Iranian Activist Nazanin Boniadi, Urges US Officials To Boycott Address By Iranian FM
New
Age Islam News Bureau
21 February 2024
·
Iranian Activist Nazanin Boniadi, Urges US Officials
To Boycott Address By Iranian FM
·
Al Mujadilah, A Women-Only Mosque In Qatar Inspires
‘Sense Of Connection’
·
ATC Adjourns Hearing Of Bail Pleas Of Aliya Hamza,
Sanam Javed
·
‘Insult’ To Hindu Gods Row: Complainant, Identified
As Sister Prabha, Getting Threatening Calls From Qatar, Dubai, Saudi Arabia,
Photos Made Viral
·
Young Generation To Build Iran’s Women Futsal
Future: Shirbeigi
·
PTI Says Deeply Concerned At ‘Threats’ To Bushra
Bibi’s Life
·
Transgender Muslim Inmate Serving 55 Years For
Killing Baby Files $150K Lawsuit For Not Being Allowed To Wear Hijab
Compiled
by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/iranian-activist-nazanin-iranian/d/131767
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Iranian
Activist Nazanin Boniadi, Urges US Officials To Boycott Address By Iranian FM
Nazanin
Boniadi
------
February
21, 2024
Iranian
political activist Nazanin Boniadi has penned a letter to US officials, urging
them to walk out during the address by Iran's Foreign Minister at the UN Human
Rights Council (UNHRC) on February 26.
"I
implore all democratic member states to unite in protesting the IRI regime’s
egregious abuses against Iranians & brutalities abroad via proxies,"
wrote Boniadi on her social media account.
The
letter directly addressed to Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and US
Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield, highlighting the severity of the
situation in Iran. "He is the representative of a brutal and cruel regime
that beats, blinds, rapes, poisons, unlawfully detains, forcibly disappears,
tortures and murders its own people," the letter stated.
Boniadi
emphasized the need for a unified stand against the Iranian regime's human
rights violations. "You must surely recognize the inappropriateness of a
representative of this brutal and criminal regime being allowed to address the
UNHRC," she added.
The
call for action comes after continuing repression in Iran and an increase in
executions. In 2022 and 2023 the government killed around 550 citizens during
protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini.
"More
than 500 demonstrators were killed by security forces in the protests following
Mahsa's death, after they were given free rein by the regime’s top officials in
an attempt to quell the uprising," the letter highlighted.
Source:
iranintl.com
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202402203104
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Al
Mujadilah, A Women-Only Mosque In Qatar Inspires ‘Sense Of Connection’
Photo:
Al-Mujadilah Center and Mosque for Women
------
February
20, 2024
Kubra
Solmaz
On
the afternoon of February 1, Salwa Sadek stepped into a recently opened mosque
in Doha that was exclusively built for women.
After
a long day’s work, the 26-year-old journalist was delighted to see the
courtyard of the mosque adorned with plants and greenery, imbuing the
surroundings with the feeling of an oasis.
"It's
very healing from when you first step foot in, and you feel it's a safe space.
The design itself makes you feel genuinely welcomed here," Sadek tells TRT
World.
The
place of worship she speaks of is Al Mujadilah Centre and Mosque for Women in
Qatar, inaugurated by Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Al-Missned. Built to foster an
inclusive Muslim society, the mosque is located in the heart of Education
City—a sprawling 12-square-kilometre campus housing multiple educational and
research institutes in Doha.
While
conventional mosques often have designated sections for women, one may question
the necessity of building a new one exclusively for them. Such questions,
unsurprisingly, may arise from individuals, particularly men, who haven’t been
into such spaces.
Contrary
to the expansive, well-lit spaces allocated for male worshippers, Muslim women
often find themselves in smaller, darker, and less well-maintained areas for
prayer.
For
example, when asked about her previous experiences with most other mosques she
has been to, Salwa says she felt like praying in a little tiny box.
"You
can't see any part of the mosque. It’s as if I would rather pray at home rather
than be trapped in these four walls," she says.
But
Al-Mujadilah stands as a response to this disparity, offering Muslim women a
haven where they can experience worship in an environment tailored to their
multifaceted needs, fostering inclusivity, and affirming the importance of
equal spiritual engagement for all.
Building
a mosque, building a community
Al-Mujadilah
was established following comprehensive and in-depth studies aimed at
understanding the fundamental and primary needs of contemporary Muslim women in
today’s society where they are much more involved in different aspects of
social life.
“We
see that the public sphere is full of Muslim women. But there isn’t really a
place for Muslim women to come to where they can address their integrated needs
from a spiritual and religious perspective,” says Dr Sohaira Siddiqui, the
Executive Director of Al-Mujadilah Mosque in an interview with TRT World.
Salwa
also underscores this need for a space and a sense of community, noting that
although many mosques provide spaces for women, they are mostly secluded and
isolated from both the mosque architecture and the rest of the jama’ah, the
congregation in the mosque.
"We're
just secluded and isolated as if those who designed the mosque don't consider
the spiritual experience of women worshipping in a mosque."
This
isolation, as Salwa points out, extends beyond physical space, causing many
Muslim women to feel disconnected from the broader Muslim community.
So,
what is essential to create a community where Muslim women can once again feel
a strong sense of connection? A glance back at prophetic tradition provides the
answer.
Following
the footsteps of Prophet Muhammad
Building
Masjid al Nabawi was one of the initial endeavours Prophet Muhammad undertook
upon emigrating from Mecca to Medina.
This
initiative aimed to establish a vibrant and thriving Muslim community in a new
city, fostering integration between newcomers and hosts and creating a profound
sense of belonging, brotherhood, and sisterhood among Muslims.
The
mosque was a humble open-air structure with columns crafted from palm trees and
a roof adorned with palm branches. Over the years, it evolved into a hub,
serving as a community centre, refuge, legal court, and educational institution
for Muslims.
As Dr
Sohaira notes, “The masjid wasn't simply just a place where you prayed and you
left. It was a place that you came to and you were able to take classes there,
you were able to meet people there, you were able to engage in conversations
beyond just the prayers.”
Drawing
inspiration from this prophetic tradition and recognising the nuanced
connection between community-building and providing a safe and welcoming space
for women, the concept of Al-Mujadilah was conceived.
Aligned
with another prophetic tradition emphasising the construction of mosques in
harmony with nature, Al-Mujadilah Centre deliberately designed a holistic space
for women including a mosque, garden, library, learning centre and cafe.
Al-Mujadilah
embodies a conscious integration with nature, showcasing bright spaces
illuminated by hundreds of light cones. Centred around two olive trees piercing
through the roof, reaching towards the sky— the building itself represents the
continuous growth and collective striving of Muslim women.
A
mosque embracing all women
At
Al-Mujadilah Mosque, there is no designated male imam. Women take the lead in
congregational prayers, and unless there is a specific occasion inviting male
visitors, the public spaces are exclusively reserved for women.
The mosque
and its centre are meticulously designed to address the diverse needs of women
from all walks of life. Accessibility is prioritised throughout the entire
building, from the parking lot to classrooms, ensuring it is
disability-friendly. This inclusivity extends beyond physical design to the
programs offered within the learning centre.
Dr.
Sohaira provides detailed insights into their dedicated efforts to create an
inclusive environment for all women, explaining, “For Ramadan, we are
introducing a terrace exclusively designed for mothers and children. Beyond
catering to the needs of mothers and children, we are also setting up sensory
rooms tailored for children with additional needs.”
Acknowledging
the hurdles faced by women attending the mosque due to their children's special
requirements, they have recruited individuals, specifically focusing on
children with additional needs during the Taraweh prayers.
“By
creating designated areas and appointing individuals to engage with and
entertain the children, we aim to ensure that they are not overwhelmed by the
large number of people inside the mosque. This approach allows mothers the
opportunity to engage in prayer with peace of mind,” she adds.
Rooted
in Quranic legacy
Every
detail about the mosque, including its name, has been chosen with a specific
purpose. The mosque derives its name from a chapter in the Quran called
Al-Mujadilah, meaning “she who discourses.” This chapter is named after Khawla
bint Tha’labah, one of the female companions of Prophet Muhammad.
Khawla
approached the Prophet seeking redress for her improper divorce. Her plea not
only led to the revelation of the initial verses of the Chapter Al-Mujadilah
but also brought about a modification in the laws of divorce, shaping Islamic
jurisprudence to this day.
She
exemplifies the legacy of women in Islam who identify issues and turn directly
to Allah for assistance. In the narratives of other Muslim women like Hajar,
Maryam, and Asiyah mentioned in the Quran, the reader witnesses women
confronting seemingly insurmountable challenges.
In
their moments of greatest need, they implored Allah directly, and their prayers
were answered. Their actions have left an enduring impact not only on their
immediate communities but also on Muslim society at large.
Inspired
by the rich history of Muslim women's contributions and the dynamic nature of
the Islamic intellectual tradition, Al-Mujadilah is committed to creating a
nurturing space for female visitors, empowering them to recognise their
potential and influence within their community.
Ensuring
that they are heard, with their needs seen, cherished, and empowered, these
women can become prominent figures, much like Khawla, within their community.
Salwa,
concluding her reflections on her first mosque visit, expressed a profound
sense of home and belonging, stating, "Truly, it felt like home,
indicating they successfully achieved the women's centre's overarching
goal."
Source:
trtworld.com
https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/al-mujadilah-a-women-only-mosque-in-qatar-inspires-sense-of-connection-17057348
----
ATC
adjourns hearing of bail pleas of Aliya Hamza, Sanam Javed
2024-02-21
LAHORE:
An Anti-Terrorism Court on Tuesday adjourned the hearing of bail petitions of
former MNA Aliya Hamza and a PTI activist Sanam Javed in Shadman police station
attack case till February 24.
Earlier,
a prosecutor sought time to produce the record of the case.
The
court accordingly allowed the request and directed the prosecutor to produce
the record on next hearing.
Source:
brecorder.com
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40289885/atc-adjourns-hearing-of-bail-pleas-of-aliya-hamza-sanam-javed
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‘Insult’
To Hindu Gods Row: Complainant, Identified As Sister Prabha, Getting
Threatening Calls From Qatar, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Photos Made Viral
20th
February 2024
Dakshina
Kannada: In a concerning development, the contact number and family pictures of
the mother of a girl student, who raised her voice against the insult to the
Hindu gods at a private school here, have been made viral on social media.
The
victim, who is also a teacher, approached the Kankanady police station in
Mangaluru city on Tuesday for protection as she was getting threatening calls
from Qatar, Dubai, Saudi Arabia and other countries. She was also sent abusive
audio clips for raising the issue.
She
has told the media that from February 15 she has been getting threatening calls
continuously. “On the social media post that is made viral, I have been blamed
as the sole reason for the whole episode resulting in protest against the
school. I am not answering international calls. My husband answered one of the
calls and the person grudgingly spoke. I have been tortured for speaking in
front of the media and raising the issue of humiliation of Hindu Gods at the
school,” she stated.
“My
daughter is studying in seventh standard in the school. The teacher should not
have made comments on the Godhra incident and was not required to speak
demeaningly on Lord Sri Ram. The teacher had asked whether Lord Ram would come
and sit in the stone idol,” the woman stated.
Meanwhile,
the management of the Sebastian School where the woman worked as a teacher has
sacked her for giving statements to the media over the issue.
The
alleged incident took place at St. Gerosa Higher Primary School near Jeppu in
Mangaluru recently. A teacher, identified as Sister Prabha, had allegedly made
derogatory remarks against Hindu Gods during a moral science class.
The
incident came to light after an audio clip made by a parent and addressed to a
VHP leader went viral on social media, leading to protests.
The
protest was led by BJP MLA D. Vedavyas Kamath, who reportedly pulled up the
school management and the concerned teacher for ‘humiliating’ Hindu Gods.
Following the incident, the school management sacked Sister Prabha.
Last
Thursday, Karnataka Police had filed an FIR against Kamath and Mangaluru City
North MLA Y. Bharat Shetty in connection with a protest staged to condemn the
alleged incident of “humiliation of Hindu Gods” at the school.
The
police have also booked VHP leader Sharan Pumpwell, and Hindu activists Sandeep
Garodi and Bharat Kumar.
The
issue was raised in the Assembly by the BJP resulting in heated arguments
between the ruling Congress government and BJP legislators. The Congress had
said that the BJP legislators had provoked the students, disturbed law and
order system, and police investigation was required
Source:
siasat.com
https://www.siasat.com/insult-to-hindu-gods-row-complainant-threatened-photos-made-viral-2980314/
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Young
generation to build Iran’s women futsal future: Shirbeigi
February
20, 2024
TEHRAN
– Iran’s women’s beach soccer forward Sara Shirbeigi says that Team Melli
coaching staff have started to build a young team for the future.
Iran
claimed the title of the 3rd edition of the CAFA Women's Futsal Championship in
mid-February.
Team
Melli defeated Uzbekistan 5-1, Kyrgyzstan 11-0, Turkmenistan 9-0 and Tajikistan
9-0 in the competition held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
“As
you know, the team are turning into a young team and the coaching staff fielded
the young players. We have won three successive times and it shows that there
is a great difference between us and the Central Asian teams,” Shirbeigi told
Tehran Times.
Young
generation to build Iran’s women futsal future: Shirbeigi
“We
will participate in the first Women's Futsal World Cup, scheduled for 2025 and
the football federation should arrange several warm-ups for the national team,”
she added.
“The
level of the CAFA is not high but regarding that our team are turning into a
young team, the tournament has been beneficial for us.
“In
the third edition, the coaching staff tested all players and I think it was
very helpful for the future. More than 90 percent of the team has been changed
and we need to play more warm-ups to identify our strengths and weaknesses,”
Shirbeigi said.
Shirbeigi
was selected as the best goalscorer of the tournament with 12 goals.
“I
think the accolade goes to all players of the team because they helped me to
score goals,” Shirbeigi concluded.
Source:
tehrantimes.com
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/495179/Young-generation-to-build-Iran-s-women-futsal-future-Shirbeigi
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PTI
says deeply concerned at ‘threats’ to Bushra Bibi’s life
2024-02-21
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Tuesday expressed grave concerns over serious
threats to the life of Bushra Bibi, the wife of PTI founding chairman Imran
Khan, as she has been put under house arrest in Banigala.
In a
statement issued here, the PTI central information Secretary Raoof Hasan said
that Bushra Bibi has severe stomach pain for the last six days after being
given substandard, harmful, and poisonous food by the police officials
undertaking security duty at her residence. He called upon the court and prison
authorities to take all much-needed steps to ensure the protection of the
health and life of the former first lady.
He
revealed that the former first lady had been suffering from severe pain for the
past six days due to the poisonous food given to her during detention. He
expressed apprehensions that Bushra Bibi’s health and life were under serious
threat, as she was being deprived of her legal and constitutional right to
undergo a medical examination. He lamented that her family was not being
allowed to meet Bushra Bibi as part of a deliberate plan to harm her, which was
a clear violation of the constitution and prison rules and regulations.
He
made it clear that despite filing a petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC)
regarding shifting from Bani Gala sub-jail to Adiala jail, keeping her in
solitary confinement in Bani Gala sub-jail was a very shameful and nefarious
attempt to demoralize former PM Imran Khan.
He
pointed out that after all unconstitutional, undemocratic, and immoral tactics
fell flat to bend Imran Khan, targeting the righteous and veiled woman, who
stood by him in trying times further exposed the decay of this outdated system.
He warned that the jail authorities and the caretaker government would be
responsible for any harm done to the former first lady.
He
stressed that according to the petition filed in the IHC, Bushra Bibi should be
medically examined by her family physician at the earliest, demanding that the
court should fix the plea sans any further delay and issue an order to transfer
her from Bani Gala sub-jail to Adiala Jail.
He urged
that the court and prison authorities should ensure the provision of quality
food to the former first lady, besides taking all required steps to ensure the
protection of her health and life.
Source:
brecorder.com
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40289851/pti-says-deeply-concerned-at-threats-to-bushra-bibis-life
----
Transgender
Muslim inmate serving 55 years for killing baby files $150K lawsuit for not
being allowed to wear hijab
Feb.
20, 2024
A
transgender inmate serving a 55-year sentence for killing her infant is suing
an Indiana prison chaplain for allegedly refusing her right to wear a hijab
before rejecting her identity as a transgender woman.
Autumn
Cordellionè, also known as Jonathan C. Richardson, is serving her sentence at
the all-male state prison Branchville Correctional Facility, where she is
confined to only hearing her hijab in her immediate sleeping quarters,
according to a civil lawsuit filed in November.
The
chaplain allegedly delivered the news in May 2023, even after Cordellionè claimed
to have already relented to prison protocol by wearing the Muslim headwear in a
less traditional manner to adhere to safety concerns.
“[I]
was told that male Muslims could wear their kufis everywhere they went, but I
couldn’t wear my hijab a females religious head ware because I was a male
residing in a male institution even though I am a transgender woman, except in
my bed area,” Cordellionè alleged in the complaint.
The
prison cleric had allegedly tried to order Cordellionè against wearing the
religious scarf because her official religious beliefs were listed as “Wiccan,”
a form of paganism whose followers practice witchcraft and nature worship.
Cordellionè,
who was convicted of strangling her 11-month-old stepdaughter to death in 2001,
fired back, stating she practices several religions and she is an “Islamic
practicing transwoman” who uses the hijab to cover her head and ears for
“modesty purposes.”
“I
responded that I am an eclectic practitioner who is a member of the
Theosophical Society in America,” she wrote in the complaint.
“I
practice a diversity of faiths in order to custom tailor my spiritual beliefs
to my spiritual needs.”
Cordellionè
claimed the chaplain violated her 14th Amendment rights by singling her out
against wearing her religious garb because of her status as a transgender
woman.
She
also claimed he violated her Eight Amendment rights against cruel and unusual
punishment by subjecting her to “harassment and ridicule” by other Muslim
prisoners.
“He
should be aware, as Chaplain, the stigma and shame that is attributed to
Islamic women when they go uncovered and without a hijab,” she wrote.
“Women
are viewed as whores, tempters of men, and adulterators; by Islamic society
both in and out of prison. I have been shunned, made a social pariah, and
amongst my own religious community … For without the support of the Islamic
community, I will struggle and likely fail to achieve salvation for by
Mohammed’s teachings a Muslim who knows of the teachings, yet strays away from
them will never reach heaven.”
Cordellionè
is seeking $150,000 in damages and the right to wear her hijab throughout the
prison.
When
contacted by The Post, a spokesperson for the IDOC said the agency “does not
comment on pending litigation.”
She
is embroiled in another ongoing lawsuit, lodged against the Indiana Department
of Corrections for not granting her wish to get sex reassignment surgery.
The
American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana filed the lawsuit on Cordellionè’s
behalf in August, just three months after she was allegedly blocked from
wearing her headscarf, but before she formally sued the chaplain.
The
ACLU alleged the IDOC was violating Cordellionè’s Eight and Fourteenth
Amendment rights after a law was passed that year banning the IDOC from using
taxpayer dollars to fund sex reassignment surgeries for inmates.
“The
DOC cannot deny necessary treatment to incarcerated people simply on the basis
that they are transgender. To do so is a form of discrimination,” said Ken
Falk, ACLU of Indiana legal director, said at the time. “Gender-affirming care
is life-saving care. If the legislature can deny a form of healthcare
arbitrarily, they could just as easily deny other lifesaving treatments to
people who are incarcerated.”
Cordellionè
was convicted in 2001 of reckless homicide for strangling her 11-month-old
stepdaughter to death.
While
awaiting trial, she told a corrections officer: “We all I know is I killed the
little f–king bitch.”
Her
earliest possible release date is set for December 2027, records show.
Source:
nypost.com
https://nypost.com/2024/02/20/us-news/transgender-muslim-inmate-serving-55-years-for-killing-baby-files-150k-lawsuit-for-not-being-allowed-to-wear-hijab/
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/iranian-activist-nazanin-iranian/d/131767