Will Iran End the Ban on Women Riding Motorcycles? The Odds Are Slim
New Age Islam News Bureau
12 Nov 2024
· Will Iran End the Ban on Women Riding Motorcycles? The Odds Are Slim
· Iran to Execute Man Convicted of Assaulting Over 200 Women
· 2 women assaulted at Lebanon Hills Regional Park, police still looking for suspects
· "I was preparing bread for my children when the ground began to shake violently,” recalls Maryam*, a 35-year old mother of six in Herat, Afghanistan. "I was seven months pregnant."
· Artist depicts Iran woman who stripped in protest by consulate
· WTA Foundation event in Riyadh spotlights women’s health and empowerment
· Redefining Muslims in the media: questioning misrepresentation
· Woman pleads not guilty to cheating pensioner of RM26,750 in fake 'Paddy Jewellery' gold scam
· Saudi women weave legacy of traditional goat hair tents
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/iran-ban-women-motorcycles-slim/d/133690
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Will Iran End the Ban on Women Riding Motorcycles? The Odds Are Slim
NOVEMBER 12, 2024
Nazmi has failed to provide details about the proposal's development and submission or, more importantly, to which instruction it has been referred.
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The president of the Islamic Republic's Motorcycle and Automobile Federation has announced a plan to amend the law governing the issuance of motorcycle licenses for women.
MaziarNazemi’s comments, reflecting his close ties with both conservative and reformist political groups, have sparked significant media interest nationwide.
Just days earlier, FatemehMohajerani, spokesperson for MasoudPezeshkian's administration, was questioned by a journalist about the possibility of women obtaining motorcycle licenses. Mohajerani responded, “Some issues are better handled outside the media spotlight. Please don’t pursue this matter further.”
Now, only days after Mohajerani’s remarks, Nazemi has openly discussed a proposal from an institution with limited authority to end the ban on women riding motorcycles. But can the Motorcycle and Automobile Federation president propose a plan that directly challenges decrees from Shia religious authorities, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei?
Who Took Away Iranian Women’s Right to Ride Motorcycles?
Nazemi’s comments follow longstanding restrictions on women's motorcycle use. Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, many fundamental rights have been restricted or banned for Iranian women. Stadiums were closed to female spectators, veiling became mandatory, and women were banned from riding motorcycles, bicycles, and even horses for years.
Professional sports like swimming, gymnastics, and boxing were also prohibited for women, and certain career paths were closed off.
The struggle to dismantle some of these barriers and restore fundamental rights for Iranian women gained momentum with the emergence of "reformist" administrations.
Yet, many restrictions remain firmly in place, perhaps because the keys to unlocking them are hidden beneath the robes and cloaks of the clerics.
Among them, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei holds the most significant influence, shaping not only Iran’s political and economic landscape but also its cultural and sports policies.
The challenges faced by female athletes and even female spectators in Iran’s sports sphere can largely be traced back to fatwas issued by the Supreme Leader.
For instance, in 2003, when asked about women attending stadiums to watch male competitions, Khamenei wrote: "This act is prohibited and contrary to Islamic principles, and disobedience is considered an offense."
Khamenei has also issued fatwas restricting women's participation in certain sports. In the 1990s, when asked about women riding horses, he said, "Horse riding for girls and women in public, in the presence of unrelated men, attracts men's attention, leads to social corruption, and is against women’s chastity. It should be avoided; however, if done privately, it is not inherently problematic."
Following this fatwa, Iranian women were completely banned from activities like horseback riding, cycling, and motorcycling. Since then, women in Iran have been unable to obtain motorcycle licenses.
In 2016, Fars news agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), resurrected Khamenei's fatwa during ongoing discussions about the ban on women's motorcycle riding and cycling.
The agency reported, "Public cycling or motorcycling by women in the presence of unrelated men can attract male attention, lead to social corruption, and violate women's chastity. Such activities should be avoided. However, if done in private, it is not problematic."
Khamenei believes that women riding bicycles or motorcycles could be "provocative." However, MaziyarNazemi, head of a sports federation, aims to propose an end to this long-standing prohibition.
Why Nazemi's Claims Lack Credibility?
Nazemi has failed to provide details about the proposal's development and submission or, more importantly, to which institution it has been referred.
In an interview with ISNA, Nazemi claimed that "the Ministry of Youth and Sports sought the federation's input for revising Article 20 of the Traffic Law as part of the Seventh Development Plan."
While there's no explicit legal ban on women obtaining motorcycle licenses, the law's ambiguity has empowered authorities to enforce such restrictions.
According to the Traffic Law, anyone holding a "motorcycle driving license" is not prohibited from riding a motorcycle. This clearly states that "gender" is not a factor in motorcycle usage restrictions. However, a subsection of Article 20 specifies that the "issuance of motorcycle driving licenses for men is under the responsibility of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Police Force."
In 2019, a branch of the Administrative Court of Justice in Isfahan ruled that "the Police Traffic Department must issue motorcycle driving licenses to qualified women." This ruling came in response to a complaint from a woman who had been denied a license.
The court noted, "The conditions in urban areas, especially in large cities, and the inability of some people to afford cars make motorcycle use a practical solution for transportation, a necessity that has become more pressing for women, especially considering personal and family circumstances."
How Did the Islamic Republic’s Traffic Police Ignore the Court's Ruling?
Despite the clarity of the ruling, which mandated the issuance of motorcycle licenses to all qualified women, some officials claimed that the decision applied only to the woman who filed the complaint in Isfahan. Others, citing religious law, expressed hope that the ruling would be overturned on appeal.
HadiSadeghi, the cultural deputy of the judiciary, argued that while women riding horses is frowned upon in Islamic culture, it is not strictly forbidden. He contended that this should not be interpreted as allowing women to ride motorcycles in Iran. Sadeghi claimed that allowing women to ride motorcycles could lead to improper hijab.
A week later, the police requested a review of the ruling. Javan Newspaper, citing the police’s public relations department, reported that "the original ruling by the Administrative Court of Justice was issued only for the complainant and, according to Article 60 of the Administrative Court Law, does not apply to the public—in other words, it is an individual ruling."
The police also claimed that because one condition for receiving a motorcycle license is "providing proof of military service status for male applicants," women could not be granted a motorcycle license.
Nevertheless, it is now common to see images of Iranian women riding motorcycles on the streets of Iranian cities shared on social media. These women are asserting their right to a normal life.
Despite the ongoing propaganda launched by the government and the Motorcycle and Automobile Federation president to "restore women’s right to ride motorcycles," the campaign appears somewhat outdated in light of these visible acts of defiance.
Source:iranwire.com
https://iranwire.com/en/women/136002-will-iran-end-the-ban-on-women-riding-motorcycles-the-odds-are-slim/
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Iran to Execute Man Convicted of Assaulting Over 200 Women
NOVEMBER 11, 2024
According to the announcement, Ali Salamat “abused and assaulted over 200 women and girls and committed crimes including rape”
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The head of the judiciary in Hamadan has announced that a man will be executed on Tuesday for sexually assaulting over 200 women in Iran.
According to the announcement, Ali Salamat “abused and assaulted over 200 women and girls and committed crimes including rape.”
The Rokna news website reports that in recent years, Salamat lured his victims under the guise of marriage, friendship, assistance with medications, and, in some cases, through force.
A legal case was opened against him in May after many plaintiffs provided evidence of his widespread assault and abuse.
Salamat was arrested in January, and the investigation progressed afterward.
The initial court sentenced him to death, and despite multiple appeals by him and his lawyers, the Supreme Court’s 39th Branch upheld the sentence in October.
The head of the judiciary in Hamadan stated that Salamat will be hanged at 6 AM on Tuesday, with the execution taking place at Bagh-e Behesht in Hamadan.
A source told IranWire that at least three of Salamat’s victims had committed suicide over the years.
Source:iranwire.com
https://iranwire.com/en/news/135985-iran-to-execute-man-convicted-of-assaulting-over-200-women/
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2 women assaulted at Lebanon Hills Regional Park, police still looking for suspects
November 11, 2024
EAGAN, Minn. — The Eagan Police Department is increasing its patrols at Lebanon Hills Regional Park, after two women were assaulted in broad daylight.
The latest assault occurred on Nov. 7 around 11 a.m. Police said a woman was sexually assaulted while walking alone on trail near the visitor center.
In a press release, Eagan Police said a similar attack occurred on Sept. 7. The report said a woman was physically assaulted on Sept. 7, but she was able to get away.
"Law enforcement has limited suspect information, so we are encouraging community members to travel with someone else and be vigilant while using the Lebanon trail system and contact law enforcement if you see anything suspicious," the release said.
Police said there is no evidence that shows these attacks are related or committed by the same person. Eagan Police notified the public about both assaults on Nov. 8. Several people told KARE 11 they weren't notified of the first assault sooner.
"We want to know. I feel like people don’t want to scare us maybe, but we need to know that so we can make informed decisions. We weren’t given that and it’s not OK," said Kate Ives.
Ives walks the park trails a few times a month. She and a friend got lost in the woods a week before the sexual assault.
"If they informed us we would not have ventured off so carelessly and let ourselves get lost," Ives said. "We should have been aware of the attempted assault in September, so we wouldn’t naively be walking around in the middle of the day there."
She's already talked with her friend, and they've decided they'll only walk in open-area spaces.
Kelly Moffitt was also shocked to learn about the physical assault two months after it happened.
“I find that really disturbing and I think if people had access to that information people would have maybe made different decisions to protect themselves in the park," Moffitt said.
She said she often visits the park alone or with her family. Moffitt was at the park the day of the sexual assault an hour after it happened.
“November 7, I actually came for a walk in this park by myself as I often do during the day over the lunch hour… so I was really appalled to learn that had happened on a day, and in broad daylight, while I was in this park," she said.
There are cameras in the parking lots, but Moffitt doesn't believe there are any cameras along the trail.
She said she'll be doing things differently when she comes to the park.
“Unfortunately, I do think I’ll have to do things differently in terms of either not coming into the park by myself, or making sure others know where I am and when I’m there, and making sure I’m constantly vigilant and aware of my surroundings," she said.
Moffitt said she always has her guard up and typically doesn't feel unsafe. This park is her happy place and hopes to see more transparency from the police in the future to alert the public anytime someone is assaulted.
Signs have been posted around the park about the assaults.
The Dakota County Sheriff's Office is working with Eagan Police to increase patrols. Eagan Police are working on leads in both cases. Officials stated they have limited suspect information and are encouraging people to walk the trails in pairs.
Source:kare11.com
https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/lebanon-hills-regional-park-police-suspect-assault/89-7c53556c-dbd6-4131-955f-f807c492d4a2
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"I was preparing bread for my children when the ground began to shake violently,” recalls Maryam*, a 35-year old mother of six in Herat, Afghanistan. "I was seven months pregnant."
November 11, 2024
The roof collapsed onto her, and her baby was later born with severe deformities, passing away just three days later.
“In an instant,” she says. “My world changed forever.”
Maryam was not alone. Between Oct. 7 and 15, 2023, three devastating earthquakes struck Afghanistan, leaving Maryam and thousands of others in shock and despair. The earthquakes ravaged the country, particularly Herat province, where over 3,330 homes and an estimated 21,300 infrastructures were damaged and destroyed in Zindajan alone. Over 275,000 people were affected, and tragically, more than 90% of the estimated 1,500 casualties were women and children.
The loss of her child plunged Maryam into a severe depression, and she struggled to support her husband and six children.
Maryam’s husband had long-struggled with schizophrenia, and so even before the earthquake, Maryam had to shoulder much of the family’s economic burden alone. Her daughters, too, suffered, burdened with heavy labor that caused back and leg pain.
The fear of expulsion from her village, where neighbors, fearing her husband’s condition, misunderstood her situation, only added to Maryam’s despair.
“I often felt lost, as if hope had been extinguished,” she says.
CARE has worked in Afghanistan since 1961, and its teams were in the area providing critical aid from the start of the Herat crisis.
“Our team was among the first responders, delivering essential healthcare and psychosocial support,” says Graham Davison, CARE Afghanistan Country Director. “We’ve supported 95,700 lives and continue our recovery efforts, ensuring women and girls receive the vital assistance they need.”
Together with partners, CARE Afghanistan provided food for earthquake survivors through women-run community kitchens and distributed emergency household supplies including warm clothes.
In December 2023, with funding from UNFPA, CARE started psychosocial support services (PSS) in the Herat region that provided a lifeline for Maryam. She participated in group and individual counseling sessions, finding solace in activities like knitting.
“Knitting brings me peace,” she says. “It’s a simple joy that reminds me of my ability to create beauty, even amidst life’s challenges.”
CARE’s family health centers offer critical services and psychosocial support to over 10,000 people like Maryam.
“The vulnerabilities we still see are very real. One year after the devastating Herat earthquakes, the situation for women and girls remains especially dire,” Graham says.
CARE’s family health centers are there to provide the support they can, and the program’s participants say it makes a real difference.
“Through the support and the incredible community, I have started to feel alive again,” Maryam says.
“The support rekindled hope within me when I thought it was lost.”
Like Maryam, Zahra*, a 30-year-old mother of five, is also continuing to struggle in the earthquake’s aftermath.
Life was simple. My husband and I worked on our farm,” she says. “But when the ground shook in October, everything changed. Our house collapsed. I suffered a severe head injury and didn’t know what to do.”
When CARE’s Psychosocial Support (PSS) team reached her community, Zahra immediately reached out for help. The six counselors on the PSS team work across the most affected districts, including Zinda Jan, Injil, and RobatSangi.
The team recognized the deep emotional impact the disaster had on Zahra. Through individual and group counseling sessions, and community activities, the PSS team guided her in techniques to manage her emotions and cope with trauma.
“PSS consultation was a lifesaver,” she says.
“The support rekindled hope within me when I thought it was lost.”
“The relaxation exercises have been particularly helpful in calming my mind and body”
While three daughters and three sons of Amina* were unharmed by the earthquake, her husband suffered a severe leg injury when the roof collapsed on him, leaving him disabled and unable to work.
“My husband’s disability and our financial struggles left me worried about my young children’s future,” Amina says, “They are too young to work, and I didn’t know how we will manage.”
When CARE began working in her community, Amina says, she found a lifeline.
“I feel much stronger now,” she says, “The relaxation exercises have been particularly helpful in calming my mind and body, allowing me to focus on positive thoughts and aspirations.”
Amina also received financial support to repair her home and meet her family’s needs.
By the one-year anniversary of the earthquakes, CARE’s cash assistance program reached over 400 women, empowering them to make informed decisions and prioritize their needs like food, clothing, blankets, and healthcare.
“Receiving [cash] support changed my life,” says Amina, “The counseling helped me heal, and the cash assistance allowed us to rebuild our home. It gave us hope.”
A Long Road Ahead: Continuing Support for Afghan Women
Zahra, Maryam, Amina, and countless other Afghan women face a long and difficult road to recovery.
While the world’s attention tuns elsewhere, Afghan women continue to fight for their basic rights such as safety, education, and freedom of movement and expression.
The multi-sectoral Herat Earthquake Response Plan requires nearly $100 million to support over 100,000 earthquake-affected people. Afghan people urgently need the support of the international community and donors to address the critical, time-sensitive needs of the affected populations, especially women and girls.
Source:care.org
https://www.care.org/news-and-stories/one-year-after-afghanistan-earthquake/
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Artist depicts Iran woman who stripped in protest by consulate
By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
NOVEMBER 12, 2024
A mural depicting the Iranian woman who stripped in protest was painted at the Iranian Consulate in Milan, the artist shared in an Instagram post on Sunday.
Artist AlexsandroPalombo, who describes herself on Instagram as a “contemporary pop artist & activist, focusing on pop culture, society, diversity, ethics & human rights,” painted the woman depicted in her underwear using the colors and design of the Iranian flag.
AhouDaryaei stripped off her clothes last week in protest after she was allegedly assaulted for improperly wearing her hijab by security members at her university.
Following her protest outside the consulate last week, she was arrested by Tehran’s security forces in violation of the strict modesty laws, according to international media reports.
On social media, artist Palombo captioned the artwork, "Her gesture is profound, her sacrifice is disruptive, AhouDaryaei invites us to spread the message through her body and to carry forward the cry of freedom and courage of Iranian women. A warning not to turn away, to fight together with them so as not to be accomplices and indifferent."
Public reactions
Others have vocalized their support for Daryaei, including the IDF's Farsi account, who posted on X/Twitter, "We are witnessing one of the most powerful revolutions in history.
“A revolution in which women are no longer willing to sit silently in the face of the violation of their dignity and their basic rights by a handful of brainwashed...and libertines of the system."
Meanwhile, officials claimed that Daryaei was suffering from "severe mental pressure and had a mental disorder."
Iranian government spokesperson FatemehMohajerani said in reaction to the event, "Instead of viewing this issue under a security lens, we are rather looking at it with a social lens and seek to solve the problems of this student as a troubled individual."
Source:jpost.com
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-828702
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WTA Foundation event in Riyadh spotlights women’s health and empowerment
November 11, 2024
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia -- Leading into the final match of the inaugural WTA Finals Riyadh presented by PIF, the WTA’s philanthropic arm, the WTA Foundation, concluded a week of resounding community impact in Saudi Arabia, both on and off the court. Central to the effort was hosting Championing Women’s Health Together, an educational event attended by Her Royal Highness Ambassador Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud and WTA Legends Marion Bartoli, Daniela Hantuchová, and Martina Hingis. From shaping a bold new vision for women and girls in Saudi Arabia to addressing global health priorities such as maternal and child malnutrition, the event was supported by several regional and global partners, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia Ministry of Sport, Saudi Tennis Federation, and WTA’s title partner Hologic.
Championing Women’s Health Together is one of five major development engagements to take place this year since the WTA Foundation launched its Women Change the Game campaign in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation this past International Women’s Day. Uniting the power of women’s tennis and philanthropy to elevate women’s health as a global priority, the event brought together leaders from the tennis, government, healthcare, and sports development sectors. The gathering served as a platform to address critical women's health challenges faced worldwide and celebrate the broader legacy women’s tennis will leave in Saudi Arabia.
Expert panels discussed a variety of issues including the role of preventative women's health, the lifelong health benefits of sports for women and girls, the global state of women's health and maternal nutrition, and the goals of the WTA Foundation's Global Women's Health Fund. The fund launched with a $1.5 million donation from Hologic, and focuses on providing prenatal vitamins to at least one million women in low- and middle-income countries in its first year. The resources will be directed to the UNICEF-led Child Nutrition Fund, a global initiative aimed at ending malnutrition.
The power of prenatal vitamins for women and children in low- and middle-income settings is astounding. When women take prenatal vitamins, it dramatically reduces the risk of stillbirth, infant mortality, and babies being born small and vulnerable, and improves women’s health.
Former Wimbledon champion and WTA Foundation Game Changer, Marion Bartoli, highlighted global advancements in women's healthcare while acknowledging persistent challenges. "Healthy women are indeed the cornerstone of healthy families, vibrant communities, and prosperous economies—from right here in Saudi Arabia to every corner of the globe," she said.
Her Royal Highness Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud emphasized the tournament's lasting impact, inspiring women and girls through tennis and promoting healthier lifestyles. "The legacy of the WTA Finals Riyadh will resonate for years to come, extending beyond the remarkable athleticism shown by the world's top female tennis players this week," she stated. "By hosting the WTA Finals, we aimed to inspire women and girls across Saudi Arabia and beyond to embrace tennis not only as a sport, but as a powerful tool for empowerment and community building. Through initiatives like 'Championing Women’s Health Together' and our collaborative efforts with the WTA Foundation and the Saudi Tennis Federation to integrate tennis into schools and communities, we have laid the foundations for cooperation with WTA towards a healthier, more active future both on and off the court."
Dr. Khaled Alabdulkareem, Assistant Deputy Minister for Primary Healthcare, Ministry of Health, added, "The relationship between sports and healthcare is intrinsic, as an active society is a healthy one. The WTA Finals aligns with our national Vision 2030 ambitions to inspire a healthier, more physically active society. The legacy of the WTA Finals, by inspiring more into tennis, along with today's discussions highlighting women's healthcare, are part of achieving our goals."
Ann Austin, Executive Director of the WTA Foundation, reiterated the organization's dedication to community development, stating, "The WTA is about changing lives through tennis with its partners around the world, and when we show the world how healthy we can be, we empower an entire generation of young female champions."
“Across the world, women are changing the game in their homes, workplaces, and communities every day,” said Dr. AlaaMurabit, Director, Program Advocacy and Communications and Policy, Health, at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “While they lead this work, it’s essential to make their health and wellbeing a priority. Investing in women as game-changers requires ensuring women everywhere have access to proven health and nutrition solutions, which is what Women Change the Game is all about.”
Source:wtatennis.com
https://www.wtatennis.com/news/4167120/wta-foundation-event-in-riyadh-spotlights-women-s-health-and-empowerment
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Redefining Muslims in the media: questioning misrepresentation
11-11-2024
I’m a young Muslim woman. I live a normal life, I go to school, I hang out with friends and I wear the hijab; but I rarely see people like me on screen.
Instead, I see young women wearing the hijab which is presented as a symbol of oppression. Films portray them as silent and subservient in the burqa, only speaking when a man allows. We Muslim women are reduced to stock characters.
The same judgements are made about young men. All too often they are shown as radicalised individuals, wishing to fight against the West in the name of ‘jihad.’ These limited portrayals are staggeringly disproportionate: although Muslims make up 25% of the population, only 1% of TV characters are Muslim.
Is this representation realistic? Is it even good?
Muslims are stereotyped in films and on TV
You might think TV doesn’t have a real-world impact, but such images shape how we see each other. Actor Riz Ahmed believes that the representation of Muslims on screen affects the policies that get enacted, the people that get killed and the countries that get invaded. An analysis of over 900 Hollywood films concluded that Arab or Muslim men are typically represented as terrorists or similar characters. Homeland, Iron Man, and Sicario 2 are examples from mainstream media which dehumanise and demonise Muslims.
Moreover, the most common words associated with nearly 100 Muslim characters were “terrorist”, “sadistic pigs”, and “murderous gangs of fanatics”. Amazon’s The Boys overbearingly presents Muslims as a threat to Western values, when they turn up for the first and only time to hijack a plane. The popular BBC show Bodyguard, aired in 2018, failed all five criteria of the Riz test in the first twelve minutes of the first episode.
If young Muslim children can’t watch their favourite superhero movie without feeling ‘othered’ and villainised, we risk making them vulnerable to extremist propaganda. They could even pursue revenge for the negative portrayal of themselves that they see on screen.
Who is responsible for this prejudice?
Watch a movie set in ‘Arabia’ (an ambiguous term) and you’ll notice the orange filters directors place over scenes. Extraction, the 2020 film starring Chris Hemsworth, is a good example. Though set in Bangladesh – a vibrant, thriving country – the film reduces it to a mere backdrop for a ‘third-world aesthetic,’ reinforcing harmful stereotypes it could have eliminated.
These aren’t just creative choices; they carry significant economic consequences. Developing countries like Bangladesh miss out on valuable tourism opportunities due to the bias these portrayals perpetuate.
However, it’s impossible to place all the blame on directors and production companies for perpetuating these biased stereotypes without examining where this negativity first stemmed from. This summer’s emergence of far-right riots led me to research how the wider media has influenced these harmful narratives, taking us down a path shaped by decades of fear.
How the news reinforces stereotypes
In news coverage, the term ‘terrorist’ is almost exclusively applied to those associated with Islam, clearly showing a largely negative and stereotypical portrayal of Muslims.
It’s 6pm, and the BBC News theme tune plays in the background. You’re only half-watching, occasionally glancing at the screen, but certain words attract your attention: “Muslim”, “suspect”, “South Asian”, “Pakistani”. These terms reinforce a narrative, subtly shaping our biases without us even realising it.
Five adjectives were found to be most commonly used in relation to Muslims: radical, fanatical, fundamentalist, extremist and militant. Muslims are still seen as backwards and primitive. 23% of online articles misrepresent aspects of Muslim identity, and a shocking 43% of broadcast media associates Islam with negative behaviour. These generalisations are mainly directed towards Muslim women.
Contrary to popular belief, Muslim women choose to wear the headscarf out of their own free will. A 2005 Gallup Organization survey, where over 8,000 interviews were conducted with women in Muslim countries, revealed that the majority of the women surveyed did not see themselves as oppressed but as independent and in control of their own lives and decisions.
This disconnect between reality and representation emphasises the urgent need for change that can begin by reshaping the portrayal of Muslims onscreen.
Current initiatives to improve representation
The Riz Test is influenced by Riz Ahmed’s speech at the House of Commons. Two Muslim activists created the Riz Test, which has five criteria to measure how Muslims are portrayed on film and TV.
Is the character:
talking about the victim of or the perpetrator of terrorism?
presented as irrationally angry?
presented as superstitious, culturally backwards, or anti-modern?
presented as a threat to a Western way of life?
If the character is male, is he presented as misogynistic? Or if female, is she oppressed by her male counterparts?
If the answer is “yes” to any of these, the film or show has failed the test. This is a great way of addressing the problem by holding up a mirror to the industry as well as those who commissioned such stories.
A similar test that is perhaps more well-known is the Bechdel Test, aimed at enhancing the authenticity of female stories. To pass the test, a film must meet these three criteria:
At least two women are featured,
who talk to each other, and
that they discuss something other than a man.
The significance of this test lies in the data produced since the Bechdel test became widely applied. The total median gross return on investment for films that passed the test was $2.68 for every dollar spent, compared to just $1.06 for films in which women only discuss men. This evidence highlights the impact of positive representation and enforces the urgent need for more authentic narratives which represent Muslims in film.
Blueprint of Muslim inclusion advocates for more onscreen representation. Film companies are being urged to hire more Muslim creators to conduct script reviews and agencies asked to seek out more Muslim talent.
Looking to the future
We need to empower the younger Muslim generation into taking that first leap into the industry, instead of scaring them away. In a country where half of the Muslim population is facing poverty, it is crucial to help young people to enter creative industries. With shows like Ms. Marvel and Ramy taking the Muslim world by storm in their complex portrayals of Muslim characters, we’re paving the way for more nuanced stories to be told.
Though certain Muslim performers have become household names only recently, this isn’t enough to close the chapter on Muslim inclusion. Real change requires all media to adopt a fair and balanced approach.
Adopting the Riz Test, especially in the print media as well as film and TV, would be a positive step. The Guardian is one of the only news publications that was consistently the least biased and campaigning for an investigation into media reporting.
Each step towards authentic representation may seem small, but it’s a monumental leap forward for the Muslim community.
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Source:centralbylines.co.uk
https://centralbylines.co.uk/lifestyle/tv/redefining-muslims-in-the-media-questioning-misrepresentation/
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Woman pleads not guilty to cheating pensioner of RM26,750 in fake 'Paddy Jewellery' gold scam
12 Nov 2024
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 12 — A woman pleaded not guilty in the Magistrate’s Court here today to cheating a government pensioner of more than RM20,000 in a non-existent ‘Paddy Jewellery’ gold investment last May.
SitiHajartulHainiAbd Hamid, 37, made the plea before Magistrate S Mageswary.
She was charged with cheating Mohd Zaid Ibrahim, 50, by deceiving him into investing in the “Paddy Jewellery’’ gold investment.
This prompted the man to hand over RM26,750 through a CIMB Bank account to Pawana Sweet, a company owned by the woman, which he would not have done if he knew the investment did not exist.
The offence was allegedly committed at a bank in Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, Dang Wangi here at 12.20 pm on May 2 this year.
The charge, framed under Section 420 of the Penal Code, provides imprisonment for up to 10 years with whipping and is liable to a fine if convicted.
The magistrate allowed her bail of RM3,000 with one surety and set Dec 20 for mention for appointment of a lawyer.
The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhammad ZulHilmi Latif, while the accused was unrepresented. — Bernama
Source:malaymail.com
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/11/12/woman-pleads-not-guilty-to-cheating-pensioner-of-rm26750-in-fake-paddy-jewellery-gold-scam/156614
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Saudi women weave legacy of traditional goat hair tents
November 11, 2024
RIYADH: In the heart of Saudi Arabia’s Northern Borders region, a time-honored tradition continues to thrive as winter approaches.
Here, elderly women skillfully craft traditional goat-hair tents, known locally as “buyut al-sha’ar” — a living symbol of Saudi hospitality.
According to a report by the Saudi Press Agency, the traditional craft relies on goat and sheep hair, provided by the abundant livestock in the region, which includes more than 7 million heads of camels and cattle.
Working with traditional tools like the “mitraq” (hammer) and “awtar” (strings), the artisans create tents of varying sizes and colors.
“Depending on the craftswoman’s experience, a single tent can take anywhere from three days to a week to complete,” Umm Nada told SPA in an interview.
The making of the tent is a practice that carries immense cultural significance. As the women work, they recite traditional verses of poetry.
The finished tents fetch anywhere from SR1,600 ($427) to SR6,000 ($1,600), depending on size and decorative elements.
These traditional tents are experiencing renewed popularity among local families who set them up for excursions and picnics in the natural landscape.
The northern region’s moderate climate has made these tents particularly appealing to outdoor enthusiasts.
Source:arabnews.com
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2578922/saudi-arabia
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