Pakistan Women’s Football Team Creates History: Wins First Olympic Qualifier
New
Age Islam News Bureau
12
April 2023
•
Iranian Women Post Images Without Hijabs Despite Crackdown as Compulsory Dress
Code Is Approaching
•
Qatar University Unveils New Women's Graduation Gown
•
UN Tourism Agency Launches Women In Tech Contest For Middle East
•
UN Says Forced Into ‘Appalling Choice’ By Taliban Ban On Women
•
The Latest Ban on Women’s Aid Workers Forced the United Nations to Make an
“Appalling” Choice: UN
Compiled
by New Age Islam News Bureau
--------
Pakistan
Women’s Football Team Creates History: Wins First Olympic Qualifier
SAMAA
WEB DESK
12
April 2023
Pakistani
players celebrate after scoring goal against Tajikistan in Olympics qualifier.
PHOTO: AFC
-------------
Pakistan
Women’s Football team created history on Tuesday, as they registered their
first ever win in AFC Olympics Qualifiers against the hosts Tajikistan.
Pakistani
team had lost the first two matches against Philippines and Hong Kong but
finally got a win in the third match.
Pakistan,
ranked 161st in the world, scored the only goal in first half of the match,
against the 144th ranked Tajikistan.
Zahmena
Malik scored the solo goal by dodging the defenders of Tajikistan and then got
a free run, beating the keeper.
Pakistani
team could not progress into the next round, as they finished third in the
group and only Philippines reached the next round.
Pakistani
team had earlier finished second in the four nation event in Saudi Arabia and
earned their biggest win against Maldives last year by seven goals to nil.
The
Green shirts showed positive performance, although they were missing the best
player Nadia Khan, who could not play the event due to injury.
Source:SamaaEnglish
--------
Iranian
Women Post Images Without Hijabs Despite Crackdown as Compulsory Dress Code Is
Approaching
By
MaziarMotamedi
11
Apr 2023
An
Iranian woman walks in a street in Tehran, Iran. Iranian authorities are
planning to crack down on women not wearing the hijab after anti-government
protests died down [File: Majid Asgaripour/WANA via Reuters]
-------------
Tehran,
Iran – Scores of Iranian women are posting images of themselves online while
not wearing the hijab, as a police deadline for cracking down on violators of
the country’s compulsory dress code is approaching.
Social
media platforms like Twitter and Instagram – which Iranians access by
circumventing government blocks – have been flooded in recent days with images
of mostly young women posing wearing their garments of choice in Iran’s warming
spring weather.
Some
are only ditching their headscarves, but others are also doing away with the
loose-fitting gowns that laws passed shortly after the country’s 1979 Islamic
Revolution require women to wear. A few have even photographed themselves
wearing shorts and skirts in public, risking arrest.
Many
images are posted anonymously, but some women have shown their faces as well,
as they pose in city streets, in shops and malls, at work and universities, or
in front of mirrors. A number of men have also snapped themselves wearing
shorts in public – which is also illegal – in solidarity with the women.
A
growing proportion of women in Iran have abandoned their mandatory hijabs since
the death of 22-year-old MahsaAmini in the custody of the country’s so-called
“morality police” last September, which triggered months of protests across the
country.
The
authorities have since refrained from heavily cracking down on the hijab issue,
with the white and green vans of the morality police all but disappearing from
public view.
But,
despite that, the upper echelons of power in Iran have recently emphasised that
hijab – an issue central to the identity of the Islamic Republic – is not
something they are willing to compromise on.
Earlier
this month, Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei – whose speeches signal the
last word on any issue in the country – said that defying the hijab laws would
constitute a “religiously and politically haram (forbidden)” act that would
only serve Iran’s enemies, who he has accused of being behind the protests.
Other
top officials have said the same, with President Ebrahim Raisi remarking that
the hijab was a “legal matter” that needed to be implemented, and judiciary
chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni Ejei saying that unveiling was tantamount to
“enmity” towards the country’s values.
The
Interior Ministry has also promised a strong response for violators and has
backed people who confront women not fully conforming to the compulsory dress
code.
Two
women who faced a “yoghurt attack” for not properly wearing their headscarves
inside a shop in the city of Mashhad were arrested alongside their attacker
last month after a security camera clip of the incident went viral.
But
the most stern and tangible warning has come from law enforcement, which has
promised to deploy security cameras to recognise people and identify vehicles
in which dress rules are not fully observed.
AhmadrezaRadan,
the ultraconservative figure who was appointed by Khamenei as the country’s new
police chief in January amid speculation about his predecessor’s shortcomings
in handling the protests, has said police officers will begin “seriously”
dealing with hijab offenders from next Saturday, which marks the beginning of
the week in Iran.
Radan
said offenders, including people in public places, vehicles and also a variety
of places of businesses like shops and malls, would first receive a text
message which they would be able to argue had been sent by mistake, and would
therefore effectively work as a warning.
But
if the offence is repeated, the police chief said individuals would be handed
over to the judiciary for punishment – which could range from financial
penalties to prison time – while vehicles would be impounded and businesses
would be closed.
“We
deem it our duty, in order to safeguard the health of the society, to enforce
the law and not to fall short, and I think that is also what the people want of
us,” Radan told state television last week.
He
also said most of those with “bad coverings” are doing it out of “negligence”
and very few were doing it intentionally.
Meanwhile,
the Ministry of Education has promised not to offer educational services to
students who flout the hijab rules, with several universities releasing similar
statements.
The
company operating metro stations in Tehran and its outskirts has officially
warned that “verbal warnings” will be issued to any offenders. There have also
been proposals to stop offering ride-hailing services to women not deemed to be
following hijab rules.
Source:AlJazeera
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/11/iranian-women-post-images-without-hijab-despite-crackdown
--------
Qatar
University unveils new women's graduation gown
11
Apr 2023
Doha:
Qatar University (QU) revealed a new design for its graduation uniform this
year, which is inspired by the university’s crest.
The
geometric embroidery on the graduation cloak, which forms part of the QU logo,
symbolizes the authentic Islamic/Arabic heritage and pride, while the maroon
colour represents the Qatari flag.
The
new gown is mandatory to wear for female students who are graduates of Class
2022. No modifications to the gown are allowed, except for size alteration.
QU
noted that wearing the previous graduation gown is not permitted.
Female
graduates must settle payment through the QU website via electronic
transaction. Cash payment is not permitted.
To
collect the gown, female graduates must present their QU ID card or Qatari ID
card, as well as the message that contains the e-payment receipt.
The
College of Education, College of Sharia and Islamic Studies, College of Law,
College of Arts and Sciences, and College of Engineering graduates will have
their uniforms distributed before Ramadan, from April 12 to 18, 2023.
The
College of Business and Economics, College of Medicine, College of Pharmacy,
and College of Health Sciences will have their uniforms distributed after
Ramadan, from April 30 to May 2, 2023.
Source:ThePeninsulaQatar
https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/11/04/2023/qatar-university-unveils-new-womens-graduation-gown
--------
UN
tourism agency launches women in tech contest for Middle East
HUSSAM
AL-MAYMAN
April
11, 2023
RIYADH:
The UN World Tourism Organization has launched a contest to find the most
innovative new business ventures in the Middle East run by women.
The
Women in Tech Startup Competition aims to encourage entrepreneurial female
owners and managers to grow their enterprises regionally and on a global stage.
Natalia
Bayona, UNWTO’s director of innovation, education, and investments, said: “With
the leadership of our secretary-general, ZurabPololikashvili, innovation has
been a strong priority of UNWTO.
“During
his mandate, startup competitions have been key to empower youth, scale up
emerging entrepreneurs, and support global public-private partnerships.”
She
noted that the organization was dedicated to achieving sustainable development
targets on gender equality and empowerment of women and girls.
“Knowing
that according to Arabian Business (magazine) only 34 percent of tech startups
were founded by women, UNWTO initiated the competition to give women
entrepreneurs a chance to thrive in their tourism tech careers, aligning with
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 that emphasizes on digital transformation, enhancing
social growth to prominently digitalize the tourism sector with women leaders.
“With
the support of the Kingdom’s openness to the tourism sector and tourism
attraction, Saudi Arabian startups are scaling up at a fast pace,” Bayona
added.
She
pointed out that entrepreneurs were working on innovative trends in the Saudi
travel and tourism industry.
“The
UNWTO Women in Tech Startup Competition is an opportunity to provide visibility
to Saudi startups on an international level and become recognized on a global
scale, attracting more foreigners,” she said.
The
competition categories consist of social impact, tourism and travel experience,
future tech, and events and communities.
The
UNWTO will provide mentorships and workshops to winners who will be given
access to a network of more than 447 investors, 47 incubators, 1,274 companies,
and international officials from governments and universities.
They
will also have a chance to pitch at a UNWTO Tourism Tech Adventures innovation
forum in Saudi Arabia, as well as having access to the UNWTO Tourism Online
Academy.
“The
world that we live in today is digitally transforming, it is our opportunity to
disrupt the way we travel, scale up the way we train people through online
platforms such as UNWTO Tourism Online Academy, and connect with key actors of
innovation ecosystems such as governments, startups, and investors for a better
and sustainable future.
“To
all women in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, do not miss the opportunity to
work on innovative solutions, showcase your ideas, and submit your projects
with UNWTO startup competitions,” Bayona added.
The
UNWTO and Saudi Ministry of Tourism recently signed an agreement centered on
developing training and high-quality certification programs in the Kingdom to
make tourism a driver of progress and development on innovation and digital
transformation, initiating programs to promote innovation and digital
transformation, and supporting small- and medium-sized enterprises and youth
interested in the tourism sector.
With
more than 23 global, regional, and specific startup competitions, UNWTO
innovation has been encouraging Saudi Arabia and the Middle East to accelerate
advancements on female opportunities in the tourism sector to build and support
the largest global tourism ecosystem to meet the 2030 agenda.
The
competition will conclude at the end of June.
Source: Arab News
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2285201/saudi-arabia
--------
UN
says forced into ‘appalling choice’ by Taliban ban on women
April
11, 2023
KABUL:
The United Nations is being forced into making an “appalling choice” on whether
to continue operations in Afghanistan by the Taliban government banning women
from working for the organization, the world body said Tuesday.
“Through
this ban, the Taliban de facto authorities seek to force the United Nations
into having to make an appalling choice between staying and delivering in
support of the Afghan people and standing by the norms and principles we are
duty-bound to uphold,” the UN mission in Afghanistan said in a statement.
On
April 4, the UN said Taliban authorities had ordered its mission to stop all
Afghan women from working at its offices across the country.
Mission
head Roza Otunbayeva had initiated an “operational review” to decide the next
steps, the statement said.
“It
should be clear that any negative consequences of this crisis for the Afghan
people will be the responsibility of the de facto authorities,” it said.
Source:
Arab News
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2284901/world
--------
The
Latest Ban on Women’s Aid Workers Forced the United Nations to Make an
“Appalling” Choice: UN
By
Fidel Rahmati
April
11, 2023
On
Tuesday, the United Nations in Afghanistan reiterated its condemnation of the
de facto authorities’ latest ban on women aid workers.
The
statement called the curb on women as the discriminatory measures implemented
by the Taliban authorities to severely restrict women and girls’ participation
in most areas of public and daily life in Afghanistan.
Once
again, the UN called the ban unlawful under international law, including the
Charter, so the United Nationals cannot comply, the statement added.
The
UN also said that the lasted ban on women aid workers forced the UN to make an
appalling choice amid a dire humanitarian situation in the country.
“Through
this ban, the Taliban de facto authorities seek to force the United Nations
into making an appalling choice between staying and delivering in support of
the Afghan people and standing by the norms and principles we are duty-bound to
uphold,” the statement read.
The
UN also warned the Taliban of the negative impact and consequences of their
decision for the people of Afghanistan.
“It
should be clear that any negative consequences of this crisis for the Afghan
people will be the responsibility of the de facto authorities.”
Roza
Otunbayeva, the UNAMA’s director, is now conducting an operational evaluation
of the organization, during which time it will conduct any necessary
consultations until May 5, 2023.
During
this period, the UN in Afghanistan will conduct the necessary consultations,
make required operational adjustments, and accelerate contingency planning for
all possible outcomes, said the statement.
The
UNAMA has instructed all its male and female employees to avoid UN offices.
However, the organization will continue lifesaving, time-critical humanitarian
activities in line with humanitarian principles.
The
UNAMA described the latest ban as an international act of discrimination
against women and claimed it makes it difficult for people to obtain long-term
and lifesaving aid.
Source:
Khaama Press
--------
New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism