Uttarakhand, India: Three Muslim Women Appointed as Members of State Haj Committee
New Age Islam News Bureau
14 May 2025
· Uttarakhand, India: Three Muslim Women Appointed as Members of State Haj Committee
· New Initiative Aims to Support Women in Saudi Creative Sector
· How Western Aid Cuts Deepen Afghan Women’s Crisis
· Muslim Woman Asks European Girls to Wear Hijab to Break Down Misconceptions About It
· Rugby PlayeerZainabAlema On Why Representation Matters for Muslim Women In Rugby
· UNICEF Begins Vitamin Distribution for 50,000 Pregnant Women InKabul To Fight Anemia
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/uttarakhand-india-muslim-women-haj-committee/d/135534
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Uttarakhand, India: Three Muslim Women Appointed as Members of State Haj Committee
14 May 2025
Three women are inducted in the Haj Committee/Representational image
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The Uttarakhand government, in a statement, said three Muslim women have been appointed as members of the State Haj Committee, marking a significant reform in the religious body. Now, they can share their concerns and suggestions directly with the committee.
According to a CMO statement, three Muslim women - RizwanaParveen, a councillor from Kotdwar Municipal Corporation; Tarannum Khan of Haldwani; and ShahidaSiraj of Almora - have been inducted in the committee.
We aim to include women's perspectives in matters related to the Hajj pilgrimage, said Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
"Muslim women going on the Hajj pilgrimage also face many problems. By giving them representation in the Haj Committee for the first time after the formation of the state, we have ensured that they can put their problems and suggestions directly before the committee," Dhami said.
He added that the decision aligns with the government's ongoing efforts toward women's empowerment. "The government had appointed SairaBano as the Vice President of the State Women's Commission, working towards women's empowerment," the Chief Minister said.
The updated list of members released by the government also includes Laksar MLA Muhammad Shahzad.
Other members nominated to the Haj Committee include Zeeshan Ahmed, Haseeb Ahmed, Islamuddin Ansari, Sameer Jafri, Khatib Ahmed, Mannan Raja, Haji Abrar Hussain and Haji Faim Khan.
Earlier, the Uttarakhand State Haj Committee had requested the setting up of vaccination camps across the state for Haj pilgrims selected for Haj Yatra-2025, which was in line with past practice. The vaccinations include Meningococcal Meningitis, Seasonal Influenza, and OPV (Oral Polio Vaccine).
According to officials, the Deputy Secretary of Minority Welfare has requested the Director General of Medical Health to take necessary further action promptly regarding the vaccination program outlined by the Hajj Committee.
The Executive Officer of the State Haj Committee has instructed the Chief Medical Officers of the concerned districts to ensure that vaccines are administered in sufficient numbers, taking into account the total number of Haj pilgrims selected for vaccination at each camp.
Source: english.jagran.com
https://english.jagran.com/india/uttarakhand-three-muslim-women-appointed-as-members-of-state-haj-committee-check-what-cm-dhami-said-10237261
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New initiative aims to support women in Saudi creative sector
HAJAR AL-QUSAYER
May 13, 2025
A new initiative supporting the next generation of female talent in Saudi Arabia’s creative marketing industry was launched by Athar, the Saudi Festival of Creativity at an event in Riyadh on Tuesday. (Supplied)
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RIYADH: An initiative supporting the next generation of female talent in Saudi Arabia’s creative marketing industry was launched by Athar Saudi Festival of Creativity in Riyadh on Tuesday.
The Maheerah Network is a year-round program focused on training, leadership development and professional networking.
Adel Baraja, CEO of PublicisGroupe KSA, which is behind Maheerah, said that the program was designed to be led by women already working in the industry.
“Maheerah Network is an expert-led program by women in the industry, supporting and growing businesses in Saudi Arabia, and helping educate women pursuing careers in communication,” he told Arab News.
Baraja said that there was a need to develop creative strategists through practical experience and professional growth, noting that many students graduating in fields such as marketing and design still faced challenges translating their academic knowledge into strategic creative work.
“We need a lot more creative strategists for both men and women in this case. And you cannot graduate as a creative strategist; you have to grow that skill.”
During a panel titled “Owning your voice: Authentic Female Leadership in Saudi Arabia,” held at the launch event, Nadin Al-Alami, business lead at MSL KSA, emphasized the importance of having authentic leadership in the communications sector.
“It’s a very dynamic industry and so flexible, and without authentic leadership, you cannot survive, especially that most of the workforce is Generation Z,” she said.
Al-Alami said that managing Gen Z professionals required a purpose-driven and trust-based approach.
“You cannot just impose things on Gen Z without having them believe in your purpose and your vision, without connecting them, without having them trust you.”
Al-Alami also underlined the role of cultural intelligence in building internal culture and driving progress.
“Cultural intelligence is bringing all those authentic values and approach to dealing with our people to create a very positive culture and without this, there is no way forward.”
Al-Alami cited Saudi Arabia as an example of a national vision built on innovation and growth.
“The vision of Saudi is all about innovation, growth and standing out, and you can’t achieve that without the right culture. It’s a must.”
Speaking to Arab News on the sidelines of the launch, Nada Hakeem, CEO and co-founder of Wetheloft, said that hiring trends in the creative sector had shifted, particularly among younger professionals.
“Today, most of the talent is from Generation Z. They are not just looking for a job, but for purpose as well,” Hakeem told Arab News.
This generational shift had pushed companies to rethink traditional job structures.
“This has made it necessary for companies to have something bigger than just the tasks employees are doing,” she said.
Hakeem added that women were increasingly seen as valuable contributors in the creative sector, with companies actively seeking to hire more female talent.
“Women in Saudi Arabia are not just getting opportunities, but we feel a little bit more privileged, and companies are actually actively seeking more women in Saudi.”
She said that empathy played a key role in the creative field, particularly in marketing and communication.
“I think women are more empathetic by nature, and empathy in the creative industry is essential. When you understand the needs of others, you can cater to them better. And this is what marketing and communication is all about — understanding the needs and the wants and the problems, and solving problems for others.”
Source: arabnews.com
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2600603/saudi-arabia
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How Western aid cuts deepen Afghan women’s crisis
MODASER ISLAMI
May 13, 2025
KABUL: Afghan women entrepreneurs who have carved out spaces of independence for themselves and others, despite sweeping Taliban restrictions, are facing the collapse of their businesses as Western donors abruptly cut the aid they once pledged.
The rights of Afghan women have been curtailed since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021.
Barred from secondary schools and higher education, restricted in public places and not allowed to take up most of the jobs, women have been turning to private entrepreneurship to empower themselves and others.
Aid from Western countries, which have been pressuring the Taliban to uphold women’s rights, has been especially vital in sustaining these female-led initiatives.
The sudden reduction in funding, which started with massive US aid cuts since January, has already affected Afghan healthcare and essential services and is now taking a toll on the very group the West once vowed to support.
“Women’s economic activities have been severely affected by the reduction in international aid. Reduced financial support has led to fewer training and development opportunities, and in some cases international partners that previously provided resources or markets have suspended or ceased their activities,” BehnazSaljoqi, head of the Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industries in Herat, told Arab News.
International humanitarian aid has played a key role in empowering women entrepreneurs by providing not only direct support but also training, networking opportunities, microfinance, access to foreign markets, and sponsorship for exhibitions.
“This support not only helped women acquire technical and managerial skills, but also gain greater confidence to participate in the labor market and society. Without this support, many women would not even consider starting a business,” Saljoqi said.
“If the situation continues or worsens, the working environment for women will become increasingly difficult … The empowerment process that began in previous years will be reversed.”
Bahar Anwari, who runs Bahar Canvas Art Gallery in Kabul, is already observing a decline in her business as her usual customers — women — are no longer placing orders.
“With the reduction of development projects, things changed in the country,” she said.
“The purchasing power of people, especially women, has become very low. Employment opportunities became scarce, and most women lost their jobs, and poverty is growing every day. We will have to shut down our workshops and sit at home doing nothing.”
For Afghan women entrepreneurs, doing business means not only helping to sustain their own households but also contributing to society and creating opportunities for others like them.
International support has played a key role in making it possible.
“Women in Afghanistan largely depend on financial support from family and international organizations. While establishing my company, I also received some funds from a development organization, without which it would have been very difficult to set up the business,” said ParisaElhami, director of fashion brand Watan Collection.
“Being in business as a woman gave me the strength and confidence to maintain my social standing despite the limitations. Business allowed me to be independent and provide employment opportunities for other women.”
The foreign aid cuts, especially from Afghanistan’s main donor, the US — which invaded the country in 2001 and spent billions of dollars on two decades of military and development operations — have already disrupted basic services such as healthcare, education, and food distribution.
Women, whose social role US humanitarian agencies earlier promoted, face losing their place in society, together with the collapsing businesses.
“The presence of women in economic and social spheres is vital. It not only contributes to economic growth, but also contributes to social justice and the overall progress of society,” Elhami told Arab News.
“The decline in international aid, especially from the US, has forced many women-run companies to close or reduce their staff … If the economic situation and global aid levels continue at the same pace or worse, the future of women’s business will be seriously threatened. Many businesses will disappear and women’s access to economic, health and educational opportunities will be severely limited.”
Source: arabnews.com
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2600559/world
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Muslim Woman Asks European Girls to Wear Hijab to Break Down Misconceptions About It
SIBY JEYYA
14/05/2025
The video of a Muslim woman asking European girls to try on a hijab has gone viral, sparking a heated debate about cultural understanding, religious freedom, and identity. In the video, the woman invites young non-Muslim girls to experience wearing the hijab, perhaps with the intent to foster empathy, promote understanding of the garment, and break down misconceptions about it. Some viewers see this as a positive step toward cross-cultural dialogue, encouraging curiosity and challenging stereotypes about Islamic practices. However, for others, it might raise concerns about cultural appropriation or reducing the hijab to a mere fashion accessory rather than a deeply meaningful religious symbol.
Now, imagining the opposite scenario—where someone was to ask Muslim women to try removing the hijab—would undoubtedly provoke a very different reaction. Removing the hijab, for many Muslim women, is not just a personal decision; it’s a deeply ingrained religious practice tied to their faith, modesty, and identity. Asking someone to take off their hijab could be perceived as disrespectful or intrusive, especially if the request is framed as a challenge to their beliefs. For some Muslim women, wearing the hijab is a visible expression of their devotion and autonomy, and any suggestion to remove it could feel like a denial of their religious and personal rights.
This reversal would likely spark intense criticism, particularly from Muslim communities, who may feel that their autonomy over their religious and cultural choices is being undermined. The debate could centre on issues of religious freedom, the right to express one’s faith, and the challenges Muslim women face in navigating societal pressures to conform to Western ideals of beauty or dress. While both scenarios—asking girls to try on a hijab or asking women to remove it—aim to engage with cultural exchange, the power dynamics, historical context, and deeply personal nature of the decisions involved make the latter a far more sensitive issue. The conversation around both scenarios underscores the complexity of intercultural dialogue and the importance of respecting individual agency and choice.
Source: indiaherald.com
https://www.indiaherald.com/Breaking/Read/994819009/VIDEO-Muslim-Woman-Makes-European-Girl-To-Wear-Hijab
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Rugby PlayeerZainabAlema On Why Representation Matters for Muslim Women In Rugby
Mina Rzouki
May 14, 2025
On a crisp October afternoon, under the floodlights of a roaring stadium, ZainabAlema etched her name into history. The moment the ball crossed the try line, she paused. For a heartbeat, maybe two, the world slowed.
“I almost had a delayed celebration,” she says, her voice still carrying the wonder of that day. “Because I couldn't quite believe that I actually scored. Everything just clicked into place. It was an incredible moment.”
The score wasn’t just a personal triumph – it was a cultural milestone. On October 6, 2024, Alema became the first black, Muslim woman in a hijab to play – and score – in England’s top-tier women’s rugby union division, the Premiership, donning the Leicester Tigers jersey against Gloucester-Hartpury. The try was more than a sporting feat; it was a statement.
“[I thought] today is the day I'm going to be the first black and Muslim hijab-wearing player to play in the Premiership,” she recalls during a Zoom interview with The National. “And the funny thing is, people around me didn't know the significance of it. They just saw me as another rugby player. But for me – I knew.”
All too aware that the spotlight was on her, Alema wanted to ensure she caught as many eyes as possible.
“When I made my debut, I spoke about going on to the pitch without my scrum cap on. I wanted people to see [the hijab] because I think, for me, that it was important to be visible because visibility is huge.”
Representation, Alema says, matters. “You can't be what you can't see. People say if you can't see it you can't be it. And there's a lot of truth to that.”
A 'bigger purpose'
At 31, Alema’s path to professional rugby was anything but conventional. A mother of three and a trained neonatal nurse, she left the ward behind in 2021 to chase a dream that, until her twenties, she didn’t even know she had.
A proud British Ghanaian, Alema didn’t grow up with rugby posters on her wall. She didn’t spend weekends watching Six Nations classics or idolising England legends. The first time she caught sight of a rugby match on television, she was, in her own words, stunned. The physicality, pace, and camaraderie all sparked something unexpected. And when she first picked up a ball, everything changed.
Since then, she has pushed against the boundaries of stereotype and expectation. Standing in scrum formations in her hijab, Alema has faced down not just opponents, but perceptions of what a Muslim woman can or should do, of who belongs on the rugby pitch. Her journey has taken her from grassroots club pitches to national headlines, from being one of the few in a sport still struggling with diversity to becoming a role model for many.
None of this was planned, but Alema felt the weight of destiny calling.
“I didn’t set out to be the first,” she says. “I was just following my passion. But once I realised that me just showing up, just being on the pitch, was inspiring people, I knew I had a bigger purpose.”
That purpose has blossomed into advocacy. Alongside her playing career – Alema is dual-registered, meaning she is on the books of Leicester Tigers in the top tier and Richmond Women in Championship South 1, a rung below the elite Premiership – she’s become a visible force for inclusion in sport.
Her platform, “Studs in the Mud”, highlights stories from underrepresented communities in rugby. She gives talks in schools, mentors young athletes and has become a fixture in conversations about diversity in British sport.
But behind the accolades and headlines is a woman who starts her mornings with a cup of tea and juggles match schedules with nursery runs. “My kids know that mummy plays rugby,” she laughs. “Sometimes they think I’m a superhero. Sometimes they’re just annoyed I’m not home for bedtime.”
Alema said motherhood has given her a stronger sense of purpose. “I feel like since becoming a mother, I've become a better rugby player because it feels as if, when you're on the pitch, you know you've got a family back home, you know you’ve got people to go back to, so you're giving everything, and you have to almost make sure that it's worthwhile not spending as much time with your kids as maybe you could because you're immersed in this career.
“It's quite rewarding, especially when I hear my children say they want to be a rugby player like I am.”
First steps into rugby
Rugby is one of the most physically draining sports and not for the faint-hearted. Collisions and concussions go hand in hand, and the demands on the body are as unrelenting as they are unforgiving.
Alema remembers the first time she watched a game on TV: “I just remember looking through the channels one day when the family was watching TV and I saw rugby and I just thought, ‘What the heck is that?’. It was so shocking because it just looked like grown men jumping on top of each other.”
If curiosity piqued her interest, temptation would soon get Alema's number when rugby was introduced at her school by a PE teacher who was something of a zealot when it came to the oval ball. It didn't take long for Alema to convert.
“Girls often did tennis or rounders, but when she introduced rugby, it was very different. I remember being the only one out of my peers who was just buzzing and couldn't wait to play because it was something different. I remember touching the ball, running through people, and I just thought to myself, 'Where has this sport been all my life?'.
“I played various sports throughout school, but rugby was different. And I almost felt like an instant connection, and I wish I found this sooner.”
Changing perceptions
However, the journey to achieving her dreams hasn’t been an easy one – especially as a proud veiled black Muslim woman.
In a recent documentary broadcast by BeIN and TOD TV, Alema recalled how she often felt like an outsider growing up in a Western society that doesn't always support Muslims, particularly young girls, pursuing their sporting dreams.
“It was trying to be comfortable with my identity within a space where I felt isolated. I felt lonely. I felt like, I didn't belong because I looked left and right, and nobody looked like me on the pitch,” she explains.
Overcoming the reservations of her father, who viewed rugby as a sport dominated by men and shaped by elitist traditions, was another hurdle, but one that Alema ranks as one of her proudest achievements.
“He just couldn't understand why his young Muslim daughter wanted to play rugby. I don't think he even knew that women played rugby ... But the one thing that he didn't do, he didn't say no. He didn't stop me. He just left me to it. And now, he tells everybody that I play rugby.
"So, I think when people ask me, 'What's your proudest achievement?' I think I always look back to being able to change my father's perspective on women playing rugby because when you change perceptions at home, you then hopefully filter through to society and other people will think, 'OK, it's OK for women to play rugby'.”
Inspiring others
Grounded by faith, family, and a quiet resilience that has seen her through moments of doubt, injury, and isolation, Alema now dreams bigger – not of glory, but of legacy. Of a future where girls in hijabs see themselves not just in rugby, but everywhere.
“I remind myself why I’m here. I belong. I’ve worked hard to be here. And I play not just for me, but for everyone who never saw themselves in this game.”
Alema has taken on a mentor's role, paving the way for young Muslim girls to take up a sport that challenges perceptions and smashes down barriers.
“I had a young dad who messaged me asking about sports hijabs. His young daughter just got into rugby and he wanted to find appropriate sports hijabs, so he was asking me for advice. We got chatting and I actually went to go see her ... she's such a lovely girl. She’s only 11 years old and he said to me: ‘I want Aisha to go on to do great things in rugby’.
“And I just thought it was beautiful because this is a Muslim dad so supportive of his young Muslim daughter playing a sport that's not traditionally, I guess maybe it's not a sunnah sport.”
England ambitions
Set to be dual-registered again next season, Alema has made clear that her ultimate goal is to play for England's Red Roses.
Doing so would serve a double purpose: pride at representing her faith and culture and also the impact it will have on others – and not just those chasing their sporting dreams.
"What I realised on this journey – because I think about what it is that I want to achieve by playing for England – is to have a huge social impact, to inspire more people, to allow people to chase their own dreams through just sort of supporting my journey.
“I remember getting a message from a young girl who's saying she wants to do her Master's, but she's been putting it off. She's been seeing how hard I'm working at my goal and she's put in an application and she's going to go do her Master's. That's nothing to do with sport; she's taken something from my journey and applied it to herself. And that's the impact I want to make."
Source: thenationalnews.com
https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/2025/05/14/you-cant-be-what-you-cant-see-zainab-alema-on-why-representation-matters-for-muslim-women-in-rugby/
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UNICEF begins Vitamin distribution for 50,000 Pregnant women in Kabul to fight Anemia
By Fidel Rahmati
May 14, 2025
UNICEF has started distributing vitamins and minerals to 50,000 pregnant and lactating women in Kabul to improve maternal health.
On Tuesday, May 13, 2025, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) announced the launch of a distribution program for vitamins and mineral supplements to support 50,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women in Kabul. The goal is to improve maternal health and reduce anemia among mothers.
This initiative, implemented with financial support from the European Union, is currently ongoing in Kabul. UNICEF shared the news on the social media platform X, highlighting the significance of the program in tackling health challenges faced by women during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
The vitamins and mineral supplements are aimed at helping pregnant and breastfeeding women combat iron deficiency, anemia, and other issues resulting from inadequate nutrition. These efforts are critical in addressing the widespread malnutrition in Afghanistan.
In 2024, UNICEF distributed folic acid (iron) tablets to approximately 2.5 million girls at risk of anemia in Afghanistan. The country’s high levels of malnutrition and anemia, particularly during pregnancy, are a major concern for maternal health.
Afghanistan has faced significant challenges in providing adequate healthcare, and international aid organizations, such as UNICEF, have played a vital role in addressing these issues, focusing on maternal and child nutrition and well-being.
The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan remains dire, with the country grappling with widespread food insecurity and poor healthcare infrastructure. UNICEF and other organizations are working tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of vulnerable populations, especially women and children.
Despite these efforts, Afghanistan continues to face a complex humanitarian crisis. The UN and UNICEF have repeatedly called for increased international support to address the country’s health and nutrition needs and to prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation.
Source: khaama.com
https://www.khaama.com/unicef-begins-vitamin-distribution-for-50000-pregnant-women-in-kabul-to-fight-anemia/
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/uttarakhand-india-muslim-women-haj-committee/d/135534