Iranian Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi Calls To Boycott Upcoming Elections
New
Age Islam News Bureau
26 February 2024
·
Iranian Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi Calls To
Boycott Upcoming Elections
·
Iraqi Pharmacist Tala Al Khalil Wins Arab Hope
Makers Award In Dubai
·
Iran Sentences Shakila Monfared, a Political
Prisoner, To Additional 15 Months
·
Pakistan Woman Wearing Arabic-Printed Dress Accused
Of Blasphemy; Saved By Syeda Shehrbano Naqvi, ASP
·
108 Drivers Gearing Up For All-Female 2024 Rally
Jameel
·
This Ontario Support Program For Muslim Women Helped
Them Feel Safe. It's Now Looking For Restart Funds
Compiled
by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/iranian-nobel-laureate-narges/d/131804
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Iranian
Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi Calls To Boycott Upcoming Elections
Narges
Mohammadi (Photo: Reuters)
------
25th February 2024
Sakina
Fatima
Imprisoned
Iranian human right activists and Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi has
called on Iranians to boycott upcoming parliamentary elections.
Taking
to X, on Saturday, February 24, Mohammadi wrote, “The Islamic Republic deserves
national sanctions and global condemnation. Sanctioning elections is not only a
political necessity but also a moral duty.”
“Sanctioning
elections under a despotic religious regime is not just a political move but
also a moral obligation for freedom-loving and justice-seeking Iranians,” she
said.
“The
Islamic Republic, with its ruthless and brutal suppression, the killing of
young people on the streets, the executions, and the imprisonment and torture
of men and women, deserves national sanctions and global condemnation.”
Mohammadi
pledged that “I, alongside the informed and proud people from all over Iran,
from Sistan and Baluchestan to Kurdistan, from Khuzestan to Azerbaijan, will
stand to declare the illegitimacy of the Islamic Republic and the divide within
the oppressive regime and its people through the sanctioning of sham
elections.”
She
reiterated that transitioning from the despotic religious regime is a national
demand and the only path for Iran, Iranians, and humanity’s survival.
According
to a survey conducted by the Netherlands-based Gamaan Institute, 75 per cent of
Iranians plan to boycott the upcoming parliamentary elections, expressing a
desire for a government overthrow.
The
survey is based on balancing and weighting a sample of 58,015 respondents from
within Iran. The findings reflect the views of the literate population above 19
years old (around 90 per cent of Iran’s adult population).
Iranians
will vote on March 1 to elect the 290 parliament members and 88 assembly of expert
members to elect the Islamic Republic’s supreme leader in case of a vacancy.
Source:
siasat.com
https://www.siasat.com/iranian-nobel-winner-mohammadi-calls-to-boycott-upcoming-elections-2982773/
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Iraqi
Pharmacist Tala Al Khalil Wins Arab Hope Makers Award In Dubai
His
Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime
Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, with winner Tala Al Khalil at the
awards ceremony at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai on Sunday
Image
Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News
------
26th
February 2024
Sakina Fatima
Dubai:
Iraqi pharmacist Tala Al Khalil, who has personally cared for 200 children with
down syndrome and cancer, was named the 2024 winner of the Arab Hope Makers
award in Dubai.
On Sunday,
February 25, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime
Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, awarded a prize of Dirham one million
(Rs 2,25,64,481) to Al Khalil and three other finalists in recognition of their
humanitarian work.
The
other finalists were Mohamed Al Najjar from Iraq, Fathiya Al Mahmoud from Egypt
and Amin Mounier from Morocco.
During
the ceremony, Al Khalil was declared the final winner after receiving the most
live votes.
The
closing ceremony was witnessed by an audience of 12,000 people at the Coca-Cola
Arena.
The
finalists were selected from 58,000 applications received by the Mohammed bin
Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), the Emirates News Agency (WAM)
reported.
“In
our part of the world, hope-making is life-making. The only way we can overcome
challenges is through collaborative efforts,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
“Hope
for a better future is what keeps people going. Every new generation bears the
responsibility of creating a better reality in their communities.
“On
the other hand, spreading despair is our major challenge, which is why we need
to continue to nurture hope, optimism and positivity among the new generation.”
About
Tala Al Khalil
Al
Khalil began her journey as a hope maker in 2015 by providing support to young
cancer patients in a special “caravan” at Basra Children’s Hospital.
The
initiative provided children with cancer hope and optimism, escaping the harsh
reality of treatments and hospital wards.
Al
Khalil founded the Warriors Academy in 2018 to provide care for young,
determined individuals suffering from various illnesses.
She
is known as the “Mother of Warriors” due to her personal care for 200 children
with Down syndrome and cancer.
Arab
Hope Makers
Sheikh
Mohammed launched the Hope Makers initiative in 2017, offering a reward of
Dirham one million for the job of a Hope Maker on his official social media
accounts.
The
initiative aims to spread hope, cultivate optimism, and instill a culture of
giving among Arab individuals and institutions, focusing on creative projects,
programs, campaigns, and initiatives enhancing stability and social solidarity.
source: siasat.com
https://www.siasat.com/iraqi-pharmacist-tala-al-khalil-wins-arab-hope-makers-award-in-dubai-2983032/
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Iran
SentencesShakilaMonfared, a Political Prisoner, To Additional 15 Months
Feb
25, 2024
ShakilaMonfared,
a political prisoner held in Iran's Evin Prison, has been handed an additional
15-month term along with supplementary penalties.
The
sentence, issued last December in absentia on charges of "propaganda
against the system," was recently upheld after her appeal was rejected.
Monfared was informed of the finalized verdict while in Evin Prison.
Monfared's
brother Ashkan, a political activist living in exile, revealed that the new
charge was levied against her after he made a call to inquire about her health
while she was hospitalized. Subsequently, she was accused of "connection
with anti-regime elements."
Monfared
was first arrested in August 2020 and was then taken to a detention facility
under the control of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Tehran. In
January 2022, Monfared was handed a six-year prison sentence and four months of
probation work for "propaganda activities against the regime" and
"insulting the sanctities of Islam."
In
another legal case, she was sentenced in January 2022 to two years and eight
months in prison, along with a fine of 100 million rials (approximately 180
USD), on charges of "membership in anti-regime groups" and
"spreading lies."
Yet
another case was initiated in June, accusing her of "conspiracy and
collusion to commit crimes against national security."
Source:
iranintl.com
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202402253725
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Pakistan
Woman Wearing Arabic-Printed Dress Accused Of Blasphemy; Saved By Syeda
Shehrbano Naqvi, ASP
February 26, 2024
A
woman in Pakistan’s Lahore was saved by the police on Sunday from an angry mob
in a crowded marketplace that accused her of blasphemy after mistaking the
words printed on her dress for verses from the Quran.
As
hundreds gathered outside a shop in Ichra Bazaar accusing her of blasphemy, she
was saved by the police who escorted her to safety. Blasphemy is a sensitive
issue in Pakistan, and such allegations have resulted in several instances of
brutal public lynchings in the past.
Videos,
which are being widely shared on social media, show the woman wearing a white
dress with a multi-coloured Arabic calligraphy print on it inside a shop.
According
to the Dawn, as a charged mob gathered, a shopkeeper who knew that such prints
were in fashion and were not related to religion sheltered her in his shop and
tried to convince the crowd. The Dawn reported even though the woman denied
allegations that she had committed blasphemy and said the clothing with Arabic
calligraphy was commonly worn in Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, several
members of the mob remained unconvinced.
As
the situation escalated, a trader called the police. A team of police officers
that arrived at the shop ascertained that the blasphemy charge was unwarranted,
controlled the crowd, and took away the woman under heavy protection, added the
report.
In a
video shared by Punjab Police on X, Syeda Shehrbano Naqvi, ASP, Gulber Circle,
is seen addressing the crowd of men, trying to defuse the situation. “During my
service, I have handled three such incidents, and you should have trust in us
[police],” she said, before escorting the woman in a black robe.
Police
officers armed with lathis and shields, and wearing helmets are also seen
accompanying Bano and the woman in the video. The woman was then taken into
protective custody and shifted to a police station, as per the report.
In a
statement, the woman strongly rejected allegations that she had committed
blasphemy and said she could not even think of disrespecting Islam as she was
from a religious family, according to the Dawn report.
Source:
indianexpress.com
https://indianexpress.com/article/pakistan/pakistan-woman-dress-blasphemy-mob-police-9181227/
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108
drivers gearing up for all-female 2024 Rally Jameel
February
26, 2024
SALEH
FAREED
JEDDAH:
The stage is set for Saudi Arabia’s all-female Rally Jameel, with 108
competitors from 38 countries poised to take on a challenging new route for the
race’s third edition.
This
year’s edition, themed “She Shifts the World,” begins in Hail on March 4 and
concludes at King Abdullah Economic City on International Women’s Day, March 8.
The
all-women’s off-road navigation rally includes five stages and covers 1,600 km
of Saudi Arabia’s off-road terrain.
The
2024 Rally Jameel will traverse Hail, AlUla, Umluj, Yanbu, and KAEC in Rabigh.
The
endurance competition is based more on precision driving and navigating than
speed, with drivers having to utilize maps, compasses and roadbooks.
The
event is supported by the FIA’s Women in Motorsport and the Saudi Automobile
and Motorcycle Federation.
Munir
Khoja, managing director, marketing communications at Abdul Latif Jameel
Motors, said: “As we gear up for the third edition, we are deeply encouraged by
the growing interest from participants, particularly on an international scale,
with a remarkable increase in global participation from 38 countries, compared
to 15 in the inaugural edition of the rally.”
“This
enthusiasm underscores our commitment to support Saudi Arabia’s vision for
empowering women,” he added. “With the addition of new and more challenging
routes, we continue to champion and contribute to the advancement of motorsport
regionally and globally, representing the core values of Rally Jameel. We
extend our gratitude to all our partners, organizers, and sponsors for making
this event a reality.”
Source:
arabnews.com
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2466676/motorsport
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This
Ontario support program for Muslim women helped them feel safe. It's now
looking for restart funds
Feb
25, 2024
Justin
Chandler •
An
Ontario mental health service is looking for funding to continue a series of
Muslim women's support groups that were launched in response to Islamophobic
attacks, including the 2021 killings of members of the Afzaal family in London.
Abrar
Trauma and Mental Health Services got the Brave Space program up and running
three years ago, but it ended late last year.
"The
need [for such a program] is high. We are in the process of applying for more
grants to keep it sustainable," Abrar Mechmechia, who leads the
organization, said about the program.
Launched
in Hamilton and London, it expanded to add more sessions in February 2023, as
well as workshops in Mississauga and Kitchener.
Abrar
Trauma and Mental Health Services, which is geared toward newcomers and
immigrants, secured funding for a pilot in 2021 following an alleged
hate-motivated attack at the Hamilton Downtown Mosque and the attack on the
Afzaals that a judge ruled was terrorism.
Funding
for the 2023 expansion was provided by Islamic Relief Canada and the Hamilton
Centre for Civic Inclusion.
A
judge in London, Ont., ruled the actions of the man who ran down a Muslim
family with his truck in 2021, killing four people, were a ‘textbook example of
terrorist motive and intent.' Nathaniel Veltman was already sentenced to life
in prison for murdering four members of the Afzaal family.
In
all, about 35 people attended the support groups and there were 80 to 100
participants in the workshops, Mechmechia said.
"The
community really rallied for something like this," project leader Amira
Youssef said, adding that new funding sources will allow Brave Space to grow.
Support
groups were online and in person, and there were also group discussions,
educational sessions, art and other programming. For example, in Hamilton,
participants received in-person self-defence training.
Participants
included women of all ages
Youssef
said Brave Space connected women of different ages and backgrounds.
"Some
younger women really learn from the older peers and vice versa."
Fatima
Sohail participated in Brave Space's various activities in Hamilton after
hearing Mechmechia speak about it at the downtown mosque.
Sohail,
20, said it sounded like a place where she could share her experiences outside
of a strictly religious context, including with Islamophobia, which she said
she has experienced while travelling outside Hamilton and at work.
"Hearing
other people's stories [at Brave Space] definitely helped me be comfortable in
my own skin."
Sohail
said speaking with the older women, who offered a different perspective,
allowed her to see how being a Muslim in Canada affects people in different
ways, "but also in ways we could all relate to, talk about and work
through."
Sohail
also enjoyed the self-defence training, which made her more comfortable to
"put myself out there and point out when something is not right."
Now
working with Abrar to fundraise for future Brave Space programming, she said
she hopes more people will be able to benefit from it.
"Even
if two or three people attended a Brave Space, it would make such a big
difference because maybe one day, these people would have the courage to speak
out" against Islamophobia, she said.
To
share more about the program, Abrar Trauma and Mental Health Services has
published a video, including testimonials from participants.
Mechmechia
said programs such as Brave Space are still much needed amid reports of hate
incidents and community trauma as a result of the war in Gaza.
Youssef
believes Islamophobia is underreported outside the Muslim community, as
non-violent incidents may not be reported to police, but it's important that
awareness is raised about all hate incidents so people outside the Muslim
community "can be aware and promote a world where we can come together and
protect one another."
Source:
cbc.ca
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/brave-space-abrar-mental-health-service-fundraising-1.7124011
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/iranian-nobel-laureate-narges/d/131804