Islamophobia in Europe: Algerian Student, Rahma Ayat, Stabbed to Death in Germany for Wearing Hijab
New Age Islam News Bureau
15 July 2025
· Saudi Women Driving For Uber: How Will It Reshape Mobility?
· Islamophobia in Europe:Algerian Student, Rahma Ayat, Stabbed to Death in Germany for Wearing Hijab
· 2 Women Accuse Chhangur Baba Of Forced Conversions
· Execution Of Indian Nurse, Nimisha Priya, In Yemen: Sunni Leader Talks To Yemeni Scholar In Bid To Save Her Life
· Samira, Afghan Woman Who Worked For US Government Fears For Family As Trump Revokes Temporary Protected Status
· Princeton University to Host Conference on Women’s Situation in Afghanistan
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/islamophobia-algerian-student-germany-hijab/d/136184
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Islamophobia in Europe: Algerian Student, Rahma Ayat, Stabbed to Death in Germany for Wearing Hijab
July 15, 2025
BERLIN — In a blatant case of Islamophobia in Europe, a 26-year-old Algerian woman was stabbed to death in Hannover, Germany on July 4. She had previously told her family she was facing racist insults and harassment from her neighbour, local media reported on Monday.
Rahma Ayat was attacked on July 4 in the stairwell of her apartment building in Arnum, south of Hanover, according to police reports. The autopsy revealed that Ayat died from multiple stab wounds, one of which pierced her heart.
Police arrested her neighbor, a 31-year-old German citizen, as the main suspect.
The victim’s mother told Al-Araby television that her daughter had previously reported being repeatedly harassed and insulted by the suspect “because of her hijab and Arab origin.”
Residents reported that the suspect had previously attempted to gain access to Ayat’s apartment.
Ayat had lived in Germany for two years and worked as a nursing trainee at a Hannover hospital. She was preparing to begin formal nursing education.
Shocked by her death, her colleagues and friends held a vigil in the city center last week to honor her memory and demand justice.
In a statement, the Algerian Embassy in Berlin confirmed on Thursday, July 10, that a 31-year-old German neighbour, arrested shortly after the incident, remains in custody. While investigations continue, a motive has not been officially established and no charges have yet been filed.
The embassy said that the Consulate General in Frankfurt is in close contact with authorities in Hanover. It offered condolences to Ayat’s family and confirmed that arrangements are under way to repatriate her body to Algeria for burial.
Source: clarionindia.net
https://clarionindia.net/algerian-student-stabbed-to-death-in-germany-for-wearing-hijab/
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Saudi Women Driving For Uber: How Will It Reshape Mobility?
By Gulf Business
JULY 15, 2025
Image credit: Supplied
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As Saudi Arabia marks seven years since lifting the ban on women driving, Uber has announced the launch of a new feature called Women Drivers, which allows female riders to be matched exclusively with female drivers. The rollout, set to begin in the coming weeks, is part of Uber’s ongoing commitment to promoting gender inclusivity and economic empowerment in the country.
The new feature is designed to expand mobility options for women while offering greater flexibility and opportunity for women drivers. It also supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which includes boosting female participation in the workforce.
“We’re thrilled to witness this dynamic change unfold in Saudi Arabia,” said Youssef Abouseif, General Manager of Uber Saudi Arabia. “The launch of the Women Drivers product reflects our commitment to empowering women and supporting their mobility and economic independence. We believe initiatives like these play a pivotal role in Saudi Vision 2030.”
Seamless experience for female riders
The Women Drivers feature will function similarly to UberX, with pricing kept in line with current rates. Women can select the option directly in the Uber app to ensure they are matched only with female drivers.
For those looking to plan ahead, the feature will also be available through Uber Reserve, allowing riders to schedule a trip with a female driver up to 30 minutes in advance.
“The future of mobility is electric, shared, and autonomous—but also inclusive,” Abouseif added. “By giving women more choice, more opportunity, and a stronger sense of community, we’re creating a platform that works better for everyone.”
The announcement reflects Uber’s continued investment in Saudi Arabia’s rapidly changing mobility landscape, where more women are now using ride-hailing platforms both as drivers and as riders.
Alnahda partnership and community support
As part of the launch, Uber has partnered with Alnahda Society, a prominent Saudi non-profit dedicated to empowering women economically and socially. Established in 1962, Alnahda has a long track record of advocacy and capacity-building initiatives for Saudi women.
This collaboration will support programs focused on mobility and financial literacy, equipping women with the tools and knowledge needed to pursue economic independence—including the opportunity to earn income by driving via the Uber app.
This builds on previous partnerships between Uber and Alnahda, such as the Masaruky initiative, which helped thousands of women learn to drive and obtain a license as part of their journey into the workforce.
In addition, Uber will host its first GigSister event in Saudi Arabia, a dedicated community space where female drivers can connect, share experiences, and support one another. The event is part of a broader global initiative to foster community among gig workers.
Uber has a history of programs tailored to the Saudi market, including the Wusool initiative, which has provided over 20 million subsidized rides for women commuting to work. Another notable feature, Women Rider Preference, allows women drivers to choose whether to accept rides only from female riders.
These initiatives have been designed to break down barriers to employment and enhance access to safe, reliable transportation for women across the Kingdom.
“With this latest product launch and our new partnerships, Uber is going beyond transportation,” said Abouseif. “We are actively investing in the development and success of women across Saudi Arabia by integrating innovation, empowerment, and local insights into our platform.”
Source: gulfbusiness.com
https://gulfbusiness.com/saudi-women-driving-for-uber/
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2 Women Accuse Chhangur Baba Of Forced Conversions
Jul 15, 2025
Lucknow: Two women from Bengaluru and UP's Auraiya have come forward with testimonies, alleging they were trapped, exploited, and forcibly converted to Islam as part of a religious conversion syndicate allegedly run by Jamaluddin alias Chhangur Baba.
Both women, in their mid-20s, were rescued with help from Vishwa Hindu Raksha Parishad national president Gopal Rai. Rai has claimed getting threats.
Speaking at a press conference in Lucknow on Monday, the women accused Baba's network of using fake Hindu identities, emotional manipulation, sexual abuse, and blackmail to coerce Hindu women into conversion and marriage.
The Bengaluru-based victim, a beautician, said she was contacted on Instagram by a man posing as "Raju Rathore" (real name Faisal), who lured her to Dubai on the pretext of a job. There, she was allegedly gang-raped, filmed, and blackmailed. She was introduced to Chhangur Baba via video call and forced to convert. After returning to India, she was taken to Saharanpur, where she was allegedly assaulted again.
The Auraiya victim said her mother sought help from a man named "Rudra" (real name Meraj) to treat her alcoholic father. Rudra introduced them to Chhangur Baba. The woman was forcibly married in a mosque after a video-call conversion and was held captive for three months. She also alleged that she overheard conversations about plans to make India an Islamic nation. Despite approaching the police in Auraiya, no FIR was registered, she claimed.
ATS officials said they will verify the women's statements and incorporate the allegations into their ongoing probe into Baba's activities.
Meanwhile, the Balrampur district administration on Monday said they will recover Rs 8.55 lakh from Baba and his aides as compensation for the cost of demolishing illegal constructions on govt land in Madhpur village near Utraula.
After failing to vacate the land despite a formal notice, the administration conducted a three-day demolition drive using eight bulldozers. Recovery notices are now being issued. "If the amount is not deposited, legal action will be taken," DM Pawan Agarwal said.
Source: indiatimes.com
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/2-women-accuse-chhangur-baba-of-forced-conversions/articleshow/122459961.cms
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Execution Of Indian Nurse, Nimisha Priya, In Yemen: Sunni Leader Talks To Yemeni Scholar In Bid To Save Her Life
July 15, 2025
A last-minute intervention by India’s Grand Mufti and Sunni leader Kanthapuram A.P. AboobackerMusliar has sparked hope for Malayali nurse Nimisha Priya who is scheduled to be executed by the Yemeni government on July 16.
Mr. AboobackerMusliar has reportedly reached out to the brother of Talal Abdo Mahdi, the victim in the case, through prominent Yemeni Islamic scholar Habib Omar bin Hafiz in a last-ditch effort to seek a reprieve for Nimisha.
A court in Yemen sentenced Nimisha to death for allegedly murdering her business partner Mahdi. The Yemeni Supreme Court upheld the death sentence in 2023.
Onus on family
In a final bid to save Nimisha, Mr. AboobackerMusliar has appealed to Mahdi’s family to pardon her. With her execution looming, Nimisha’s fate now rests on the victim’s family’s willingness to accept $1 million in diyah (blood money) and grant her clemency.
Sources close to Mr. AboobackerMusliar have been hopeful that Habib Omar’s respected status and influence in Yemeni society will help secure a favourable outcome for Nimisha.
Humanitarian concerns
Although Mr. AboobackerMusliar’s office has not commented about his intervention, his close aides said that his efforts were driven by humanitarian concerns. “There is nothing more virtuous than saving the life of a fellow being,” they said.
Meanwhile, Mr. AboobackerMusliar’s intervention has drawn criticism on social media, with some questioning his priorities and asking why he did not help others languishing in Indian jails.
Source: thehindu.com
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kanthapuram-talks-to-yemeni-scholar-in-bid-to-save-nimisha-priyas-life/article69810699.ece
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Samira, Afghan Woman Who Worked For US Government Fears For Family As Trump Revokes Temporary Protected Status
July 14, 2025
Nearly 12,000 Afghan nationals in the U.S. are in legal limbo after the Trump administration revoked their Temporary Protected Status.
The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals granted a temporary pause in their TPS termination Monday night. The order goes through next Monday, NBC News reported.
The federal government's efforts leave many vulnerable to deportation. Among those affected is Samira, a young Afghan woman now living in Massachusetts.
She told NBC10 Boston her family's safety is tied to her work with the U.S. government.
"I believe that the U.S. will still stay committed to their allies and their families," Samira said, concealing her face out of fear of retaliation.
As a child, Samira fled Taliban rule in the 1990s. After the U.S. occupation, her family returned, and she pursued a college education.
She later landed a job with the U.S. government as an interpreter during America's 20-year war in Afghanistan.
When U.S. troops withdrew in 2021, she and her siblings fled the country, fearing retaliation from the Taliban for her ties to the U.S.
Samira eventually arrived in Massachusetts through a Special Immigrant Visa, or SIV, in 2023, but her parents remain stranded in Afghanistan.
"I think when the U.S. government left Afghanistan, it got worse," she said. "Women cannot go to work. They cannot go out without a companion."
Samira applied to the State Department's reunification initiative known as the Office of the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts program, or CARE, which was created to help Afghan allies bring immediate family including spouses and children. She was unsure if the administration would make an exception for her parents.
But after President Donald Trump reinstated a travel ban on 12 countries — including Afghanistan — in June, communication from the CARE program stopped, she said.
"There's no one to answer to the emails, to the calls," Samira said. "That scares me."
Jeff Thielman, CEO of the International Institute of New England, says Samira's story is far from unique.
"Real people's lives are at stake here," Thielman said.
His refugee advocacy group helps around 20,000 people across the region, many of whom he says are being left behind as immigration policies shift rapidly and funding for nonprofits like his dwindles.
IINE helped resettle around 2,000 Afghan refugees who arrived in Massachusetts in 2022.
"We rely on immigrant talent to come into this region, to work in hospitals, health care, elder care," he said. "This is an attack on our people and our economy."
"It may seem a policy, it may seem an announcement, but for us, it's a life-changing thing," Samira said. "Because it would either reunite our family again, or they keep us apart for many more years to come."
A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department would not comment on Samira's case, but noted that the agency suspended visa issuance to Afghan nationals on June 4.
It also said there are exceptions made for SIV applicants and processing continues on a case-by-case basis.
It remains unclear whether the CARE reunification program will resume or whether Samira's parents will qualify for one of the exceptions.
Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security has justified the end of TPS for Afghans by citing "improved security and economic conditions" in Afghanistan. However, the State Department continues to maintain a travel advisory warning Americans against visiting the country due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest and kidnapping.
Afghans can still apply for asylum, but that process often takes years and offers no guarantee.
Samira hopes that the U.S. government will once again prioritize families like hers.
Source: nbcboston.com
https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/afghan-woman-who-worked-for-us-government-fears-for-family-as-trump-revokes-tps/3766996/
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Princeton University to Host Conference on Women’s Situation in Afghanistan
By Fidel Rahmati
July 15, 2025
Princeton University will host a conference on August 5 to address challenges, rights, and policy issues facing Afghanistan’s women today.
Princeton University has announced an upcoming event focused on the current situation in Afghanistan, particularly the plight of women under the regime.
The event is scheduled for August 5 and will feature Adela Raz, the former Afghanistan ambassador to the United States, as the keynote speaker.
According to the university’s School of Public and International Affairs, the session is organized in collaboration with the Afghanistan Policy Lab and the Central Asia Institute.
The event aims to educate a bipartisan audience on ongoing educational initiatives and to broaden understanding of the struggles Afghanistan’s women face both inside and outside the country.
Princeton highlighted that Adela Raz will also address U.S. foreign policy toward Afghanistan and the evolving challenges faced by Afghanistan’s women globally.
Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, Afghanistan’s women and girls have been systematically stripped of basic rights, including education, employment, and freedom of movement.
The United States, once a key supporter of women’s programs in Afghanistan, has suspended many of its aid efforts, citing concerns over Taliban governance and human rights abuses.
Events like Princeton’s discussion are part of ongoing efforts by academics and policymakers to maintain global awareness of Afghanistan’s crisis, especially in relation to women’s rights and democratic values.
Source: khaama.com
https://www.khaama.com/princeton-university-to-host-conference-on-womens-situation-in-afghanistan/
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/islamophobia-algerian-student-germany-hijab/d/136184