Under The Mullahs’ Regime In Iran, Women Sell Their Hair To Make Ends Meet
New
Age Islam News Bureau
29
December 2021
• Roa'a
Al-Sayyed, Visually-Impaired Egyptian Girl Memorizes Whole Of Holy Quran In 18
Months
• National
campaign ‘Ulama – Ambassadors of Girls Education’ launched in Pakistan
• Afghan
Women Protest Against Taliban Killings Of Ex-Soldiers
• Women
Marriage Bill: Telangana Waqf Board To Convene Meeting With State’s Qazis
• Pakistan
Condemns Taliban's Ban On Road Trips For Women
Compiled
by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/mullah-regime-iran-hair/d/126058
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Under The Mullahs’ Regime In Iran, Women Sell Their Hair To Make Ends Meet
Representative
Photo/ National Council of Resistance of Iran
-----
by
Sedighe Shahrokhi
24th
December 2021
In
his famous short story, “the Gift of the Magi,” O. Henry tells the tale of a
wife who sold her hair for $20 to purchase a Christmas gift for her husband.
Under the mullahs’ regime, in Iran, women must sell their hair for nearly $30
to merely survive.
Iran’s
state media have acknowledged that Iranian women and girls sell their hair to
cover their expenses due to the country’s economic crunch.
“Most
of my clients sell their hair due to their financial problems. They tell me,
‘Cut as short as you want. But give us more money,’” says an Iranian barber,
shedding light on this tragedy, according to the state-run Khorasan daily on
December 22, 2021. Women’s barbershops are filled with the advertisement “We
buy your hair.” Sellers also leave their announcements on walls.
“I
sold my hair to cover my living expenses. When I saw the advertisement, I
decided to sell my hair. I loved my hair, but I had no other choice,” the
state-run Tejarat-news quoted Zahra, who sold her 50cm hair for 10 million
rials or $33 (at the free market dollar exchange rate.)
“To
enrol at a class for my job, I had to sell my hair. My husband did not agree
with me, but I needed money, and I had no other choice,” Tejarat-news quoted
another woman.
In
April 2021, a barber told the state-run Khabar-Online that the price of hair
would not exceed 10 million rials. “Women love their hair; they sell it because
they need money,” she said.
Selling
hair is not limited to young or middle-aged women. Teenage girls and children
as young as ten years old also sell their hair.
“A
ten-year-old girl sold her hair to purchase a cellphone. A middle-aged woman
sold her hair to pay for her husband’s medications, who is now invalid after
falling from a building. Another 21-year-old customer sold her hair to pay the
installments of her sisters’ dowry. And a teenage girl sold her hair to enrol
at high school,” Khorasan daily wrote on December 22.
A
woman who was selling her daughters’ hair told Tejarat-news: “We desperately
need another cell phone [to attend online classes]. My three daughters must
share one cell phone, and it’s not possible. I sell their hairs for 40 million
rials [nearly $40].”
In
other countries, selling hair is a luxurious business. In the United States,
women sell their hair sometimes up to thousands of dollars. But in Iran,
despite the country’s vast natural resources, women must sell their hair to win
their bread.
In recent
years, as Iran’s economy rapidly falls apart due to the mullahs’ corruption,
ineptitude, and mismanagement, businesses such as selling organs or selling
hair have been booming. In addition, other phenomena have emerged, such as
grave dwellers, renting rooftops, and collecting trash.
In an
exclusive report in 2018, the Iranian Resistance revealed some aspects of
selling vital organs tragedy in Iran. According to this report, “Kidneys are
most in-demand, but a business that started more than a decade ago is no longer
limited to the kidney but includes liver, bone marrow, and cornea. The liver is
the second most frequently traded organ, and blood plasma is the latest
addition to the list.”
Unlike
what Iran pundits had tried to imply, the current economic crisis in Iran is
not entirely by any measure due to sanctions. The regime has been squandering
billions of dollars on its malign ambitions, such as its clandestine nuclear
and missile programs and supporting its terrorist proxy groups across the
Middle East.
In
2020, a heart-wrenching interview of a 29-year young father
who wanted to sell his
heart circulated
on social media. This father
had put an advertisement to sell his heart to ensure his family’s future.
“Yes,
I know what would happen…. I have tried many other ways and reached a deadlock.
This is the only solution to ensure the future of my children,” the man tells
the buyer. As
a price for his
heart, he gives ten billion rials, or $367,000, with Iran’s free market’s
current dollar exchange rate at that time.
“It
is estimated that the cost of the nuclear program should be estimated at
between 1.5 to 2 trillion dollars. It seems that the initial assessment by the
Budget and Planning Organization’s expert was not far from reality,” Arman
daily wrote on December 4.
Khorasan
daily on December 22 referred to the booming business of selling hair in
Khorasan province, while one of Iran’s largest financial institutions, Astan-e
Quds Razavi, is in that province.
Behzad
Nabavi, a government minister in several administrations, said in an interview
with the state-run Alef news agency on September 21, 2019, “In our country,
there are four institutions which control 60 percent of the national wealth.
This includes Executive Headquarters of Imam’s Directive (Setad Ejraie Farman
Imam), Khatam-ol-Anbiay Base, Astan-e Quds, and Foundation of the Oppressed and
Disabled. None of these institutions are in connection with the government and
parliament.”
The
Iranian regime has the ability and necessary funds to help Iranians and prevent
them from selling their body parts. Iranian girls could easily attend their
school without selling their hair to purchase stationery if any government
other than the mullahs’ regime was in power.
Source:
NCR Iran
https://www.ncr-iran.org/en/news/iran-women-sell-their-hair-to-make-ends-meet/
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Roa'a
Al-Sayyed, Visually-Impaired Egyptian Girl Memorizes Whole Of Holy Quran In 18
Months
Roa'a
al-Sayyed
----
December
28, 2021
Roa'a
al-Sayyed is an 11-year-old visually-impaired girl who managed to commit the
entire Quran to her memory in 18 months.
Roa’a
is a sixth grader residing in one of the rural areas of Dakahlia Governorate.
She attended a local Quran learning institute in her own village, according to
Youm7.
Ehab
Al-Sharif, director of the institute, says Roa’a had been diligent since
entering the center. She has won several awards in local Quranic competitions
He
predicts a bright future for Roa’a because of her strong character and
charisma.
Salem
Bakr, one of the teachers at the institute, says that they are very happy with
Roa’a’s presence, describing her as a source of happiness and joy for the
institute. She gives hope to other learners, stressed the teacher.
Roa’a
says she mainly memorized the Quran by listening to the verses through an
application that she has on her smartphone. The Quran memorization has not
negatively affected her daily school studies, rather, she has had progress in
school as well.
The
institute’s and local officials held a ceremony and honored Roa’a by giving her
awards.
Source:
ABNA24
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National
campaign ‘Ulama – Ambassadors of Girls Education’ launched in Pakistan
DECEMBER
29, 2021
Pakistan
Alliance for Girls Education in collaboration with Council of Islamic Ideology
initiated the “Ulama – Ambassadors of Girls Education” campaign which was
launched by President Dr Arif Alvi. Ulama at the national level participated in
the campaign launch for the promotion of girls’ education and to end the
disparities that exist in the education sector.
They
also committed to become Ambassadors of Girls Education and to support PAGE,
CII and the Government of Pakistan to raise awareness of the importance of
education equally for both genders in light of Islam. Key Ulama of all sects
from across the country were present at the launch event with the aim of
fostering girls’ education in their respective areas.
The
launch event started off with the recitation of Holy Quran followed by the
welcoming remarks from Chairman Council of Islamic Ideology, Dr Qibla Ayaz. Dr
Qibla Ayaz, thanked his excellency, the President of Pakistan, Dr Arif Alvi for
launching the campaign and for supporting and promoting girls’ education in
Pakistan. Being voice of the Ulama, Dr Qibla Ayaz stated that the Ulama are
very much in favour of girls’ education across Pakistan and they will continue
to promote girls’ education in their respective areas and regions with the aim
to empower girls of Pakistan. Honorable Chairman CII, also shed light on the
fact that the excellence of knowledge has been highlighted both directly and
indirectly in Islam and that Islam does not give the message of opposing
acquisition of education for girls but it promotes education of men and women
equally.
The
launch event proceeded with Executive Director, Pakistan Alliance for Girls
Education, Fajer Rabia Pasha’s speech. Ms Fajer Rabia Pasha opened the speech
by expressing that today is a historical moment for Pakistan. The launch of
this campaign by the Honorable President of Pakistan, is not only evidence of
Pakistan’s commitment to address gender disparity in education but to also
engage all sections of the society in this process. She added that role of
Ulama to address the current situation can not be ignored. In fact, the
engagement of Ulama sends a positive message to the world. She said the current
challenges demands a special focus on girls’ education, particularly improving
their access to quality education facilities through creating an affable
conducive environment for girls that tackles the social religious and
socio-economic barriers, typically faced by the Pakistani girls. This is where
the collaboration with Council of Islamic Ideology can make visible impact. Ms
Fajer thanked the Ulama for their invaluable contribution and commitment for
the promotion of girls education in Pakistan.
The
launch event concluded with the keynote address from His Excellency, the
President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi. In his keynote address, the president
acknowledged and commended the efforts of Pakistan Alliance for Girls Education
and Council of Islamic Ideology for promoting Girls Education across Pakistan
by involving Ulama from all sects for advocacy. He further added that Islam has
been accused of gender inequality a number of times, and the disparity in
educational opportunities between men and women in many Muslim countries is
often cited as a primary example. Islam was built upon one of the most
important pillars of knowledge, which is why this is a sad reflection on
Muslims and societies. There is no disagreement found within Islam on the
acquisition of knowledge being obligatory and binding. He recognized that the
promotion and betterment of status of Girl’s Education cannot take place without
the support of Ulama. His Excellency, also added that including the promotion
of Girls Education in Friday Sermons and utilizing mosques to educate the out
of school children can contribute to the betterment of the overall status of
Girls Education in Pakistan.
The
event concluded with the digital formal launch of the campaign, Ulama –
Ambassadors of Girls Education. News Desk
Source:
Daily Times Pakistan
https://dailytimes.com.pk/861269/national-campaign-ulama-ambassadors-of-girls-education-launched/
--------
Afghan
women protest against Taliban killings of ex-soldiers
Dec
28, 2021
KABUL:
A crowd of women marched through the Afghan capital on Tuesday, accusing
Taliban authorities of covertly killing soldiers who served the former
US-backed regime.
Around
30 women gathered near a mosque in the centre of Kabul and marched a few
hundred metres chanting "justice, justice" before they were stopped by
Taliban forces, an AFP correspondent saw.
The
Taliban also tried to prevent journalists from covering the march, organised
against the "mysterious murders of young people, particularly the
country's former soldiers", according to social media invitations.
Taliban
fighters briefly detained a group of reporters and confiscated equipment from
some photographers, deleting images from their cameras before returning them.
Since
the hardliners returned to power in August they have effectively banned
unsanctioned protests and frequently intervene to block demonstrations against
their austere brand of Islam.
The
protest comes weeks after separate reports by the United Nations, Amnesty
International and Human Rights Watch said there were credible allegations of
more than 100 extrajudicial killings by the Taliban since their takeover.
"I
want to tell the world, tell the Taliban to stop killing. We want freedom, we
want justice, we want human rights," said protester Nayera Koahistani.
In a
statement read aloud by protester Laila Basam, the demonstrators called on the
Taliban "to stop its criminal machine".
The
statement said former soldiers and government employees of the old regime are
"under direct threat", violating a general amnesty announced by the
Taliban in August.
The
protesters also aired objections to the ratcheting restrictions women are
facing under Taliban rule.
The
government issued new guidelines at the weekend banning women from travelling
long distances unless escorted by a close male relative.
"Women's
rights are human rights. We must defend our rights," said Koahistani.
Video
footage posted online on Tuesday showed another women's protest held elsewhere
in the capital that also called for women to be allowed education and work
opportunities.
Source:
Times of India
--------
Women
Marriage Bill: Telangana Waqf Board To Convene Meeting With State’s Qazis
29th
December 2021
Hyderabad:
The Chairman of the Telangana Waqf Board Mohammed Saleem called a meeting of
State’s Qaziz on January 4 to apprise them of the guidelines with regard to
women’s marriages.
This
meeting is being called in the wake of the Central government’s proposed draft
bill to increase the marriage age of women from 18 to 21 years.
Speaking
to the media persons, Mohammad Saleem said that the Parliament has not given
assent to the bill for women’s marriage age but still there are apprehensions
among the people.
To
escape the proposed law, parents are performing the marriages of their
daughters and postponing their departure date. He advised the Qaziz to assure
the parents not to panic. They may continue to marry off their daughters under
the current law of 18 years.
Mohammed
Saleem advised Qazis to guide the people and told them not to panic.
Currently,
there is a sharp spurt in marriages taking place due to the fear of the
proposed draft bill. Mohammed Saleem told the Muslim community not to worry as
the TRS will not support the bill in Parliament.
Saleem
also appealed to the Prime Minister not to tinker with the marriage age for the
women as the issue is related to all the communities. Every community prefers
to marry off their daughters on time.
Mohammad
Saleem said that in the meeting of the representative of Qazi organizations
necessary guidelines regarding the girls’ marriages shall be issued. “There is
no need to be apprehensive as the bill has not been approved in any house of
the Parliament. The Chief Minister of Telangana K Chandrasekhar Rao will not
support this bill,” Mohammed Saleem said.
Source:
Siasat Daily
https://www.siasat.com/women-marriage-bill-waqf-board-to-convene-meeting-with-qazis-2249675/
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Pakistan
condemns Taliban's ban on road trips for women
DEC
28, 2021
The
Pakistani government has criticized the Taliban administration in Afghanistan
by denouncing the ultra-conservative group's new travel restrictions on women.
"Women
can’t travel alone or go to schools and colleges ... this kind of retrogressive
thinking is dangerous," Pakistan's Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry
said late Monday. "This extremism can spill over into Pakistan and
beyond," the minister said in the capital Islamabad.
His
comments come after Taliban authorities said Sunday that women seeking to
travel long distances should not be offered transport unless they are
accompanied by a close male relative. The Taliban have set up a ministry for
the "propagation of virtue and the prevention of vice," which issued
the guidelines and also called on all vehicle owners to offer rides only to
those women who wear the hijab.
Chaudhry's
remarks appear to be the first-ever direct and public criticism of the group by
Pakistan. The Taliban have been seeking global legitimacy for their interim
government since they swept to power in August.
Pakistani
leaders, including Prime Minister Imran Khan, have since been praising the
Taliban and staying silent on the harsh new reality for women in the country,
including restrictions to access education and employment opportunities.
A
Pakistani region bordering Afghanistan has seen a major increase in terrorist
attacks this year, a trend officials and experts attribute to the fall of Kabul
to the Taliban.
Terrorism
incidents in Balochistan increased by more than 90% in 2021 as compared to the
previous year, according to a home department official from the southwestern
province.
According
to the data, at least 137 terrorist incidents were reported in 2021, resulting
in the deaths of more than 130 people, including security forces.
"The
frequency of smaller attacks has increased manifold in recent months,"
security analyst Amir Rana told the Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa) on Tuesday.
Militants
and Baloch separatist groups, who are allegedly operating from lawless hideouts
in Afghanistan, were behind the attacks in the province, he said.
The
Pakistani Taliban, or Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), has carried out
hundreds of attacks after the Taliban took over in Afghanistan. The group has
claimed responsibility for at least 16 attacks in the country since the end of
a monthlong cease-fire on Dec. 10.
Balochistan
is Pakistan's largest and most volatile province. It borders both Afghanistan
and Iran, and is regularly targeted by extremists, sectarian groups and
sub-nationalist rebels.
Much
of the violence is seen as a reaction from rebels to Beijing's investment plans
in the region, an attempt to link China's Xinjiang province with the Arabian
Sea in Balochistan with a network of roads and rails.
Attacks
targeting law enforcement agencies and workers from other provinces, especially
those working on projects initiated by China under a $62 billion investment
plan, are common in Balochistan.
Afghan
women march against discrimination
A
crowd of women marched through Kabul on Tuesday, accusing Taliban authorities
of covertly killing soldiers who served the former U.S.-backed regime. Around
30 women gathered near a mosque in the center of Kabul and marched a few
hundred meters chanting "justice, justice" before they were stopped
by Taliban forces, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported.
The
Taliban also tried to prevent journalists from covering the march, organized
against the "mysterious murders of young people, particularly the
country's former soldiers," according to social media invitations.
Taliban
fighters briefly detained a group of reporters and confiscated equipment from
some photographers, deleting images from their cameras before returning them.
Since
the group returned to power in August, they have effectively banned
unsanctioned protests and frequently intervene to block demonstrations.
The
protest comes weeks after separate reports by the United Nations, Amnesty
International and Human Rights Watch (HRW) said there were credible allegations
of more than 100 extrajudicial killings by the Taliban since their takeover.
"I
want to tell the world, tell the Taliban to stop killing. We want freedom, we
want justice, we want human rights," said protester Nayera Koahistani.
In a
statement read aloud by protester Laila Basam, the demonstrators called on the
Taliban "to stop its criminal machine."
The
statement said former soldiers and government employees of the old regime are
"under direct threat," violating a general amnesty announced by the
Taliban in August.
The
protesters also aired objections to the ratcheting restrictions women are
facing under Taliban rule. "Women's rights are human rights. We must
defend our rights," said Koahistani.
Video
footage posted online Tuesday showed another women's protest held elsewhere in
the capital that also called for women to be allowed education and work
opportunities.
Source:
Daily Sabah
https://www.dailysabah.com/world/asia-pacific/pakistan-condemns-talibans-ban-on-road-trips-for-women
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