim women face-to-face with Israeli survivors and grieving communities, exemplifying a commitment to truth, healing, and interfaith unity.
Anila Ali, CEO of AMMWEC, stated:
“When our Jewish brothers and sisters are hurt, we are all hurt. We are People of the Book. As Muslim women, we cannot stand on the sidelines—we must lead. We went to Israel as women faith leaders to bear witness to Hamas' atrocities. We will continue our quest for peace through the Abraham Accords for Israelis and Arabs. But we must all unite to do more to stop the cancer of antisemitism in our American communities. We will stand together with our Jewish and Christian brethren and tell America: HATE is not our faith.”
AMMWEC also holds the distinction of being the only Muslim women’s organization to sign the Abraham Accords in 2020, standing alongside President Donald Trump and regional leaders to support normalization and peace between Israel and several Arab nations. This historic involvement continues to shape AMMWEC’s vision of a future rooted in coexistence and courage.
Soraya M. Deen, President of Muslim Women Speakers, reinforced this message:
“Our silence has emboldened terror. We must speak—clearly, consistently, and with moral clarity—against all forms of extremism.”
This interfaith gathering is not simply symbolic—it is a tangible, courageous step toward unity. The presence of former hostages alongside Muslim leaders and allies sends a resounding message: we can break cycles of hate by forging bonds of compassion and understanding.
As the world watches, this moment offers a renewed vision—one where empathy prevails over enmity, and faith becomes a force for peace.
Source: koin.com
https://www.koin.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/800692770/ammwec-muslim-women-speakers-join-muslims-israel-dialogue-for-a-historic-gathering-promoting-peace-healing/
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/hijab-wearing-lebanon-state-resigns/d/135082