'Mahsa Amini Was Not Killed', She "Passed Away": Iran Minister On Death Of 22-Year-Old Woman In Police Custody
New Age Islam News Bureau
25 November 2022
• Sara Sabry, First Egyptian Arab Woman To Go To Space
Recounts Her Journey
• Woman Delivers Baby In Prophet’s Mosque Courtyard
• Mansoor Bin Mohammed Crowns Winners Of The 10th
Sheikha Hind Women’s Sports Tournament
• Kunafa Tea And Muslim Women's Council Team Up To
Empower Bradford Women
• US Slams Taliban For Publicly Flogging Afghan Men,
Women
• Arab League Launches Campaign To Combat Violence
Against Women
• Plans To Hire 1,000 Female Cleaning Workers From
India & Nepal
• How A UAE-Based Duo Is Bringing An All-Inclusive
Beauty Pageant To The Region
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/mahsa-amini-iran-custody/d/128487
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'Mahsa Amini Was Not Killed', She "Passed
Away": Iran Minister On Death Of 22-Year-Old Woman In Police Custody
A woman is painted on a her
face during a protest against the death of Mahsa Amini, a woman who died while
in police custody in Iran, during a rally in central Rome, Saturday, Oct. 29,
2022. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) (AP)
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24 NOV 2022
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Baqeri On Thursday
Claimed That Irani Woman Mahsa Amini "Was Not Killed". The Death Of
The 22-Year-Old Woman In Police Custody In September, Early This Year, In
Police Custody Has Triggered One Of Iran's Biggest Shows Of Dissent.
Baqeri, Who Is Currently In India As Part Of Political
Consultations Between The Countries, Said That Amini "Passed Away"
And Blamed The Western Media For Building A "Baseless And Fallacious
Atmosphere" Leading To Chaos And Dissent In The Country.
Speaking To ANI, Baqeri Said, "Mahsa Amini Was
Not Killed, She Passed Away. We Have Seen The Atmosphere Created By Some
Western Media With Regard To The Development In Iran. This Atmosphere Is
Baseless And Fallacious. We Are Seeing The Rights Of The Iranian Nation Being
Violated By These Western Powers."
The Minister Further Added, "The Western Powers
Don't Talk About The People Of Afghanistan, Palestine Or Yemen. They Don't
Denounce Or Condemn These Actions. Who Are The Real Killers Of These
People?" Reports ANI.
Since The Death Of Amini, Who Was Arrested For
Violating The Country's Hijab Law, On September 13, Iran Has Witnessed Mass
Protest That Has Led To The Deaths Of Many Women, Leaders And Activists.
Last Week, In A Coercive Bid, To Contain The Spread Of
The Anti-Hijab Movement, Iranian Security Forces Yesterday Opened Fire At The
Protestors In A Tehran Metro Station. As The Protestors Were Putting Their
Hijabs On Fire In The Metro Station Raising Their Voice Against The Death Of
Mahsa Amini, The Security Forces Started Firing.
Source: Outlook India
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Sara Sabry, First Egyptian Arab Woman To Go To Space
Recounts Her Journey
Sara Sabry is seen in this
photo taken on Aug. 4, 2022. - Instagram/astrosarasabry
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Omnia Salah
November 25, 2022
CAIRO — Sara Sabry, Executive Director And Founder Of
Deep Space Initiative, A Nonprofit Organization That Aims To Increase
Accessibility In The Space Field, Became The First Egyptian, Arab And African
Woman To Travel Into Space In August.
She Told Al-Monitor About Her Journey Into Space.
“I Was Selected Out Of Over 7,000 Applicants From 160
Countries As Part Of The Space For Humanity Citizen Astronaut Program To Become
The First Egyptian Person To Go Into Space, Alongside A Group Of Exceptional
Leaders To Experience The Overview Effect,” Sabry Said.
She Explained, “The Citizen Astronauts Had To Commit
Upon Their Return To Share This Experience For The Common Good, As The Program
Is Looking For Change-Makers From All Walks Of Life.”
Space For Humanity Had Launched In 2021 A Program To
Send Citizens From All Parts Of The World And All Backgrounds Into Space To
Experience The Overview Effect, Which Is The Cognitive Shift That Some
Astronauts Experience When Seeing The Earth From Space.
“I Took Advantage Of The Three Minutes I Spent In Space
To Take A Good Look At The Earth. The Overview Effect Is A Cognitive Shift In
Awareness Reported By Some Astronauts During Space Flights. Scientists Noticed
An Effect On The Brains Of Astronauts When Looking Down At The Earth From
Space, As The Planet Is Seen As A Single Organism And You Don't See The Borders
That Separate Countries,” Sabry Noted.
She Added, “The Overview Effect Is The Experience Of
Seeing The Reality Of The Earth From Space, Which Is Immediately Understood To
Be A Small, Fragile Ball Of Life, Suspended In The Void, Protected And
Nourished By A Thin Envelope. From Space, National Borders Disappear, And The
Conflicts That Divide People Become Less Important, While The Need To Create A
Planetary Community With A United Will To Protect This 'Pale Blue Dot' Becomes
Both Clear And Necessary,” She Added.
Speaking About The Risks Of The Journey, Sabry Said,
“Sitting In A Capsule Atop A Rocket Involves Risks And The Participants Are
Warned Prior To Making Their Decisions. This Experience Has Changed Me Because
I Feel That I Have Accepted The Idea Of Death More.”
She Continued, “The Reusable Booster New Shepard
[Manufactured By Blue Origin] Is Launched Into Space At Unbelievable Speeds,
And We Experience A Tremendous G Acceleration Force Inside The Capsule During
Launch And Landing, So It Requires A Great Physical Effort.”
“The Technology Developed By Blue Origin Has A Lot Of
Backup Support, But The Experience Puts The Participant's Life In Their Hands,”
She Said.
Sabry’s Journey Into Space Reaffirmed Her Commitment
To Using Her Experience To Change The World For The Better. “When I Saw The
Earth From Space, And The Expansion Of The Black Universe, I Realized That
Earth And Space Are Not Separate — The Earth Is Part Space, And We Humans Are
Part Of It. We Seek To Try To Explore And Understand It And Push Humanity
Forward,” She Explained.
She Added, “It Is Difficult For Non-Europeans And
Non-Americans To Enter The Space Field, So I Worked To Provide Training For
Various People Through The Deep Space Initiative, Which Aims To Increase
Opportunities In The Field Of Space And Enable Deep Space Exploration For All
Of Humanity. It Also Coordinates With Professionals From Different
Nationalities To Encourage Them To Enter This Field, And I Have Received Great
Support From People At NASA And In Europe.”
Speaking About Her Cooperation With The Egyptian Space
Agency, Sabry Noted That She Is A Co-Founder Of The Space Ambassador Program,
And She Is Coordinating With The Agency In Several Projects, Including The Construction
Of The First Analog Research Station In Africa.
Sabry Is Working On Getting Her Doctoral Degree In
Space Sciences From The University Of North Dakota In The United States, And
She Plans To Obtain A Private Pilot License, Hoping To Partake In An Orbital
Mission And Spend Some Time Doing Research There, To Continue Her Journey To
The Moon And Eventually To Mars.
Source: Al Monitor
Https://Www.Al-Monitor.Com/Originals/2022/11/First-Egyptian-Arab-Woman-Go-Space-Recounts-Her-Journey
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Woman Delivers Baby In Prophet’s Mosque Courtyard
25 November ,2022
A Woman Gave Birth To A Baby In The Courtyards Of The
Prophet’s Mosque In Medina After She Went Into Sudden Labor, The Director
General Of The Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SCRA) In The Region Ahmed
Al-Zahrani Said On Friday.
A SCRA Volunteer Team Which Is Part Of The Ambulance
Center On The Al-Haram Premises Rushed To The Site To Aid A Pregnant Woman Who
Had Reported An Emergency, The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) Reported.
Upon Arrival, The Team Discovered That The Woman’s
Contractions Had Started, And The Delivery Of The Baby Had Begun.
The On-Site Team Worked Together To Safely Aid The
Labor And Ensure That The Mother And Child Were Well, Before Transferring Them
To The Bab Jebreel Health Center.
The SCRA Team’s Ability To Manage The Situation And
Deliver Impressive Medical Care Is The Result Of Efforts To Intensify
Specialized Medical Courses And Provide Emergency Training For All Volunteers,
Al-Zahrani Said.
He Urged The Public To Call 997, Utilize The “Help Me”
Application, Or Issue A Distress Call Through The “Tawakkalna” Application To
Request An Ambulance In Case Of An Emergency.
Source: Al Arabiya
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Mansoor Bin Mohammed Crowns Winners Of The 10th
Sheikha Hind Women’s Sports Tournament
November 24, 2022
Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum,
Chairman Of The Dubai Sports Council (DSC), On Thursday Crowned The Winners Of
The 10th Sheikha Hind Women’s Sports Tournament In A Ceremony Held At The
Mohammed Bin Rashid Library. The 10th Edition Of The Tournament, Its Largest To
Date, Saw A Record Participation Of More Than 1,500 Female Athletes Who
Competed In 10 Sports Between 7 And 21 November 2022.
Sheikh Mansoor Extended His Sincere Gratitude To The
Wife Of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President And
Prime Minister Of UAE And Ruler Of Dubai, Sheikha Hind Bint Maktoum Bin Juma Al
Maktoum, For Her Sponsorship Of This Major Sports Tournament, Her Support For
Emirati Women In General, And For Women’s Sports In Particular.
Sheikh Mansoor Said: “We Congratulate The Winning
Athletes, Departments, And Organisations Who Have Achieved Victory In Team And
Individual Events. We Also Congratulate All The Participants In This Pioneering
Sports Tournament, Which Is Held Under The Patronage Of The Wife Of Sheikh
Mohammed. The Tournament Plays A Pivotal Role In Developing Women’s Sports In
The Country.”
Sheikh Mansoor Added: “Dubai Sports Council Organises
Competitive Sports Throughout The Year To Support And Empower Women In Sports.
This Annual Tournament Occupies A Distinguished Place In The Council’s Agenda
And The Sports Sector Because Of Its Role In Promoting Sports And Developing
The Skills Of Our Athletes. It Has Become The Most Important Annual Event For
Women’s Sports. Over Ten Years, The Sheikha Hind Women’s Sports Tournament Has
Seen The Participation Of More Than 360 Government And Private Institutions And
Companies, As Well As More Than 7,000 Athletes.”
The Ceremony To Felicitate The Winners Was Attended By
Saeed Hareb, Secretary General Of The DSC; Hala Badri, Director General Of
Dubai Culture And Arts Authority; Moza Al Marri, Member Of The DSC’s Board Of
Directors; And Nasser Aman Al Rahma, Assistant Secretary General Of The DSC.
The Tournament Is Organised By The DSC’s Women’s Sports Committee. Participation
Is Open To Emirati And Non-Emirati Females Working In The Government,
Semi-Government And Private Sectors.
Dubai Police Topped The Medals Tally, Ending The
Tournament With Eight Medals In Various Championships: First Spot In 20km
Cycling, First Three Spots In 30km Cycling (Open Category), First Spot In
Crossfit Championship (Residents Category), First In Badminton Championship
(Nationals Category), Second Position In Padel Tennis (Nationals), And Third In
Bowling (Nationals).
Athletes Representing The Dubai Electricity And Water
Authority (DEWA) Won Six Medals: Second And Third Spots In The Chess
Championship, Second Spots In The Crossfit Championship (Nationals And
Residents), Third Spot In The Track And Field Race (Nationals), And Third Spot
In Squash Championship. Players Of The Roads And Transport Authority (RTA) In
Dubai Won Five Medals: First Spot In The Padel Tennis Championship (Residents),
First Spot In The E-Games Championship, Second Spot In The Cycling (Nationals),
Third Spot In 20 Km Cycling (Residents), And Third Spot In Crossfit
Championship (Nationals).
Players Of The General Directorate Of Residency And
Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA-Dubai) Won Five Medals: First And Second Spots In
Bowling, First And Second Spots In Table Tennis, Third And Spot In Padel
Tennis. Dubai Municipality Won Three Medals: Second And Third Spots In Padel
Tennis (Residents) And Third In The E-Games Championship.
The 10th Edition Of The Tournament Included Ten
Sports: Bowling, Held At The Dubai International Bowling Center In Al Mamzar, A
Track And Field Race Held At The Meydan Racecourse, 20km And 30km Cycling Races
Held At The Meydan Racecourse, Padel Tennis At Paddle Club Point In Al Quoz,
Crossfit Held At The Luna Sports Club For Women, Squash At The Dubai Ladies Club,
Badminton And Table Tennis, Both Of Which Were Held At Al Nasr Sports Club,
Chess, Held At The Dubai Chess Club, And E-Games, Held At The Dubai Council
Headquarters.
Source: Gulf News
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Kunafa Tea And Muslim Women's Council Team Up To
Empower Bradford Women
21st November
By Haleema Saheed
A POPULAR Cafe Has Teamed Up With A Community Group To
Provide Bradford Women The Opportunity To Get Together And Discuss Important
Topics Over Tea As A Way Of Empowering Women And Building Their
Self-Confidence.
Kunafa Tea Cafe On Thornton Road Has Joined Forces
With The Muslim Women’s Council To Hold A ‘Ladies Tea & Chat’ Afternoon
Every Wednesday.
The Programme Launched In September And Has Seen
Muslim Women Of Different Backgrounds Coming Together To Socialise, Eat Good
Food, And Voice Their Opinions On A Range Of Topics.
Interested In Local Family Events And Activities, And
Want To Connect With Other Local Families? Join Our New Bradford Families
Facebook Group
Sumaia Sabouni From Kunafa Tea Said: “We Developed The
Idea With The Muslim Women’s Council And Wanted To Bring Women Together.
“During 12-2.30pm On Wednesday, The Café Is Closed For
The Event As It Is For Females Only.
“At Kunafa Tea We’re Always Thinking About What We Can
Do To Give Back To The Community And We Felt There Was A Need For Something For
Muslim Women."
Each Week A Speaker Is Brought In To Talk About A
Specific Topic. Afterwards, The Women Debate, Share Their Opinions And Discuss
The Issue.
The Restaurant Tables Are Moved Into A Circle To Allow
Discussion And Debate.
Topics Such As The Environment And What Needs To Be
Done As Custodians Of The Earth Have Been Discussed, As Well As Gut Health,
Grief, And Fitness.
The Sessions Are Held During School Time, So More
Women Are Available To Attend And Partake In The Sessions.
Each Session Costs £5 For Two And Half Hours Of
Debate, Socialising And Food Made In The Cafe.
“While The Talk Is Happening, We Are Preparing The
Food, We Start Off With Tea, Then Starters, Mains, And Dessert," Said
Sumaia.
“It’s A Really Good Way To Empower Women And Provide A
Safe Space For Them To Share Their Opinions And Talk About Important Topics
Openly, But It’s Also About Enjoying Yourself And Having Fun.”
This Is An Ongoing Project And Will Continue Through
Next Year.
Sumaia Added:“We’ve Had A Good Turnout So It Means
People Are Interested And That There Is A Need For This Kind Of Work.”
Bana Gora, Chief Executive Of Muslim Women's Council
Said: "We Have Found The Tea And Chat Sessions To Be Extremely Popular,
Not Just With Local Women But Those From Across Yorkshire.
“These Events Have Proven To Be Much-Needed
Post-Covid, Bringing Women Out Of Their Homes Engaging With Subjects Relevant
To Themselves And Their Communities.
“We Firmly Believe That New Migrant Businesses Such As
Kunafa Tea Need As Much Support As Possible, Especially In This Current
Climate.
"We Will Be Launching Sessions In The Evening And
For The Elderly Early In The New Year."
Source: The Telegraph And Argus
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US Slams Taliban For Publicly Flogging Afghan Men,
Women
November 24, 2022
ISLAMABAD —
The U.S. Special Envoy For Women, Girls And Human
Rights In Afghanistan Has Sharply Criticized The Ruling Islamist Taliban For
Organizing Public Floggings Of People, Including Women, Accused Of "Moral
Crimes" Such As Theft And Adultery.
"This Is Both Appalling And A Dangerous Sign That
The Taliban Are Becoming More Defiant In Showing The World That They Are
Embracing The Policies Of The Past," Rina Amiri Said On Twitter.
Her Reaction Came A Day After The Taliban Supreme
Court Said That 11 Men And Three Women Had Been Flogged "For Different
Sins, Including Adultery, Robbery And Other Forms Of Corruption," In A
Football Stadium In The Country's East.
The Announcement Noted That The Punishment Was
Administered Wednesday Morning "In The Presence Of Respected Scholars,
Security Forces, Tribal Elders And Local Residents."
It Was The Latest Sign Of The Taliban's Application Of
Their Strict Interpretation Of Islamic Law, Known As Shariah, To Criminal
Justice, And Restoring Policies Of Their Rule From 1996 To 2001, When Flogging
Took Place In Much Of Afghanistan.
"It Didn't End Up Well Before, And It Will Once
Again Take The Country On A Perilous Path," Amiri Warned.
Earlier This Month, Reclusive Taliban Chief Hibatullah
Akhundzada Ordered Senior Judges To Apply Shariah Punishments In Cases Already
Concluded. Taliban Authorities Have Since Implemented Public Floggings In At
Least Two Provinces For Crimes Such As Adultery, False Accusations Of Adultery,
Theft, Banditry, Alcohol Consumption, Apostasy And Sedition.
The Supreme Court Said About Two Weeks Ago That 19
People, Including Nine Women, Had Been Lashed In Northeastern Takhar Province
For Adultery, Theft And Running Away From Home. Each Was Lashed 39 Times, It
Said.
The Shariah Legal System Is Derived From Islam's Holy
Book, The Quran, And The Deeds As Well As Sayings Of The Prophet Muhammad.
Amnesty International Urged The Taliban To Immediately
And Unconditionally End The "Criminal Practice" Of Public Flogging
And All Other Forms Of Corporal Punishment. The Rights Watchdog Stressed The
Need For Putting In Place A Formal Justice Mechanism With Fair Trials And
Access To Legal Remedies.
"The Taliban Continue To Ignore Widespread
Criticism As They Flagrantly Flout Basic Human Rights Principles In An Alarming
Slide Into What Looks Like A Grim Reminder Of Their Rule" Of Decades Ago,
Amnesty Said.
"These Outrageous Punishments Are Just Another
Step In The Legalization Of Inhuman Practices By The Taliban's Cruel Justice
System And Expose The De-Facto Authorities' Complete Disregard For
International Human Rights Law."
The Taliban Returned To Power In August 2021 After
Almost 20 Years Of Insurgency Against U.S.-Led NATO Troops And Their Afghan
Partners. The International Troops Withdrew From Afghanistan Just Days After
The Taliban Seized Power.
No Country Has Yet To Formally Recognize The Taliban
Rule Because Of Human Rights And Terrorism-Related Concerns. The International
Community Has Been Pressing The Islamist Rulers To Reverse Restrictions On
Afghan Women If They Want Legitimacy For Their Men-Only Government.
Since They Seized Power In August 2021, The Taliban
Have Ordered Women To Cover Their Faces In Public And Not Undertake Long Road
Trips Without A Close Male Relative. They Have Also Ordered Many Female
Government Staff Members To Stay At Home. Women Are Banned From Visiting Gyms,
Parks And Public Baths.
While Public And Private Universities Are Open To
Women Across Afghanistan, Teenage Girls Are Not Allowed To Attend Secondary
Schools From Grades Seven To 12.
U.S. Envoy Amiri Also Criticized The Taliban For
Dissolving The Afghan Independent Bar Association Last November, Saying It Was
A Model Of Gender Inclusion.
"Now Women Are Sidelined From Practicing Law
& Many Women Judges & Lawyers Are Forced To Beg For Food For Their
Children Rather Than Use Their Skills. Such Injustice," She Said In A
Separate Tweet Thursday.
The Taliban Defend Their Governance, Saying It Is In
Line With Afghan Culture And Islamic Law.
Source: VOA News
Https://Www.Voanews.Com/A/Us-Slams-Taliban-For-Publicly-Flogging-Afghan-Men-And-Women/6848755.Html
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Arab League Launches Campaign To Combat Violence
Against Women
25 Nov 2022
Cairo: The Arab League (AL) On Thursday Launched The
16-Day Campaign To Combat Violence Against Women, Which Begins In Conjunction
With The International Day For The Elimination Of Violence Against Women, Which
Falls On November 25 Of Each Year, And Ends On December 10, Which Coincides
With The International Human Rights Day.
Arab League Stated, That The Event Of Launching The
16-Day Campaign To Combat Violence Against Women At The Headquarters Of The
Arab League Also Witnessed The Launch Of The Arab Strategy For Prevention And
Response To Combat All Forms Of Violence In The Context Of Asylum, Especially
Sexual Violence Against Women And Girls And The Action Plan Attached To It In Joint
Cooperation With The United Nations High Commissioner For Refugees (UNHCR).
The Arab League Noted That This Strategy Was Approved
By The Council Of The Arab League At The Ministerial Level At Its 155th Regular
Session, As A Guiding Document To Help Member States Develop National Systems
For The Protection Of Women. It Aims To Contribute To The Creation Of Stronger
And More Sustainable Systems That Benefit All Women And Girls, And Is An
Essential Element To Address The Effects Of The Crisis On Local Communities And
Host Countries.
The Arab League Called On Governments, Regional And
International Organizations And Stakeholders In This Regard To Unite, With The
Aim Of Providing Protection For Refugee And Displaced Women And Girls Through
Systems Capable Of Prevention And Response To Protection Needs, As Well As
Ensuring The Enforcement Of Laws And Policies Related To The Prevention Of
Sexual Violence, And Strengthening The Provision Of Multiple Services And
Programs Targeting Survivors Of Violence Provided By National Actors From
Governments, In Collaboration With Various Stakeholders.
The 16-Day Campaign To Combat Violence Against Women,
Led By The Secretary-General Of The United Nations And UN Women Since 2008,
Aims To Prevent And Eliminate Violence Against Women And Girls Around The
World, It Also Calls For Global Actions To Raise Awareness And Provide
Opportunities To Discuss Challenges And Solutions In This Regard.
Source: The Peninsula Qatar
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Plans To Hire 1,000 Female Cleaning Workers From India
& Nepal
November 25, 2022
KUWAIT CITY, Nov 24: Based On Its Inability To Meet
The Need For Female Cleaning Workers Through Local Contracting, The Ministry Of
Education Tends To Sign Contracts For Cleaning Workers, According To Which It
Will Need About 1,000 Female Workers From India And Nepal, To Meet The Needs Of
Schools, Reports Al-Qabas Daily. The Daily Has Learned From Informed Sources
That The Administrative Affairs And Administrative Development Sector Of The
Ministry Of Education, Has Formally Addressed The Civil Service Commission To
Approve “Foreign Contracting Committees”, Going To India And Nepal, To Sign
Contracts To Recruit About 1,000 Female Workers, To Meet The Ministry Needs.
The Sources Expected The Committees To Leave Kuwait
Next December, After Obtaining The Approval Of The CSC To Form These
Committees, Indicating That The Ministry Was Unable To Meet The Required Number
Of Cleaning Workers Through Local Contracting, Especially In Light Of The
Continued Need Of Schools, Educational Areas And The Ministry’s General Office.
The Sources Stated That The Ministry Requested To Dispatch Two Committees For
Selection And Outsourcing For The Job (Females Only) In India And Nepal, The
First Headed By An Assistant Undersecretary And The Second Headed By A Director
Of Department, And Included Members In Both Committees, Who Had The Technical
Competence Concerned With The Departments Of Services And Human Resources, To
Carry Out The Tasks Of Selection And Sorting Applications, Auditing And
Conducting Personal Interviews With The Applicants, And Then Carrying Out The
Contracting Procedure.
The Sources Explained The Ministry Is Keen To Complete
The Efforts Made To Meet The Needs Of The Educational Field For The Necessary
Services, Especially Hygiene, In A Way That Ensures The Smooth Functioning Of
Education Facilities Regularly.
Source: Arab Times Online
Https://Www.Arabtimesonline.Com/News/Plans-To-Hire-1000-Female-Cleaning-Workers-From-India-Nepal/
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How A UAE-Based Duo Is Bringing An All-Inclusive
Beauty Pageant To The Region
By Laraib Anwer
24 Nov 2022
A Struggle That Has Persisted Through Time Has Been
That Of Shifting The Conversation Towards A Woman’s Intelligence And
Personality Rather Than Her Appearance. The Modelling Industry Has Been Trying
To Come To Terms With This, As It Portrays Greater Diversity And Focuses On
Stories Of Grit, Struggle, Accomplishment, And Greatness That Come Out Of The
Valiant Lives Of Women From All Walks Of Life. Ahead Of International Women’s
Day Next Year, One Such Platform For Everywoman Will Be The Miss/Mrs Arabia
International Pageant, Which Will Be Held On March 4, 2023.
The Initiative Is The Brainchild Of Two Women — One, A
Former IT Programmer, And The Other A Qualified HR Professional. Thirty
Four-Year-Old Founders Lamiya Lokhandwala And Apurva Trivedi Have Set Out On A
Journey To Revolutionise The Way Beauty Is Perceived In This Part Of The World
With The Miss/Mrs Arabia International Pageant Which Will Be The Region’s First
All-Inclusive Beauty Pageant And Will See A Diverse Range Of Women, Including
Aspiring Plus-Size Models, Single Mums, And Cancer And Acid Attack Survivors.
The Two Expats Walk Us Through The World Beneath The Glamour Of The Runway.
“A Lot Is Said Of Beauty, Or Beauty With Brains, But
What About Those Who Overcome The Odds With Grit, Gumption, And Real Mettle?”
Asks Lamiya Lokhandwala, MD And Founder Of Unify Events That Will Host The
Inaugural Edition Of Miss/Mrs Arabia International Gala In Dubai. “Beauty
Should Not Be Only For People Who Are Thin Or Who Are Fair, It Should Not Be
Biased, It Should Be For Everyone,” Adds Lamiya.
When It Comes To Strutting Down The Runway, There’s A
Certain Image That Crosses One’s Mind, A Specific Body Type And Age. But This
Duo Wants To Subvert That Notion. “Our Aim Is To Promote Women Who Are Used To
Staying At Home And Who Want To Take Part In Such Contests, But Can’t Due To
Certain Responsibilities And Commitments,” Says Apurva Trivedi, Co-Founder Of
Unify Events And The Brainchild Behind What She Believes Has The Potential To
Become The Arab World’s Answer To The Miss Universe And Miss World Galas.
Currently Taking Entries For The Pageant, With
Auditions Being Held On January 5, 2023, The Platform Challenges The Meaning Of
Beauty And Creates New Constructs For The Word.
“We Are Inviting Entries From Women All Over The
Region Irrespective Of Who They Are, Where They Are From, What They Look Like,
What They Do For A Living, What They Wear As Long As They Have The Ability To
Inspire Other Women. An Inclusive Event Like This Has Never Happened Before And
That Is What Makes It A Simple Yet Quite Revolutionary Idea,” Says Lamia.
To Many The Value Of Beauty Is Found Through The
Happiness Gained Internally. The Same Goes For Apurva, Who Believes That If We
Are Happy Internally, Then We Can Achieve Whatever We Want. The Colour, Size Or
Shape Of The Being Does Not Matter.
“Inner Beauty Is True Beauty. I Myself Am Not On That
So-Called Perfect Or Thin Side And Have Always Been On The Heavier Side Of The
Scale. If A Person Is Very Beautiful, But If They’re Fake, Then Such Beauty Is
Of No Use,” Says Lamia.
It’s Easier To Put In Words The Impact Of Inclusivity
On The Modelling Industry, Rather Than Seeing It In Real Life. Has The
Modelling Industry Truly Come A Certain Way In Its Reach For Inclusivity And
Diversity?
“The Modelling Industry Has Definitely Reached A Level
Of Inclusivity In Today’s World, And Mainly Now They Are Focusing On
Intelligence Which Is More Important. Beauty Is An Aspect, But I Think Women
Are More Intelligent. I Think The World Has Understood That If Women Make Their
Minds Up To Do Something, They Can Do Whatever They Want,” Says Lamia.
With The Strong Hold That Media Has On People, As It
Influences And Educates Them, Lamia Believes That It Has Given Women Confidence
And A Platform To Speak Up And Be The Rawest Version Of Themselves.
The Future Of This Pageant Is All-Women, With Lamiya
And Apurva Having High Hopes For It.
“We Have Plans To Take It To The Rest Of The Gulf
Region Eventually, Travelling Each Year, City By City, Country After Country,
Reaching Out To Millions, Involving Some Of The Most Loved Superstars As Jury
Members And Showcasing Winners After Winners With The True Ability To Transform
People’s Lives,” Says Apurva.
Apart From The Glitz And Glamour Of The Runway, This
Show Will Put To Display The Inspiring Stories Of Real Women From The Gulf And
Their Achievements. Applicants Applying For Miss Arabia International Must Be
Aged Between 18 And 28 Years, Whereas Those Applying For The Mrs Arabia
International Award Must Be A Minimum Of 20 Years Old.
Source: Khaleej Times
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