Muslim Girl Turned Away from School in France for Wearing Hijab Files Complaint With UN
New Age
Islam News Bureau
23 September 2023
·
Muslim Girl Turned Away from
School in France for Wearing Hijab Files Complaint With UN
·
Swiss Parliament Approves Ban
on Burqas, Sets Fine for Violators
·
UN Calls Upon Iran to Drop
‘Demeaning’ Law on Hijab
·
Muslim Personal Law Board Launches
Campaign on Women’s Inheritance Rights
·
'I Want to Inspire Other Muslim
Women To Run': Hibak Musa of Wales’ First-Ever Running Club For Muslim Women
·
L’Oréal-UNESCO Celebrates
Decade Recognizing Pioneering Arab Female Scientists
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/muslim-girl-hijab-france-un/d/130745
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Muslim Girl Turned Away From School In France
For Wearing Hijab Files Complaint With UN
A group
gathered in front of the French Embassy protests against the ban on abaya (long
dress) in schools in France in Vienna, Austria on September 16, 2023 [Aşkın
Kıyağan/Anadolu Agency]
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Esra Taskin and Feiza Ben Mohamed
22.09.2023
A Muslim student, who had been turned
away from school for wearing a kimono, a Japanese garment, in France, has filed
a complaint with the UN over being "discriminated against" due to her
religious affiliation.
The controversy over the French
government's stance against hijab in schools continues with many students being
turned away for wearing loose over-garments.
The 15-year-old girl, living in the
French city of Lyon, has sent a complaint to Ashwini K.P, special rapporteur on
contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related
intolerance, over "discrimination she faced on the grounds of her
religious affiliation."
On Sept. 5, she was sent home for
wearing a kimono.
Her complaint has been sent to the UN
via her lawyer Nabil Boudi who released a statement on Friday.
Criticizing the abaya ban introduced by
French Education Minister Gabriel Attal, the complainant said they think that
the French government has not taken the necessary steps to prevent all kinds of
discrimination against women.
Earlier, the female student also filed a
complaint with the Lyon Public Prosecutor's Office on the grounds that she was
"discriminated against due to her religious affiliation."
Earlier this month, the Council of State
upheld the government's abaya ban, declaring it legal.
The court's ruling came after Vincent
Brengarth, a lawyer for the Muslim Rights Action (ADM), filed an appeal on Aug.
31 with the Council of State to seek the suspension of the ban on the abaya,
which he said, violated "several fundamental freedoms."
The controversial move sparked a
backlash against the government, which has been criticized in recent years for
targeting Muslims with statements and policies, including raids on mosques and
charitable foundations, and an "anti-separatism" law that imposes
broad restrictions on the community.
Source: aa.com.tr
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/muslim-girl-turned-away-from-school-in-france-for-wearing-hijab-files-complaint-with-un/2999040
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Swiss Parliament Approves Ban on Burqas,
Sets Fine for Violators
File image
used for representational purpose only. | Photo Credit: The Hindu
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TIMES OF INDIA.COM / Sep 21, 2023
Switzerland's lower house of parliament
has passed a ban on face coverings, including burqas, with fines of up to 1,000
Swiss francs for violators. The legislation had already been approved by the
upper house and is now federal law. The ban applies to both public spaces and
private buildings accessible to the public, with some exceptions allowed.Read
More
Swiss parliament approves ban on burqas,
sets fine for violators
Representative picture: This is the
second measure in Switzerland that appears to target the Muslim community,
following a ban on constructing new minarets.
The lower house of Switzerland's
parliament voted on Wednesday to pass a ban on face coverings, including burqas
worn by some Muslim women. The legislation, which had already been approved by
the upper house, was championed by the right-wing populist Swiss People's
Party. It received significant support with a vote of 151-29 in favor, despite
reservations expressed by centrists and the Greens.
This move comes after a nationwide
referendum two years ago in which Swiss voters narrowly, 51%, endorsed a ban on
niqabs (face veils with eye slits), burqas, as well as ski masks and bandannas
worn by some protesters. With the lower house's approval, the ban has now
become federal law, accompanied by fines of up to 1,000 Swiss francs (around
$1,100) for violators.
The campaign to prohibit face coverings
faced criticism from Muslim groups during the referendum. Ines El-Shikh, a
spokesperson for the Purple Headscarves, a Muslim women's group, told AFP news
agency that "there are only 30 women in burqas in Switzerland."
Meanwhile, Switzerland's Islamic Central Council pointed out that the vote
reflected the spread of anti-Muslim sentiments throughout the country.
The ban prohibits the covering of the
nose, mouth, and eyes in both public spaces and private buildings accessible to
the public, with some exceptions allowed. While full face coverings like burqas
are not commonly worn in Switzerland, this legislation brings the country in
line with others like Belgium and France that have implemented similar
measures.
This marks the second legislative
measure in the country that seems to focus on the Muslim community, following
Switzerland's prohibition of constructing new minarets in 2009, spurred by a
campaign led by right-wing parties.
(With inputs from agencies)
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/europe/swiss-parliament-approves-ban-on-burqas-sets-fine-for-violators/articleshow/103824210.cms?from=mdr
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UN calls upon Iran to drop ‘demeaning’
law on Hijab
September 23, 2023
GENEVA: The UN called upon Iranian
authorities on Friday to scrap a new law that dramatically increases penalties
for women who flout strict Islamic dress code, describing it as “repressive and
demeaning”.
The United Nations rights office said it
deeply regretted the passage of the Chastity and Hijab Bill, which threatens
Iranian women who flout the strict Islamic dress code mandating head coverings
and modest clothing with up to 10 years behind bars.
The law “vastly increases jail terms and
provides for crushing fines on women and girls who do not obey the compulsory
dress code”, spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told reporters in Geneva. In
addition to long jail sentences and heavy fines, those found in breach could
under the same bill be flogged and face travel restrictions.
UN rights chief Volker Turk reiterates
that this draconian bill flagrantly flies in the face of international law, and
that it must be shelved“, Shamdasani said.
The push in Iran to step up penalties
comes a year after a wave of protests sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa
Amini, who had been arrested for allegedly breaching the rules.
Since then, a growing number of Iranian
women have been seen in public without hijab head scarves or observing the
rules against clothes that are deemed too tight-fitting or otherwise revealing.
Source: dawn.com
https://www.dawn.com/news/1777370/un-calls-upon-iran-to-drop-demeaning-law-on-hijab
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Muslim Personal Law Board launches
campaign on women’s inheritance rights
September 23, 2023
ZIYA US SALAM
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board
has launched a countrywide campaign to ensure that women must get their due
share in inheritance. The Board’s working committee made a plea to give the
women the rights bestowed upon them by religion. They felt that though the
Shariah law gives the daughters a fixed share in their father’s inheritance, in
many cases the daughters don’t get their share. Similarly, the mothers often
fail to get their due in the offspring’s property and widows do not always get
their share in their late husband’s wealth. The Board’s move comes against the
background of the Law Commission seeking suggestions on the possibility of a
Uniform Civil Code (UCC) for the nation. Noises have also been made in
political circles for giving equal share to men and women in property. This is
seen by some Muslim leaders as a direct infringement of Islamic law which gives
a daughter one-third of the property share, leaving two-third to the son after
mother’s share and other liabilities have been met.
The Board’s move is aimed at restoring
women’s inheritance rights which are not always granted in some sections of the
society. Highlighting the decisions of the working committee, Dr. S.Q.R. Ilyas,
spokesman of the Board told the media, “The Board realises that women of the
country are facing many social problems such as female foeticide, dowry,
exploitation at the work place and domestic violence, etc. It was decided to
initiate reform within the Muslim society. For the purpose of social reform,
the country was divided into three parts and three secretaries, namely Maulana
S. Ahmad Faisal Rahmani, Maulana Mohammed UmrainMahfooz Rahmani and Maulana
Yasin Ali Usmani were made responsible each region. Apart from this, a
committee was formed to prepare the plan of the entire work.”
The Board also expressed concern over
the government’s crackdown on the alleged Waqf properties and petitions filed
against the Waqf Act in various high courts of the country. It is to be noted
that the Centre has staked claim to 123 properties, including mosques, dargahs
and cemeteries in Delhi. The Centre’s move has been contested by the Delhi Waqf
Board which has filed a case in Delhi High Court claiming rights over the
properties. The Board also decided to organise Waqf conferences in five major
cities of the country on the Shariah status of the Waqf, the threats to their
properties, and possible remedial measures.
The working committee reviewed too the
various aspects of the new Mediation Act. The meeting was attended by most
members of the Board, including Sadatullah Husaini, president, Jamaat-e-Islami
Hind and Arshad Madani, president, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind.
Source: thehindu.com
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/muslim-personal-law-board-launches-campaign-on-womens-inheritance-rights/article67335268.ece
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'I Want to Inspire Other Muslim Women To
Run': Hibak Musa of Wales’First-Ever Running Club For Muslim Women
23 SEP 2023
Having helped set up Wales’ first-ever
running club for Muslim women, Hibak Musa is hoping that crossing the finish
line of the Cardiff Half Marathon will inspire more women to take it up. The
club only started five months ago but already has nearly 120 members across
Cardiff.
They see new faces every week and Hibak
hopes that by taking part in the city's showcase running event on Sunday
(October 1), even more will be encouraged. Thousands of runners will be taking
part in the event that will take over the streets of the capital next weekend.
The 27-year-old, from Cardiff, says:
"We've found that some Muslim women can feel intimidated running by
themselves or as part of a traditional mixed run club." And that’s why
Hibak - along with Lena, Bea, Layla and Hana – decided to do something about
it. And the Mwslima Run Club was born.
Explaining why they set up the group,
Hibak says: "We wanted to create a safe space where like-minded women who
share similar beliefs and values can run, in a comfortable and nurturing space.
Muslim women come knowing that no explanation is needed for how they choose to
dress, and they come trusting that their modesty is respected and protected in
this space.
"This means that we see Muslim
women coming in their hijab (headscarf), in their jilbabs and abayas (long
skirts/dresses) as well as women who attend in activewear. As a Muslim-run
club, we also prioritise Salah (prayer) above all things and that's why we
offer flexibility with our run club timings, ensuring women can be home in time
for daily prayers".
It started five months ago and word has
spread fast across Cardiff. Now, Hibak says more than 115 Muslim women have
joined their club, and the group sees high turnouts for its sessions which take
place in different parts of Cardiff each week
"It’s forever growing, we see new
faces every week as well as our very regular participants. We have reached out
to student groups and local mosques, and we’ve shared posters in shops around
Cardiff. Word of mouth has also led to more women joining. We started with just
one run a week but due to growth and demand, we've increased that
significantly," she says.
“It’s a non-judgmental environment – the
idea is that you can walk, jog or run but our main goal is that members come
and commit to improving their fitness. We do this by holding each other
accountable and doing weekly check-ins to see each other's progress".
And Hibak says she feels it was
important to sign up for the Cardiff Half this year: "There are three of
us from the club running and it feels very empowering as a Muslim woman to take
part. Some of the girls are coming to cheer me on but I’ve told them that I
want at least ten of them running alongside me next year!
"I think it’s also important in
terms of representation. The Cardiff Half Marathon showcases what is so
brilliant about our city so it’s important we are part of that to show that
Cardiff is diverse and inclusive, especially as we are home to one of the UK’s
oldest, most established Muslim communities."
Hibak and the team now have big plans to
extend the Mwslima Run Club to other cities and towns across Wales since the
demand has become so high. They have also approached Run 4 Wales’ charitable
foundation for funding. Run 4 Wales is a not-for-profit which ploughs any
surpluses back into community projects.
Matt Newman, Run 4 Wales CEO, says:
"We’re thrilled to be able to help Hibak and the Mwslima Run Clun get up
and running. A key objective of our charitable foundation is to transform
participation across our portfolio of events so that they are more inclusive
and reflective of Wales’ ethnic diversity.
“The 20th anniversary of the
Principality Cardiff Half Marathon is a real celebration of the diversity and
inclusion of running in Wales and we look forward to welcoming Hibak to the
start-line.” To get involved and stay updated with all events organised by
Mwslima Run Club give them a follow on Instagram @mwslimarunclub.
Source: walesonline.co.uk
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/why-want-inspire-muslim-women-27767461
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L’Oréal-UNESCO celebrates decade
recognizing pioneering Arab female scientists
September 22, 2023
DUBAI: While only 33 percent of global
researchers are women, in the Gulf Cooperation Council region, countries like
the UAE boast a notable 61 percent of female university STEM students.
This trend extends to Saudi Arabia,
where 60 percent of science graduates are women.
On its 10-year anniversary, the
L’Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science Middle East Regional Young Talents Program,
in partnership with Khalifa University of Science and Technology, celebrates
female Arab scientists changing the landscape of scientific research in the
region.
“The extraordinary accomplishments and
dedication of women scientists in the region have paved the way for progress in
various fields, influencing everything from healthcare and technology to
environment sustainability and space exploration,” said Sarah Al-Amiri, UAE
minister of state for public education and advanced technology and chair of the
UAE Space Agency.
This year’s award ceremony marks a
decade of supporting the research efforts of 51 female Arab scientists from the
GCC with endowments totalling 3.4 million dirhams ($924,695).
Investing in and increasing the
visibility of women scientists contributes to advancing research and addressing
the region’s pressing challenges.
“My research is highly translational,
driven by real-world problems affecting people’s health and wellness both
locally and globally … enabling greater accessibility to high-quality minimally
invasive healthcare tools for cancer diagnosis and precision medicine,” said
Dr. Dana Alsulaiman, Saudi post-doctorate researcher and L’Oréal-UNESCO award
winner.
According to Alsulaiman, miniaturized
and cost-effective diagnostic tools developed at the King Abdullah University
of Science and Technology could transform the field of healthcare, and clinical
decision making like early diagnosis, and effective therapy selection.
In August 2023, Crown Prince Mohammed
bin Salman launched a new strategy for KAUST, focusing on turning research into
economically beneficial innovations, including environmental sustainability
research.
For Lila Ali Aldakheel, a Saudi doctoral
student and L’Oréal-UNESCO award winner, whose research focuses on identifying
sustainable solutions for plastic pollution, waste management and reduction of
the environmental impact, “there is a noticeable deficiency in research
concerning the examination of micro-plastic pollution in Middle Eastern oceans
and mangrove soil, as well as its repercussions on the environment and human
well-being.”
The L’Oréal-UNESCO Young Talents
Program’s objective is to build a diverse and inclusive ecosystem enabling and
celebrating research and scientific advancement. This year’s award ceremony
recognized the achievements of women in science, from Saudi Arabia, the UAE,
Qatar, Oman and Kuwait.
The program holds a unique position in
the GCC. “While the program’s foundation remains the same globally, it is the
distinct advancements of the GCC region concerning women in STEM that sets it
apart,” declared Laurent Duffier, managing director of L’Oréal Middle East.
“The outstanding research quality and
pioneering contributions of these women amplify the GCC’s leading stance.
Instead of simply bridging the gender gap, the region, with the aid of our
program, is setting a global benchmark for empowering women in science,” he
added.
The GCC is home to what the award
winners collectively highlight as key for success: access to adequate support,
recognition, and the availability of opportunities to take their research
beyond the lab stage.
“I’m grateful to work in a country and a
region that celebrates and promotes women in sciences, particularly with Saudi
Arabia’s Vision 2030 emphasizing the importance of STEM in driving innovative
solutions to global problems like cancer, diabetes, and neurodegenerative
diseases,” Alsulaiman told Arab News enfranҫais.
The program is essential to addressing
systemic gender bias by raising the profile of women scientists and supporting
the growth of their careers, by providing access to resources, network, and
mentorship.
“Equal representation matters because it
brings diversity of perspectives, fairness and equity to the field, all of
which are necessary to create a robust scientific community that can further
innovation to counter societal challenges,” declared Dr. Tamara Elzein, the
program’s jury president, and the secretary-general of the National Council for
Scientific Research in Lebanon.
Associated to the program for the fifth
consecutive year, the Khalifa University of Science and Technology underlines
the essential role women play in driving scientific progress, technological
innovation, and societal development.
“We need to continue creating such
avenues of growth and support for (female scientists), which will lead to the
long-term prosperity, security, and wellbeing in the region,” said Dr. Arif
Sultan Al-Hammadi executive vice president of KU.
The program reflects the change in the
regional landscape, the untapped potential of its human capital, and is an
indicator of countries’ commitments to education.
“It is heartening to see the growing
talent pool in the region, where women in many countries are graduating with
STEM degrees at rates surpassing their US and European counterparts. We are
looking to create a ripple effect, ensuring that the next decade and those
beyond witness an even stronger wave of Middle Eastern women leading,
innovating, and setting global standards in science,” added Duffier.
Source: arabnews.com
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2378686/middle-east
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/muslim-girl-hijab-france-un/d/130745