Nigar Shaji, An Indian Muslim Woman Scientist, and Her Tryst With Destiny When Aditya-L1 Satellite Soars Into The Sky
New Age
Islam News Bureau
02 September 2023
·
Nigar Shaji, An Indian Muslim Woman Scientist, and
Her Tryst With Destiny When Aditya-L1 Satellite Soars Into The Sky
·
Surge In Afghan Women’s Suicide Rates Amid
Adversity
·
CAIR Strongly Condemns Gruesome Murder of
Mariame Toure Sylla, a Muslim Woman Missing Since July
·
US: Muslim
Woman Sues Sheriff's Office After Being Forced To Remove Hijab
·
12 Muslim
Women Should Be Taken As Role Models
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL:
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Nigar
Shaji, An Indian Muslim Woman Scientist, and Her Tryst With Destiny When
Aditya-L1 Satellite Soars Into The Sky
Nigar Shaji, An Indian Muslim Woman Scientis
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02nd
September 2023
By
Thinakaran Rajamani Express News Service
TENKASI:
The contribution of Tamils to India’s Space Odyssey seems to be enduring as a
woman scientist from the state’s southern district of Tenkasi will have her
tryst with destiny when Aditya-L1 satellite soars into the sky on Saturday.
Nigar
Shaji (59), a native of Shengottai, is the project director of the ambitious
Aditya-L1, which is the first space-based mission deployed by India to study
the Sun.
Speaking
to TNIE on Friday, Shaji’s brother S Sheik Saleem said Shaji completed her
schooling in English medium at the Shengottai government higher secondary
school.
"She
did her graduation in engineering from the Tirunelveli government engineering
college and joined ISRO in 1987. She resides in Bengaluru and visits Shengottai
whenever there are family functions. Shaji’s husband, an engineer, is working
in a Gulf country, and her son is also working as a scientist in the
Netherlands. Her daughter and our mother are staying with Shaji in Bengaluru.
We lost our father 30 years ago,” Saleem said. Incidentally, Chandrayaan 3
project director P Veeramuthuvel is also from Tamil Nadu.
Countdown
starts
The
23-hour-and-40-minute countdown for the Sun mission has begun. Aditya-L1
satellite will lift off from Sriharikota on Saturday at 11.50 a.m.
Source: newindianexpress.com
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2023/sep/02/meet-nigar-shaji-from-tns-tenkasi-aditya-l1-mission-project-director-2610872.html
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Surge In
Afghan Women’s Suicide Rates Amid Adversity
Photo:
Khaama Press
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By Fidel
Rahmati
September
1, 2023
In 2011,
the Thomson Reuters Foundation declared Afghanistan the “most dangerous place
in the world to be a woman,” the head of Afghanistan’s UN mission said that the
Taliban had turned Afghanistan into the worst place for women.
Research
by the Thomson Reuters Foundation and the United Nations reveals that
Afghanistan has not been a favourable place for women, particularly in the past
four decades, and the situation has worsened significantly under the interim
Taliban government. Rising levels of despair among women and girls, as reported
by Gallup, and an increase in women’s suicide rates, as reported by The
Guardian, highlight the severe conditions imposed on women and girls in
Afghanistan.
While
precise statistics on women’s and girls’ suicide rates in Afghanistan are
unavailable, findings from a research collaboration between The Times and The
Guardian indicate a significant increase in women’s suicide rates during the
two years of Taliban rule.
According
to this report, the number of women who have committed suicide in the past two
years has been twice that of men.
Suicide
is a complex phenomenon influenced by various psychological, physical, and
emotional factors. Social, environmental, and political factors play a crucial
role in its increase or decrease within a society.
Diana
Zarukhsha, a psychological counsellor, discusses the mental well-being of women
and girls, highlighting their mental and emotional challenges due to harsh and
unfavourable conditions over the past two years.
Zarukhsha
explains that the mental state of women is affected by diverse factors such as
stress, anxiety, depression, and psychological pressures arising from war,
violence, poverty, and gender discrimination, including lack of employment and
educational opportunities. Additionally, the lack of access to mental health
services and the absence of meaningful activities and recreation for women
exacerbate their mental issues.
Zarukhsha
attributes the high suicide rates among women to “gender discrimination and the
inability to access equal rights and opportunities.” She emphasizes that in
societies like Afghanistan, women face violence, physical abuse, sexual
assault, lack of social support, inadequate job opportunities, limited
decision-making power in their lives, cultural pressures, and restricted access
to health and medical services, all of which contribute to their mental
distress.
On the
other hand, UN authorities also attribute the increase in women’s and girls’
suicide rates in Afghanistan to a ban on education, work, and public presence
for women.
They
said that Afghanistan is in the midst of a mental health crisis, which has
arisen from the crisis of women’s rights. The growing number of women and girls
preferring death over life in current circumstances is alarming.
Nadia, a
fifteen-year-old girl from Kabul, expresses her hardships over the past two
years, including deprivation of education and the loss of all her aspirations
in a male-dominated society. According to Nadia, girls have no value in a
society like Afghanistan, and their dreams are meaningless. She believes that
her mental and emotional well-being has suffered dramatically due to
restrictions on women’s freedoms, pushing her to despair.
Diana
Zarukhsha, the psychological counsellor, emphasizes that gender discrimination
can negatively affect women’s mental and physical health. Living in an
environment where gender bias exists can lead to feelings of insecurity,
loneliness, hopelessness, and discomfort. These feelings can manifest in
various ways, leading to mental issues such as depression, anxiety, eating
disorders, sleep disturbances, and even suicidal thoughts.
Diana
warns against the negative consequences of banning girls’ education on their
mental and emotional well-being, saying that such measures result in violence,
physical abuse within families and society, early forced marriages, lack of
equal rights, and other cultural and legal constraints.
In 2011,
the Thomson Reuters Foundation surveyed gender experts on the status of women
in different countries, concluding that violence against women, lack of
healthcare facilities, and poverty in Afghanistan have combined to create the
worst conditions for women in the country.
Source: khaama.com
https://www.khaama.com/surge-in-afghan-womens-suicide-rates-amid-adversity/
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CAIR
Strongly Condemns Gruesome Murder of MariameToure Sylla, a Muslim Woman Missing
Since July
Ismail
Allison
September
1, 2023
(BALTIMORE,
MD, 9/1/2023) – The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR) today strongly condemned the gruesome murder of Mariame Toure Sylla,
a Maryland Muslim woman who had been missing since July of this year and whose
body was found by Prince George’s County police.
The
Washington, D.C., based civil rights and advocacy organization welcomed news of
the arrest of a suspect, Harold Francis Landon III, in the murder of the
beloved Greenbelt, Md. teacher, and called for justice to the full extent of
the law for her and her family.
According
to sources, Sylla was wearing hijab, an Islamic head covering, at the time of
her disappearance during an evening walk. Her dismembered body was discovered
August 1 and later identified by DNA testing.
Police
say no motive is known at this time, and there is no indication the alleged
suspect knew the victim.
VIDEO:
The Prince George’s County Police Department announces charges for a suspect
for the murder of a missing Greenbelt woman.
Maryland
man charged in death of missing Greenbelt teacher, police say
PGPD
Charges Suspect for Murder of Missing Greenbelt Woman
“To God
we belong and to Him we return,” said CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry.
“We offer our sincerest condolences to the family and loved ones of Sr.
Mariame. May God enter her into the highest level of paradise and bring the
alleged perpetrator of this horrible crime to swift justice.”
CAIR
expressed its appreciation to Prince George’s County Police Chief Malik Aziz
and the officers who worked tirelessly on this case.
CAIR is
America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission
is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice,
and empower American Muslims.
La
misión de CAIR esproteger las libertadesciviles, mejorar la comprensión del
Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a losmusulmanesenlosEstadosUnidos.
Source: cair.com
https://www.cair.com/press_releases/breaking-cair-strongly-condemns-gruesome-murder-of-md-muslim-woman-missing-since-july-welcomes-arrest-of-suspect/
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US:
Muslim woman sues sheriff's office after being forced to remove hijab
1
September 2023
A Muslim
woman in the US state of Tennessee has filed a lawsuit against the local
sheriff's office after being forced to remove her hijab for a mugshot.
Sophia
Johnston was taken to Rutherford County Jail earlier this month after being
pulled over for driving a vehicle with a suspended license.
There,
she was told to remove her hijab. Johnston told local news outlet WSMV4 that
she did not want to remove her head covering for religious reasons, but
deputies told her that if she did not she would be jailed until she complied.
"I
was confused. I felt like I was in an unknown place. I was scared, I felt very
naked because as a Muslim woman, our hijab is our protection," Johnston
told the news outlet.
The
lawsuit claims that the sheriff's office broke state law regarding religious
freedom. Johnston has said only the men in her family have seen her without her
head covering.
"Once
I unwrap my scarf, they all come out and just slowly walk past me, and I'm just
trying so hard to not cry, not to break down because I can't show these people
that they broke me," she said.
The
Rutherford County sheriff's office told Middle East Eye that it does not
comment on pending legislation.
Johnston
is the latest Muslim woman to sue a police department in the US over the forced
removal of their hijab during detention.
Considered
by some Muslims to be obligatory in Islam, women who choose to wear the hijab
do so around men who are not considered their "mahram" - a male
family member with whom marriage is considered unlawful.
Being
forced to remove would be a violation of their civic and religious rights, the
lawsuit contends.
Every
state in the US has its own policy in dealing with religious coverings during
arrests and mugshots.
Several
of these lawsuits have led to hefty settlements in the tens of thousands of
dollars, and some police departments, including in New York City, have adjusted
their policies regarding mugshots to allow women to continue wearing their
head-coverings so long as their faces are left unobstructed.
In one
case in 2017, the city of Long Beach, California agreed to pay $85,000 to
settle a federal lawsuit filed by a Muslim woman whose hijab was pulled off by
a male officer while she was in police custody.
Source: middleeasteye.net
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/us-muslim-woman-sues-sheriffs-office-after-being-forced-remove-hijab
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12
Muslim Women Should Be Taken As Role Models
ZAHRA
ASHFAQ
SEPTEMBER
1, 2023
Muslim
Women can learn a lot from these 12 pious women in Islamic history and make
them their role models and learn a lot from them.
Here is
the list of personalities that all Muslim women should follow;
1.
Khadija (RA)
She was
a businesswoman, she was married to Muhammad PBUH. Her marriage is a lesson
that if Men can marry a younger woman, then it’s okay for women to marry
someone younger as well. She was a businesswoman, who led her personal life by
continuing her business.
2.
Ayesha (RA)
Ayesha
(RA) was married to Muhammad PBUH, She never had children, but that does not
stop her from achieving her milestones, she is one of the top Hadith narrators.
3.
Fatimah (RA)
Fatimah
RA was the daughter of Muhammad PBUH, the Mother of Hasan (RA) and Hussain
(RA), and the wife of Ali (RA). Muhammad PBUH loved her so much that whenever
she used to come he would stand up and kiss her forehead.
4. Mary
(RA)
Mariyam
(RA) also known as Mary is the mother of Isa (RA) she had given the title
sayyidatuna, meaning “our lady”. There is a whole Surah dedicated to her, her
life shows that ALLAH can do everything, and ALLAH IS THE GREATEST.
5.
Haijra (RA)
As per
Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 4.578, Hajirah (RA) was married to Ibrahim (AS) as a
second wife. She reverted Muslim woman and gave birth to Ismail (AS) who was a
prophet too. Her life shows that following the right path can make you achieve
better things.
6.
Aasiyah (Wife of Pharaoh)
Asiyah
(RA) was the reverted Muslim woman, who believed in Musa (AS) and the oneness
of Allah SWT. She then chose the path of Allah and fought her own husband,
Pharaoh. And Islam is among the most pious women in this world ever witnessed.
And her righteousness made her among the Women of Jannah.
7. Umm
Sulaym
Umm
Sulaym was one of the first women in Madina who converted to Islam. She was the
mother of Anas Ibn Malik (RA) who is the narrator of many hadiths. After the
death of her husband, she got a proposal from a very rich man, but she refused,
telling him NO, as she would not marry anyone who was not Muslim. Then that
man, converted to Islam, married her and both of them educated Islam. Her life
shows that it’s okay for widows to remarry and carry their lives on.
8. Nusaybah
NusaybahbintKa’ab
(RA) was also among the earliest converts to Islam and she was one of the
companions of the Prophet (PBUH). She participated in the Battle of Uhud, she
was a woman who used to bring water to soldiers. We learn that women can do
everything in this world, even if it’s fighting a battle.
9. Umm
Kulsoom
Umm
Kulthumbint Muhammad (RA) was the sister of Fatimah (RA) and daughter of
Muhammad (PBUH). She never had children all her life. The lesson we get from
her life is that we should accept the difficulties that Allah gives us in our
lives.
10. Umm
Salama
Umm
Salama (RA) was one of the most influential women among Muhammad PBUH’s wives.
She also helps Muhammad (PBUH) in nurturing Fatimah (RA). Her life lesson is
that even if you are a housewife, you can still do good things just like she
helped Muhammad PBUH nurture Fatimah RA, who is the lady of Jannah.
11.
Zainab (RA)
Zainab
(RA) was the sister of Hasan (RA) and Hussain (RA) and the daughter of Ali
(RA), She was present at the Battle of Karbala, and she saw everything of it.
She gave an influential summon at the Yazid’s palace. Her life lesson shows
that everyone has to bear sadness in one’s life.
12. Asma
(RA)
Asma
(RA) was one of the companions of Muhammad PBUH. Asma RA’s son, Abdullah (RA),
and his cousin, Qasim ibn Muhammad, were both grandsons of Abu Bakr stood
against Yazid after the Martyrdom of Hussain (RA) and his companions in
Karbala. Her life shows that no matter what happens, you can still teach your
children to stand up for what’s wrong.
Source: theislamicinformation.com
https://theislamicinformation.com/blogs/muslim-women-role-models/
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/nigar-shaji-scientist-satellite/d/130590