Jewish Actress Miriam Margolyes: Jews Must ‘Shout, Beg, Scream’ For Gaza Ceasefire
New Age Islam News Bureau
10 April 2024
·
Jews
Actress Miriam Margolyes: Jews Must ‘Shout, Beg, Scream’ For Gaza Ceasefire
·
Al
Mujadilah: Qatar's First Female-Led Mosque Blueprint For Muslim Women Around
The World
·
Nobel
Peace Prize Winner Malala Yousafzai Looks Forward To Work in Pakistan To Uplift
Education Sector
·
CM Maryam
Nawaz Stresses Importance Of Cultivating Brotherhood, Love During Eid
·
Muslim
Women Declare Nigeria’s Challenges Surmountable
·
Anti-CAA
Activist Gulfisha Fatima Completes Four Years Behind Bars
Compiled by New Age Islam News
Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/jews-actress-margolyes-gaza-ceasefire/d/132118
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Jews Actress Miriam Margolyes: Jews Must ‘Shout, Beg,
Scream’ For Gaza Ceasefire
Miriam Margoyles has called
on Jews to "scream out" for a Gaze ceasefire as the death toll mounts
[Nick D/Wikimedia Commons]
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April 09, 2024
LONDON: English-Australian actress Miriam Margolyes
has spoken of her “shame” of Israel, urging Jews worldwide to “shout, beg,
scream for a ceasefire in Gaza.”
The “Harry Potter” star, 82, released a statement via
the Jewish Council of Australia on April 9, The Guardian reported.
Margolyes said: “To me, it seems as if Hitler has won.
He’s changed us Jews from being compassionate and caring and do unto others as
you would have them do unto you into this vicious, genocidal, nationalist
nation, pursuing and killing women and children.”
She described Israel’s months-long campaign in Gaza in
the wake of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack as “shocking, embarrassing and wicked.”
Margolyes added: “I cannot understand why all Jewish
people, particularly members of synagogues, do not want immediately to stop
what is going on.”
The actress, who starred in Martin Scorsese’s “The Age
of Innocence,” also condemned the Hamas attack, but said: “It is not
antisemitic to have a different opinion on the wartime actions now. We have to
do, as my mother used to say, the right thing; the right thing is a ceasefire
to stop the killing, certainly to beg and insist on the release of hostages.
“But there is an opinion about Israel’s actions, which
it is not antisemitic to voice. What Israel is doing is wrong, it is wicked.”
Source: arabnews.com
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2490666/lifestyle
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Al Mujadilah: Qatar's First Female-Led Mosque
Blueprint For Muslim Women Around The World
09 April, 2024
Yousra Samir Imran
Away from the hustle and bustle of Doha’s inner city,
located in Qatar Foundation’s Education City, is a new spiritual sanctuary open
only to women.
Al Mujadilah Centre and Mosque for Women is coming to
the end of its first Ramadan. Over the last four weeks, women have been meeting
here daily to meet other women and build a spirit of sisterhood, experience
different cuisines at a Flavours of Iftar event, attend one of the centre’s
many Quran courses and reflection sessions, and stand shoulder-to-shoulder in
the centre’s women’s-only Taraweeh prayers, led by Kuwaiti scholar Sheikh Fahad
Al Kandari.
During the dawn of Islam, a mosque was the axis of
Islamic society. It was a hub where both Muslim men and women met daily not
just to pray, but to learn, engage in dialogue, community build, and serve
those who needed social support or assistance.
Muslim women have played an integral role in public
life, religious life and education. We know from the canons of Islamic history
that the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him)’s wife, Aishah, was one of the
first Islamic studies teachers who taught women and men alike, and it was a
Muslim woman, Fatima Al Fihri, who is credited with being the founder of the
world’s first known university 1,000 years ago in Morocco.
Recognising the need for the mosque to once more
become the axis of society and the need for a tranquil space where women can
worship, learn, debate and community build, Al Mujadilah is the brainchild of
Her Highness Sheikha Moza, the mother of the Emir of Qatar and Al Mujadilah’s
Founder.
She had visualised such a space for many years, and in
the country’s recent acceleration towards its 2030 National Vision, her dream
finally became a reality.
Upon the centre’s opening, Her Highness said, “Women
are, and continue to be, the cornerstone of society. Their impact throughout
history has been powerful and significant, and their legacy continues, as
witnessed by the many female leaders among us today.
"I founded Al Mujadilah to nurture the next
generation of Muslim women. I envision it to be a beacon for the women in our
society and beyond to explore, dialogue and contemplate. I pray that they find
in Al Mujadilah a place they can speak candidly, build communities and discover
new horizons.”
The mosque and centre’s name – Al Mujadilah – is
inspired by the Quranic chapter or Surah of the same name, meaning ‘she who
discourses.’
Surah Al Mujadilah tells the real-life story of one of
the female companions of the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him), Khawlah bint
Tha’labah, who sought to rectify her improper divorce. Her invocation resulted
in the revelation of the verses in this Surah, leading to a change in divorce
laws that continues to have an impact on Islamic law today.
"There are so many stories in the Quran that
speak about women, and in all these stories, the women engage directly with
Allah. Whether we look at the story of Asiyah or Mariam or Hajar, we remember
their names because of that monumental act of beseeching Allah directly,” says
Dr Sohaira Zahid Siddiqui, Associate Professor at Georgetown University Qatar
and Al Mujadilah’s Executive Director to The New Arab.
“The name Khalwah we don't oftentimes remember because
she's not mentioned by name, but her story is so impactful and has had an
effect on Islamic law until today. The
idea of engaging with the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) on a very
personal issue, of a challenge that she was having in her contemporary context,
was really powerful.
"Her Highness was inspired by Khawlah’s story as
a woman who identified a challenge and sought to address that challenge from
within the framework of her religion and the resources that were present to
her. This is what stands at the heart of what Al Mujadilah is trying to do.”
Every aspect of the mosque and centre has been
designed with intention and thought, with the hope of invoking tranquillity and
being spiritually uplifting. The architecture was designed to reflect a
groundedness.
The roof, which is studded with hundreds of light
cones, is the focus feature overlooking a simple, modern and spacious worship
hall.
The building is centred around two olive trees that
pierce through the roof and reach towards the sky, symbolising a movement of
Muslim women striving and growing together.
In addition to the worship hall are multiple learning
spaces, a library, a café and a garden. Every corner of Al Mujadilah serves as
a space for women to meet, whether to learn, worship or socialise, or to enjoy
solo, as a place to pause, reflect and refresh.
When it comes to prayer time, the congregation is led
by the most learned woman in the group such as an instructor, or one of the
centre’s hafidhas (those who have memorised the entire Quran).
Dr Siddiqui runs Al Mujadilah’s extensive learning,
research and development programmes. Alongside her female team of managers and
educators, Dr Siddiqui is working towards a spiritual centre that takes a
holistic approach to Muslim women’s learning and development.
Every single event and programme seeks to teach and
examine the faith at a deeper level that is in line with contemporary society
and the multifaceted needs of Muslim women.
“Everything we're seeking to do in terms of our public
education falls into one of three areas: social programming — building and
fostering a sense of community, developmental programming, which is about the
integrated wellbeing of Muslim women from the perspective of religion and their
spiritual development, and religious programming, which seeks to engage more
deeply with the Islamic tradition and its texts. These three areas of work are
the backbone of how we designed our Ramadan programming,” Dr Siddiqui tells The
New Arab.
“Based on the core idea that Ramadan is the month of
the Quran, the month in which it was revealed, and what people want most in
this month is a deeper connection with the Quran and a deeper connection with
their communities, we designed our Ramadan programming.”
Research is a cornerstone of Al Mujadilah’s vision and
goals. The last three decades have seen an exciting rebirth of female Islamic
scholarship. Al Mujadilah will be funding, mentoring and nurturing new and
existing female Islamic scholars, with an annual theme which will culminate
each year with their Jadl summit, jadl meaning ‘debate’ in Arabic. And debate,
discussion and discourse are at the heart of Al Mujadilah’s existence.
Elaborating on this, Dr Siddiqui says, “We are not
only doing what you would assume to be the regular religious programs, but we
are really expanding our offerings to engage with the depth of Islam and the
depth of the human experience.”
“We have just announced our annual research theme,
Muslim Women in Public Life; this research theme attempts to look from the
historical period until the contemporary period about how Muslim women have
engaged in various capacities within society and the public sphere.”
Ultimately, what Her Highness hopes for Al Mujadilah,
is that it will serve as a beacon of light and a blueprint for other women-led,
women’s only worship spaces in Muslim communities around the world.
Al Mujadilah aims not only to build women’s Islamic
knowledge but also to build their confidence, so that they go out into society
recognising the value of all the different types of work they do both in public
and private.
“What Al Mujadilah aims to contribute to society is
not only a Muslim woman that is very grounded in her Islamic identity and
values, but also a woman that sees her engagement with the world as a
manifestation of those values and that identity, and seeks to better society in
whatever capacity and position she is in,” adds Dr Siddiqui.
“Often we have a real valorisation of the executive
woman or the woman that's out there in the public sphere. But one of the things
that Al Mujadilah seeks to highlight is that Muslim women are constantly
stewards and decision-makers in every single domain of their lives.
"How do we build a generation of decision-makers
and stewards that recognise the importance of the work that they do, from an
Islamic perspective, and also see the value of the work that they do,
regardless of whether in the public sphere as an executive or at home with
their children or taking care of their parents?
“One of the sad things is the uncompensated labour of
women goes unrecognised, so we are shedding light on the fact that Muslim women
are decision makers and stewards in many different elements of their life and
all of that comes from a deep sense of what it means to be of service to the
community and what it means to be a servant of God, that is ultimately what Al
Mujadilah is trying to create.”
Source: newarab.com
https://www.newarab.com/features/qatars-first-female-led-mosque-model-muslim-women
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Nobel Peace Prize Winner Malala YousafzaiLooks Forward
To Work in Pakistan To Uplift Education Sector
April 10, 2024
Kashif Abbasi
ISLAMABAD: Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai
after showing concerns over 26 million out-of-school children and a large
number of vacant seats for teachers in Pakistan has offered a helping hand and
asked the prime minister to focus on the education sector to promote education.
Malala Yousafzai in a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz
Sharif said: “Currently, 26 million children — predominantly girls in the
poorest districts of Pakistan — remain out of school. Furthermore, more than
200,000 teachers’ seats are vacant nationwide.”
“This gap is severely affecting the functioning of
schools and negatively impacting student retention and quality of schooling.
Our collective aim should be to design a measurable, realistic plan to bring
these numbers down significantly over the course of your term,” she added.
Malala further said that her organisation supported
civil society and education experts in their efforts to improve teaching
practices, digital education, and girls’ leadership development, but still,
critical work remained.
Nobel Laureate concerned over 26m out-of-school kids,
shortage of teachers
In her letter to the PM, she said: “Congratulations on
your appointment as the Prime Minister of Pakistan. I wish you all the best as
you begin your term in the office. In the busy months ahead, you will
undoubtedly have many critical issues to contend with and agendas to advance. I
would humbly ask that you see the education of girls in Pakistan as one of your
most urgent and meaningful priorities.”
She said that Pakistan has made significant progress
in girls’ education in the last decade, “and I am proud that Malala Fund has
continued to play its part. As you may know, Malala Fund has invested more than
$15 million in Pakistan. Our work with the Ministry of Federal Education and
Professional Training has allowed us to reach more than 4,500 high schools,
engaging directly with nearly 500,000 girls through our STEAM partnership.”
She said: “I know that ensuring more girls are able to
access and complete school in Pakistan will not come without cost, and
budgetary constraints facing the state are understandable. At Malala Fund, we
are beginning advocacy work this year to promote the reform of the
international financing architecture.”
“This would include efforts that focus on relieving
the increasing debt burden faced by many countries. My hope is that these
global efforts — including work with stakeholders such as the UN, the World
Bank, the IMF, and their donors — can complement and support important work
happening within Pakistan to increase the domestic budget for education,” she
said and added that right now, Pakistan spends less than 2 per cent of its GDP
on education. In the years ahead, “I hope to see this figure reach and surpass
4%, aligned with the targets outlined in your party manifesto for the 2024
general election,” she told PM through letter.
“As you [PM] develop your first 100-day plan, I look
forward to working with your government to elevate girls’ education as a priority.
I assure you that my team in Pakistan and our grantees are working diligently
with your federal and provincial governments, as well as other development
partners, to advance our shared goals as rapidly and effectively as possible.”
“I thank you for your attention and look forward to
staying in touch, whether on the margins of the UN General Assembly week
meetings in September or later this year when I hope to travel to Pakistan
again,” she said.
Source: dawn.com
https://www.dawn.com/news/1826843/malala-looks-forward-to-working-with-government-to-uplift-education-sector
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CM Maryam NawazStresses Importance Of Cultivating
Brotherhood, Love During Eid
April 10, 2024
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has emphasised the
importance of fostering feelings of brotherhood and love by setting aside
mutual grievances and differences on the auspicious day of Eidul Fitr.
In her Eid message, Maryam extended greetings to the
people of Pakistan and the Muslim Ummah.
"It is our hope that Eid, and every day thereafter,
brings a message of happiness to every individual in our beloved country. May
the joys that grace our sacred land never diminish," the chief minister
stated.
Expanding on her message, she said, "By the grace
and benevolence of Allah Almighty, the blessings and virtues of Ramazan have
been bestowed upon us. Eidul Fitr stands as a special gift and blessing from
Allah Almighty for Muslims."
Maryam underscored that "on Eid day, fostering
love and brotherhood is a testament of gratitude. Additionally, it is in the
tradition of the Prophet (peace be upon him) to include the less fortunate in
our happiness."
She highlighted that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon
him) used to comfort and support orphans on Eid, underscoring the importance of
remembering the families of those who sacrifice their lives for the country on
this day.
Source: nation.com.pk
https://www.nation.com.pk/10-Apr-2024/cm-maryam-stresses-importance-of-cultivating-brotherhood-love-during-eid
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Muslim Women Declare Nigeria’s Challenges Surmountable
10 April, 2024
AbdullahiOlesin
Federation of Muslim Women in Nigeria (FOMWAN), has
said that the challenges facing Nigeria are surmountable with faith in God and
change of attitude on the part of the leaders and the led.
The association made this assertion in its Sallah
message to Nigerians.
“The challenges facing Nigeria are surmountable with
faith in God and change of attitude on the part of the leaders and the led,”
FOMWAN said in a statement signed by its national Amirah, HajiaRafiahSanni.
It, therefore, called on Nigerian leaders to always be
responsible and responsive to the yearnings and aspirations of the common man.
FOMWAN also enjoined the well-to-do individuals to
always extend their benevolence hands to the needy and the less privileged in
the spirit of Ramadan fasting which concluded on Tuesday.
“Islam frowns at someone who has the capacity to help
others in need but failed to do so,” it said.
The Islamic body urged Nigerians to continue to pray
for peace and stability of the country and urged Muslims to sustain the lessons
of Ramadan as they brace to celebrate Eid-el- Fitr.
Source: leadership.ng
https://leadership.ng/muslim-women-declare-nigerias-challenges-surmountable/
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Anti-CAA Activist Gulfisha Fatima Completes Four Years
Behind Bars
April 9, 2024
NEW DELHI — Gulfisha Fatima, an MBA student who took
part in protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in 2020, has
completed four years in jail following her arrest in connection with the Delhi
riots.
The bail application of Fatima, who was arrested on 9
April 2020, was heard by the Delhi High Court in March 2024. However, the court
has yet to deliver its judgment in the case.
Prominent journalist Rana Ayyub took to social media
to lament the continued incarceration of Fatima as she is going to spend her
fourth Eid in jail.
“When you celebrate Eid this week, Gulfisha Fatima
would be spending her 4th Ramzan in jail. Incarcerated for speaking against
oppression, for our liberty and our freedoms,” posted Ayyub.
Ayyub also carried a report on the poems written by
Fatima in jail. The report was published by The Wire on Tuesday.
Prominent human rights activist Teesta Setalvad
described Fatima’s incarceration as “arbitrary” and “unjust”.
“Today marks 4
years of unjust, arbitrary, arrest &contd incarceration of young, brave,
brilliant GULFISHA FATIMA, under the draconian UAPA, for her sincere engagement
in the equal citizenship movement @thewire_in has pub a set of her poems,
paintings & letters frm jail. #FreeGulfisha #FreeAllPoliticalPrisoners
#RepealUAPA #NotoCAA-NRC-NP,” wrote Teesta.
Natasha Narwal, another activist arrested by Delhi
Police in a similar case but was granted bail, described the years of
incarceration as “four years of extraordinary pain and resilience.
“Today marks #Gulfisha’s 4 years of incarceration
under UAPA. 4 years of being deprived of liberty, of the streets and sounds of
the city, of ordinary life,” said Narwal.
In 2020, An FIR was registered against Fatima at
Jafrabad Police Station in northeast Delhi. She was slapped with several
serious charges such as murder, rioting, unlawful assembly, and sedition.
Initially, Gulfisha was granted bail on May 13, 2020 for FIR 48. However,
within ten days, she was subsequently charged under the Unlawful Activities
(Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA) in another case by April 19. The police have
claimed that Gulfisha was physically present at the protest site near Jafrabad
Metro Station from February 22 to 24, where she is accused of conspiring and instigating
violence during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act.
Besides Fatima, activists Umar Khalid, Khalid Saifi,
Meeran Haider, Shafi Ahmed and others continue to languish in jail in cases
related to the Delhi riots. All of them actively participated in protests
against the CAA.
In the case of Umar Khalid, several of his bail pleas
were rejected by the session court and Delhi High Court while the Supreme Court
rescheduled the hearing for bail 14 times.
The hearing in the case had been through a persistent
series of re-scheduling over the past many months. Umar Khalid’s case has also
traversed through different benches of the apex court. This ultimately forced
him to withdraw his bail petition and now he continues to languish behind bars
with no hope of an early release in sight.
The Delhi High Court is currently hearing Khalid
Saifi’s plea for bail after the trial court dismissed his application.
Source: clarionindia.net
https://clarionindia.net/anti-caa-activist-gulfisha-fatima-completes-four-years-behind-bars/
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/jews-actress-margolyes-gaza-ceasefire/d/132118