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In A First, Muslim Girl, Saabri N, Enrols For Kathakali Course At Kalamandalam

New Age Islam News Bureau

16 June 2023

• In A First, Muslim Girl, Saabri N, Enrols For Kathakali Course At Kalamandalam

• Nusrat Choudhury, Civil Rights Lawyer, Becomes First Muslim Federal Judge in the United States

• UK Names Jane Marriott, First Female Envoy, To Pakistan

• Meet Reeta Ishwar, Pakistan’s 2nd Richest Hindu Woman With Strong Political Career

• Iranian President’s Wife Calls Opportunities for Women “Violence"

• Remembering The Women In Iran Hanged For Their Beliefs

Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau

URL:  https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/muslim-saabri-kathakali/d/130008

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 In A First, Muslim Girl, Saabri N, Enrols For Kathakali Course At Kalamandalam

 

Saabri N Wearing a hijab

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16th June 2023

PALAKKAD: It was after 90 years of its existence that Kerala Kalamandalam finally opened its doors to female Kathakali students -- in the 2020-21 academic year. On Wednesday, Saabri N delivered another blow to the glass ceiling at the Cheruthuruthy, Thrissur-based prestigious institution, becoming the first Muslim student in its history to enrol for the course.

In the latest batch of admissions, the Anchal, Kollam, native joined the eighth standard of the traditional Kathakalivesham (thekkan) course. Wearing a hijab, the 14-year-old acquired the mudras from none other than the doyen of Kathakali, Kalamandalam GopiAsan, who was present at the enrolment function.

Saabri walked up to the 86-year-old and sought his blessings. “Saabri had a passion for kathakali and used to accompany me to the Mahadeva temple in Agasthyacode, Anchal, which used to host regular recitals,” her father S Nizam said.

“She wouldn’t even sleep through performances and used to watch the dancers intently, impressed by their vibrant makeup and colourful attire. I used to show her my photos of kathakali performances and these captivated her young mind,” said Nizam, a freelance photographer who manages the Ammas Art Gallery in Anchal.

‘I expect no hurdles in Saabri’s path’

Saabri took her first lessons in kathakali under Aromal of Chadayamangalam and learned mohiniyattam during the pandemic from a teacher near her home. But her first love was Kathakali. “After Class 7 at Government Jawahar High School in Edamulackal, I asked Saabri whether she wanted to learn Kathakali. I had heard Kalamandalam had started admitting women to the course. She was very excited,” said Nizam.

On whether there will be any resistance from the community, Nizam said, “In the state’s south, members of our community see art as art...which transcends religious beliefs. However, there would definitely have been some discussion in private circles. But I consider Kathakali as an art form. I expect no hurdles in the path of my daughter. It will not affect us,” he stressed.

There are two streams, vadakkan and thekkan, in Kathakali. A student who enrols in the 8th standard at Kalamandalam can continue for 12 years till they complete PG.

“It was in the 2020-21 academic year that female students were first admitted. Now we have 11 girls: three in the eighth standard, four in the ninth standard and four in the 10th standard,” said Kalamandalam Ravi Kumar, HoD, kathakalivesham (thekkan). “This year, there were six seats available in the eighth standard for women. We received 20 applications. There is interest,” he said.

Source: newindianexpress.com

https://www.newindianexpress.com/good-news/2023/jun/16/in-a-first-muslim-girl-14-enrols-forkathakali-course-at-kalamandalam-2585529.html

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Nusrat Choudhury, Civil Rights Lawyer, Becomes First Muslim Federal Judge in the United States

 

Nusrat Choudhury, Civil Rights Lawyer, Becomes First Muslim Federal Judge in the United States

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2023-06-16

Shafaq News/ The U.S. Senate announced the historic appointment of civil rights lawyer Nusrat Choudhury in the Eastern District of New York, making her the first Muslim federal judge in the country.

The appointment, decided by a single vote, marks a significant milestone in promoting diversity and inclusion within the judicial system.

Choudhury's nomination as legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Illinois received confirmation from the council with a narrow vote of 50-49. However, she faced opposition from some Senate Republicans who raised concerns about her remarks during a 2015 event at Princeton University. Choudhury was accused of providing inconsistent answers regarding her comments about police killings of unarmed black men "every day."

An American with Bangladeshi roots, she has dedicated most of her career to championing racial justice and national security issues within the American Civil Liberties Union. President Joe Biden nominated her for the prestigious position in January 2022, highlighting her expertise and commitment to upholding civil rights.

This appointment follows another significant milestone in the U.S. judiciary. President Biden appointed Zahid NisarQuraishi, the first Muslim judge in American history, to the New Jersey Federal Court in 2021.

Source: shafaq.com

https://shafaq.com/en/World/Nusrat-Choudhury-Becomes-First-Muslim-Federal-Judge-in-the-United-States-with-Narrow-Senate-Approval

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UK Names Jane Marriott, First Female Envoy, To Pakistan

JUNE 16, 2023

The United Kingdom has announced the appointment of Jane Marriott OBE as the next British High Commissioner to Pakistan. The first female British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Jane is due to take up her role in mid-July. Prior to this appointment, Jane Marriott was the High Commissioner to Kenya from September 2019 to June 2023. In this role she delivered a new UK-Kenya Strategic Partnership, strengthening ties across mutual prosperity, sustainable development, security and stability, people-to-people links and tackling climate change, according to the statement issued by the British High Commission on Thursday. The statement noted that Jane brings a wealth of thematic and regional experience to her new role having joined the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in 2001, following roles in the Cabinet Office and Home Office. “I am incredibly excited to be appointed as the next British High Commissioner to Pakistan – a country I am delighted to have visited twice before,” Jane said following the announcement of her appointment.

Source: dailytimes.com.pk

https://dailytimes.com.pk/1103915/uk-names-first-female-envoy-to-pakistan/

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Meet Reeta Ishwar, Pakistan’s 2nd Richest Hindu Woman With Strong Political Career

Jun 15, 2023

While Pakistan is currently going through an economic crisis and extreme inflation, some of the wealthiest population in the country consists of Hindus. Among the richest Hindus of Pakistan is Reeta Ishwar, a noted politician in the country.

Reeta Ishwar is a female politician and the 2nd richest Hindu woman in Pakistan, which dominantly consists of an Islamic population. Ishwar is a strong political figure in Pakistan, and is one of the richest politicians in the country, despite being from a minority community in the country.

Reeta Ishwar, who is the second richest Hindu woman in Pakistan, was a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan (lower house of Parliament) from 2013 to 2018. She is currently a member of the political party Pakistan Muslim League (F) and continues to serve the community.

Apart from being the richest Hindu woman in Pakistan, she is also considered one of the wealthiest Pakistani politicians, with a whopping net worth. Ishwar is from the Sindh province in Pakistan and is currently 42 years old.

While the exact net worth of Reeta Ishwar is not known, many media reports have said that her yearly income is around Rs 30 crore, making her one of the richest Hindus in Pakistan.

Pakistan’s richest Hindus

Reeta Ishwar is the second richest Hindu woman in Pakistan, while the number 1 spot has been reserved by an actress named Sangeeta. Sangeeta is a known veteran actress in Pakistan, and has a yearly income of Rs 39 crore, as per news reports.

Pakistan has a wide array of successful and wealthy Hindus. The richest Hindu in Pakistan is a fashion designer named Deepak Perwani, who is a multi-millionaire and leads a luxurious lifestyle. He has an annual income of around Rs 71 crore.

The second spot on the list has been secured by Deepak Perwani’s cousin brother Naveen Perwani, who is a professional snooker player and has an annual income of Rs 60 crore.

Source: dnaindia.com

https://www.dnaindia.com/business/report-meet-reeta-ishwar-pakistan-s-2nd-richest-hindu-woman-with-strong-political-career-her-net-worth-salary-3047764

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Iranian President’s Wife Calls Opportunities for Women “Violence"

JUNE 15, 2023

Even as President Ebrahim Raisi has continued his official visit to Latin America, the spotlight has shifted to his wife, JamilehAlamolhoda, who has stoked controversy with a recent interview on a Venezuelan television channel. Alamolhoda has provoked debate on several occasions in recent months because of her views on women’s rights and Iran’s nationwide protests.

During the interview, the daughter of Mashhad's hardline Friday prayer leader expressed her views on women's roles in society, condemning the idea of women studying, working, and living "like men,” calling it a form of violence against women.

"We believe women should embrace their femininity. Why should we strive to study, work, and live like men? This can be seen as a form of violence," she said on Wednesday.

Alamolhoda also attributed the events of the past nine months, referring to nationwide protests sparked by the death in police custody of Mahsa Amini, to the media and the United States, echoing sentiments expressed by other Islamic Republic officials.

Since Amini's death in September 2022, there has been an increase in the number of women appearing in public without a hijab, sparking nationwide protests demanding greater freedoms and women's rights.

Amini had been arrested for improperly wearing her headscarf. A number of other women, defying the hijab laws, were subsequently arrested or summoned by the authorities and several businesses faced closure due to non-compliance with hijab rules by owners or managers.

Alamolhoda in the interview also indirectly addressed  protesters who voiced criticism against Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Expressing her dismay, she questioned why protesters "disrespected our spiritual leader" and referred to him as a dictator in recent months.

Source: iranwire.com

https://iranwire.com/en/news/117569-iranian-presidents-wife-calls-opportunities-for-women-violence/

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Remembering the women in Iran hanged for their beliefs

THU, 15 JUN, 2023

June 18, 2023, will mark the 40th anniversary of the execution of 10 Bahá'í women in the city of Shiraz, Iran. These courageous women were hanged in a city square for their steadfast refusal to renounce their faith, which advocates principles such as gender equality—a value the Iranian authorities do not embrace.

In a cruel attempt to make them abandon their beliefs, the women were killed individually, with each being forced to witness the execution of the next woman. Among the victims was a 17-year-old (the last to ascend the gallows); the majority were in their 20s. A mother and daughter were hanged, one after the other.

In the late 1980s, RuhiJahanpour, a young Iranian woman and a cellmate of the 10 women, visited Cork. Her story of how the female prisoners suffered at the hands of the authorities was harrowing and greatly affected her audience.

Along with hundreds of others, Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í, Ruhi had also been sentenced to death, but through some error of administration, she was released. When the authorities realised their mistake and came to arrest her again some three days later, she had fled, eventually settling in Canada.

In 2012, Ruhi testified at the International Tribunal on Iran convened in the Hague. Her 2,000-word testimony outlined the days of beatings she and the other prisoners endured as government officers tried to force them to recant their beliefs. Their actual trials did not take long.

“We went before the judge who asked our name and then asked if we were Bahá’í,” she once told her local newspaper.

 In a frightening echo of the treatment meted out to Bahá’ís in Iran down through the decades, the women and men campaigning for equality and justice for Iranian women in 2023 are being offered the same “deal”. They are told that if they will publicly admit that they were wrong, recant their advocacy for equality and justice and sign an undertaking that they will “behave” themselves in future, they will be released from prison.

This underscores what has been obvious for so long; the historical and persistent oppression of women, and the denial of human rights in Iran, are not founded on any legal or judicial principles but rather stem from ideology. More recently, this repression has expanded to encompass ever larger numbers of ordinary Iranian citizens.

A global campaign is now being launched called #OurStoryIsOne to honour the executed women and to bring attention to the enduring struggle for gender equality experienced by all women in Iran for numerous decades, a struggle that persists to the present time.

Launching the campaign, SiminFahandej, Bahá'í International Community Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, connected the campaign with ongoing efforts for equality in Iran.

“More and more Iranians are uniting in a search for social justice,” she said.

"And they have focused on the equality of women and men as one of the most pressing challenges facing the country. We hope that together we can honour not only the 10 Bahá’í women of Shiraz, but all women across Iran who cherish the principle of the equality of women and men, and who have contributed to building a better future for the country through their perseverance in the face of oppression.”

If, on that fateful night in 1983, any of the 10 women had simply agreed to make such a promise, to sign that piece of paper, their lives would have been spared and they would have been freed.

When word spread about this distressing tragedy, human rights groups, governments, and ordinary citizens worldwide, including here in Ireland, were shocked and outraged. Approximately two years later, prompted by then minister for foreign affairs, Peter Barry, the Irish government made the decision to provide a welcoming haven in Ireland for 26 Bahá'ís who were escaping religious persecution in Iran.

The names of the 10 women hanged in Shiraz on June 18, 1983 were;

A public memorial event will take place at UCD on June 17 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the hanging execution of these 10 courageous and innocent women who sacrificed their lives for their beliefs (for additional details, see www.bahai.ie).

Martin Luther King once said that “there are some things so dear, some things so precious, some things so eternally true, that they are worth dying for.” Whether it is the 1980s or the early decades of a new millennium, there are people in Iran who believe that to be true.

Source: irishexaminer.com

https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/commentanalysis/arid-41162824.html

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URL:  https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/muslim-saabri-kathakali/d/130008

 

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