Basketball Helped Toronto’s Fitriya Mohamed Find Her 'True Self' Now She's Sharing It With Other Muslim Women
New
Age Islam News Bureau
15
January 2021
• Saudi
Arabia Hosts ‘Women In Industry 2020’ Conference
• Meet
The Saudi Military Engineers Breaking Gender Barriers
• Meet
Afifa Maryam, First Muslim Woman Neurosurgeon In India
• SBP
Wants Dedicated Desks For Women At Financial Institutions
• KP Passes
Bill To Protect Women From Domestic Violence
• Iranian
Government Submits ‘Violence Against Women’ Bill To Parliament
• Egypt's
Railways: Safe Travels For Women
Compiled
by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/basketball-helped-torontos-fitriya-mohamed/d/124078
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Basketball
Helped Toronto’s Fitriya Mohamed Find Her 'True Self' Now She's Sharing It With
Other Muslim Women
Toronto's
Fitriya Mohamed has launched a non-profit basketball league for Muslim women
and girls. (Luis Mora)
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Jan
14, 2021
When
Fitriya Mohamed played basketball in high school, she didn't see a lot of other
Muslim girls on the court. So when she graduated from university, she decided
to do something about it.
After
getting her degree in sports management last year, the Toronto woman launched
the Muslim Women's Summer Basketball Team, a non-profit dedicated to supporting
Muslim women and girls over 13 playing basketball in the Greater Toronto Area.
"Basketball
is where I discovered my true self in terms of my leadership abilities, my
confidence. There's just so much that basketball has taught me as an
individual," Mohamed, a former child refugee from Ethiopia, told As It
Happens host Carol Off.
"Through
my journey, I kind of knew that I wanted to start up something specifically for
Muslim women because I didn't see others that looked like me."
Mohamed
was just 10 when she arrived in Canada. Her family's resettlement was sponsored
by a Toronto church group, which included former As It Happens co-host Jeff
Douglas.
"When
I came from Ethiopia, the weather, everything, was, like, completely different.
And me learning, trying to learn the language, was absolutely hard," she
said.
"Just
trying to take part in different activities that the school offered was a way
for me to, I guess, adapt to the culture."
It
was through sport that she really found herself — after a push from a
no-nonsense gym teacher.
"She
didn't like the girls sitting on the bench. So she's like always, 'Go play.' If
you're in gym class, you have to play," Mohamed said.
"She
was like, 'What are you guys afraid of? You guys are all girls here.' Just
like, she was a joker."
It
was a far cry from her experience back in Ethiopoa, she said, where her male
cousins all play soccer, but the girls mostly watch on the sidelines.
After
that moment, there were no more sidelines for Mohamed. She became immersed in
sports.
And
her passion for playing only intensified in high school, where she met Coach
Greg Brohman, who she describes as a strong advocate for girls' sports.
"Every
sports teams he coached, I literally tried out just because he I feel like he
believed in me, and he didn't look at me differently," she said. "So,
yeah, give a shout out to my high school coach, for sure."
While
she excelled as an athlete in many sports, it was basketball that really struck
a chord.
"There's
so much that came out of it — like the sisterhood that we created with the
girls' team and just the other activities we got to take part in after
school," she said.
Mohamed's
burgeoning basketball career initially caused some tensions at home, she said.
Her mom didn't understand at first why she dedicated so much of her time to the
sport.
"She
wasn't supportive at the beginning.
Like, every day, I would say, 'I have basketball practice. I have this
practice.' [She'd be] Like, 'Wait, what is this going to do for you?'"
Mohamed said.
"Overall,
she wanted me to concentrate on my education."
Mohamed
did just that, but she also found a way to incorporate her passion into her schooling.
In 2019, she graduated with a bachelor's degree in sports management.
Her
mom, she says, has come around.
"She
finally accepted what I'm doing and the fact that I'm not on a bad track.
Rather, you know, I'm doing important things in the community," she said.
Now
Mohamed wants to make sure other Muslim girls have the same opportunities she
did, so she launched a non-profit with the goal of giving them a safe — and
free — space to get together and play.
She
says she's received feedback from parents who didn't know basketball was an
option for their daughters, from young women who'd faced barriers getting into
the sport, and even from women who played at the college level, but always felt
like outsiders on the court.
"The
response has been absolutely great," she said.
"Hearing
stuff like that is like, wow. It's impacting individuals that, you know, went
into playing basketball at the highest level, but still felt like they didn't
belong in the community because there wasn't a community that was actually
supporting them in terms of their Islamic identity."
Unfortunately,
the organization's first season was put on halt because of the pandemic.
"But
hopefully COVID kind of chills down so we can start it up and running,"
she said.
https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-thursday-edition-1.5873463/basketball-helped-her-find-her-true-self-now-she-s-sharing-it-with-other-muslim-women-1.5873507
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Saudi
Arabia Hosts ‘Women In Industry 2020’ Conference
Saudi
Rodina Maamoun, who employed 19 young women almost entirely replacing the men,
sells jewellery at a retail store in Riyadh's Hayat mall on February 19, 2020.
(AFP/File Photo)
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January
14, 2021
RIYADH:
Saudi Arabia hosted a conference aimed at encouraging the employment of more
women in the industrial sector.
As
part of its efforts to empower women in industry, the Saudi Authority for
Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON) staged the event under the
patronage of Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Al-Khorayef.
Titled
“Women in Industry 2020,” the Riyadh conference concluded with several
recommendations designed to achieve comprehensive and sustainable economic
development.
One
of the main outcomes agreed on by delegates was the need to urge industrial
enterprises to provide appropriate workplace environments for women and to
promote the economic contribution of women to the sector, in line with the
goals of the Saudi Vision 2030 reform plan.
Al-Khorayef
praised the Saudi leadership for taking the necessary steps toward ensuring
economic diversification away from dependence on oil.
MODON
officials called on partners in the public and private sectors to work to
empower women in the labor market and thanked the conference’s sponsors
including the Saudi Human Resources Development Fund (Hadaf) and a number of
national companies.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1792811/saudi-arabia
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Meet
The Saudi Military Engineers Breaking Gender Barriers
MUHAMMED
AL-SULAMI
January
15, 2021
RIYADH:
A group of over 100 Saudi women have overcome gender barriers and contributed
to the technological transformation of the Kingdom through their management of
the Advanced Electronic Company’s (AEC) military factory.
The team
has gained expertise in manufacturing roles that support areas of national
importance such as digital transformation, energy efficiency and the
localization of military industries.
They
work on many key projects with advanced military equipment and electronic
solutions such as assembling electronic components, operating complex machinery
essential to the manufacturing process, producing and testing advanced systems
such as laser optics, advanced screens, and optoelectronic devices.
After
being trained in military standards, the women also oversee the development of
technical presentations and cost analysis, as well as managing plant
performance to adhere to the AEC’s stringent quality control procedures.
“As
part of my role, I am responsible for supporting many of the manufacturing
activities in the factory,” Shaza Khamis, a manufacturing engineer, told Arab
News. “By applying time-study and work-measurement methods, I was able to
implement efficient waste-free manufacturing techniques.”
Her
colleague Lana Owaidah, a manufacturing engineer, told Arab News that the women
share a wonderful team spirit and feel that they contribute something important
to the country.
“I
participate in setting up and operating the machines and processes, as well as
adjusting the design of manufacturing tools and fixtures on the production
line,” she said.
She
added that everyone on the team is proud of their work and strives to provide
their best efforts to the company and the Kingdom.
Ghadir
Bin Jamaan, a production officer, said the factory’s success can be attributed
to the employees’ desire to work according to the highest international
standards.
“My
role is to supervise the control of production cells and ensure that the team
has the skills necessary to perform each task accurately according to the
designs and technical specifications provided,” she told Arab News.
She
said that she notices a strong sense of shared responsibility among the team.
“Each team member has unique skills to add to the production line, and it is
great to see everyone working together to achieve impressive results.”
Reem
Malak, the configuration management specialist at the factory, said that they
are proud to show the world that Saudi female engineers can contribute to
manufacturing and production processes alongside their male colleagues.
“I am
grateful to the AEC for all the support and training that I have received, as
well as the opportunity that I have had to do this important work and
contribute to a more energy-efficient future for the country and its people,”
she added.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1792941/saudi-arabia
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Meet
Afifa Maryam, First Muslim Woman Neurosurgeon In India
By
Nihad Amani
13th
January 2021
Hyderabad:
Success comes to those who believe in hard work and perseverance. This proved
true in the case of Maryam Afifa, who always aspired to be a doctor. She is all
set to become the first Muslim female neurosurgeon in India.
Maryam
had received her primary education in an Urdu medium school from Malagao and is
a gold medalist in her 10th standard in Princess Durru Shevar Girls High
School, Hyderabad.
With
no looking back, Maryam’s dream to become a doctor escalated from then on. She
attained state rank in intermediate with 97 per cent and then cracked the state-level
medical entrance exam–EAMCET, securing 99th rank.
“White
coat, stethoscope from the elevation from Miss. Afifa to Dr. Afifa Maryam was
all that I always wished for. I worked hard for this,” she beams.
27-year-old
Afifa who studied at Osmania Medical College is one of the youngest to hold the
highest surgical degree in India.
Apart
from holding the most-sought after degree, Maryam also excels in painting,
calligraphy and is well versed with Islamic teachings.
“I am
very proud of her,” Maryam’s mother says. A single parent and a well-learned
Alema (Islamic teacher), Maryam’s mother is her biggest strength.
https://www.siasat.com/meet-afifa-maryam-first-muslim-woman-neurosurgeon-in-india-2066579/
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SBP
Wants Dedicated Desks For Women At Financial Institutions
Shahid
Iqbal
January
15, 2021
KARACHI:
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has asked financial institutions to place
dedicated desks to boost women customers and entrepreneurs’ trust in the
banking system.
Unveiling
a policy proposal titled ‘Equality policy: reducing the gender gap in financial
inclusion draft’, the SBP noted that banks are unable to facilitate women
customers and recommended gender diversity training for staff at all customer
points.
The
draft policy includes feedback from selected national and international
stakeholders including the Pakistan Banks’ Association, International Monetary
Fund, World Bank, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, International Finance
Corporation, Asian Development Bank (ADB), USAID, Better Than Cash Alliance
(BTCA), Karandaaz and other international organisations.
The
policy note recommends financial institutions to place 15 per cent women
‘Champions’ at touch points in one year and 75pc women champions within three
years at all touch points. The SBP said that it is important that needs of
women customers are met with careful attention and towards this end, having
gender diversity trained staff as champions at all customer touch points can
improve women’s trust and confidence in financial institutions.
In
this regard, the ADB’s Tool Kit on Gender Equality recommends women’s desks at
banks to boost economic empowerment as seen in Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, said
the SBP. The move will help women customers and entrepreneurs get access to
credit and savings products and non-financial advisory services from a
dedicated contact point at banks.
“Financial
institutions will be advised to ensure presence of women champions at all
customer touch points at financial institutions, such as bank branches, call
centers and alternate delivery channels which will aid women’s adoption of
conventional and digital financial services,” said the SBP.
A
bank representative, who has undergone gender sensitivity training can share
details of current SBP and government schemes for women and serve as women
champion.
“The
financial institutions will place women champions in all of its branches in
next 18 months staffed by existing human resources that have undergone gender
sensitivity training,” said the SBP.
A
Policy Forum on Gender and Finance will be established to discuss opportunities
and challenges in women’s financial inclusion and review the existing policy
framework for improvements, said the SBP.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1601564
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KP
Passes Bill To Protect Women From Domestic Violence
Aisha
Mahmood
15
Jan 2021
Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa (KP) passed on Friday the first-ever bill to curb the menace of
domestic violence against women.
KP is
the only province in the country that does not have a domestic violence law. It
is a criminal offence in Sindh, Punjab, and Balochistan.
The
bill was passed by Provincial Minister for Social Welfare Dr. Hisham Inamullah.
As per the bill, the definition of domestic violence is: The violence committed
by the complainee (accused) against the complaint (victim) with whom the
complainee is in a domestic relationship.
Under
the bill, the government will form District Protection Committees at each
district to ensure the protection of the women.
These
committees will be bound to provide all reasonable assistance to the victim of
domestic violence. They will be responsible for telling people about their
legal rights, assist survivors in seeking medical treatment and relocating
victim to a safer place. The committees are also bound to hold a meeting at least
once a month.
Under
this bill, the violator will be liable to imprisonment for a period not less
than one year and up to a maximum of five years. The violator will also be
slapped with a fine 'provided for the said offence in the Pakistan Penal Code'.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40051925
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Iranian
Government Submits ‘Violence Against Women’ Bill To Parliament
January
15, 2021
The
bill titled, Protection, Dignity, and Security of Women against Violence, had
been under review since September 2019. It criminalizes any act or behavior
that causes “physical or mental harm” to women “as a vulnerable gender”.
In
line with principles and goals of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Constitution
and in order to protect the dignity and security of women against kinds of
violent behaviors, the bill has been submitted to the parliament, IRNA quoted
Vice President for Parliamentary Affairs, Hossein-Ali Amiri, as saying on
Thursday.
It
recommends a fund for safeguarding women’s rights with provisions for providing
medical expenses of the victims of violence, and imparting skill development
training to them, he explained.
Special
support for women
Vice
President Masoumeh Ebtekar said in October 2020 that the government has taken
major steps for the advancement of women and families in Iran. “Through an
inter-sectoral process, we developed national indicators for gender equity,
which laid the ground for the first result based Plan for Women and Family
Advancement in 31 provinces and we recently launched the dashboard for
monitoring indicators on gender equity and family prosperity.”
Meanwhile,
the national budget bill for the next [Iranian calendar] year (March 2021-March
2022) has been prepared in a way to support and pay special attention to women,
especially female heads of households, rural women, and artisans.
Ebtekar
noted that the budget for women’s and family affairs has increased by 33
percent, reaching up to 320 billion rials (nearly $7.6 million), with remarks
suggesting special support for women.
She
went on to highlight that the family is the cornerstone of human development,
through the National Family Dialogue scheme. “We have taken an initiative to
empower civil society in dialogue skills to enable family and social
cohesiveness. The International Center for Family Dialogue has been recently
launched in Tehran.”
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/456994/Iranian-government-submits-violence-against-women-bill-to-parliament
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Egypt's
Railways: Safe Travels For Women
Reem
Leila
15
Jan 2021
The
National Council for Women (NCW) along with Egypt National Railways (ENR) and
the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) put their hands
together to make Egypt’s railway network safer for female passengers. The trio
agreed to launch an awareness campaign against sexual harassment on public
transport in particular and violence against women in general.
Safaa
Habib, NCW’s political coordinator, told Al-Ahram Weekly that the Al-Sekka Aman
(Railway is Safe) campaign includes billboards and promotional videos on social
media platforms that will be used on the busiest train routes. “The campaign
which has already started is assigning volunteers who will inform the public
about the campaign and its goals. In addition, passengers will be informed via
different social media platforms on how to contribute to a more open dialogue
about safe transport in Egypt,” Habib said.
According
to Habib, the ENR has set up hotline 15047 and -Shakawa@enr.gov.eg to report
any harassment incident against females while travelling via the railway
network. The hotline is connected to the railways police officers who will
receive the report and take the necessary legal action against the harasser.
“The campaign also informs women how to report any harassment incident and
follow up on it. Until now 11 posters have been distributed to railway
passengers and employees raising their awareness about gender equality as well
as the legal consequences of sexual harassment,” Habib said.
Habib
pointed out that the campaign educates a wide range of citizens with a variety
of social and economic backgrounds on the campaign’s messages which contributes
to spreading awareness of women’s issues. “The NCW has excellent experience in
a previous media campaign which took place in the underground metro where it
increased people’s awareness about family planning issues, sexual harassment,
the harm done from early marriage and participation in work.”
ENR
is the second oldest railway company in the world and is considered one of the
major daily transportation means for passengers in Egypt, with about 1.2
million passenger journeys per day. By improving safety on trains and
platforms, ENR Chairman Ashraf Raslan expects the number of women travelling on
its network to increase from 16.8 per cent in 2015 to 19.8 per cent in 2022.
According
to a press release, EBRD has donated more than €400 million to strengthen
safety and security on public transport and to promote gender equality by
renewing its ageing fleet and improving the safety and quality of railway
passenger services.
Hoda
Gado, an employee at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, noted that the campaign
is an excellent initiative “during these difficult days. This will encourage me
to travel more often by train to my parents instead of by car. I have to travel
almost every day to check on my parents in Banha,” Gado said.
Mona
Ahmed, a university student who lives in Alexandria and commutes to Cairo to
attend her classes, said she had heard about the campaign from her friends.
“Though I never had a problem with travelling by train and I never experienced
any sexual harassment while travelling, I believe it is a good step towards the
protection of women against any violation of their rights and privacy,” Ahmed
said.
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/50/1201/398700/AlAhram-Weekly/Egypt/Egypts-railways-Safe-travels-for-women.aspx
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