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Iran Students Who Participated In Protests Banned From Education, In Exile, Or Poisoned

New Age Islam News Bureau

25 May 2023

Iran Students Who Participated In Protests Banned From Education, In Exile, Or Poisoned

Ayasha Vs Ayasha: 2 Aspirants, Ayasha Fatima And Ayasha Makrani ‘Claim’ Same UPSC Rank

‘Love Jihad’, Woman’s Name, Religious Text Painted On Pune Footpath; Police Begin Probe

Malaysian Middle Age Woman Arrested For Uploading Image Of ‘Allah’ Tattoo

Saudi Businesswoman Shaping Future Of Kingdom’s Real Estate Sector With Royal Approval

Muna’s Passion for Basketball Inspires Her to Create Active wear for Muslim Women

Hardliners In Iran Attack New Hijab Bill As Too Lenient

Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau

URL:  https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/iran-students-exile-poisoned/d/129850

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Iran Students Who Participated In Protests Banned From Education, In Exile, Or Poisoned

 

Protesters shout slogans during a demonstration following the death of Mahsa Amini in Iran, in Istanbul, Turkey, October 2, 2022 (Photo: Reuters/File)

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24th May, 2023

In a crackdown aimed at curbing a defiant uprising against the ultra-Conservative fundamentalist cleric regime and quelling countrywide demonstrations after the deliberate poisoning of school girls, Iranian institutions are banning the students from education, forcing them to go into exile in the cities of Ahvaz, Semnan, Kashan, Urmia, and Ardabil.

As many as eight students have been deprived of education for up to two years or were exiled to other cities as a form of "punishment" for protesting against the chemical attacks on women and girls across Iran's universities and schools, according to Persian language broadcaster Iran International.

A string of suspected poison attacks that affected schoolgirls in dozens of schools and universities forced the parents of the young girls and women to stop them from attending classes. As a result, women and girls across the Islamic Republic of Iran defaulted on their education, and in many cases, they were permanently withdrawn from educational institutions by their parents.

Particularly, female students in Iran faced health hazards from chemical poisoning in at least 33 cities across 17 Iranian provinces. These incidents coincided with the anti-hijab protests by Iranian women following the death of a 22-year-old Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini.

Iran women's movement for 'freedom and equality'

Hundreds of schoolgirls reported unexplained illnesses after suffering from suspicious "mild to severe poisoning" which critics of the Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi suggest was a planned targeting by hardline Islamist groups as they are opposed to girls education.

A significant number of Iranian women and girls have been leading a movement against the compulsory state-sanctioned law of wearing a head scarf, posting videos and pictures on social media burning the hijab, while others sharing visuals of themselves chopping their hair in defiance of the country's morality police—known as Gasht-e Ershad [Guidance Patrols]— that enforces strict moral 'dress code' on the women. Slogans like "Women, life, freedom" heard during the Amini protests took center stage to the Iranian women's movement demanding 'freedom and equality!'

Under Iranian law, special police units coerce women to cover their hair and neck with a hijab. The torture of women in violation of the dress code in police custody sparked widespread protests to overthrow the Islamic Republic system. Iranian women have taken to the streets demanding the ouster of the conservative hard-liners.

Speculations emerged that Mahsa Amini was beaten in the head with a baton by morality police, which caused her death. Greater Tehran Police Commander Hossein, however, attributed her demise to “sudden heart failure", a claim rejected by the woman's father, who told an Iranian news outlet that  Amini was "fit and had no health problems".

Hijab in Iran was mandated shortly after the 1979 revolution, by order of Supreme leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, founder of the Islamic Republic. The law has been exploited by morality police in restricting women's clothing in Iran.

The noxious gas attacks on the Iranian women and girls occurred parallel to the crackdown on unprecedented protests by Iranian security forces who fired gunshots directly into women's faces, breasts and genitals "to destroy their beauty", according to the medics, doctors and nurses treating the demonstrators.

Raft of repressive measures to punish 'hijab rebels'

A raft of repressive measures was imposed across Iran to crack down and punish the hijab rebels. This included surveillance and cutting access to social services and the Internet. Women held by the security forces without the headscarf mandated under the regime's law were arbitrarily detained, raped and beaten by the military police in custody, according to the Iranian press.

Norway-based Iran Human Rights group said that Iranian security forces were shooting women protesters in the head and face, leading to many losing eyesight. "Islamic Republic leader, Ali Khamenei and the repressive forces under his command must know that they will be held accountable for all their crimes," IHR director Mahmood AmiryMoghaddam, stated.

Girls and women who played a major role in the countrywide protests fell victim to the mysterious incidents identified as deliberate poisoning attacks to prevent them from seeking education. Young students were taken to the hospital after they seemed to have fallen ill by smelling toxic gas.

Across institutions, including the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, students were dealt with heavyhandedly and were pronounced severe punishments such as dismissal from the institutes. US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), in its analysis, noted that an estimated 637 students from 144 universities have been arrested since mid-September.

'Not war chemicals, can be treated': Iranian Health Minister

Emergency forces were dispatched to the scene after a wave of poisonings of female high school students in Tehran, which parents said occurred due to a poisonous gas smell, according to Fars news agency. Those admitted to the hospitals reported symptoms including respiratory distress, numbness in their limbs, heart palpitations, headaches, nausea, and vomiting.

Iran's Deputy Health Minister YounesPanahi, however, noted that the poisoning of schoolgirls was "accidental". The poisoning caused to the students was very mild, and did not cause any complications to anyone,” he was reported saying, adding that the poisoning only caused 'lethargy.'

“It has been revealed that the chemical compounds used to poison students are not war chemicals, the poisoned students do not need aggressive treatment and a large percentage of the chemical agents used are treatable," he added. Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi, at a Cabinet meeting, tasked his interior minister to lead an effort to find the cause of the poisonings as well as coordinate an appropriate response, according to ISNA.

Source: republicworld.com

https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/middle-east/iran-students-who-participated-in-protests-banned-from-education-in-exile-or-poisoned-articleshow.html

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 Ayasha Vs Ayasha: 2 Aspirants, Ayasha Fatima And Ayasha Makrani ‘Claim’ Same UPSC Rank

  

May 25, 2023

BHOPAL: In a rare mix up in UPSC examinations, two girls from Madhya Pradesh with a common first name are claiming 184th rank quoting the same roll number. Results of the UPSC exams were declared on Tuesday.

After the results were declared, a girl named Ayasha got 184th rank. After this, celebrations started in two families, one in Dewas district and the other in Alirajpur district of Madhya Pradesh. The matter came to light on Wednesday.

Dewas girl, Ayasha Fatima, daughter of Naziruddin is claiming that she made it to the merit while AyashaMakrani daughter of Salimuddin from Alirajpur district is also claiming the same.

It is said that both the Ayashas were issued the same roll number. The admit cards of both girls mention roll number as 7811744.

Both the girls are claiming that they gave the exam and even appeared for the interview. Ayesha Makrani's brother ShahbazuddinMakrani, a civil engineer, told TOI that his sister cleared UPSC with mathematics."My mother's dream was that my sister should crack UPSC and become an IAS officer. She has got 184th rank. After the confusion and counter claims by another candidate, we have contacted UPSC and the picture will be clear on Thursday."

His sister is 23, and It was her first attempt at the exam, Shahbazuddin said.

Experts: Impossible to assign same roll number, one is fake

On the other hand, Naziruddin, father of Ayasha Fatima of Dewas, also claimed that his daughter had been selected. "UPSC cannot make such a mistake. I demand a thorough inquiry in the matter. The truth should come to the fore," said Naziruddin. My daughter is 26-year-old and it was her fourth attempt. She appeared with a political science subject, he said.

In the admit card of AyashaMakrani, the date of personality test was mentioned as April 25 and the day was mentioned as Thursday. Whereas on the card of Ayasha Fatima, the date of personality test was April 25, but the day was Tuesday. As per the calendar April 25 was a Tuesday.

AyashaMakrani's brother claimed that they had received an email from UPSC in which it was written that Ayasha's name has been changed due to similarity in the names with three candidates and the names of two candidates have been changed. "Full name has not changed. The name has been changed to Ayasha Fatima (Ayesha Makrani)," said Shahbazuddin.

"There is a water mark of UPSC with a QR code on the admit card of Ayasha of Dewas, while the admit card of Alirajpur'sAyasha resembles a printout on plain paper without any QR code. The QR code of Dewas girl on scanning shows the same information as mentioned in the admit card," said Naziruddin.

While the matter is yet to be settled, both the families are in celebrations and hogging limelight.

Experts claimed that it is impossible that UPSC would issue the same roll number to two candidates. One of them has to be fake, they said.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/ayasha-vs-ayasha-2-aspirants-claim-same-upsc-rank/articleshow/100485043.cms

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‘Love Jihad’, Woman’s Name, Religious Text Painted On Pune Footpath; Police Begin Probe

May 24, 2023

The Pune City police are conducting a probe after the words ‘Love Jihad’, along with a woman’s name and text with religious connotation, was found painted on a footpath on Canal Road in Pune.

Officials said the words were painted in yellow colour on the footpath connecting SNDT College and Prabhat Road. The writing was brought to the notice of the police by citizens, including on Twitter.

“It seems to have been done sometime over the last two to three days. After it was brought to our notice, a team was sent to the spot,” a local police official said. A team of police and civic officials went to the spot on Wednesday morning and erased the words.

“We are looking into the incident. We are trying to ascertain who has done it and what was the motive behind it. Further course of action will be decided after we have the basic facts with us,” a senior officer from Pune City police said.

Source: indianexpress.com

https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/pune-footpath-womans-name-religious-8626246/

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Malaysian Middle Age Woman Arrested For Uploading Image Of ‘Allah’ Tattoo

24-05- 2023

PETALING JAYA: A local woman was arrested in Gombak after she was suspected of uploading an image of “Allah” tattooed on another woman to her Facebook page.

Bukit Aman in a statement said the 46-year-old woman will be remanded for three days starting from today (May 24).

Free Malaysia Today (FMT) reported that the case is being investigated by the classified criminal investigation unit (D5) under Section 298A of the Penal Code for insulting, or bringing into contempt, or deriding, or ridiculing, or degrading the religion of Islam, as well as Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act for the misuse of network services to spread obscene content, discord, fake news and threats.

The police had also seized the suspect’s mobile phone and SIM card.

The authorities have advised the public to refrain from spreading or creating content that touches on the sensitivities of religion and race including that of royalty.

Stern action will be taken against those that intentionally do so, the statement said

Source: thesundaily.my

https://www.thesundaily.my/local/middle-age-woman-arrested-for-uploading-image-of-allah-tattoo-BB11018977

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Saudi businesswoman shaping future of Kingdom’s real estate sector with royal approval

May 24, 2023

RIYADH: A Saudi businesswoman is helping lead the way in shaping the future of the Kingdom’s real estate sector — with royal backing.

Mashael bin Saedan’s company, Al-Saedan for Development, was one of three private firms approved by King Salman in 2019 to be part of the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program.

She said: “I was the only woman present at the launch ceremony, whose factory was not only approved by King Salman but I had the honor of meeting him.”

Since then, her real estate development group has gone from strength to strength with its focus on digital and technical industrial transformation of the sector.

And last year, the ambitious business owner partnered with Japan-based Aizawa High-Pressure Concrete Co., Ltd. to produce and construct pre-stressed concrete structural components in the Riyadh metropolitan area.

The two companies tested a model of the component that yielded positive results.

“The model that we tested was not based on new technology … it is only used for the construction of bridges and such. What we wanted to achieve was to use this technology for the construction of houses.

“The US tried to test the model but failed. What we did through our partnership with Japan was develop the same technology with Saudi resources, keep the good quality, and lower production costs,” Saedan added.

She noted that the Japanese government had been supportive of the partnership and said she was “very grateful for their help.”

Her introduction to the real estate sector began when she was just six years old. Saedan’s family has been involved in land development projects in Riyadh since 1934 and can include Saudi Arabia’s first high-rise building, the Elegance Tower, in its portfolio of properties.

Part of the third generation of the real estate family, Saedan as a child accompanied her father wherever he went.

She said: “I saw the effects of the real estate market on citizens, and on my family. My family had a tradition where in every signed real estate deal, everyone in my family would get an equal share from the deal, regardless of your age or whether you worked on the deal or not.”

When she turned 12, Saedan began asking questions about the lack of female involvement in the sector in the Kingdom.

“I kept asking this question in every family gathering we had. When I turned 18, my father called me to his office and asked me to draft a business strategy involving and targeting women to invest in the real estate sector,” she added.

Keen to transform the sector in her country, Saedan’s business strategy included targeting Saudi teachers in public schools during break times to enlighten women on the Kingdom’s real estate sector and help them invest in the market.

She struck her first investment deal with three Saudi public-school teachers, who remain in contact with her.

During the boom in the real estate market between 2007 and 2009, she was undecided whether to cash in on the opportunity or continue her education.

Saedan wanted to expand her ideas internationally and be a prominent figure in the industry on a global stage. So, she opted to pursue a master’s degree in an English-speaking country.

She said: “I decided that if I were to enter the international market of real estate, I needed to learn English.”

After gaining a master’s degree in business finance and economics from the University of Sheffield, in England, she received a job offer from an international bank based in the UK. But she turned down the opportunity in order to return to Saudi Arabia and be a force for change in the Kingdom’s real estate sector.

One of her ambitions was to educate Saudi youth and involve them in the sector, to which end she taught finance courses at Dar Al-Uloom University.

“I would start every lecture by reminding students that they were not only representing their family, but the Kingdom, Arabs, and Muslims worldwide.

“People change by having a role model, so after two-and-a-half months, I resigned and decided to open my own company and be the change I want to see in people,” Saedan added.

Source: arabnews.com

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2309731/saudi-arabia

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Muna’s Passion for Basketball Inspires Her to Create Activewear for Muslim Women

24 May, 2023

Growing up as a Somali girl in Minneapolis’ Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, Muna Mohamed’s love for basketball has led to creating a special activewear for Muslim women and girls, Sahan Journal reported. 

In Minneapolis, she spent years as the only girl on the basketball court. Moving to South St. Paul, she joined her school’s basketball team, pursuing her love for the sport all the way to playing semi-professional ball with the TC Elite.

Now as a coach, she wants to encourage more Muslim girls to follow their passion, returning to her old neighborhood to break the barriers that have often kept young Muslim women out of the game.

“I just got sad that the girls were struggling. I saw myself in them,” she said. “If I could go back and look at what I wore, I would’ve never worn it, but I only did it for the game of basketball and I wish there was someone there advocating for me.”

In order to encourage people to be more physically active, and healthier, she created Kalsoniactivewear for Muslim women and girls.

The word Kalsoni is a Somali word which translates to “confidence” is a feeling that Muna said is crucial for any Muslim woman working on her physical fitness.

“I realized we shouldn’t run away from our culture and I wanted a word that represented what I was, who the girls were, and whether we’re on the court or off the court, there was a sense of confidence,” she said.

What Muslim Women Need

Over the past few years, there have been a growing market for modest fashion across the world.

In 2020, a leading American sporting clothing company, “Under Armour Inc.”, unveiled its first hijab for female Muslim athletes.

In December 2017, Nike launched the Nike Pro Hijab to give Muslim athletes a deserved representation in global athletic sportswear.

Though well-known brands like Under Armour and Nike have launched their versions of modest activewear, Muna believes that they fall short of what Muslim women need.

“They often don’t understand the type of hijabs that you need to create to cater to all Muslims,” she said.

“That’s why I have the different versatile hijabs from sports shawls to the sports hijab for everyone.”

Now, Muna sells her products in the USA and abroad.

“I’ve sold to folks in Finland, Norway, Sweden, and now getting orders from South Africa and Kenya,” she said.

“It was nice to see it validated in Minnesota, but then it was a unique opportunity when folks were reaching out to me.”

Source: aboutislam.net

https://aboutislam.net/muslim-issues/n-america/muslim-volunteers-pack-15000-meals-for-malnourished-kids-across-the-world/

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Hardliners In Iran Attack New Hijab Bill As Too Lenient

25-05-23

Hardliners in Iran have strongly criticized a government hijab bill and claimed its leniency would only encourage further defiance of hijab rules.

Minister of Justice Amin Hossein-Rahimi said Monday that the government modified and approved the double-urgency bill proposed by the judiciary and would present it to the parliament within the next few days.

The bill is apparently more lenient than a motion by some ultra-hardliner lawmakers in March which has yet not been put to debate in the parliament. The motion proposed a fine of up to $60,000 for unveiling in public.

Iran’s Judiciary operates under the supervision of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and their input into the new bill means it must have had his support.

However, politics is more enigmatic in Iran than appearances usually indicate. Firebrand Hossein Shariatmadari, the editor of the flagship hardliner newspaper -- which is funded by the Supreme Leader -- strongly criticized the new bill on Sunday for “reducing punishments in the laws of the country for removing hijab into [small] cash fines.”

“A look at the content of the bill and comparison with the existing laws suggests that the bill has been prepared with the (maybe unintentional) aim of removing the existing legal obstacles [against unveiling] and preparing the ground for the spread of this nasty and abominable phenomenon rather than taking action against unveiling,” he wrote.

Shariatmadari also claimed that some of the women who were arrested for flouting the hijab on the streets have confessed that they were paid $3 per hour, presumably by the enemies of the Islamic Republic.

Tehran Municipality’s Hamshahri newspaper, a once reformist daily which has become ultra-conservative since hardliners took over the city council and in 2021, has also urged the government of President Ebrahim Raisi to revoke the bill.

The newspaper argued that if turned into law it would tie the hands of the police and other hijab enforcers such as civilians who practice ‘amr-e be marouf’, that is, calling others to enjoin what is good and forbid them from doing what is wrong.

‘Amr-e be marouf’ by vigilantes has caused quite a few disputes and even scuffles in public over veiling between its proponents and women who are now defiantly appearing unveiled.

In April, a 59-year-old woman died of cardiac arrest in hospital in Kerman after a fight broke out when Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) affiliated Basij militia members who assaulted her family over hijab. Apparently, the Basij members ordered a member of the woman’s family to cover her hair, leading to an argument and a scuffle.

A video that became viral on social media in mid-April showed a young woman having a panic attack at a shopping arcade in Babol in northern Iran. The incident happened as a fight broke out when Basij militia tried to arrest some shopkeepers over hijab and fired their guns into the air during the scuffle.

In the past two months hardliners have intensified their efforts to enforce veiling laws more forcefully to put a stop to women’s increasing defiance of the compulsory hijab. Since popular protests after Mahsa Amini died at the hands of the morality police last September, many women walk in the streets without hijab.

Many, even some women who wear the hijab by choice, are against government interference in the matter which they think should be a personal choice.

“Better just say they should put a machine gun at the Revolution Square and kill those with inadequate hijab one by one,” Hossein Ghadiani, a former Kayhan journalist who has become critical of hardliners, told Shariatmadari in an audio file posted on Telegram post Tuesday. “What is it exactly that will satisfy you? Throwing 85 percent of the people in the sea to drown?”

Source: iranintl.com

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202305230362

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URL:  https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/iran-students-exile-poisoned/d/129850

 

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