Former Iranian Wrestling Champion, Masome Soleymani, Faces New Court Summons
New Age Islam News Bureau
10 October2025
· Former Iranian Wrestling Champion, MasomeSoleymani, Faces New Court Summons
· Iran Moves Female Political Prisoners From Qarchak Back to Evin Prison
· 'Saiyaara' Actress AneetPadda Accused Of Hurting Muslim Sentiments But Netizens Defend Her Saying, 'It's Just A Poetry'
· EC Says Anganwadi Workers To Help Verify Identity Of Burqa-Clad Voters At Polling Stations In Bihar
· Nurul Izzah Demands Action Over Freedom Flotilla Interception
· Saudi Arabia’s Female Authors In The Spotlight At Riyadh International Book Fair
· How Women in Afghanistan Struggle for Life and Health
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/former-iranian-wrestling-champion-court/d/137183
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Former Iranian Wrestling Champion, MasomeSoleymani, Faces New Court Summons
OCTOBER 10, 2025
Soleymani posted an image of the summons on Instagram, which showed that she must appear on October 14 at a Revolutionary Court branch in Khorramabad
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Former Iranian women's wrestling champion MasomeSoleymani said she has been summoned to appear before the Revolutionary Court.
Soleymani posted an image of the summons on Instagram, which showed that she must appear on October 14 at a Revolutionary Court branch in Khorramabad.
She is accused of engaging in “propaganda activity against the Islamic Republic on the internet.”
In May, Soleymani posted a video saying that she had been summoned again to Branch 8 of the Khorramabad Prosecutor's Office.
She described herself as a world wrestling medalist and the mother of a 10-month-old child.
Soleymani said she has faced repeated threats, arrests, interrogations, fines, and deprivation of sports and social rights.
She won a bronze medal at the 2010 World Wrestling Championships and is also an international wrestling referee.
Source: iranwire.com
https://iranwire.com/en/women/145463-former-iranian-wrestling-champion-faces-new-court-summons/
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Iran Moves Female Political Prisoners From Qarchak Back to Evin Prison
OCTOBER 9, 2025
Conditions at Qarchak Prison have deteriorated despite years of warnings from prisoners and civil activists.
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Iranian authorities have transferred female political prisoners from Qarchak Prison back to Evin Prison’s Ward 6 after weeks of protests over conditions at the detention center, former prisoners and activists said.
Elahe Mohammadi, a journalist and former political prisoner, and Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee, a women’s rights activist, announced the transfer on social media platform X.
“Female political prisoners have finally been returned from Qarchak Prison to Evin, to Ward 6, not the women’s ward,” Mohammadi wrote.
She added, “Prisoners endure tremendous psychological pressure with every transfer and lose whatever minimal peace they had.”
The prisoners were moved to Qarchak’s quarantine ward following an Israeli attack on Evin Prison which killed dozens of prisoners.
The transfer was accompanied by threats and intimidation, according to activists.
Conditions at Qarchak Prison have deteriorated despite years of warnings from prisoners and civil activists.
The prison, which previously was a burial site and cattle farm, is Iran’s only all-women prison.
A source familiar with conditions at Qarchak told IranWire the prison suffers from severe shortages of sanitary facilities, clean drinking water, medication, and proper ventilation.
“Qarchak didn’t have suitable conditions from the beginning, but now with repeated water and electricity outages and unbearable heat, it has turned into hell,” the source said.
Prison officials have severely restricted non-political prisoners’ communication with others to prevent information about conditions from spreading, according to the source.
Source: iranwire.com
https://iranwire.com/en/women/145445-iran-moves-female-political-prisoners-from-qarchak-back-to-evin-prison/
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'Saiyaara' Actress AneetPadda Accused Of Hurting Muslim Sentiments But Netizens Defend Her Saying, 'It's Just A Poetry'
Oct 10, 2025
AneetPadda, who shot to fame earlier this year with the success of 'Saiyaara' along with AhaanPanday, has recently found herself at the centre of controversy after an old video of hers resurfaced online. Aneet has become the talk of the town ever since the release of her movie and has already found a huge fan following. This old clip of hers during the shoot of 'Big Girls Don't Cry' which quickly went viral, has divided social media users, with some criticising her and others rushing to defend her and clarifying with facts.
In the video, the 'Saiyaara' star can be seen singing the popular Urdu poem ‘Lab PeAati Hai Dua’ in a melodic, song-like manner and also grooving to it, enjoying it. While some viewers found it harmless, others felt it was disrespectful. A section of users accused Aneet of hurting Muslim sentiments, calling her out for allegedly ‘mocking’ a religious recitation.
One user commented, “Duniya meingaanekampadhrahe the kya jo naatpenaachgaaraheho?” while another wrote, “This is very bad. Shame on her.” A third person added, “Lagtahai is ko is ki meaning nhipata …..issiliye y aisakarrahihai.”
However, not everyone agreed with the backlash. Many of Aneet’s fans came forward to defend her intentions. “She is not making fun of Muslim naat. What @aneetpadda_ and her friend are making fun of is called bachekidua by Muhammad Iqbal. It’s a form of poetic dua/prayer. It’s recited in schools mostly,” one fan clarified. Another urged calm, writing, “Don’t Be Misguided Guys No Hate For Her ❤️.” A third echoed the sentiment, asking, “Mazak kahanudaya? Can’t she have fun?” A person commented, "This is just poetry"
Before 'Saiyaara', Aneet made her Bollywood debut in 2022 with 'Salaam Venky', directed by Revathi and starring Kajol. Although her role was brief, it earned her praise for her performance. She later appeared as Roohi Ahuja in the 2024 Amazon Prime series Big Girls Don’t Cry, further establishing herself as a promising new face in the industry.
Source: indiatimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/saiyaara-actress-aneet-padda-accused-of-hurting-muslim-sentiments-as-old-video-goes-viral-but-netizens-clarify-defend-her-saying-its-just-a-poetry/articleshow/124442738.cms
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EC says Anganwadi workers to help verify identity of burqa-clad voters at polling stations in Bihar
10 Oct 2025
NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Friday said special arrangements will be made at polling stations in Bihar for "dignified" identification of women voters in burqa or purdah.
In a statement, the poll authority said to encourage participation of 'purdanasheen' (in burqa or purdah) women, "special arrangements" will be made at the polling stations as per its instructions for their "dignified identification" in the presence of lady polling officers or attendants while ensuring their privacy.
Addressing a press conference here on Monday to announce schedule for Bihar elections, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar had said Aanganwadi workers will be present at all polling booths in Bihar to help verify the identity of burqa-clad voters.
Responding to a question about 'ghungat' and burqa clad women during a press conference, Kumar said there are clear guidelines of the Election Commission about the verification of identity inside polling booths and they will be strictly followed.
"Our anganwadi workers will be deployed at all polling booths for verifying the identity of burqa-clad women. The guidelines of the commission are very clear about this -- that how identity is verified inside a polling station and they will be strictly followed," he said.
On Thursday, the poll authority had said up to 90,712 Anganwadi Sevikas will be deployed on poll duty.
Bihar BJP president Dilip Jaiswal had on Saturday last urged the Commission to ensure that faces of women turning up at booths in burqas were tallied with voter cards.
The elections for 243 assembly constituencies in Bihar will be held in two phases -- November 6 and 11 -- while the counting of votes will be on November 14.
Source: newindianexpress.com
https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/Oct/10/ec-says-anganwadi-workers-to-help-verify-identity-of-burqa-clad-voters-at-polling-stations-in-bihar
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Nurul Izzah Demands Action Over Freedom Flotilla Interception
theSun Local
2025-10-10
KUALA LUMPUR: PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar has demanded accountability for what she described as the illegal interception of the Freedom Flotilla and called for a permanent end to the siege on Gaza.
She stated that while the release of nine Malaysian humanitarian activists was a relief, it did not absolve the crimes committed by Israeli forces.
“Their detention is part of a systematic campaign of brutal aggression by Israeli forces in international waters, which stands among the most egregious violations of maritime law,” she said in a statement today.
Nurul Izzah said the interception formed part of an escalating pattern of aggression, pointing to the illegal seizure of humanitarian vessels including the cargo ship Annie in June.
She added that the attacks continued in July with the violent seizure of the lead ship Handala, which had departed from Syracuse, Italy, carrying activists, medics, lawyers, journalists and humanitarian supplies.
“This crime leaves no doubt: we are witnessing a regime that operates with utter impunity, defying international courts, violating maritime law, and collectively punishing a civilian population,” she said.
Nurul Izzah said the assault was carried out in defiance of international legal institutions, including preliminary rulings by the International Court of Justice and findings by the United Nations on the plausibility of genocidal acts in Gaza.
“To attack a humanitarian flotilla in this context is to spit in the face of international law and the institutions designed to uphold it,” she said, adding that the act violated the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the principle of freedom of navigation.
She described the attack as piracy intrinsically linked to the ongoing and illegal blockade of Gaza, reiterating reports by Amnesty International and other rights groups that accused Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war.
“The Flotilla’s mission was a direct challenge to this blockade, a blockade the ICJ has ordered must be lifted to allow aid to reach a population facing famine,” she said.
Nurul Izzah also condemned recent Israeli strikes that killed over 50 Palestinians just hours after a ceasefire announcement, saying this proved that the regime’s contempt for peace and international law continues unabated.
She praised the bravery of the Malaysian delegates, including Prof Emeritus Dr Mohd Alauddin Mohd Ali, Dr Fauziah Hassan, Dr Hafiz Sulaiman, Dr Ili SyakiraMohdSuhaimi, Prof Dr MohdAfandiSalleh and their colleagues, whose mission was coordinated by Humanitarian Care Malaysia (MyCARE).
Nurul Izzah said while Malaysia’s diplomatic efforts helped secure their release, global attention must now move beyond individual detentions to addressing the systemic injustices that sustain the siege on Gaza.
In total, about 150 volunteers from 25 countries took part in the mission, with MyCARE leading the Malaysian delegation.
Eight Malaysians onboard the Conscience are Malaysian delegation chief Prof Emeritus Dr Mohd Alauddin, Dr FauziahMohd Hassan, Dr Hafiz Sulaiman, Dr Ili SyakiraMohdSuhaimi, Prof Dr MohdAfandiSalleh, Dr Noorhasyimah Ismail, Norsham Abu Bakar and Astro Awani journalist SyafikShukri Abdul Jalil, while another medical doctor, Dr Maziah Muhammad was onboard the Umm Saad. – Bernama
Source: thesun.my
https://thesun.my/malaysia-news/nurul-izzah-demands-action-over-freedom-flotilla-interception-KC15065582#google_vignette
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Saudi Arabia’s Female Authors In The Spotlight At Riyadh International Book Fair
RAHAF JAMBI
October 09, 2025
RIYADH: There was a focus on Saudi Arabia’s female authors at the Riyadh International Book Fair 2025, highlighting their creativity and presence as part of the Kingdom’s growing literary scene.
Among the writers sharing their latest works and the stories behind them was Maha Al-Rasheed whose new book, “Stories of My City,” explores life in urban spaces where old streets meet modern life.
“The stories hide in the corners of the city,” she writes, taking readers on a nostalgic journey through time, blending emotion, memory and place.
Al-Rasheed spent around 18 months writing the book, describing it as “a tribute to the cities that shape us as much as we shape them.”
Another fantasy author Arab News met at the book fair was Najah Salama. Her fifth book, “Quoot: The Jewelry Collector,” has been published in Arabic and takes readers through a captivating fantasy world. With mermaid and demons, and each character shrouded in its own mysteries, her work is inspired by a blend of Pirates of the Caribbean and mermaid lore.
“This story is a journey into a sea fantasy where demons and mermaids intertwine with pirates, and characters from the future travel back to the past,” said Salama.
Presenting her debut collection, “In the Depth of Our Minds,” a mix of poetry and short texts exploring emotional and psychological challenges in today’s frenetic world, was Munira Al-Eidan.
“This book is the result of three years of writing and reflection,” she said. Al-Eidan’s work focuses on resilience, vulnerability and self-discovery, offering readers a look into the complex emotions people experience but rarely express.
This year’s fair included dedicated platforms for male and female authors, where visitors could meet different writers.
Book fairs continue to play a vital role in supporting new authors, and many writers see them as an opportunity to reach more readers, introduce their ideas and gain valuable feedback.
Among them was Amal Hamdan, who launched her first book, “Amal’s Impression,” in Arabic. She appreciated the chance to talk about her work, highlighting four years of experience as a journalist and cultural writer, with readers.
She hopes to inspire young Saudis to bring their literary or artistic talents to life and contribute to the Kingdom’s cultural scene and said publishing her first book was a dream come true.
The Riyadh International Book Fair is organized by the Literature, Publishing & Translation Commission of the Saudi Ministry of Culture.
The 10-day event, which ends on Saturday, is being held at Princess Noura Bint Abdulrahman University. This year’s guest of honor is Uzbekistan.
Source: arabnews.com
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2618360/saudi-arabia
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How Women in Afghanistan Struggle for Life and Health
October 10, 2025
The recent earthquake in Afghanistan has laid bare the country’s worsening women’s health crisis and demonstrated how restrictive Taliban laws and collapsed infrastructure left women without access to life-saving medical care.
With mobility bans, shortages of women clinicians, and rules preventing men from treating women, the disaster has turned existing inequities into life-threatening barriers across an already fragile health system.
All-male rescue teams could not assist women because Taliban rules prohibit physical contact between genders. Consequently, many women survivors remained trapped and untreated.
Women are also unable to travel alone and must be escorted by a male relative to the clinic, which delays urgent care. Once there, the shortage of women clinicians and restrictions on men physicians treating women further limit access.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that only 10% of medical staff in quake-affected areas are women, primarily midwives and nurses.
The disaster struck an already fragile health system with poor infrastructure, few resources, and heavy dependence on international aid.
According to Alexandre Marcou, Communication Manager, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), nearly 400 clinics in Afghanistan have closed or suspended operations since the US’s funding cuts.
Speaking with El MédicoInteractivo, a Medscape Network platform, he said, “The health system is nearly collapsed. Pediatric emergencies have more than doubled — from 53,000 in 2020 to 122,000 in 2024.” He noted that MSF-supported hospitals were the only functional facilities in several provinces.
“Conditions differ widely across provinces. In some regions, the economic crisis is severe, and access to healthcare is extremely limited. The situation is better in cities such as Kabul and Herat. However, the ongoing economic collapse makes it difficult for many to afford travel, medical care, and basic medicines. We often see patients arriving in a critical condition because of the long distances they must travel, lack of resources, or limited health awareness that delays care,” Marcou said.
Maternal Crisis
According to the UN Women’s Afghanistan Gender Index 2024, 78% of young Afghan women are excluded from education, employment, and professional training. Girls older than 12 years cannot attend school, and women are barred from higher education, including medical education.
The shortage of women healthcare workers is already limiting access to care, particularly because men and women are segregated in hospital wards. The MSF warned that current restrictions further reduce access to quality care and threaten service availability in the future.
“There is no healthcare system without trained women health professionals,” said Mickael Le Paih, country representative, MSF, Afghanistan. “If girls cannot attend secondary school and women are barred from university or medical college, where will the next generation of health professionals come from, and who will care for women in Afghanistan when they are most vulnerable?”
The ban on employment outside the home prevents women from working in key sectors such as health, education, media, government, and humanitarian organizations in Afghanistan. Only a limited number of women may work in healthcare or primary education, and even then, under strict restrictions.
In Kabul and larger cities in Afghanistan, a small number of women doctors, nurses, and midwives care for women and girls only when men cannot fulfill those roles. They are prohibited from interacting with male colleagues, which hinders coordination and reduces the quality of care.
In rural areas, women doctors are extremely scarce and must follow the same mobility rules as their patients — they require a mahram, a man relative such as a father, husband, or brother.
These restrictions create unavoidable health risks for pregnant women. Women traveling alone may be detained or delayed at police checkpoints, thereby preventing them from attending medical appointments.
The situation is worse for those with children, older adults, or dependents, as accompaniment is required. The purchase of medicine depends on the guardian’s approval.
These rules also limit evacuation and protection during emergencies, natural disasters, and armed conflicts. If a guardian dies, the woman is left unprotected and exposed to disease, violence, and neglect.
Barriers to Care
A study published in BMC Public Health identified the major barriers women in Afghanistan face when accessing healthcare. These include the need for family approval, accompaniment by a man relative, residence in rural areas, and economic hardship. The study also found that education, empowerment, and socioeconomic status determine access to health care.
Women from marginalized groups face the greatest challenges. Approximately 55% of women with higher education reported some barriers compared with 91% of those without. Similarly, 87% of women with decision-making power encountered obstacles vs 91% without such authority. Only 9% of the women who owned land reported no problems accessing care compared with 12% of those without land ownership.
“In some families and regions, women have very limited financial autonomy and cannot independently decide when and where to seek healthcare,” said Marcou.
Medical services in Afghanistan are limited, and accessing specialized care is even more difficult. Male doctors cannot provide obstetric or gynecologic care, and the shortage of women professionals restricts prenatal care and safe deliveries. Many women experiencing miscarriages or seeking abortion care lack timely treatment, and the number of unplanned pregnancies is increasing because of limited contraception, sex education, and family planning services.
This shortage has worsened the country’s maternal health crisis.
A recent UN Women report estimated that by 2026, a woman’s chance of dying during childbirth will increase by 50%.
The lack of women healthcare workers also hampers childhood vaccination and the treatment of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses, leaving many without essential care.
Nearly 12,000 pregnant women were at extreme risk following the earthquake because of insufficient services and a scarcity of women’s healthcare workers. The disaster has intensified the maternal health crisis in a country that already has the highest maternal and infant mortality rates in Asia and is among the highest in the world.
After the earthquake, strict “morality” rules blocked all-male rescue teams from reaching women trapped under the rubble.
Women’s humanitarian workers have been banned from providing aid. The UN condemned the Taliban’s restrictions, and the WHO called for lifting mobility rules to allow women healthcare workers to respond to urgent needs.
The WHO estimates that only 10% of medical staff in the affected areas are women, mostly nurses and midwives, rather than doctors trained to treat serious injuries. The remaining few professionals struggle to manage the influx of survivors.
Women and girls accounted for most earthquake victims, but only 42% of hospital admissions were women compared with 58% men.
According to UN agencies and the WHO, the earthquake killed more than 2200 people — half of them children — and injured over 3600.
Humanitarian Fallout
Afghan refugees and returnees are among the most severely affected. Many have recently returned after being deported from neighboring countries such as Iran and Pakistan. Earthquakes and extreme winter conditions leave them highly vulnerable, increasing their disease risk and limiting their access to medical and humanitarian aid.
The WHO reports cases of acute watery diarrhea, dengue fever, measles, and malaria in the affected regions. More than 90% of communities lack adequate sanitation, which increases the risk for cholera outbreaks.
The WHO has warned of a “second wound” in Afghanistan: a mental health crisis affecting families who have lost everything, with women and children being the most affected. They face grief, anxiety, insomnia, and acute stress, while a shortage of mental health professionals limits care.
A UN Women survey conducted before the earthquake found that 68% of women rated their mental health as “poor” or “very poor,” and 8% knew another woman or girl who had attempted suicide.
Restrictions on women, including bans on education, work, free movement, dress, sports, and media exposure, along with forced marriages and gender-based violence, further worsen their mental health. Combined with conflict, disasters, and humanitarian crises, these factors have long-term consequences for Afghan society across generations.
Change requires a multilevel approach: political pressure on the Taliban, humanitarian aid involving women’s healthcare staff, the training and education of women professionals, and empowerment within society.
As in chess, protecting the queen — women and girls — safeguards not only their health and rights but also the future of Afghanistan. If the queen falls, the entire system is at risk; their protection is a strategic move for survival, resilience, and social well-being.
Source: medscape.com
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/how-women-afghanistan-struggle-life-and-health-2025a1000rbu?form=fpf
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/former-iranian-wrestling-champion-court/d/137183