Saudi Arabia to Ban Gender Mixing On Its National Carrier
New Age Islam News Bureau
2
Jan 2015
Photo: Jihadis Release New Year’s Eve Video of Italian Female Hostages
• Kenyan Muslim Woman Almost Stripped At Popular Mall
• Saudi TV Anchors Begin Donning Hijab
• Female Slavery the Biggest Honour for Non-Muslim Women, Says Jihadist
• ISIS Releases Jihadi Mothers' Handbook on How to Raise Terrorists
• Jihadis Release New Year’s Eve Video of Italian Female Hostages
• Selena Gomez Slammed for Posing Provocatively at Abu Dhabi's Grand Mosque
• Balochistan incidents: ‘187 cases of violence against women in 2014’
• Three Moroccans among Arab World’s Most Influential Women
• Arshi Hasmat tops WB Judicial Service Exams, 2014
• Babies in UAE keep their date with New Year
• Saudi Women-Run ‘Producers’ Show Draws Huge Crowd at RCCI
• Year Ends With a Milestone for Bangladesh Women
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/saudi-arabia-ban-gender-mixing/d/100814
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Saudi Arabia to Ban Gender Mixing On Its National Carrier
Agencies | January 02, 2015
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s national airline Saudi Arabian Airlines, operating as Saudia, plans to ban gender-mixing aboard all its flights in line with the religious rules enforced by the Sunni Muslim regime, the Emirates247 news website reported.
The flag carrier airline said the policy change came following recurrent complaints from passengers objecting to have random males seated next to their wives and other female family members. “There are solutions to this problem…we will soon enforce rules that will satisfy all passengers,” Saudia assistant manager for marketing Abdul Rahman Al Fahd said, quoted by Saudi Arabic language daily Ajel.
According to the paper the airlines’ staffs at all of the Gulf kingdom’s airports will be instructed to make sure males and females are separated aboard Saudia’s flights unless they are closely related. Saudi Arabia is infamous for its culture of gender segregation, deeply rooted in the mentality of minimising the exposure of women in society.
Many Saudi women require their Mahram (male guardian) approval to travel or work outside of the home, and most Saudi families do not want nor would support their female relatives exposed to work in public positions. Furthermore, there are no female Saudi flight attendants on Saudi Arabia’s national carrier. The women who have been employed as flight attendants on Saudia are generally from Morocco and Great Britian, as well as other countries.
In 2010 Saudia surprisingly announced it was recruiting women as sales staff. “We will employ women as ticket sales ladies in all parts of the Kingdom from next year,” Saudi Airlines passenger services director, Saad Al Seuleiman, said then in a statement to the local Saudi media. However, he stressed, “They will be deployed in places assigned specially for them away from the main terminals…they will work in places confined only to women…the policy of Saudi Airlines is clear in not allowing women to mix with men.”
AFP quoted the Saudi news website Sabq.org as saying the country’s official fatwa issuing body, the Committee on Scholarly Work and Ifta, had reiterated that it is not permissible for a woman to work in a place where they mix with men. "It is necessary to keep away from places where men congregate. Women should look for decent work that does not make it possible for them to attract men or be attracted by men," the fatwa warned.
Also in 2010 Saudi's Panda retail chain had employed 16 Saudi women as cashiers and as part of a pilot scheme to test the concept of women working in a mixed environment. It was faced with a Facebook campaign threatening to boycott the shop unless it stops employing women.
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/150102/world-middle-east/article/saudi-arabia-ban-gender-mixing-its-national-carrier
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Kenyan Muslim Woman Almost Stripped At Popular Mall
January 02 2015
Just last year, women from all walks of life religion and race took to the streets of Nairobi to protest the stripping of women most notably the stripping of a woman in red by Embassava Touts.
But the stripping situation is yet to fade away and it has not been reserved for skimpily dresses women but also women in full Islamic regalia. A lady by the name Muna Aden is livid after an incidence at Diamond Mall where she almost got stripped on suspicion of being a terrorist. She gives us an account of the nasty incident that left her frustrated. She wrote this:
"I am a disappointed Kenyan today. I am a livid Muslim lady Today. And I shall tell you Why.
I walked into the dark blue windowed Diamond mall on Tom Mboya Street at half past noon today, upon which I was immediately accosted by a security guard who opened and searched my handbag thoroughly. At that point, It did not elude me that the 2 ladies behind me just walked past the guard to climb the stairs to the stalls on first floor. They both carried bags the same size as mine. It was also not lost on me that throughout the ten minutes that I later stood in front of a particular shop the guard did not go through any other ladies bags. I lie not.
I’m used to this. It is normal in Kenya today for a Muslim woman in full Hijab to be singled out like this and so I let it pass. I called the owner of the shop. She is one of the new generation business ladies with a popular Facebook page advertising maxi skirts .My favourite .She was running late and requested me to wait outside her shop which was directly below the stairs for a few minutes. And thus I stood in front of her shop, less than 50 cm from the guard who had just gone through my bag.
And that’s when She came, “Madam, why are you standing here? “ Turning to the guard “Why are you allowing her to stand here? Mbona uncompromised security yetu? Have you searched her? I was taken aback at how blunt she was. No sugar coating , nothing. I mean she could have spoken in her mother tongue to him, which I now know he understood.
She was an elderly woman, and so I chose to indulge her . “”Ma’am, why me of all this people waiting around?, I am waiting for someone just like them ,What’s special about me?” .Her Reply, I still wonder why it surprised me. “Because of your clothes! We can never be sure with people like you and we have a right to question you!“. I was getting angry. “And I have a right not to reply “. “No you don’t!, you must answer when we ask you “.
The guard was meanwhile trying to explain that I was clear and waiting for someone ,upon which she walked away ,but not before several other ladies appeared from the stalls near the entrance . They Surrounded me, shouting. The guard stepped in front of me. One in Particular, who had emerged from the stall to the right hand side of the stairs, clad in a spaghetti top and a mini skirt was the loudest. “We shall ask you and you shall answer humbly, how do we know you are not carrying grenades in that bag? And we shall leave you alone only when you start dressing like a person “. “ My throat stung tasting the stupidity in her words. ”I agree, you are definitely more of a person in your mini. Please go back to your stall.” “Look at this al-Shabab , I swear if it was not for the soldier standing in front of you ,tungekustrip hiyo hijab ,tukutoe nje .” I don’t know how it happened but I found myself in front of her, the guard now behind me, daring her to touch any part of my attire. The nerve of the woman! She actually moved towards me but stopped just before the guard came in between us again. She had perhaps expected me to step back which I didn’t or expected the rest to join her, which they didn’t. She stepped back.
Just then the owner of the shop arrived and she was ever apologetic.”Don’t mind them, they will not harm you ,It is because of your clothing that they are behaving like this “.I gave up. Sometimes, even I fail at replies .We were now inside her shop ,with the other ladies still yelling that she should not protect me just because I was her customer. We closed the door. I walked out a few minutes later and they escorted me with expletives.
Where do I even start? I could go on about the cliché that not all Muslims are terrorists ,that every person has their dress of choice ,(never mind the deliberate independency of some, it is all good as long as it is in the name of freedom),that terrorists are just deranged psychos who kill in the name of whatever religion and so on and so forth, but I shall not. If you do not know all this by now, It is your affair ,Go educate yourself. Aaaah, the hypocrisy of it all! So it is ok for you to wear a miniskirt, run in the streets shouting my dress my choice, to turn around weeks later and shout at a Hijab wearer to dress like a person next time she enters a mall if she does not wish to have her Hijab stripped?
Mine is just to state, that for any individual who thinks it is Ok to harass me because of my dress, they had best believe It is on. It is on until we get to the police station,and at the Station it will still be on and even after we leave the station ,it might still be on. I will not be boxed into the current guilt box all Muslims are expected to fit in when it comes to terrorism. I will not apologise for terrorists and I will not publicly condemn them any more than the average Kenyan because i am not one of them .Period. Therefore next time someone asks me why I am sitted or standing somewhere , they had better inquire with those doing the same next to me before they expect a sensible answer .Before any guard demands to go through my belongings ,he had better have gone through the belongings of the person before me. Why? Because I am not a second class citizen. Simple.
Silence on this and other such incidents would mean accepting and propagating baseless acts of discrimination and Islamophobia .I Refuse to do that .So for anyone who thinks the above should not have happened ,share this and let it be known that malls such as Diamond Mall and the like who disrespect and humiliate customers on the basis of their choice of dress shall be boycotted and entirely avoided.
http://www.ghafla.co.ke/news/tv/item/28161-muslim-woman-almost-stripped-at-popular-mall
http://kenya.afrolly.com/news/muslim-woman-almost-stripped-at-popular-mall/
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Saudi TV anchors begin donning hijab
January 02, 2015
The Saudi Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) has begun implementing a new dress code for its women TV anchors effective from Thursday, say sources.
The code demands that they wear black headscarves and abayas. However, their abayas would be decorated on the sides with ribbons to match the corporate colors of the channels they represent, for example blue for the Al-Ikhbariya channel.
Some observers said the SBC move is part of a makeover for the new year, while others see it as a decision to prevent the Shoura Council introducing a mandatory dress code.
The issue has divided the Shoura Council. Several members opposed it, with one saying that it would be illegal because there is no law currently that imposes a dress code for women in the country.
The members had been discussing an amendment to the country’s audiovisual law proposed by Noura Al-Odwan, a woman member of the Shoura, and backed by the culture and media affairs committee. A fine of SR10,000 has been proposed for those failing to comply.
The council has postponed the discussion for the time being because of the mixed reaction from members.
http://www.arabnews.com/featured/news/683336
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Female Slavery the Biggest Honour for Non-Muslim Women, Says Jihadist
January 02 2015
AN Australian Islamic State fighter who has been used in a propaganda video has claimed non-Muslim women are “used and abused” and should become slaves as it would be “the biggest honour for them”.
Abu Khalid, whom The Australian last year revealed was a former Melbourne man of Cambodian and Fijian ancestry and had ties to the al-Furqan Islamic centre, yesterday took to social media from the Middle East to make the claims.
Abu Khalid — who in June appeared in an Islamic State propaganda video but did not speak in it, made the comments after a non-Muslim girl asked him about his dancing abilities. “You should come to the Islamic state!” he said to the girl. “You can be a Sabaya (slave), much more honour then (sic) being used and abused.”
He then told another man that non-Muslim women “know their men’s ain’t treating them well”. “Being a Sabaya is the biggest honour for them And Allah knows best!”
The comments were made after Islamic State forced women and children of the Yazidi religious sect to be slaves who are often subjected to rape.
At least four Australian fighters have been identified as having Yazidi slaves and horrific stories of their treatment— including sexual abuse — have emerged in recent weeks.
Last month, former Sydney boxer Mohamed Elomar uploaded a photo of a woman he said was one of seven Yazidi slaves he owned, telling Twitter followers he would sell her for $2500 and that “she won’t disappoint (sic) you”.
Yesterday, Abu Khalid indicated he was known to authorities while still living near the al-Furqan centre in Melbourne.
He said he had received “a visit from the feds about terrorism”, but did not elaborate.
He also said he had met Australia’s most senior terrorist, Abu Sulayman, after arriving in Syria and was left unimpressed.
Abu Sulayman, a former Sydney cleric whose real name is Mostafa Mahamed Farag, has risen to become a senior official in the al Qa’ida-backed Jabhat al-Nusra, a rival terrorist group to Islamic State.
“I met him here and we had a bad meeting,” Abu Khalid said.
In the June video, Abu Khalid appeared beside two other Australians who were subsequently killed in the fighting — Zakaria Raad and a man identified only as Abu Noor al-Iraqi — and who encouraged Westerners to join the terrorist group.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/in-depth/terror/female-slavery-the-biggest-honour-for-non-muslim-women-says-jihadist/story-fnpdbcmu-1227172146913
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ISIS Releases Jihadi Mothers' Handbook on How to Raise Terrorists
January 02 2015
The Islamic State has come up with a new way to nurture young Jihadis; offering guidelines to young mothers on how to raise a "Mujahid child". These "helpful tips" will help develop the jihadi spirit of the next generation of militants, the militant outfit believes.
The Islamic State tried to convince their "entitled sister's" that their most important role is to raise their kids "not only in spirit", but also develop their physical ability and training. They are encouraging women loyal to the cause to introduce the Jihadi values in their children from the time they are babies. "Don't wait until they are seven to start, for it may be too late by then!" reads the ISIS handbook that recently surfaced online.
Some of the approved activities in the Jihadi Mother's Handbook include:
Martial arts training
Swimming
Archery
Target-shooting (with different kinds of toy weapons)
Darts Horse-back riding
Orienteering (learning to navigate your way in the woods)
Exercise (running, jogging, push-ups, etc.) to build stamina
Skiing
Driving (a range of different vehicles)
Camping / Survival Training.
The militants, who believe that TVs cause nothing but "mental and physical loss", ask mothers to completely ban them and instead encourage them to narrate bedtime stories of extremist fighters.
In fact, reading books are very much encouraged by the organisation. The handbook persuades mothers to get "military books (preferably with pictures) and similar books, CDs, videos" and visit "web sites along with your children" to get them "interested in jihad" and promote them to "become like Mujahideen".
The ISIS handbook also suggests that mothers get their sons punching bags or "makeshift enemies" so as to build their strengths and give direction to their anger. They also encourage target shooting to improve hand-eye coordination.
ISIS and other jihadi groups have long been investing in the next generation of soldiers, training them to take over and "fight the holy war".
As Steven Stalinsky, executive director of Middle East Media Research Institute explains, "It is important for the West to understand that all these groups want the world to know that this indoctrination is taking place… No matter what happens in Iraq and Syria in the near future, the next generation – the children of Baghdadi and grandchildren of bin Laden - have already been brainwashed to hate the West and to strive for jihad and martyrdom."
http://www.ibtimes.co.in/isis-releases-jihadi-mothers-handbook-how-raise-terrorists-618978
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Jihadis Release New Year’s Eve Video of Italian Female Hostages
January 02 2015
A New Year’s Eve video of the two students, kidnapped in Syria last August, has officials worried that the women may soon be traded to ISIS.
A 24-second video posted online on New Year’s Eve of two young Italian women, who were kidnapped by Islamic militants in northern Syria last summer, is prompting alarm among Italian officials who have been negotiating for the pair’s release.
The idealistic aid volunteers Vanessa Marzullo and Greta Ramelli, both in their 20s, appear considerably thinner and paler and dressed in black chadors, leaving just their faces and hands uncovered, they beg in the brief video for the Italian government to get them home.
Uploaded to YouTube with the title “Al Nusra Front detains two Italian employees because of their government’s participation in the coalition against it,” the video appears to have been shot in mid-December. In the video Marzullo is seen holding up a piece of paper that has “17.12.14 Wednesday” scrawled across it while Ramelli reads a written statement appealing to the Italian government to get them home quickly.
“We supplicate our government and its mediators to bring us home before Christmas. We are in big danger and we could be killed. The government and mediators are responsible for our lives,” she says.
The Italian foreign ministry has declined to comment on the video. The foreign ministry would not confirm to The Daily Beast whether they believe the video is authentic or whether they believe the date is accurate. The Italian news agency ANSA cited an unnamed intelligence source saying “we are in a very delicate phase and we ask the maximum discretion at this time.”
But a Rome-based senior Italian diplomat told the Daily Beast that the timing of the video’s posting is perplexing officials, who had thought they were a hair’s breadth away from completing successful negotiations for the women’s release.
And there is rising concern among officials that the aid volunteers, who were snatched by gunmen in northern Syria’s Aleppo province in August, are at increasing risk of being drawn into complicated jihadist politics in the war-torn country and traded by their captors to the more powerful Islamic State, formerly known as ISIS—the militant group responsible for beheading American journalists James Foley and Steve Sotloff and three Western aid workers, including American Peter Kassig. Italy’s La Repubblica newspaper has claimed the women have been sold twice already during their captivity.
“There’s surprise at the captors’ decision to upload this video now,” said the diplomat, who spoke to The Daily Beast on condition he not be identified. “Obviously it is meant to put pressure on us but it may be more connected with the captors need to display their hostage trophies for reasons of internal jihadist politics and maneuvering.”
The diplomat wouldn’t comment on exactly who is holding 20-year-old Marzullo and 21-year-old Ramelli.
There have been reports in the Arab press that the women’s captors are an independent group of Islamic militants connected to Jabhat al-Nusra, the official al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria, but not formally part of it. And the manner of the release of the video on New Year’s Eve and the lack of sophistication in its shooting would appear to give some credence to those claims. The video includes no al-Nusra logos and it has not appeared on websites associated with the al-Qaeda affiliate nor been promoted on Twitter accounts used by the militant group.
Hostages in northern Syria have been used almost as “currency” before, and several released European hostages have talked about being traded and passed between different militants during their captivity—although ISIS appears always to trade for Western hostages and never to exchange them with other militants.
Since the U.S.-led coalition launched airstrikes against ISIS and two waves of attacks against Jabhat al-Nusra, jihadist politics and deal-making have shifted and autonomous groups of Islamic militants have increasingly come under pressure to relinquish their independence. There have also been signs of efforts to bridge the schism between al-Nusra and the al-Qaeda breakaway ISIS, which was disavowed by al-Qaeda’s overall leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri, last winter following disputes over strategy and amid personality clashes.
One of the fears of Italian officials now is that Marzullo and Ramelli could be traded or used as bargaining chips between jihadists.
Speaking to reporters in Rome, the Speaker of Italy’s House of Deputies, Laura Boldrini, characterized the New Year’s Eve video as an SOS from the pair. “The girls send a cry for help…the situation of these girls is distressing.”
Salvatore Marzullo, Vanessa’s father said in a taped statement: “We have seen these images, the first of Vanessa and Greta in months, they seem ok even in spite of their difficult situation…there aren’t many words to say now other than that we were glad to see them alive.”
Since the women’s abduction—they were seized on their second trip into Syria, along with an Italian journalist who managed to escape—their families have been careful when talking to the media. They have followed generally the instructions of the Italian foreign ministry to say little and have confined their comments to explaining why the young women felt they had to cofound the Hooryaty Project to deliver medical goods to Syria.
Family members have said they pleaded with the women not to head to Syria.
When you hear your daughter say, ‘Mom, in that country they are killing children so I must go and help,’ what can you say?” Antonella Ramelli, Greta’s mother, wrote on her Facebook page. “Can you change your daughter who has these values and strong ideals about solidarity and human empathy? Should you?”
Speaking to a local radio station today Antonella Ramelli said the video gives her hope. She had feared the girls were dead. In the wake of the beheading of James Foley, the captives’ families lost hope that hostage negotiators at the Italian foreign ministry would secure the girls’ release, with Antonella Ramelli telling reporters that she was “doubly worried.”
There has been criticism in Italy of the women’s decision to plunge into freelance aid work in Syria with claims that neither was well prepared for the complexity and danger of what they would confront (both are students). Their kidnapping has had a major impact on Italian NGOs, with the country’s foreign ministry pressuring aid volunteers not to go to Syria.
Italy has paid to get hostages released in the past and the Italian hostage negotiators —there is a unit of them in the foreign ministry—have been successful in getting several Italians held captive by either al Nusra or ISIS freed. Italy’s president Giorgio Napolitano, who is approaching retirement, appears determined to get the two freed before he leaves office.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/01/01/jihadists-release-new-year-s-eve-video-of-italian-female-hostages.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-2893502/Kidnapped-Italian-women-Syria-appear-video.html
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Selena Gomez Slammed for Posing Provocatively at Abu Dhabi's Grand Mosque
January 02 2015
Former Disney star Selena Gomez is back in the spotlight and this time, her on-again, off-again boyfriend Justin Beiber has no part to play.
The 22-year-old singer sparked outrage after she posted a photo of her at the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi on her Instagram account. The famous Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is very particular about the dress code, and while "The Heart Wants What it wants" singer was covered in the traditional Burqa, a "revealing" pose showed a bit of her ankle.
The point of insisting on the ankle-length cloak is to hide womanly body parts, including the ankle, claim those who were offended by her photo. The "provocative" pose did not help matters either.
Alaa Almitwally commented on the photo: "Disrespectful! It's a religious place, not a place to have fun in. So disappointed." Ayisha Elturk, who also shared Almitwally's views posted, "If their intent was to learn about Islam, they wouldn't be posing like they were standing outside an amusement park. I like Selena Gomez, but to have her do something like this makes me quit being a fan."
Meanwhile, many of her fans are taking her side in the matter and calling the Islamic backlash a bit too harsh.
Leena_Alh said, "Look Selena Gomez only showed her ankle and foot. There are girls who don't wear scarves and enter the mosque". Singerr15 posted, "Why are people calling Selena Gomez disrespectful, just because her ankle was showing? Don't you show your ankles? You show more than that! "
Gomez has removed the picture following the brouhaha.
Another picture posted by Gomez, in which she poses with reality star Kendall Jenner, singer Cody Simpson, Gigi Hadid, Shay Mitchell and other, too was branded "disrespectful to Islam". The Grand mosque has a strict ban on all "intimate behavior," including holding hands and kissing.
Gigi Hadid, model and TV personality who was with Gomez on the UAE tour has apologised for their behaviour: "We were with many people from the mosque and were always checking to make sure we were being respectful. Please trust that... we understand the importance of the mosque to many, including myself coming from a Muslim father."
Selena Gomez has now posted a video of her eating food with her hands, just like people in Middle East do, traditionally, perhaps in the hope of winning back her Islamic fans.
http://www.ibtimes.co.in/selena-gomez-slammed-showing-ankle-posing-provocatively-abu-dhabis-grand-mosque-619014
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Balochistan incidents: ‘187 cases of violence against women in 2014’
January 02 2015
QUETTA: At least 187 cases of violence against women were reported across Balochistan in 2014, women’s rights organisation Aurat Foundation Balochistan said in its annual report on Thursday.
The foundation issued the report under a project entitled “Police and Data Monitoring on Violence against Women”. In 2013, 151 cases of violence against women were reported in the restive province.
“As many as 75 women were murdered on the pretext of so-called “honour” in different parts of Balochistan this year,” stated the report. The data showed a surge in violence as compared to the previous year, when some 45 women were killed in the name of honour. Most of the cases took place in the Nasirabad and Sibi divisions.
The report stated that as many as 46 women were killed. However, the reasons were not mentioned in the report.
At least 21 women committed suicide due to the domestic problems while three cases were reported about domestic violence against women. Six women were kidnapped and four were gang raped during the 12 months in 2014 in Balochistan.
Moreover, some 27 cases of different kinds of violence against the weaker sex were reported, including five cases of acid attacks.
“There is a conflict between culture of the tribal society and Islamic teachings. There are some culture constraints for women in the society which Islam does not allow,” Aurat Foundation noted in its report.
The foundation urged for greater political and economic strength of women in the society. “There is a need to give equal representation to women in every field of life,” Aurat Foundation said. “The women should be given education like their men counterparts.”
The social organisation added that there is a dire need for legislation at government level to deliver the status women deserved. “There would be no change until the approach and behavior is not changed towards women.”
Last year 151 cases of violence against women were reported — 45 of whom were murdered on the pretext of honor, 20 committed suicide on domestic issues, one was gang raped, 42 were murdered for reasons not mentioned and 14 were kidnapped.
QUETTA: At least 187 cases of violence against women were reported across Balochistan in 2014, women’s rights organisation Aurat Foundation Balochistan said in its annual report on Thursday.
The foundation issued the report under a project entitled “Police and Data Monitoring on Violence against Women”. In 2013, 151 cases of violence against women were reported in the restive province.
“As many as 75 women were murdered on the pretext of so-called “honour” in different parts of Balochistan this year,” stated the report. The data showed a surge in violence as compared to the previous year, when some 45 women were killed in the name of honour. Most of the cases took place in the Nasirabad and Sibi divisions.
The report stated that as many as 46 women were killed. However, the reasons were not mentioned in the report.
At least 21 women committed suicide due to the domestic problems while three cases were reported about domestic violence against women. Six women were kidnapped and four were gang raped during the 12 months in 2014 in Balochistan.
Moreover, some 27 cases of different kinds of violence against the weaker sex were reported, including five cases of acid attacks.
“There is a conflict between culture of the tribal society and Islamic teachings. There are some culture constraints for women in the society which Islam does not allow,” Aurat Foundation noted in its report.
The foundation urged for greater political and economic strength of women in the society. “There is a need to give equal representation to women in every field of life,” Aurat Foundation said. “The women should be given education like their men counterparts.”
The social organisation added that there is a dire need for legislation at government level to deliver the status women deserved. “There would be no change until the approach and behavior is not changed towards women.”
Last year 151 cases of violence against women were reported — 45 of whom were murdered on the pretext of honor, 20 committed suicide on domestic issues, one was gang raped, 42 were murdered for reasons not mentioned and 14 were kidnapped.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/816021/balochistan-incidents-187-cases-of-violence-against-women-in-2014/
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Three Moroccans Among Arab World’s Most Influential Women
January 02 2015
Rabat – Arab magazine Sayidaty recently published a list of the most influential Arab women of 2014. Three exceptional Moroccan women were included on the list.
In the realm of politics, Hakima El Hiti made it on the list. On October 10, 2013, HM King Mohammed VI appointed El Hiti the Minister Delegate to the Minister of Energy, Mining, Water, and Environment, in Charge of Environment.
She is also a member of the executive bureau of the Popular Movement party (MP) and president of the international relations committee.
The second Moroccan politician who made it to the list is Ms. Bassima Hakkaoui, Minister of Solidarity, Women, Family, and Social Development. Hakkaoui is a controversial Islamist politician, and is the sole female minister in the government, taking over the Ministry of Solidarity, Women, Family, and Social Development from Nouzha Skalli.
Hakkaoui’s conservative views on gender equality and women’s issues have made many consider her appointment an indicator of the new government’s conservative direction.
Last but not least of the Moroccan woman on the list is Fatima Nejjar, an Islamic preacher and educational activist.
In August, she was elected the 2nd Vice President of the Movement for Unity and Reform. Her election is the first win for a woman in the history of the Islamist movement.
According to the magazine, these women have distinguished themselves with their skills and actions throughout 2014.
http://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2015/01/148641/three-moroccans-among-arab-worlds-most-influential-women/
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Arshi Hasmat tops WB Judicial Service Exams, 2014
January 02 2015
Kolkata: Arshi Hasmat, from Kolkata, has topped the 2014 Judicial Service Examinations of West Bengal, making her only the second Muslim to top the coveted test in recent years. In 2008, Bushra Adil had topped the same examination. Incidentally, on both occasions laurels to the community were brought by women.
The result of 2014 Judicial Service Examinations was declared on December 30, 2014. Of the total 117 selected candidates, 19 (16%) are Muslims, seven of whom are women. Interestingly most of the successful candidates of the community come from poor family background.
Besides Arshi, six other women are Nasrina Parvin Rank-19, Yesmin Ara Khatun Rank-24, Jeba Parvin Rank-33, Nazmus Sahar Rank-86 and Shahina Shams Rank-113.
The topper of this year Arshi Hasmat is from the Hastings locality, on the outer fringe of Muslim dominated Khidderpore area. She has always been a meritorious student and had secured 82.25% in her senior secondary examinations from the Kendriya Vidyalay located in the Fort William Complex, not very far from Hastings. She later graduated in law Jogesh Chowdhury Law College with good marks and is currently completing her LLM at Calcutta University.
Of the total eight siblings, Arshi is the seventh sister. Interestingly one of her elder sisters has also earlier qualified the same judiciary examination few years ago and is serving as a Judge in the West Bengal Judges Court.
She told TCN that as their father Sk Hasmat had passed away while they were still young, their family faced hardships but it did not deter them from completing their education. She says that when she was in class IX, her father had expired, but their mother, Kaniz Fatma, herself a graduate from the prestigious St. Xavier’s College inspired them to complete their education.
In her personal life, Arshi is religious as well and she dorns the scarf in public and prays five times daily. Besides her mother, Holy Quran has been a source of inspiration for her. Stressing on the importance of education, particularly for girls, she says that the first verse of the Holy Quran revealed is “Iqra” (to read).
Arshi says that after clearing the entrance examination as she went for the interview, another female candidate advised her to take off her scarf as this may not reflect well on the interviewing panel and she may be disqualified. She was, however, prepared to face the interview in the dress she was comfortable, she says.
An eloquent orator and budding poet, Arshi says she answered all the questions she was asked confidently that seemed to have impressed the panellist. Although a native speaker of Urdu, Arshi is fluent in Bengali as well, besides Hindi and English.
An excited Arshi is now waiting for the appointment letter as she appeals to Muslim girls to come forward in higher education.
TCN also spoke to Sk Zafar Ali, now residing at Maheshtala of South 24 Parganasa, who ranked 45. After completing the primary education Zafor studied in Secondary and Senior Secondary in a Hindi Medium school at Khidderpore in Kolkata. He was Law graduate from Hazra Law College and is now studying in first year LLM at Aliah University.
Son of a retired labour of a Jute Mills, Sk Zafor told TCN, “After joining the job as Judge my first attention will be to give real justice. I will try my best to give the justice according to Indian constitution.”
Zafor also said that he wants to start an academy in Kolkata which will be exclusively for Hindi and Urdu Medium as there is very few Urdu medium institutions in the city and the state.
http://twocircles.net/2015jan02/1420188948.html#.VKXXpdLF84U
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Babies in UAE keep their date with New Year
January 02, 2015
Latifa hospital in Dubai welcomed its first baby of 2015 51 minutes after the clock struck midnight — and the last baby of 2014 was born seven hours and 40 minutes before the year was out.
Abu Dhabi/Dubai: It’s the year of the boys, if delivery on the first day of the New Year is any-thing to go by.
In the Capital, the first to arrive into the world in the New Year was Wassim at 12.01am, and proud parents Wasfieh and Tariq Khader couldn’t be happier for the opportune arrival of their first born. “We are very happy, it’s very nice. Insha Allah, we will get our wishes and more (blessings) are waiting for us for this New Year,” said Tariq, who immediately informed their relatives in Jordan of the good news.
“We hope that this will be the beginning of joy and happiness for our family,” added Wasfieh who delivered Wassim by caesarean at Burjeel Hospital. He weighed 3.4kg.
Latifa hospital in Dubai welcomed its first baby of 2015 51 minutes after the clock struck midnight — and the last baby of 2014 was born seven hours and 40 minutes before the year was out.
Zayed, born to Emirati parents Zainab Ali and Mohammad Ibrahim, weighed 3.46kg, and is the couple’s first child. “I was pleased to hear Zayed was the hospital’s first baby of 2015. Right now I am feeling very happy and I have my family here with me who are all really ecstatic too,” Zainab told Khaleej Times.
By 3pm on Thursday, Latifa Hospital had welcomed 15 New Year babies, but more new arrivals were expected before the day was out.
“The mood in the ward was very joyous. It always is this time of the year,” a ward nurse told Khaleej Times.
In Abu Dhabi, at 4.24am, Ahmed Abdel Rahmaan came into this world. His mother, Fincia, started having contractions at 5pm the day before but Ahmed, who weighed 3.2kg, timed his arrival to coincide with the New Year at Corniche Hospital.
“I’m very happy. I thought he will be born on the 31st as it took a long time for him to come out, but I’m happy he came out on January 1. We are expecting him to be born this day through his scans but we didn’t expect him to actually (be on time). I already phoned my parents in India and told them the good news,” said father Shabeer Ali.
Weighing 3.9kg, Fares was delivered by Huda Mohamed at 7am at the Corniche Hospital, and father Saeed Salem was all smiles as he held his fourth child for the first time.
According to Saeed, Huda was already a week late and was scheduled to be induced on January 2 but it appears that Fares had a different plan. “I think he was just waiting. I cannot describe my happiness. This is my 2015 and I live for this moment. I was born on December 2, so my country celebrates my birthday and now Fares’ birthday is celebrated (worldwide),” expressed the now father of four.
“I have two boys and two girls, now they’re equal,” added the Emirati, smiling.
For Ethiopian parents Kabeka and Brook Yohannes, January 1 “is a good day to be born” for their 4.6kg son who was delivered at Burjeel Hospital.
“We haven’t given him a name yet we are (still) arguing about it,” related Brook good-naturedly. According to him, Kabeka wants to name him Noel for his auspicious arrival but Brook was thinking of Roba. “We haven’t (agreed) yet, but I think none of these,” Brook said.
At 9.25am, Aubaida is the fourth son to arrive for Kawthar and Ibrahim Salamah.
“It was a difficult delivery that started from 2.30pm yesterday (Wednesday),” said Ibrahim. Kawthar’s due date was during the first week of January and Ibrahim made some plans for the long holiday.
“Actually, I have other plans for this holiday but I cancelled everything, I did not expect he will come out today. But we feel really happy about it,” said the Jordanian dad.
In Dubai, Baby Mohammed, son to father Adel Ali Almansoori, couldn’t quite hold out for a 2015 entrance into the world and was born at 4.20pm on December 31. Weighing 3.48kg, Mohammed was given the title of the last baby of 2014.
Speaking from Latifa Hospital, his mother said Mohammed is the perfect gift for 2015.
“I am so happy right now. Motherhood is tiring but very satisfying.” Mohammed is the couple’s second child and will be the younger brother to one-and-a-half-year-old Ali.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/kt-article-display-1.asp?xfile=data/nationgeneral/2015/January/nationgeneral_January15.xml§ion=nationgeneral
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Saudi Women-run ‘Producers’ show draws huge crowd at RCCI
January 02, 2015
The “Producers” exhibition which is a show run by women and organized by the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) has drawn huge crowds to its second edition being held on the RCCI premises.
The show targeting home-based women investors was inaugurated by Riyadh Gov. Prince Turki bin Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz last Thursday.
The show is said to have become a powerful marketing platform for female investors to develop their businesses and communicate directly with potential customers both men and women, organizers said.
The event witnessed the participation of many women university graduates who prefer investing from home rather than joining companies simply as employees. Some have succeeded in exporting their products outside the Kingdom and at least one of them is seeking to register a patent of her product.
RCCI board member Mansour bin Abdullah Al-Shathri said that RCCI continues to render its support to home-based investors on the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.
Al-Shathri added that the RCCI is keen to support this sector as it provides a safe working environment for women within the home and due to the high demand from women who have found it a suitable channel to achieve their ambitions and gain good returns through marketing their products.
The exhibition is composed of 550 pavilions which cover a variety of sections such as interior decoration, design, food, beauty, hospitality, concerts, fashion, accessories, crochets, handicrafts, perfumes, photography, and publications.
http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/683276
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Year ends with a milestone for Bangladesh women
January 02, 2015
On the eve of stepping into a new year, the country achieved a new milestone for women yesterday; when for the first time ever, a female flight cadet – Nabila Afsana Badhon – carried the national flag to lead the flag contingent in a President Parade of Bangladesh Air Force.
Also at the same occasion, where Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took the parade’s salute as the chief guest, two of the country’s first female combat pilots took part in the flypast – their first such participation at a major event.
Only two weeks earlier, Flight Lieutenant Nayma Haque and Flying Officer Tamanna-E-Lutfi made history by becoming the first female combat pilots of the country.
Although they still have many phases of training left to do, the two female combat pilots said it was an honour to get the opportunity to be a part of yesterday’s flypast in the presence of the prime minister.
“We feel proud and honoured joining the President Parade,” Nayma told the Dhaka Tribune after yesterday’s President Parade of 70 Flight Cadet Course of Air Force. Tamanna also expressed similar feelings.
Both of them flew Bell-206 helicopters as they took part in the flypast, becoming the first female combat pilots in southeast Asia to fly this model of chopper.
It was also a big day for the 42 flight cadets who passed out from the Air Academy after two years of gruelling training.
But at the Jessore Air Force Academy parade ground yesterday, most of the limelight was on Flight Cadet Nabila, Flight Lieutenant Nayma and Flying Officer Tamanna – pioneers of a new generation of female Air Force personnel.
Once the parade, flypast and other formal programmes ended, parents of the newly graduated flight cadets, distinguished guests and senior Armed Forces officials came forward to congratulate Nayma and Tamanna on their achievement.
Former foreign minister and ruling party MP Dipu Moni was among those who congratulated them. An enthusiastic Dipu Moni brought out her smartphone and seized the opportunity to get a picture taken with the country’s first two female combat pilots.
Flight Cadet Nabila, who was the national flag bearer in the parade, is still undergoing training in the academy, while combat pilots Nayma and Tamanna are posted at Air Force’s Bir Sreshtho Matiur Rahman Base in Jessore.
Mili Rahman, wife of Bir Sreshtho Matiur Rahman, was present at yesterday’s event. Following the programme, she excitedly approached Nayma and Tamanna, saying: “Congratulations, you are our pride.”
When she found out that the two combat pilots were located in the base named after her husband, Mili became emotional. She told Nayma and Tamanna: “I am the wife of [Bir Sreshtho] Matiur Rahman, I am very glad to know that [where the pilots were based]. I pray for you, my best wishes for you.”
Air Force Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman died in a plane crash in 1971 while escaping from Pakistan to join the Liberation War. For his bravery, Matiur was awarded the country’s highest gallantry award Bir Sreshtho.
“We never met her [Matiur’s wife Mili] before, so we were exited too,” Tamanna told the Dhaka Tribune.
Interestingly, Nayma and Tamanna both said it was their childhood dream to become a combat pilot one day.
Twenty-four-year old Nayma’s inspiration was her grandfather Abdul Wahed Khandaker who was in the Royal Indian Air Force during the British colonial regime and Tamanna’s inspiration was her father Lutfor Rahman who is a retired group captain of Bangladesh Air Force.
Becoming a combat pilot was a “dream come true achievement” for Nayma and Tamanna; but both of them said they believed that this was also an “achievement for the country and nation.”
The two combat pilots said they wanted to further serve the country and were looking forward to contribute in different significant occasions as well as helping people in crises like natural disasters. They also expressed hopes of contributing to UN missions on behalf of Bangladesh.
Flight Lieutenant Nayma was commissioned in the Air Force in December 2011, while Flying Officer Tamanna was commissioned in December 2012. Now they want to complete their full training as military pilots.
The Army, Navy and Air Force introduced the recruitment of female officers during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s first tenure in 2000.
Hasina in her speech to the commissioned officer yesterday said: “I am so happy to know that two female Air Force officers by now have been able to fly by their own after completing their training successfully as first [female] military pilots.
“I hope, the Air Force will train more female military pilots in future,” said Hasina, adding that the Air Force would continue its contribution for the development of female officers.
Nayma and Tamanna said they believed that all females of the country should come forward to realise their own dreams.
“If there is will, there is win... The dream can come true,” said 23-year-old Tamanna with confidence; a sentiment that was also shared by her colleague Nayma.
http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2015/jan/01/year-ends-milestone-women#sthash.Gn1mY8CX.dpuf
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/saudi-arabia-ban-gender-mixing/d/100814