Pak Woman Stripped To Settle a Dispute, At Panchayat's Order

Pak Woman Stripped To Settle a Dispute, At Panchayat's Order

Feb 5, 2013

LAHORE: A woman was allegedly stripped naked on the orders of a Panchayat in Pakistan's Punjab province to settle a dispute over an extra-marital affair.

According to the victim Kalsoom Mai, the incident occurred last week in Muzaffarghar district, 400-km from Lahore.

Kalsoom, a resident of Qasba Gujrat, told police her relative Mohammad Bilal and others had tortured and stripped her in the presence of local residents.

Kalsoom's husband Muhammad Nawaz was allegedly having an affair with Bilal's wife.

She said she was summoned by the Panchayat or village council after Nawaz was caught re- handed with Bilal's wife.

The family of Bilal's wife thrashed Nawaz and demanded Kalsoom should be humiliated to settle the matter.

"On the orders of the Panchayat, I was stripped and humiliated in front of other people," Kalsoom said.

After this, the other woman's relatives set Nawaz free. Qasba Gujrat police station chief Javed Akhtar said he had registered a case after receiving a complaint from Kalsoom. A case was also registered against Nawqaz for "humiliating" Bilal's wife.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Pak-woman-stripped-at-panchayats-order/articleshow/18351568.cms

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We Quit Because Our Music Made People of Kashmir, Mufti Unhappy: Girl Band

 Feb 05 2013

Srinagar: Members of the Kashmir girls band Pragaash have said they quit because of the people of Kashmir.

''We didn’t know the people of Kashmir were unhappy because of our music. Mufti saab has said our music is un-Islamic. We respect him and the people of Kashmir. That is why we have quit,'' one of the girls told Times Now.

She also told the channel that all bands in Kashmir have disbanded in their support.

Pragaash (light), the first all-girls rock band of Kashmir, yesterday decided to call it quits in the wake of a 'fatwa' issued by Grand Mufti terming singing as un-Islamic.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was among a large number of political leaders who extended their 'unflinching' support to the girls, urging them not to quit singing because of a 'bunch of morons'. The hard-line Hurriyat led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani also criticised the Grand Mufti.

Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Police has registered a case and identified several Facebook users who posted abusive and threatening messages on the page of the only all-girls rock band of the Valley.

"A case under Section 66 A of the IT Act and Section 506 RPC (Criminal Intimidation) has been registered in police station Rajbagh with regard to the hate messages posted on the Facebook page of the Pragaash band," a police spokesman said today. He said investigations are on in full swing but refused to give any details.

An official close to the investigation said the police have been able to identify at least six people who posted the hate messages. "Efforts are on to identify the others," the official said on the condition of anonymity.

He said the Facebook page of the band had received a large number of posts -- mostly critical -- and it would take some time to sift through all of them. "Arrests are likely to be made in the next couple of days," he added.

Within days after their performance in Srinagar, the band started receiving online threats and absurd comments which was followed up by a 'fatwa' (religious decree) by Grand Mufti Bashiruddin Ahmad.

Sources close to the band had said the girls decided not to sing in the wake of Mufti's controversial decree.

The Class 10 students -- vocalist-guitarist Noma Nazir, drummer Farah Deeba and guitarist Aneeka Khalid -- had formed band Pragash and performed in December last year with a scintillating performance at the annual 'Battle of the Bands' competition in Srinagar and won the best performance award in their first public appearance.

Sensing the mounting support for the girls, hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference led by Geelani had distanced itself from the 'fatwa' and said, "There is no threat to the

girls. Nobody has issued any threats. It is a mere propaganda by the media and they are making a big bomb out of a normal issue to defame Kashmiris."

The spokesman of the Hurriyat faction Ayaz Akbar had said abusive posts on social networking sites cannot be termed as threats and added that Hurriyat did not support such abuse or coercion and force in any way.

Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti had also condemned the abusive threats to the rock band and blamed the media for negative portrayal of the issue.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/we-quit-because-our-music-made-people-of-kashmir-mufti-unhappy-girl-band/1069649/

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J&K Police File FIR against Online Attackers of Kashmir's All-Girl Band

Feb 5, 2013

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Police have registered a case and identified several Facebook users who had posted abusive and threatening messages on the page of the only all-girls rock band of the Valley.

"A case under Section 66 A of the IT Act and Section 506 RPC (Criminal Intimidation) has been registered in police station Rajbagh with regard to the hate messages posted on the Facebook page of the Pragaash band," a police spokesman said today.

He said the investigations are in full swing but refused to give any details.

However, an official associated with the investigation said police have been able to identify at least six persons who had posted hate messages with the help of experts from the cyber crime cell.

"So far half a dozen Facebook users who had posted hate messages have been identified while efforts are on to identify the others," the official said on the condition of anonymity.

He said the Facebook page of the band had received a large number of posts -- mostly critical -- and it would take some time to sift through all of them.

"Arrests are likely to be made in the next couple of days," he added.

Pragaash (light), the first all-girls rock band of Kashmir, yesterday decided to call it quits in the wake of a 'fatwa' issued by Grand Mufti terming singing as un-Islamic.

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah was among a large number of political leaders who extended their unflinching support to the girls, urging them not to quit singing because of a "bunch of morons". The hard-line Hurriyat led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani also criticised the Grand Mufti.

Within days after their performance in Srinagar, the band had started receiving online threats and absurd comments which was followed up with a 'fatwa' (religious decree) issued by Grand Mufti Bashiruddin Ahmad.

Sources close to the band had said the girls decided not to sing in the wake of Mufti's controversial decree.

The 10th-class students -- vocalist-guitarist Noma Nazir, drummer Farah Deeba and guitarist Aneeka Khalid -- had formed a band "Pragash" and performed in December last year with a scintillating performance at the annual 'Battle of the Bands' competition in Srinagar and won the best performance award in their first public appearance.

Sensing the mounting support for the girls, hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference led by Geelani had distanced itself from the 'fatwa' and said, "There is no threat to the girls. Nobody has issued any threats. It is a mere propaganda by the media and they are making a big bomb out of a normal issue to defame Kashmiris."

The spokesman of the Hurriyat faction Ayaz Akbar had said some youngsters posting abuses on social networking sites cannot be termed as threat and added that Hurriyat does not support such abuse or coercion and force in any way.

Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti had also condemned the abusive threats to the rock band and blamed the media for negative portrayal of the issue.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/JK-police-file-FIR-against-online-attackers-of-Kashmirs-all-girl-band/articleshow/18346131.cms

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Indonesian Maid Inherits $29m Fortune from Late Saudi Husband

Jakarta Globe | February 04, 2013

Though stories about Indonesian migrant workers in Saudi Arabia usually concern abuse and poor wages, one maid flipped the usual script and struck it rich in the oil-soaked kingdom.

Virtually coinciding with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s arrival in Riyadh on Sunday, Almadinah, a local news outlet, reported that an Indonesian maid inherited 110 million Saudi riyals ($29 million) from her late Saudi husband.

Almadinah said on Saturday that the maid, whose name was not disclosed, received her fortune in line with her husband Ali Ayami’s will and Islamic law, according to Antaranews.com.

Ayami’s family, the Arabic language newspaper said, initially gave the widow 20 million riyals after her husband died. However, she later received an additional 90 million riyals after his assets were sold.

Yunus M. Yamani, the head of the ethics division at the Association of Migrant Worker Service Companies (Apjati), stated that it was good news that an Indonesian maid could be so fortunate.

“Actually, we have many positive stories about our migrant workers in Saudi Arabia — it is not only about them being tortured. Millions of them have managed to help their families at home by sending money they earn [in Saudi Arabia] back,” he said as quoted by Antaranews.com.

Many Indonesian domestic workers have reportedly experienced violence and torture in the desert kingdom.

In 2010, Migrant Care recorded 5,560 reports of physical and sexual abuse among foreign workers in Saudi Arabia alone, including two cases where a maid jumped from a third floor apartment to escape torture, and another where a body was found in a dumpster.

Following several reported cases of maltreatment and violent abuse, Indonesia stopped sending maids to Saudi Arabia in early 2011 after an Indonesian worker was beheaded after being convicted of murdering her Saudi employer.

Yudhoyono reportedly travelled to Riyadh to sign an agreement to once again allow Indonesian maids to be recruited by Saudi Arabia.

http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/indonesian-maid-inherits-29m-fortune-from-late-husband/569364

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Victims' Verdict Is In: India's First All-Women Courts Offer Hope

Madhuparna Das

Feb 05 2013

Malda : Aminur Khatun has made at least 50 trips to the district court in Malda in West Bengal over the last two years in connection with the case against her husband for allegedly torturing her mentally and physically. But for the first time last week, the 20 year-old from the remote village of Ratua shouted and screamed in court as she testified and pleaded her case.

The change was caused by the new surroundings in court, Khatun said. The court has now become the first all-women judicial magistrate’s court (JMC) in the country dedicated to deal exclusively with cases of crime against women. And this, Khatun said, gave her the confidence to speak her mind. During the proceedings, the lawyer for her husband tried to question Khatun’s character but Khatun fought back.

“This is the first time I have come to a women’s court. I could speak freely about what I have been going through since marriage. Starting from the judge to the peon, everyone is a woman like me and I can see they understand my pain,” Khatun said as she came out of the court room.

Khatun filed a case of domestic violence and attempt to murder against her husband in 2010. She has alleged that she was married when she was a minor and conceived within three months of the wedding. Her husband wanted her to get Rs 1 lakh from her father if she wanted to have the child. Since her poor father could not afford to pay up, her husband assaulted her physically and sexually and even tried to set her on fire, she alleged.

The additional district and sessions court, which is in the same complex as the JMC and was also converted into an all-women court at the same time, last week began conducting the trial in a case in which a 16-year-old girl from Ratua was abducted and raped in a jute field in June 2009.

“This is the first rape case which will be tried in the first women’s court. We have also got a date for the next hearing. The victims will feel more confident and comfortable to speak when everyone in court is a woman. The judge, the other staff in court and we lawyers can feel the trauma of a woman who has undergone such torture,” said Kakali Bagchi, the public prosecutor.

The two courts were inaugurated on January 23 but started functioning regularly only last week. They were set up on the directions of the Chief Justice of India in the aftermath of the national outrage over the Delhi gang rape. Besides judges Mina Sarkar and Keya Sarkar, the courts each have two assistants, two clerks, two stenographers and two policewomen. But since both were general courts earlier, they have a huge backlog of pending cases.

“More than 500 cases of crime against women have been transferred to the court. But the problem is, it is a not a new court. It is an existing court which has been converted to an all-women court. So pending cases are still being tried in this court,” said public prosecutor Tirtha Bose. “The purpose of setting up the court is to have speedy trial for cases of crime against women. That will be possible when the high court orders the transfer of cases that are not related to women to other courts. That will take some time.”

Adds Amalendu Banerjee, president of the Malda Bar Council: “Earlier, all cases of crime against women would be spread across 16 courts. But now the cases will be spread in two courts. So the process will be delayed. There are at least 11,000 cases pending in these two courts.”

Still, complainants and victims sound optimistic about their chances of getting justice now. “We are feeling a bit relieved now as it seems that our cases will be disposed of soon in these all-women courts. The judges will be more sensitive,” said Mousumi Chatterjee, who has been fighting for alimony from her husband for six years now.

Sikha Das, the bench clerk in the additional district and sessions court, echoes that sentiment. “In the three decades I have worked here, I have seen how a victim of sexual assault or domestic violence hesitates and feels scared to narrate the torture she has undergone in the presence of male court staff and the judge,” said Das. “I have seen how victims break down while responding to the shrill cross-questions of opponent lawyers. But now things are different, the victims feel more comfortable.”

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/victims-verdict-is-in-countrys-first-.../1069437/

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Woman Charged With Insulting Somali State Institutions after Rape Claim

Clar Ni Chonghaile in Nairobi

5 February 2013

A Somali woman who said she was raped by government forces, and a journalist who interviewed her are due in court in Mogadishu on Tuesday, accused of insulting state institutions in a case that has raised concerns about women's rights and press freedom in the fragile state.

The international outcry surrounding the case is an embarrassment for the Somali president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, whose election last year was described by the international community as the start of a new era for Somalia after decades of instability and conflict.

Full report at:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/05/woman-charged-somali-state-rape

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Gaza University Will Enforce Islamic Dress Code for Female Students

02/04/2013

The Palestinian Authority rebuked a university in Gaza that wants to institute an Islamic dress code for female students.

Starting next semester, Al-Aqusa University will require female students to dress in a more modest fashion in line with Islamic teaching. Students will not be forced to wear full-length coats or cover their faces entirely, but they must wear the Hijab — the veil that partly covers the head. The university won’t expel students for violating the dress code, but will instruct staff to lecture students on the importance of following the dress code.

Full report at:

http://dailycaller.com/2013/02/04/gaza-university-will-enforce-islamic-dress-code-for-female-students/#ixzz2Jzp7LBzW

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Fashion show delights Indo-Pak women

 4 February 2013

There was immense excitement in the air as more than 200 women eagerly awaited the fashion show marking the official launch of the Kevah House of Fashion. Held at the Coral Hotel in Alkhobar at the weekend, the unveiling of the brand heralded by Nikhath Khan and Ameerah Ibrahim was indeed an evening to remember.

The event, organized into different segments, showcased the different collection lines of Kevah on the ramp ranging from casual stylish shirts for everyday wear, elegant semi formals, sarees and formals for parties and beautiful elaborate bridal wear for weddings. The intricate designs were further accentuated by the exclusive jewelry worn by the models which was later put on display for the audience to look at more closely.

Full report at:

http://www.arabnews.com/fashion/fashion-show-delights-indo-pak-women

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Gender segregation in higher education in Saudi Arabia

MOHAMMED AL-SAIF

 4 February 2013

AS SAUDI ARABIA is aggressively marching into a liberalized market structure, more job opportunities are being created in the expanding private sector for both Saudi young men and women. It seems that the new economic changes are associated by less rigid employment policies that include a mixed labour environment. For example, the government’s decision forcing business owners to employ women in traditionally male dominated sales jobs in shops and malls across the country is going full steam ahead and is no longer taboo.

Full report at:

http://www.arabnews.com/gender-segregation-higher-education

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Bangladesh Activists Urge Ban on Rape Victim ‘Two Fingers Test’

February 05, 2013

DHAKA: Bangladeshi experts and activists Monday urged the government to ban a “demeaning” physical examination of rape victims, saying the procedure is of no benefit in proving whether an assault has taken place.

The country’s British colonial-era law, which dates back to 1872, requires that doctors use two fingers to determine whether a woman who is alleging rape is “habituated to sex”.

But with studies and doctors raising questions over the effectiveness of the test, lawyers, police officials and women rights activists have joined forces to demand the government scrap the process.

Full report at:

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2013\02\05\story_5-2-2013_pg14_2

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Child survivor of Gaza massacre denied medical treatment by Israel

4 February 2013

Twelve-year-old Amal Samouni still has shrapnel in her skull from the time Israel bombed her neighborhood in Gaza in early 2009. Amal lost 21 members of her extended family in that massacre, including her father Attieh and her brother Ahmad. As if she hasn’t suffered enough, Amal has been refused permission to travel through Israel for sorely-needed treatment.

Full report at:

http://electronicintifada.net/content/child-survivor-gaza-massacre-denied-medical-

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Bangladesh Kidnapped Girl Not Rescued Despite Court Order

 February 05, 2013

Despite a High Court order issued on January 31 to rescue a kidnapped girl within the next 48 hours, Patuakhali district and police administrations could not do the job as of yesterday.

On the night of January 21, a gang led allegedly by Mujibur Rahman, son of Anwar Hossain Howlader of Gabua village under Galachipa upazila, attacked the house of Monoranjan of the village as a sequel to a longstanding dispute over a piece of land.

Full report at:

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=267831

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When aunties cycle on the streets of Karachi, little girls make fun of them

By Saba Khalid

 February 5, 2013

KARACHI: “Aunty, ap ko cycling bhi nahin ati” [Aunty, you don’t even know how to cycle], a shocked seven-year-old girl Roma tells me as she swerves her cotton candy-coloured Barbie bicycle dangerously near mine. Well, as dangerously as a bicycle with sky blue tassels and training wheels can be.

I wonder what is more offensive, being called an “aunty” or her loud statement that I don’t know something as simple as cycling. She’s right on both accounts – I can’t cycle at all and I’m also tethering to aunty-age. That does explain why I’m sitting on top of a more serious-looking cycle on Khayaban-e-Roomi.

Full report at:

http://tribune.com.pk/story/502686/when-aunties-cycle-on-the-streets-of-karachi-little-girls-make-fun-of-them/

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Tribal Chief in Papua Questioned Over Attempted Rape Claim of an Iranian Woman

Banjir Ambarita | February 05, 2013

Jayapura. Police in Papua are questioning a local tribal chief about an alleged rape attempt on an Iranian woman passing through on her way to Papua New Guinea over the weekend.

Insp. Gen. Tito Karnavian, the Papua Police chief, said on Monday that officers were investigating the incident that allegedly occurred at the home of the village chief near Jayapura’s Holtekamp Beach at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday.

Full report at:

http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/tribal-chief-in-papua-questioned-over-attempted-rape-claim/569623

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Formula Milk Study Involving Newborns in Indonesia Halted After Protests

Dessy Sagita | February 04, 2013

A controversial research study in Indonesia about formula milk that was going to use newborns as test subjects has officially been halted following massive protests from the public and pro-breast-feeding activists.

"We are very thankful that the study has been dropped, which means they won't be testing and harming perfectly healthy newborns just for the sake of research," Utami Roesli, chairwoman of the Indonesian Breast-feeding Centre, said on Monday.

Full report at:

http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/formula-milk-study-involving-newborns-in-indonesia-halted-after-protests/569504

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Pregnant Woman Dies at MCH, South Kashmir, Family Alleges Negligence

Authorities initiate probe

SHABIR AHMAD        

ANANTNAG, Feb 4: A pregnant woman died along with her baby due to the alleged negligence of doctors at south Kashmir’s lone maternity and child care hospital Sunday. Following the death of the woman due to medical negligence, the family members and other attendants held protests against the doctors.

Full report at:

http://www.kashmirtimes.com/newsdet.aspx?q=11973

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Arab Women to Gain Global perspective on Multiculturalism and Leadership Skills

February 05, 2013

48 Arab Women Students set off for a month long training in Al-Maktoum College Dundee, Scotland

Dubai, 1st February, 2012: Al-Maktoum College of Higher Education in Dundee will receive 48 Arab Women students from both local and federal universities of UAE, such as The British University in Dubai, Zayed University, UAE University, Dubai Women's College, Abu Dhabi University, American University of Sharjah and Arabic and Islamic Studies College in Dubai. Full report at:

http://www.zawya.com/story/Arab_Women_to_Gain_Global_perspective_on_Multiculturalism_and_Leadership_Skills-ZAWYA20130202071859/

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‘Queen of Pushto Folk Music’ Awards Up For Sale

Extreme measures: Pushto folk music queen’s awards up for sale

By Ehtesham Khan

 February 5, 2013

PESHAWAR: The ‘queen of Pushto folk music’ Zarsanga, has offered her lifetime’s worth of titles and awards up for sale at her home – a tent near Azakhel.

Her house in Pabbi tehsil was swept away in the 2010 floods and she has been displaced since. Talking to Express News in her tent, the 68-year-old said, “I have been to the US, France, Russia, Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia among 60 more countries, but now I am just living a burdensome life.”

Full report at:

http://tribune.com.pk/story/502637/extreme-measures-pushto-folk-music-queens-awards-up-for-sale/

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URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/pak-woman-stripped-settle-dispute,/d/10276