Hijab Allowed, Burqa Banned At Mumbai Goregoan Junior College
New Age Islam News Bureau
02 December 2025
· Hijab Allowed, Burqa Banned At Mumbai Goregoan Junior College
· France Rejects Proposal To Ban Hijab For Girls Under 18 In Public
· UK Police Force Works With Local University To Develop A Safety Compliant Hijab
· Iranian Woman Faces Security Charges For Social Media Activity
· Princess Reema’s 10KSA Gears Up For Cancer Awareness Day
· India’s Missile Woman Dr Tessy Thomas Honoured With Eighth Paulos Mar Gregorios Award
· Iran's Parliament Speaker Hails Women’s Role In Family, Society, National Progress
· Leaked Hijab Directive From Supreme Leader Reignites Tehran Tensions
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/burqa-banned-burqa-mumbai-hijab/d/137859
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Hijab Allowed, Burqa Banned At Mumbai Goregoan Junior College
02 December,2025
Vivek Vidyalaya and Junior College in Goregaon. Pic/Aditi Alurkar
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Slippers, crop tops, ripped jeans, or short dresses are commonly banned in Mumbai colleges. But Vivek Vidyalaya Junior College in Goregaon has surprised students by banning burqas in classrooms, even though the attire had been allowed for years.
A code of conduct sent to students stated that any appropriate Indian or Western outfit is allowed, but “clothing that reveals religion or shows cultural disparity is prohibited.” Burqas, niqabs, emblems, or religious signs must be removed before class, though hijabs or headscarves are permitted.
Several girls said they now enter campus wearing a burqa, change in the washroom before class, and switch back afterward. “It’s about habit more than anything,” an FYJC student said. “I have grown up wearing a burqa. Now, it feels odd to sit in class without one.”
The rule applies only to the junior college; the senior college has no such restriction. Students who questioned the decision were told to cancel admission. On December 1, a few students, along with Jahanara Shaikh, an advocate from All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), approached the Teen Dongri police station in Goregaon West, where the principal was also called.
“We haven’t filed a complaint or taken any legal step as of now. Today, we requested the principal to repeal the decision, but she refused and said she would talk to the college management. We are scheduled to speak with the authorities again in two days,” she added. mid-day tried to reach Principal Sheeja Menon, who said, “Our lawyers will look into it,” and shared no further comment.
Source: mid-day.com
https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-hijab-allowed-burqa-banned-at-goregoan-junior-college-23605815
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France Rejects Proposal to Ban Hijab for Girls Under 18 in Public
2 December 2025
France’s Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez rejected on Sunday a new proposal that would ban girls under 18 from wearing the Muslim headscarf (hijab) in public.
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AhlulBayt News Agency: France’s Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez rejected on Sunday a new proposal that would ban girls under 18 from wearing the Muslim headscarf (hijab) in public.
The proposal was presented to parliament by Laurent Wauquiez, leader of the Les Républicains (LR) party in the National Assembly.
Nuñez warned that such a ban could be “stigmatizing” for young Muslim girls and their families. He told BFMTV that the measure “may feel hurtful” to Muslim citizens and added, “I am not in favor of it in this way''. Nuñez, a former Paris police chief, became interior minister in October, replacing hardline minister Bruno Retailleau.
The debate around the hijab has regained prominence in France as the far right gains political and social influence and discussions about secularism and religious symbols intensify. France has one of Europe’s largest Muslim communities, and the issue repeatedly sparks political tension.
The proposal from LR is part of a wider push by conservatives. A recent LR report in the Senate even suggested banning Ramadan fasting for children under 16. This idea immediately triggered criticism and fears of overreach.
Earlier this year, President Emmanuel Macron’s Renaissance party also proposed banning the veil for children under 15 in public spaces.
France’s current laws already forbid civil servants, teachers, and public school students from wearing visible religious symbols, including the Christian cross, Jewish kippa, Sikh turban, and Muslim hijab, inside government buildings and public schools.
Many critics say that France’s repeated attempts to restrict the hijab, burkini, and other Muslim dress codes contribute to growing Islamophobia.
Source: en.abna24.com
https://en.abna24.com/news/1756683/France-Rejects-Proposal-to-Ban-Hijab-for-Girls-Under-18-in-Public
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UK Police Force Works With Local University To Develop A Safety Compliant Hijab
02/12/2025
A ground-breaking quick-release hijab for female police on the front line has gone into production with orders coming in from around the country.
The innovative design features an innovative magnetic quick-release system that allows the lower section to detach instantly if pulled during a confrontation, preventing the risk of strangulation while maintaining modesty and professional appearance.
The Blue Light Hijab®, created by Leicestershire Police in partnership with designers at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) has been getting interest not only from other police forces but emergency services organisations, paramedics, the NHS and private sector for general workwear.
Chief Constable of Leicestershire Police David Sandall said the Blue Light Hijab® set a new standard for uniform innovation.
Mr Sandall, who visited DMU to meet the design team, said: “It is going to make a real difference not only to our officers but there are so many workspaces where this could be applied.
“It is an incredible achievement, and the design is deceptively simple – it’s not until you speak to the team involved that you realise how many wearer trials, combat trials and design iterations it has gone through.
“Creating a uniform that works for everyone makes us a better, more representative and more inclusive force. This hijab is the result of years of collaboration, testing and expert design, and we’re incredibly proud that it has now gone into production. The work with DMU has been exceptional and will make a real difference to Muslim women who want to serve their communities.”
Hijabs wrap around the head and neck of the wearer but leave the face clear. Working closely with serving Muslim officers, the design team went through multiple rounds of wear trials, safety testing, materials analysis and user feedback before finalising the approved design.
The Blue Light Hijab® is the brainchild of Detective Sergeant Yassin Desai who first came up with the idea 20 years ago. Over the years he has been trying to find a manufacturer and looked at designs from forces around the world, which were not suitable, before teaming up with DMU’s Dr Angela Davies and technician Kay Radford in 2022.
He approached the team for help because there was no approved consistent design for female officers that ticked all the boxes for fit, comfort, modesty for religious purposes and safety.
DS Desai, who is the founder of Leicestershire Police Association of Muslim Police (AMP) and sits on the national organisation, said: “It’s actually taken years to develop properly. We completed the combat trials at Enderby with female officers wearing it and it held up. The bottom part was able to detach and the officer was able to keep her dignity.
“No one else has been able to make these, only DMU. For the first time ever, DMU has set up manufacturing in the UK for this. It’s amazing to think after three years of research and development, we have got the design of this right, and we’re taking it forward together. It’s a great product, it’s safe and protects Muslim women’s dignity.”
New Student Officers, PC's Hafsah Abba-Gana and Seher Nas, have both recently joined Leicestershire Police and welcome the introduction of the newly designed hijab. PC Abba-Gana said: "It is reassuring to know that my faith and my role can work hand in hand, especially as someone who is new to the force."
Inspector Marina Waka said: “It is reassuring to know that this new hijab, which will be issued as part of an officer’s personal protective equipment, is comfortable and safe as well as looking smart and professional.”
“I hope it will inspire other Muslim women to consider becoming a police officer knowing they can wear a hijab that protects them while fulfilling their religious requirements as well.”
With the new hijab now in production, forces across the country have begun placing orders, and there has already been interest from international emergency services exploring similar solutions.
Dr Angela Davies, Associate Professor in Textiles, said: “Leicestershire Police approached us because they had identified that the absence of an approved and suitable uniform hijab left the police and the officers with uncertainty around appropriateness and uniformity of standards.
“What we have created is a design that offers more choice to female hijab wearers in the police force. We have worked with some of our police apprentices to get their input on the design and wearability.”
The project originated through QUIDs – Quick Innovation Developers, DMU’s rapid-innovation programme connecting university researchers with organisations seeking specialist technical solutions.
Afsana Choudhury is a first-year law student who aspires to join the force and was able to try the hijab. “It fits well,” she said. “It’s very comfortable and when the magnets pull away you are still left with the main piece.”
Source: leics.police.uk
https://www.leics.police.uk/news/leicestershire/news/2025/december/force-works-with-local-university-to-develop-a-safety-compliant-hijab/
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Iranian Woman Faces Security Charges for Social Media Activity
DECEMBER 1, 2025
A 32-year-old Iranian woman faces criminal and security charges over her social media posts and participation in protest movements.
Parastoo Jamalzaei of central Arak was charged with spreading lies, “propaganda against the system,” and producing and distributing content authorities deemed “obscene through computer and telecommunications systems.”
A criminal court in Arak convicted Jamalzaei on charges of “spreading lies and publishing indecent images” and imposed a fine in a verdict issued last week. The ruling is currently suspended.
Jamalzaei also faces separate charges of “propaganda against the system” in the Arak Revolutionary Court.
That trial was held on November 29, and a verdict is pending.
Sources told IranWire that Jamalzaei has been a civil activist in Arak for years, posting critical content about government policies on social media.
Intelligence Ministry agents now control her Instagram account, which has more than 20,000 followers.
Part of the charges relate to personal photos she posted on the account.
Despite previous summons and threats, Jamalzaei received no formal court notice until after military confrontations between Iran and Israel in June.
She is currently free on bail pending sentencing.
Iranian authorities arrested or filed security charges against numerous citizens following the June war, particularly those with prior summons histories.
Source: iranwire.com
https://iranwire.com/en/women/146681-iranian-woman-faces-security-charges-for-social-media-activity/
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Princess Reema’s 10KSA gears up for cancer awareness day
December 01, 2025
RIYADH: Government and private entities have pledged to support a cancer awareness event in Saudi Arabia on Dec. 8.
10KSA’s 2025 campaign invites members of the public to create lavender ribbons — representing cancer awareness — and post them on social media with a caption about how they are living healthier lives.
Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud, founder of 10KSA, said in a statement: “We are grateful to all those participating in, and offering their generous support of, 10KSA’s 2025 campaign.
“On Monday December 8, 2025, join us by forming a Lavender Ribbon wherever you are. Let us build a healthier future for ourselves and our loved ones: Together for health.”
This year’s activities and events coincide with numerous contributions from government and private entities, with the ministry of education activating schools’ participation across regions and governorates through a package of activities aimed at educating students about healthy lifestyles.
In the Aseer region, 10,000 lavender bushes are being planted, in cooperation with the ministry of environment, water, and agriculture, represented by Morooj, along with other partners.
Mansour bin Hilal Al-Mushaiti, deputy minister of MEWA and chairman of the board of trustees of Morooj, said: “Environmental sustainability is an extension of caring for human health and quality of life. This initiative aims to raise health and environmental awareness and further enhance the environment in the Kingdom.”
The Saudi Camel Federation, meanwhile, is showing its support by creating a striking Lavender Ribbon formation featuring camels.
From Dec. 7-9, the Saudi Sports for All Federation is encouraging everyone to move more through the 10KSA Step Challenge — inviting communities to walk 10,000 steps a day for a chance to win exciting prizes.
Internationally, the campaign is gaining momentum, with Saudi embassies around the world hosting awareness-raising activities, and Saudi students sharing 10KSA messaging on campuses in the US.
In The Gambia and across West Africa, Safe Hands for Girls is joining forces with the National Control Program to rally women, youth and healthcare professionals to bring health screenings to local communities.
In the lead-up to activation day, Roshn Group has deployed public engagement activities to raise awareness for all cancers, starting with a real estate exhibition Cityscape Global 2025, the King’s Cup match featuring Al-Ittihad Club and Al-Shabab, and the Al-Ahli versus Al-Qadsiah match in the ninth round of the Roshn Saudi League.
Roshn Group’s activities continue with the upcoming lavender ribbon formulation at the group’s premises, as well as the lavender-planting initiative taking place in its destinations, Roshn Front in Riyadh, and Roshn Waterfront in Jeddah, from Dec. 4-6.
10KSA, in partnership with the ministry of health and the Ministerial Committee for Health in All Policies, is asking everyone to post a photo or video of their lavender ribbon on Dec. 8 with a caption that highlights the steps they are taking for their health. Tag @10KSA2025 and use #10KSA.
Further information on how to participate can be found at 10KSA’s official website.
The 10KSA campaign has been made possible thanks to the support of various Saudi entities, including the ministry of health, the Ministerial Committee of Health in All Policies, the ministry of education, the ministry of foreign affairs, the ministry of environment, water and agriculture, Aseer Development Authority, and the Environment Fund.
10KSA is also being supported by partners such as Roshn Group, Arab National Bank, Mukatafa, Morooj, webook.com, AlArabia, Floward and Jahez.
Source: arabnews.com
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2624608/saudi-arabia
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India’s missile woman Dr Tessy Thomas honoured with eighth Paulos Mar Gregorios Award
December 2, 2025
Renowned aerospace engineer who helped shape the country’s strategic missile programme, Dr Tessy Thomas, was honoured with the eighth Paulos Mar Gregorios Award 2025 on Sunday in New Delhi. The award, presented at the Thyagaraj Sports Complex, recognises her “outstanding contribution in women empowerment, space and missile technology”.
Dr Thomas had held the position of Director General (Aeronautical Systems), Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), and Vice-Chancellor of Noorul Islam Centre for Higher Education.
Having served as Project Director for the Agni-IV ballistic missile at DRDO, her leadership helped advance India’s long-range missile capability.
In her acceptance speech, Dr Thomas dedicated the award to “the countless individuals who shaped her journey as a scientist, including her family, her co-workers, mentors and to those who dream of science and its possibilities.” She described how, as a child in Kerala, her imagination “wandered beyond coconut trees,” fascinated by jets that left trails “like clouds in the sky,” and wondering whether she “could bring the moon into my room.”
Mentored by former President and Director General, DRDO, APJ Abdul Kalam, Dr Thomas recalled the late-night brainstorming sessions he held with the teams as they worked on over 50 missile launches.
The ceremony also marked the inaugural event of the Delhi Diocese’s Golden Jubilee celebrations. It drew senior clergy and public figures, including the Catholicos Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, former Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah, and BML Munjal University (BMU) Vice-Chancellor Shymdas Balakrishna Menon, amongst others.
The award was instituted in the memory of Paulos Mar Gregorios, the scholar, theologian and former President of the World Council of Churches. “His intellect had a deep spiritual foundation, one that served as a moral compass and infused his activities with a concern for the ordinary man and woman. The award is given for a life of concerted action in these fields,” the official statement said.
Source: indianexpress.com
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/indias-missile-woman-dr-tessy-thomas-honoured-with-eighth-paulos-mar-gregorios-award-10396935/
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Leaked hijab directive from Supreme Leader reignites Tehran tensions
Maryam Sinaiee
2 December 2025
Tehran may be poised to carry out a politically explosive crackdown on Islamic veiling after Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei issued a directive to step up enforcement according to a leaked directive.
An audio file surfaced online in which senior cleric Hossein Rafiei asserted that Khamenei had instructed the government to step up enforcement of the Islamic dress code on Iranian women.
Official scrutiny of women's dress had eased in the year's since the death of a young woman, Mahsa Amini, sparked nationwide protests in 2022 which were violently suppressed.
The laxness had appeared to reach new levels following a 12-day war with Israel and the United States in June, as authorities appeared keen not to stoke public anger.
Rafiei said Khamenei issued the written order after reviewing an intelligence ministry report completed three months after the conflict. The precise timing was not clear.
Several cabinet members, he alleged, had initially objected but President Masoud Pezeshkian “insisted on abiding by the order.”
One of the ministers, the head of the Government Information Counci Elias Hazrati later confirmed the directive but denied any cabinet dispute.
The president and ministers, he said, oppose “coercive methods such as the morality patrols” that have often “worsened the situation.”
Hardline mobilization
Hardline factions seized on the revelation as a mandate to intensify pressure on women.
They quickly organized a social campaign for a November 28 march, coinciding with the traditional death anniversary of Fatima, the Prophet Mohammed’s daughter.
“The Leader’s remarks on the report … have shaken officials,” lawmaker Ghasem Ravanbakhsh said at an event in Tehran on Friday.
“(Khamenei) emphasized in his message that supervisory bodies are obliged to identify and take action against organizers and agents responsible for the problems that have arisen regarding hijab and chastity.”
‘Government’s obligation’
The conservative daily Khorasan, aligned with Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, bashed Hazrati for implying that Iran’s leadership was divided on the issue.
Khamenei’s directive, the editorial asserted, was an “explicit directive” for decisive action against those who disrupt public and social order, invoking a criminal offense under Iranian law.
The paper warned that “the slightest misunderstanding … or conflation of ‘enforcement’ with ‘tension’ could once again pave the way for a repeat of bitter past experiences.”
Khamenei’s reserved position
Khamenei had refrained from explicitly addressing the hijab issue in public for a year, but on November 3 urged women to “remind” those around them of its religious significance.
His last major intervention before that was in April 2023, when he accused foreign intelligence services of encouraging hijab defiance and called such acts “religiously and politically haram (forbidden).”
It remains unclear when Khamenei reviewed the intelligence report or issued his directive, but the leak reframes several recent official comments.
On November 18, during a Cultural Revolution Council meeting, Pezeshkian said adherence to hijab norms “should begin from within government bodies,” not through coercion or confrontation.
On August 30, he had warned that strict enforcement could “create conflict in society” and spark tensions the government may be unable to contain.
‘Enemy tools’
A string of recent cultural events in Tehran has drawn backlash after videos showed participants ignoring hijab rules.
Tehran Design Week, held at the University of Tehran’s Fine Arts campus, was shut down earlier this month after a Basij student protest accused the venue of becoming a site for “inappropriate entertainment.” The Basij is a domestic enforcement militia.
Since August, at least 20 cafes, restaurants and wedding halls have been closed nationwide for alleged violations ranging from “serving alcohol” to “nudity” and “mixed-gender dancing,” according to the reformist daily Ham Mihan.
Recent reports also indicate expanding non-coercive enforcement tools, including digital and administrative controls such as disabling SIM cards of violators and heightened scrutiny of celebrities and influencers who openly reject the hijab.
Chief Justice Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei has described the undermining of the veil as among the “enemy’s tools” and warned that event organizers—as well as authorities issuing permits—could be prosecuted as accomplices if violations occur under their watch.
Source: iranintl.com
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202511285712
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/burqa-banned-burqa-mumbai-hijab/d/137859