Image of Baby Girl Being 'Beheaded' Emerges Out of Phones Recovered from Dead Jihadists
New Age Islam News Bureau
20
Oct 2014
The violence led to chatter on social networks that there had been up to 13 acid attacks against women drivers. (File photo: Reuters)
---------
• Muslim
Women's Centre in Scotland Reports Rise in Number of Possessed Patients
• Cooking
and Killing: Islamic State Opens Finishing School for Girls
• Catherine
Larouche, From Canada to a Madrasa in India
• Australia
Abandons Controversial Muslim Veil Segregation Plan
• ‘Bad
Hijab’ Link To Acid Attacks on Iranian Women
• Measures
Under Way to Help Saudi Women Work from Home
• Moreland
Women Gather to Show Their Support for Muslim Community
• Malala
Praised Abroad, Viewed With Scepticism At Home
• ‘Easy
Taxi’ Backs Safe Commute of Saudi Women
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/image-baby-girl-being-beheaded/d/99628
----------
Image of
Baby Girl Being 'Beheaded' Emerges Out of Phones Recovered from Dead Jihadists
October
20, 2014
A
shocking image has been recovered of a baby girl moments from being beheaded by
the dreaded ISIS militants. The image was one of several other pictures that
emerged out of phones retrieved from dead fanatics recovered by Kurdish
soldiers in the Syrian town of Kobane.
The
image reportedly shows the child being pinned to the floor with a knife held to
her throat by the jihadist. It is reported that the baby possibly belonged to a
family of Alevi Muslim, a branch of Islam whose followers have been regularly
targeted by the so called Islamic State militants. It is also feared that the
baby was killed along with her family.
Highlighting
the terror of the group, many fighters have circulated the picture on Facebook
and have nicknamed the little girl as 'Melek', which means 'angel'.
British
tabloid Daily Mail reported that other pictures showing beheadings and
jihadists playing football with the severed heads of victims have also emerged
from the phones.
A source
who reportedly obtained the picture of the girl from YPH soldiers told Mail:
"Each time I look at this picture it makes we weep. You can see how
frightened she is. I can almost hear her scream. What kind of depraved monsters
are they? What pleasure can killing this child bring anyone?"
"The
people of Kobane are desperate for the world to see with their own eyes the
atrocities inflicted by these filth," the source, recognized only as 'Ali'
added.
The
report also cites soldiers as saying that the girl, a woman and an older child
– thought to be Melek's mother and sister – were seen being dragged out of a
hiding place by the IS militants, during an airstrike in an unspecified date.
"Some
have a flicker of home in their hearts that they might have escaped," Ali
was quoted as saying.
http://www.ibtimes.co.in/isis-shocker-image-baby-girl-being-beheaded-emerges-out-phones-recovered-dead-jihadists-611788
-----------
Muslim
Women's Centre in Scotland Reports Rise in Number of Possessed Patients
Imran
Azam
October
20, 2014
HEALTHCARE
professionals in Scotland are likely to face an increase in cases of ethnic
minority patients claiming to be spiritually possessed.
Staff at
Amina Muslim Women's Resource Centre (Amina MWRC) in Glasgow and Dundee say
they are experiencing a rise in clients attributing mental health difficulties
to supernatural spirits.
Smina
Akhtar, director of Amina MWRC, revealed that 70% of her counsellor's workload
since 2012 involves dealing with issues related to the paranormal.
Speaking
to the Sunday Herald, she said: "Many of the women who initially contact
us want relationship counselling but after a few sessions they highlight the
issue of possession by Jinn (in the Islamic faith, supernatural creatures made
from fire) or that someone is practising black magic on their family.
"They
do not feel confident in confiding in their local GP, fearing they will be
ridiculed. They feel confident in telling us. For us primarily this is a mental
health issue. However, you have some people who will blame their predicament on
external factors.
"We
would like the NHS to work with mainstream Islamic scholars and Muslim groups
in helping such individuals. Faith-based support should be offered as long as
it does not contradict or oppose conventional medicine or treatment."
Earlier
this month, Amina MWRC, in conjunction with the Rationalist Society of
Pakistan, held an event titled Jinn, Black Magic and the Evil Eye: Fact or
Fiction?
The
organisation is also working with the University of West of Scotland social
work department, which is undertaking research regarding health inequalities,
with particular focus on the phenomenon of Jinn possession.
Akhtar
fears that vulnerable individuals will turn to alternative options if their
concerns are ignored by health officials.
She added:
"More and more people are turning to 'faith healers' who promise to remove
Jinn from themselves or their loved ones. They advertise their services on
foreign TV channels that are beaming into many Asian households. They give
assurances but their help comes at a price.
"They
don't work for free. But who regulates them? My concern is that those who are
desperate, especially females, will turn to unscrupulous individuals putting
them and their families in danger."
Attempts
to cure those who are possessed can lead to fatal consequences. Two years ago a
husband and three members of his family were jailed in Birmingham after he
killed his pregnant wife in a bid to remove an evil spirit from her body.
Abdul
Aziz, a Scottish-based Islamic scholar, also spoke at the event organised by
AMINA MWRC. He believes that despite the issue of Jinn being widely accepted
among Muslims, possession is "possible but extremely rare".
He
added: "Unfortunately, the Muslim community are no longer pioneers in
treatment of emotional ill health and have resorted to un-Islamic notions of
spirit possession as an explanation for everything from bad luck and marital
infidelity to schizophrenia.
"Many
use religion to exploit the vulnerable. The stigma associated with mental
illness and the reliance on poorly qualified so-called Imams are major barriers
to Muslims accessing the right kind of social, emotional and psychological
help."
The
panel also included Dr Najat Khalifa, an associate professor and consultant
forensic psychiatrist from the University of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire
Healthcare NHS Trust. His research interests include religion and mental
health, personality disorder and offending behaviour. His advice to his
colleagues north of the Border is that they should be open to a faith
perspective relating to their patients' problems.
"Evidence
from research suggests that some Muslims perceive psychological difficulties as
indicative of an unsound spiritual heart. This can lead to conflict between
orthodox medicine and religiosity and patients may use a range of
religion-based coping strategies without telling their doctor," he said.
"The
issues that arise out of working collaboratively with religious leaders need to
be explored in more depth, and further research could examine how this happens
in practice, identifying potential pitfalls and areas of good practice."
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/health/muslim-womens-centre-reports-rise-in-number-of-patients-claiming-to-be-possessed.25627646
-----------
Cooking
and Killing: Islamic State Opens Finishing School For Girls
October
20, 2014
School
targeted at Muslim women who are 'interested in explosive belt and suicide
bombing more than a white dress or a castle or clothing or furniture.'
The
Islamic State group has established a women's institute, offering classes in
everything from sewing to weapons training, according to the vocative website.
Called
Al-Zawra, the jihadi finishing school is for women who are “interested in
explosive belt and suicide bombing more than a white dress or a castle or
clothing or furniture,” according to its mission statement.
The
institute's goal is to “prepare sisters for the battlefields for jihad,” and
equip them with the necessary skills to support Islamic State fighters.
The
institute is also a recruitment tool to lure impressionable young girls to the
group’s strongholds in Iraq and Syria.
The
first post in a forum dedicated to the group tells the story of Nusaybah bint
Ka’ab, a Muslim woman who joined her husband and sons in the Battle of Uhud in
the year 625, after cowardly soldiers began retreating. Bearing a shield and
sword, she sustained 12 wounds, but still managed to chop off the leg of the
man who hurt her son, Ka’ab, according to the post.
Al-Zawra
provides training in five disciplines: sewing and cooking, first aid, Islam and
Sharia law, weaponry, and training in social media and computer programs for
editing and design.
For
women who want to train for jihad on their own, the institute offers advice on
its website.
Trainee
female jihadists are reportedly advised to get fit - “Take a half hour every
day to go jogging. Keep adding distance every day in order not to be a burden
on your jihadi brothers,” – learn first aid – “Watch videos of first aid
operations on the Internet and try to apply them on your young sister,” – and
to learn how to sew – “You are going to sew the clothes of Allah’s soldiers. Go
to your mother and ask her to teach you about the sewing machine.”
Islamic
State has unveiled new Facebook, Twitter and YouTube accounts for Al-Zawra.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/1.621380
-----------
Catherine
Larouche, From Canada to a Madrasa In India
TNN |
Oct 20, 2014
LUCKNOW:
It is a humid September morning. A group of 40-odd students is waiting for
their teacher in their all-girls madrasa. Most of them are wearing a veil.
Until last year, none of the students could speak, read or write a word of
English. But now, most of them can converse with each other in the language.
Reading and writing abilities are also developing at an impressive pace.
All of
this is thanks to their English teacher. Though a citizen of Canada, it
wouldn't be wrong to call India her motherland. Thirty-year-old Catherine
Larouche was born in Kolkata and after spending 10 years there, her family
returned to Canada.
Catherine
spent her formative years at Loreto School in Kolkata. She learned Bengali and
made friends there. Her parents worked for 10 years in India with an NGO of
Mother Teresa which works for people with learning disabilities. Back in Canada
now, they continue their work with an offshoot of this NGO there.
But
Catherine has since returned. She came to India for research for her PhD in
social anthropology, which she is pursuing from McGill University in Canada.
She is researching about 40 organizations of India working on community
upliftment for her subject 'Muslim charity and community development'.
Catherine
still visits the NGO where her parents used to work. "Kolkata in my
initial years helped me open my mind to different cultures of India and her
people".
In
Lucknow since last September, Catherine has been working as a volunteer and
teacher in a madrasa, meeting various organizations functioning for community
development. She has completed her BA and MA in anthropology from Canada.
"For
11 months I have been working as a volunteer in a madrasa owned by Shahnaz
Sidrat in the Old City. I am teaching English to the madrasa girls and toiling
to learn Urdu there," says Catherine.
"Before
coming to Lucknow, I studied Hindi in Jaipur for two years to communicate with
the local people. I chose Lucknow for my research work as it has a dense Muslim
population and a rich history," she says.
Catherine's
interest was allured towards the Muslim culture a long time ago. During her
childhood, she had heard stories of both Hindu and Muslim culture and
traditions.
"I
have also heard plenty of stories about work done by Indian Muslims for
charity".
Catherine
says huge amounts of donation are given to Muslim organizations and as part of
her research; she is trying to find out the work done by these organizations
for the upliftment of the community. "These associations use the
donations, given in the form of 'khums' and 'zakat' in a way to benefit the
needy," she adds.
About
the people of the city she says, "People of Lucknow are very helpful and
welcoming. Wherever I face any problem, they are always there to rally round.
This is a very special thing about Lucknow which makes it different from other
parts of the world".
Fond of
Sheermal and Biryani, Catherine says "I have made substantial changes in
my lifestyle to live in Lucknow. I changed my food habits and my day-to-day
living. I try to carry Indian attires to look like just any other Indian
girl".
What
Catherine loves most about being in Lucknow is Urdu.
"It
is a bit difficult for me to understand but sounds sweet," she adds.
"I
love to teach madrasa girls. Being from conservative Muslim families, they try
to learn English and make efforts to use the words which I teach them. In the
madrasa, I am surrounded by young women of different age groups. They could be
anywhere between 20 and 45 years of age".
Mariya
Saman, a student of Catherine, says "It's great to have a Canadian citizen
as a teacher. Her style of teaching is different but beneficial. Many girls of
the madrasa who were never acquainted with English now read the language
correctly under her guidance".
Catherine
says she will go back to Canada after September and look for a job there.
"However,
I will be happy to work in India if I get an opportunity. I will try to search
for the post of a professor or work in an international NGO".
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/From-Canada-to-a-city-madrassa/articleshow/44872444.cms
-----------
Australia
abandons controversial Muslim veil segregation plan
In
U-turn, Australia drops niqab segregation plan
20
October 2014
A
controversial plan to make women wearing the burqa or niqab sit in separate
glassed public enclosures at Australia’s Parliament House due to security
concerns was abandoned Monday after an outcry.
The
backdown followed a decision on Oct.2 by Speaker Bronwyn Bishop and Senate
President Stephen Parry to seat people wearing face coverings in areas normally
reserved for noisy school children while visiting parliament.
It
followed heated debate about potential security risks since the rise of the
Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) organization.
The
ruling was condemned by human rights and race discrimination groups.
Race
discrimination commissioner Tim Soutphommasane told Fairfax Media the original
ruling meant Muslim women were being treated differently to non-Muslim women.
“No-one
should be treated like a second-class citizen, not least in the parliament,” he
said.
“I have
yet to see any expert opinion or analysis to date which indicates that the
burqa or the niqab represents an additional or special security threat.”
Labor
opposition frontbencher Tony Burke welcomed the backdown but said the initial
decision should never have been made.
“What
possessed them to think that segregation was a good idea?” he said.
“Segregation
was previously introduced, apparently, with no security advice attached to it
and no security reason attached to it.”
The
Department of Parliamentary Services said in a statement that the rules had
been changed and all visitors must now “temporarily remove any coverings” that
prevent the recognition of facial features.
“This
will enable security staff to identify anyone who may have been banned from
entering the building or who may be known to be a security risk,” it said.
“Once
this process has taken place visitors are free to move about the public spaces
of the building, including all chamber galleries, with facial coverings in
place”.
Australia
has been on edge since the rise of ISIS with the government tightening counter-terrorism
laws and police in recent weeks conducting major terror raids amid fears of an
attack on home soil by radicalized Australians.
The
country was one of the first nations to join the United States’ aerial campaign
against the militant group, which controls large parts of Iraq and Syria and is
increasingly seen as a global threat.
On
Sunday, Canberra said it had reached a deal with Baghdad for the deployment of
about 200 special forces to assist Iraqi troops in their fight against
militants.
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/2014/10/20/Australia-drops-niqab-segregation-plan-.html
---------------
‘Bad
hijab’ link to acid attacks on Iranian women
October
20, 2014
A series
of acid attacks on women in the historic Iranian city of Isfahan has raised fears
and prompted rumors that the victims were targeted for not being properly
veiled.
Police
have declined to comment on a motive but suspects have been arrested and an
investigation is ongoing, General Hossein Ashtari was quoted as saying by the
official IRNA news agency.
He said
four acid attacks had been reported in Isfahan, 450 kilometers south of Tehran,
but he gave no other details.
The
violence led to chatter on social networks that there had been up to 13 acid
attacks against women drivers who were “badly veiled” with accompanying
warnings against leaving car windows open.
Such
incidents have risen in recent years in Pakistan, Afghanistan and India, with
the abusers claiming they punished women for “sullying” their family “honor” by
committing “indecent” behavior.
Under
Islamic law in force in Iran since the 1979 revolution, women must wear loose
clothing, known as hijab, that covers the head and neck.
Recent
years, however, have seen many wear a thin veil that hardly covers the hair and
tight clothing or coats reaching mid-thigh - an ensemble often denounced by
conservatives as “bad hijab” - instead of a traditional chador that covers the
whole body.
A senior
cleric of Isfahan, considered Iran's top tourist attraction for its carpets,
ancient mosques and giant square - second only in size to Tiananmen Square in
Beijing - condemned the attacks.
“Such an
act under any pretext is reprehensible,” Hojatoleslam Mohammad Taghi Rahbar, a
Friday prayers leader, told the ISNA news agency.
“Even if
a woman goes out into the street in the worst way, no one has the right to do
such a thing,” he said.
A
fearful resident of the city was quoted by ISNA as saying: “I roll the windows
closed and I panic every time I hear the sound of a motorcycle approaching.”
Iranian
MPs have written to President Hassan Rowhani in recent months to demand that
police better enforce wearing of the veil.
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2014/10/19/-Bad-hijab-link-to-acid-attacks-on-Iranian-women.html
-----------
Measures
under way to help Saudi women work from home
October
20, 2014
JEDDAH —
The Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry has announced a series
of measures to activate a project it had launched earlier to enable women,
especially those with special needs, to work from home.
Haifa
Al-Hossaini, director of the council’s department for women, said the project
would ensure employment for more than 10,000 women every year. “Saudi women
from various age groups will be able to work for private companies and establishments
from their homes,” she said.
Al-Hossaini
said the system was probably new to the Saudi women but is well established in
developed Western countries.
An
agreement was signed with Glowork, the first website dedicated to female
recruitment in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), to provide the modalities
and technical support for the project, she said. “Glowork will provide
technical support to private companies to stay in constant contact with their
female employees and at the same time assess their long-distance performance,”
Al-Hossaini said.
Khalid
Alkhudair, founder of Glowork, said the company will enable thousands of Saudi
women to work from their homes in such fields as research, marketing, customer
service, sales and other activities that can be done remotely, whether in towns
or villages.
“Women
with special needs can easily work from their homes to sustain themselves and
help their families,” he said.
He said
under the new project, women will not only be able to work from their homes but
will become part of the Saudi labor market.
Alkhudair
said his company will provide smart solutions to private companies to monitor
the performance of Saudi women employees who work from home, including those
living in remote areas.
He said
the employers would be supplied with accurate reports about the performance and
productivity of any woman working from home. “Glowork can be easily linked
online with all the employing private firms’ systems,” he said.
http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20141020221781
-----------
Moreland
women gather to show their support for Muslim community
October
20, 2014
MORE
than 150 women fronted at Fawkner Community House last Wednesday in a show of
solidarity with the Muslim community.
The
humble morning tea saw two rooms of the community centre packed
shoulder-to-shoulder with women, predominantly of Muslim faith, and their
children, while more guests gathered outside to listen.
The
atmosphere was one of unity as police, Moreland councillors and Greens Senator
Janet Rice spoke to the gathering, with translators repeating their messages in
Arabic and Urdu.
Ms Rice
said she was overwhelmed with the number of women who attended the morning tea,
having expected about a dozen people.
“We want
you to feel not just tolerated, but celebrated in the Australian community,”
she said, as the room filled with applause.
“Most
people do welcome you, most people appreciate you being here as fellow
Australians.
“The
small number of people who are making threats and being racist, it’s important
we do call them out and we do let them know that’s un-Australian.”
The
event followed Moreland Leader’s report last week that Muslim women had been
verbally abused at Fawkner’s Bonwick shopping precinct, and that others had their
head scarfs ripped off at Campbellfield Plaza.
Brunswick
police Acting Senior Sergeant Ben Davies encouraged any victims of abuse to
come forward and report incidents to police.
“What
concerns us is if there are people out there too afraid to report or think it
won’t be looked at,” Acting Sen-Sgt Davies said.
“These
are criminal offences and they do need to be looked at and taken seriously.”
Offenders
could face harassment or assault charges and the prospect of a criminal record.
Moreland
North East Ward councillor Sue Bolton said women should not be afraid to leave
their houses, but should walk with each other to ensure support.
Cr
Bolton encouraged the community to give Moreland Council ideas on how it could
be supportive, and to report abuse to police and the Islamophobia register.
Fawkner’s
Khadeejah Anderson she believed the Federal Government had triggered a lot of
the abuse.
“The
person on the street only does it from what’s communicated from above,” Mrs
Anderson said.
Yelled
at, called "bloody ninja"
KHADEEJAH
Anderson attended the morning tea to stand unified with the Muslim community,
and encourage women to recognise their rights and report abuse to police.
Mrs
Anderson, a teacher of Islamic studies at Darul Ulum College in Fawkner, said
it was something she had endured herself, having had a man in his 20s yell at
her from inside his 4WD, calling her a “bloody ninja”.
“I
confronted him and he apologised,” she said.
Mrs
Anderson said she took that interaction as a way of showing the offender he did
not have the right to abuse any women and that Muslim women would stand up for
themselves.
“The
community needs to know that they have got rights and they should stand up for
themselves and go and report to police,” she said. “The persecutors have to
understand that too.”
"We
are all Australians"
FAWKNER
youth worker Jasmine Ouaida was born in Melbourne, yet is now afraid to leave
her house.
Fawkner
raised and having worked for Moreland Council and now Glenroy College, Miss
Ouida said she felt frightened to take public transport in case someone abused
her.
Jasmine
Ouaida with Halime Ouaida and Lina Ayoubi — three generations of Lebanese
Australians. Picture: Angie Basdekis
“I think
that’s an awful thing, I should not have to think twice because this is my home,”
Miss Ouaida said. “It’s disheartening to see the community so affected.”
Miss
Ouaida said she a man had abused her from his car while she was waiting at the
traffic lights.
“I do
believe it’s a minority showing the racism and bigotry, and the majority of
Australians support us,” she said. “We are all Australians at the end of the
day.”
Language
barriers block confidence
AYESHA
Quraishi believes language barriers are preventing a lot of Muslim women from
reporting abuse to police.
The
mother-of-four lived in Maribrynong for 13 years before moving to Fawkner last
year and said English skills in the Moreland Muslim community were not strong.
“They
often stay quiet because their English is not as good,” Mrs Quraishi said.
“They
don’t feel confident to speak up.”
She said
she would like to see more Muslim women improve their language skills, as well
as walk more confidently when in public and be more active in the community.
“I smile
and make eye contact, and if anyone needs help, I try to do it a bit extra,”
she said.
Too
scared to wear face covering
WEARING
a face covering is a woman’s choice in Islam, but Neema Omer’s 10 year old
daughter is choosing not to out of fear of abuse.
Mrs
Omer, from Roxburgh Park, said her daughter used to wear a covering but was now
too scared.
“I said,
you should be proud, but she said I don’t want to be killed,” Mrs Omer said.
The
mother-of-three said Islam did not allow anyone to force a woman to wear a
covering, but most women came to wear them of their own choice when they reached
puberty.
Mrs Omer
wears a niqab.
“It
makes me closer to God, but no one has been forcing me,” she said. “Some people
think this is being oppressed but no one is allowed to tell you to put it on.”
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north/moreland-women-gather-to-show-their-support-for-muslim-community/story-fnglenug-1227093728155
-----------
Malala
praised abroad, viewed with skepticism at home
October
20, 2014
More
than a week has passed since the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Pakistani
teen activist Malala Yousafzai and Indian child rights advocate Kailash
Satyarthi. In Pakistan, the award, although praised officially, wasn’t welcomed
to the level one would have expected and was met with mixed reactions and
skepticism from the conservative masses in the country.
Pakistan’s
president, prime minister and the powerful military congratulated the teen and
messages of felicitation were given front page space in almost all the leading
dailies alongside the news of Malala receiving the prestigious award. An
advertisement from the government congratulated “Dukhtar-e-Pakistan Malala
Yousafzai on being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.”
But the
response from the general public fell short of the jubilation and celebrations
seen when the country wins a crucial cricket match for example.
Many men
and women in Pakistan view Malala as a pawn in a Western conspiracy and she has
been labeled by some as a “Western stooge.”
“Malala
doesn’t deserve to be awarded the Nobel,” said a 45-year-old local shopkeeper.
“She is too young for this prize. Usually the award is given to the people who
invented something new for the benefit of humanity and mankind. But Malala
hasn’t done something physically at all,” he said.
“In fact
she is a part of the conspiracy of the West and will be used against the
Muslims.”
Pakistan’s
Taliban banned girls’ education in the Swat when they virtually ruled the
region between 2007 and 2009 until they were flushed out in a military
operation in 2009. But In October 2012, Malala, along with two other girls, was
shot in the head for her persistent campaign advocating girls’ right to
education. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the shooting.
“After
Malala’s tragic incident, for a moment the area was in shock and a state of
fear,” said Iffat Nasir, a senior education official based in Swat.
“But
after seeing the overwhelming response from the national and international
community to the Malala’ bravery, it gave courage to the girls of Swat,” she
said.
“Malala
is the voice of child education and a ‘symbol of courage,’” said Nasir. Swat
has seen a rapid increase in girls’ enrollment in the past couple of years.
“She is
a role model of this land,” said Gulnar Bibi, 38, a teacher by profession.
“Those
who don’t like her are just jealous. Half of Swat’s population applies for
Europe but Malala was respected by Europe itself. Now, these people are
‘patriots’ and called her a ‘traitor,’” she said.
“We are
proud that she became the symbol of this land at such a young age.”
Swat
Valley is full of rivers, lush green forests and snow-covered peaks, making it
a fascinating landscape and ideal spot.
“People
used to call Swat the Switzerland of Pakistan. Then it was called the land of
the Taliban. Later it was called the land of checkpoints of security forces but
now it will be recognized as the ‘land of Malala,’” said Bibi.
“Malala
is the symbol of courage,” added Masooma Jabeen, a 24-year-old university
student.
“Here
people say there is some conspiracy behind the Prize – referring to the Nobel
Peace Prize. Who else’s isn’t victimized of conspiracy?” she asked.
“We have
to accept it and respect her. Malala’s fault is that she was born before her
time. People will need some time to understand this,” said Jabeen.
“I hope
soon a chapter about her [Malala] will be included in our text books,” she
said.
Samiur
Rehman, a local political figure who is affiliated with a religious group,
disagrees with Nasir.
“Malala
is a Western brand in local attire,” Rehman said, asking: “If the West really
cares about the education campaign launched by Malala, why have they not
bothered to restore the schools destroyed in FATA [Federally Administered
Tribal Areas]?”
“Western
countries select people from our society and then use them against us,” said
Rehman.
Pakistani
Taliban’s splinter group TTP Jamaat Ul Ahrar described the award as “serving
infidels.”
“With
this award being given to Malala, it has been established that the infidels
have generously awarded their beloved for serving them very well,” said the
spokesman for the group, Eshanullah Ehsan.
“No
Muslim will feel proud by taking any award from the enemies of Muslims,” he
said. “Neither Muslims can expect any award from the infidels.”
Inspired
by Malala, Hadeeqa Bashir, a 12-year-old girl in seventh grade, launched an
awareness campaign in Swat about girls’ education and child marriages.
“I am
proud of Malala,” Bashir said. “She has told the world that we are peaceful
people and love education.”
Bashir
has formed a group of at least 35 young girls and has a campaign called “girls
united for human rights.”
“She
[Malala] is a brave girl. She stood firm against the militants while they were
virtually ruling the valley. I also want to be like her,” Bashir said.
“The
benefit of this award should reach the people of Swat,” local journalist Niaz Ahmed
Khan said.
The
situation of girls’ education is still not favorable in Swat and a lot of girls
don’t have access to higher education because of lack of institutions.
“We need
a separate university for girls as thousands of girls have to quit higher education
as they can’t afford to leave their houses for other cities,” Khan said, adding
that there is a university but that it was co-education one which discouraged
attendance from girls with conservative backgrounds.
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/perspective/features/2014/10/18/Malala-praised-abroad-viewed-with-skepticism-at-home.html
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‘Easy
Taxi’ backs safe commute of Saudi women
October
20, 2014
Easy
Taxi, the global taxi hailing service operating in KSA, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain,
Jordan and within the Middle East, has released research figures showing it
helps KSA’s women contribute to the country’s GDP and economic future by being
able to commute safely, securely, and with complete trust.
Recent
research showed almost 80 percent of Easy Taxi’s customers in the Kingdom are
women.
Females
in the Kingdom face barriers to driving, and must rely on commuting services
such as taxis. They are nevertheless reluctant to enter a confined space with
an unverified stranger, leading to a potential loss of comfort, spending power
and economic contribution.
“Easy
Taxi’s remit has always been to connect customers with a verified taxi service,
securely and easily. KSA is a market where female customers face challenges in
commuting. It is brilliant to see that KSA’s women are using our service
regularly to commute in the certainty that every experience will be safe,
secure and respectful. Be they traveling to work, or to a shop or mall, all
these activities contribute to economic growth. We are delighted that Easy Taxi
is their service of choice for a safe and secure journey every single time,”
said Easy Taxi Middle East’s CEO Dr. Mahmoud Fouz.
Under
the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, women in
the Kingdom are making great strides toward participation in economic and
social development. Specifically, the Ninth Development Plan targets
improvements in the status of women and addresses issues relevant to their
education, health, social care and employment.
“Easy
Taxi is delighted to play a positive role in the easy mobility of women while
staying completely respectful and abiding of KSA’s cultural norms and legal
regulations.”
“It is
no secret that women represent an enormous source of untapped potential for the
Kingdom’s economy, and Easy Taxi is delighted to be playing a role in King
Abdullah’s vision of empowering women to benefit the Kingdom’s social and
economic affairs, while also meeting the obligations of family and friends,”
Dr. Fouz added.
A UNDP
Human Development Report in 2011 noted that Saudi women play an important role
in investment and business administration. Women-only businesses accounted for
48,000 of the Kingdom’s businesses in 2010. Around 66.2 percent of female
business owners were engaged in wholesale and retail trade, and construction.
“Easy
Taxi is proud to play its role in the fulfillment of King Abdullah’s desire of
empowering women in contributing to KSA’s society. We have worked very hard to
gain the trust of women and their families, and are delighted to be
contributing positively – both economically and socially – to the Kingdom’s
future,” Dr. Fouz added.
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/variety/2014/10/19/Global-taxi-service-helps-women-commute-in-Saudi-Arabia.html
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/image-baby-girl-being-beheaded/d/99628