Saudi Arabia Activist, Manahel Al-Otaibi, Who Promoted Female Empowerment On Social Media, Arrested Under Anti-Terror Laws
New Age
Islam News Bureau
01 May
2024
·
Saudi
Arabia Activist, Manahel Al-Otaibi, Who Promoted Female Empowerment On Social
Media, Arrested Under Anti-Terror Laws
·
US Comedian-Actress Amy Schumer
Revisits Stance On Israel’s War Against Gaza
·
Fiona, Semeena And Kanza Are
Crushing Stereotypes Around Female Muslim Runners
·
Muslim Women On How They Express
Themselves Through Modest Dressing
·
Bella Hadid Unveils Debut
Fragrances From Her New Brand Orebella
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/saudi-arabia-activist-manahel-otaibi/d/132241
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Saudi Arabia Activist, Manahel Al-Otaibi, Who
Promoted Female Empowerment On Social Media, Arrested Under Anti-Terror Laws
Saudi Arabia Activist,
Manahel Al-Otaibi
------
Stephanie Kirchgaessner in Washington
1 May 2024
A young women’s rights activist in Saudi Arabia was
secretly sentenced to 11 years in prison by an anti-terrorism court after being
arrested for “her choice of clothing and support for women’s rights”.
Saudi officials confirmed in a statement to the
United Nations high commissioner for human rights that Manahel al-Otaibi was
sentenced on 9 January for what the Saudi government called “terrorist
offences”.
Al-Otaibi, who was sentenced in a secret hearing
before the counter-terrorism court, was found guilty of charges related to a
Saudi anti-terror law that criminalises the use of websites to “broadcasts or
publishes news, statements, false or malicious rumors, or the like for
committing a terrorist crime”.
Al-Otaibi, a certified fitness instructor and artist
who frequently promoted female empowerment on her social media accounts, was
arrested in November 2022.
Among other charges, Otaibi was accused by Saudi
authorities of using a hashtag – translated to #societyisready – to call for an
end to male guardianship rules. Her sister, Fouz al-Otaibi was also accused of
not wearing decent clothing but was able to flee Saudi Arabia before her
arrest.
Another sister, Maryam, is a known women’s rights
advocate who was detained, held, and eventually released in 2017 for protesting
guardianship rules.
Amnesty International and ALQST, a rights group,
called on Saudi authorities to immediately and unconditionally release
al-Otaibi and said her imprisonment “directly contradicts authorities’
narrative of reform and women’s empowerment”.
“With this sentence the Saudi authorities have
exposed the hollowness of their much-touted women’s rights reforms in recent
years and demonstrated their chilling commitment to silencing peaceful
dissent,” said Bissan Fakih, Amnesty International’s campaigner on Saudi
Arabia.
Amnesty and ALQST pointed to an irony in Al-Otaibi’s
case: the activist had been a vocal supporter of Crown Prince Mohammed bin
Salman’s “radical changes”, including the alleged relaxation of dress code for
women, and said in a 2019 interview that she felt free to express her views and
wear what she likes thanks to the prince’s declarations. She was arrested a few
years later.
Otaibi’s social media accounts on X and Snapchat
portrayed her as a young and progressive woman who loves fitness, art, yoga,
and travel, while also promoting women’s rights.
Rights groups say al-Otaibi has been subjected to
severe abuse, beginning with her forcible disappearance for five months from
November 2023 to April 2024. Once she was back in contact with her family, she
said she was held in solitary confinement and had broken a leg after being
subjected to physical abuse. Saudi officials denied the claims.
Her case follows a slew of similar cases in which
Saudi women, in particular, have been subjected to draconian sentences for
using social media accounts to express themselves. They include women such as
Salma al-Shehab, sentenced to 27 years, Fatima al-Shawarbi, sentenced to 30
years, Sukaynah al-Aithan, sentenced to 40 years, and Nourah al-Qahtani,
sentenced to 45 years.
Source: theguardian.com
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/may/01/manahel-al-otaibi-saudi-arabia-womens-rights-activist-sentenced-11-years-prison-anti-terrorism-court
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US Comedian-Actress Amy Schumer Revisits Stance On
Israel’s War Against Gaza
US comedian-actress Amy
Schumer (AFP)
-----
May 01, 2024
DUBAI: US comedian-actress Amy Schumer has clarified
her stance on Israel’s ongoing war against Gaza after receiving backlash for
her social media posts about the conflict.
Speaking to Variety, Schumer said that while she
supports the Jewish people, she does not agree with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu.
“I don’t agree with anything that Netanyahu is
doing, and neither do the Israelis I know,” she said. “Of course, what’s going
on in Gaza is sickening, horrifying and unthinkable. And I don’t think it’s OK
to hate anyone because they were born Jewish.
“It’s gotten to this place,” Schumer added, “where
you can’t speak up for other Jews without people feeling like it’s a slight to
the conditions in Gaza.”
Since the events of Oct. 7, Schumer has used her
official Instagram page to campaign on behalf of Israel’s operation and call
for the release of hostages held in Gaza.
She is also among more than 700 Hollywood figures,
including Jamie Lee Curtis, Gal Gadot and Jerry Seinfeld, who have signed an
open letter from the Creative Community for Peace in support of Israel.
Source: arabnews.com
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2502546/lifestyle
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Fiona, Semeena And Kanza Are Crushing Stereotypes
Around Female Muslim Runners
Bridie Wilkins
Wed, 1 May 2024
Fiona Shaik Umar, Semeena Khan and Kanza Ahmed, are
three of the 75 Muslim women who completed the London Marathon 2024 as part of
running community, Muslim Runners. Out of the 53,700 people that crossed the
finish line, it’s a marginal percentage, but this is what motivates Fiona,
Semeena and Kanza.
For them, the lack of representation isn’t a reason
to give up, it’s a reason to challenge these stereotypes and show other Muslim
women that exercise is for everyone. Marrying Islam’s religious principles with
running may seem jarring, but these women are proof that it can be done. Here,
they talk you through their running experiences, and how they manage their
faith with fitness.
I grew up in a town in Cheshire, where I was the
only Muslim kid in my school, so Asian/Muslim sports role models were non-existent
during my childhood. However, at age 8, I was glued to the coverage of the
London Marathon all day, and I decided I would do it myself one day. I didn't
know anyone who had ever run a marathon, but the seed was planted, despite not
seeing any Muslim runners on the TV.
As soon as I could, I started running regularly,
despite criticism from extended family members and our community. This stemmed
from two things: culture and lack of understanding. My relatives felt that it
was "improper" for a woman to be running in public, and so they tried
to discourage me. I would often hear the phrase, ‘What will people think?’ I
have been lucky that my parents and first cousins have all been massive
supporters, but there was a time that I let the criticism deter me from
running.
I was worried about relatives seeing me out running
and making comments or talking about me. I became extra conscious of what I was
wearing and whether I be judged for it. But my parents would defend me, with my
father explaining the importance of exercise in Islam and why we should all
look after our bodies. I’m forever grateful for my parents; they would always
pray for me to do well in races, as well as standing out in the rain to cheer
me on. For me, though, the biggest message of support was in 2016, when my dad
ran a 10k with me.
After I completed the English Half Marathon in
Warrington a year prior, in 2015, he joked that one day he would join me, but
later that year, he had a Transient Ischaemic Attack – effectively a minor
stroke. Doctors told him it would help his recovery to exercise regularly, so
he took their advice, and in 2016, the doctors declared him fit enough to run
with me. Posing with our medals post-race was the moment I realised that I
could be the role model for my family. In 2017, I finally ran my first marathon
in Birmingham, before completing the London Marathon in 2024.
Training for that first marathon was the most
difficult; I wasn’t worried about being a Muslim woman running, but I came up
against barriers I hadn’t considered. During a training run, I was running
along the footpath alongside a dual carriageway near my home, when I saw a
group of teenage boys walking towards me. I tried to give them space, but they
came straight at me with one pushing me into the dual carriageway (where I
narrowly avoided being hit by a car), as he shouted ‘F*ck off Muslim
terrorist.’
I was terrified and I hid on a side footpath until I
knew they had left, before going home to call the police. We were never able to
find out who did it or prosecute them, but since then I have been a lot more
conscious of my safety when running in public. I’ll sometimes avoid certain
routes, times or locations, and I will avoid going out altogether if there is
negative news about Muslims in the media. Thankfully, this was a one-off
incident that could have been a lot worse, but it made me realise that despite
being a runner like everyone else, some people out there consider me to be
different.
Practically, clothing has been one of the biggest
hurdles. Whilst I do not cover my head with hijab, running gear that is both
modest – covering my butt, arms and legs – and running-appropriate is rare. I
either have to wear oversized clothing and risk chafing, or layer up and risk
overheating. I’m a big fan of running dresses with leggings, and I’ve managed
to find two which are my go-to, but I would love to see more out there. I want
to look feminine and run, without having to show my skin. Sports clothing
companies are missing a trick - there are over one billion Muslims in the world
(half of which are women) – and I’m sure a lot more Muslim women would take up
sports if they felt they could also maintain their modesty.
Then there’s Ramadan. For 30 days, we abstain from
food and drink (yes, even water) during daylight hours for 30 days, alongside
additional night prayers at the mosque. This change in nutrition and sleep
patterns means serious consideration has to be given to how we train. For this
year’s marathon training, I adjusted my running from the mornings to starting
my training run an hour before Iftar (breaking of the fast).
If my training plan called for a short run, then I
would be home in time for Iftar and break my fast when I got home. However, on
days with longer runs, I would loop home quickly, for water and dates (as is
the traditional way to break the fast), pray and then head back out again and
continue the run. During this time, I am also more mindful of my running
speeds, and consciously pace myself so that I don’t risk overtraining. However,
I have found that I have recorded faster running times over successive
Ramadans, which I believe is from paying more attention to my body and training
more intuitively.
As for the 2024 London Marathon, the toilets and
food were where I struggled. Hygiene is important in the Muslim community, and
not having access to clean toilets (anyone who has seen the portaloos at a
marathon will understand) meant I had to use wet wipes.
Food-wise, people were handing out sweets and jelly
babies, but I couldn’t accept these as I wasn't sure if they contained
gelatine, which isn't permissible for Muslims. I carried my own sweets in my
pockets so that I could refuel without compromising my faith.
I am the first Muslim in my family to run a
marathon. The most memorable moment of the 2024 London race was when I
finished, and my aunt sent me a message congratulating me for being the first
member of the family to complete it. I cried. I also found out that my
grandfather, a very traditional South Asian Muslim man, had forced himself out
of bed despite being unwell, to watch me cross the finish line. The smile on
his face when I showed him my medal was worth all the challenges I have faced.
To me, this was a big sign of how attitudes towards female Muslim runners are
changing.
In fact, at the London Marathon this year, there
were so many other Muslim women running that I felt I had company. When I
started out running races, I was often the only Muslim woman there. No one
looked like me, no one faced the same challenges I had faced, and no one had
battled with training whilst fasting during Ramadan. Running community Muslim
Runners helped me to connect with other Muslim women and made me realise I
wasn't alone, and the London Marathon proved that numbers are growing.
It’s been 16 years since I reverted to Islam, when I
was 19, but my journey looking into Islam started when I was 12. It was a
decision I made after many years of study and reflection, and not one that was
made lightly, nor one that was openly accepted by my family at the time.
It has been a lonely journey; people often ask why
or how choosing a faith can make me feel that way, and the way I describe it is
that I felt as though I didn’t fit into any one narrative; not fully accepting
the social norms of a woman in western society, but equally not fully
understanding the complexities of middle eastern and Asian culture.
I became like an orb, floating between the two,
trying to adapt without losing my own identity. I remember when I first entered
a mosque in East London; I felt so completely out of place as a white Irish
woman, draped in hijab in a vast mosque of Asian men and women. I knew I was
Muslim, I had declared my faith, but all eyes were on me as this stranger
entering unknown territory. I felt massive imposter syndrome and never believed
that one day, the community would fully embrace me.
I’ve had a similar experience with my running
journey as a Muslim woman. There have been so many things to think about that
previously never crossed my mind: having to choose clothing that covers my body
[Muslim women are expected to remain covered, adhering to modesty], avoiding
male-influenced running groups, and being aware of eyes on me on the streets at
night, when the expectation was that I should be at home.
It was hard for me to understand why accessing sport
as a Muslim woman was so unheard of. In my mind, running is a sport available
to all people, from all backgrounds, but living through that as a Muslim woman
has been a completely different experience.
I remember one night whilst out training for the
marathon, running along the street, when I heard someone say, ‘Is that a hijabi
running? No way?!’ It was said with such surprise and disgust, like what on
earth was I doing and why was I even out? I spent the rest of that run
questioning the fact that the only reason they had commented was because of the
fabric on my head.
If I hadn’t
been wearing my hijab, they would have taken me as any other
30-something-year-old woman looking after my health. The judgement, because of
a representation of my faith, felt all-consuming. But this made me even more
determined to carry on. I wanted to show to my own family that religion is not
a barrier to accessing sport, to staying fit, to achieving dreams and
ambitions. So, in 2023, I decided to enter the London Marathon Ballot.
I was unsuccessful, so I put my name forward to
running group, Muslim Runners, for a community place with the team. Come
November 2023, I received the email to say I’d got a place. I couldn’t believe
it.
Training was both physically and mentally hard, and
I relied massively on the Muslim Runners group. I had finally found a group of
people who shared a love of faith and fitness. I finally felt like I fit in.
That said, there were many challenges along the way.
Besides navigating the judgement I experienced for my visible Muslim appearance
and finding attire that was comfortable and modest, my final month of training
during March and into April 2024 was the month of Ramadan: 30 days of fasting
from sunrise to sunset, with no food and absolutely no liquids in between that
time.
My mind convinced me that I would never be able to
run on such limited fuel, but my body was far more powerful than I thought, and
I managed my longest run of 32km during that month. In fact, the hardest part
of that month seemed to be the expectations of being a Muslim woman – I was
still holding down a full-time job, while being a mother to my four children and
caring for our home. Nonetheless, the impending marathon date stayed firmly
fixed in my mind, and I worked around Ramadan and my home duties by scheduling
my runs very early in the morning, from 5am onwards, or late at night up until
midnight.
Marathon day quickly came around, and getting ready
that morning was very nerve-wracking. It’s very evident that there is little
representation of female Muslim runners, never mind marathons, and so seeing
everyone posting their kit flat lays on social media, with short shorts and
little vests, made me feel somewhat out of place with my own semi modest attire
(a long-sleeved top and shorts over leggings).
Arriving to the race start and standing there
looking around for someone like me made my stomach turn. I felt like I did all
those years ago, walking into the crowded mosque – out of place and
uncomfortable. Then, amongst the crowd, I spotted another hijabi and it gave me
just a moment of relief. I was not alone. We were representing, albeit in small
numbers.
One guy next to me just looked at and said, ‘Are you
running with that on your head? You’ll be sweating in a minute.’ His comment
made me think about how much work is still needed around representation; around
the lack of understanding that this wasn’t a hat I just decided to whack on for
the fun of it, but a direct representation of my beliefs and faith. I know that
man didn’t mean to cause offence, but it highlighted for me how uncommon it is
to see Muslim women in these sporting events.
I never imagined I would take on this challenge, and
most certainly not as a Muslim woman, where society sees our place only in the
home. I felt proud to wear my scarf, to run amongst thousands of people and
have them cheer me on. It felt for just those moments that everything was all
inclusive, as it should be, and not just on marathon day. I ran by a few other
visibly Muslim women, and smiled and cheered each one of them, in celebration
of their presence, of their determination, of their ability to not let imposter
syndrome stop them from experiencing what only 0.1% of the world’s population
accomplishes. We are Muslim women, and we run marathons.
I was really active as a child, but during most of
my twenties, I didn’t exercise. It was my role as a volunteer with SeeAbility,
a residential home for the visually impaired, that first motivated me to start
running. I started volunteering in 2014, and spending time with the residents
opened my eyes to a fundraising opportunity: the London Marathon. Despite not
being a “runner”, with little understanding of what a marathon entailed, I took
the plunge and signed up. Although my intentions were in a good place, my lack
of preparation was evident as I struggled to the finish line. That experience
swore me off running... temporarily.
Fast forward to April 2016, when I was 29, I decided
to give running another chance and joined the couch to 5K program with Crawley
Run Crew – a local running club. Coming from a Pakistani upbringing, education
and careers were considered more important than sports. I understood this, but
it also meant that I didn’t receive much encouragement to continue
participating in the sports that I excelled in. Yet, after my first go at the
London Marathon, I couldn’t shake this feeling that I had unfinished business.
I don't consider that first marathon a true
completion. I hadn't properly trained and was wholly unprepared—something I,
now as a coach, would never advise. But back then, I lacked the support I
needed. So, I set my sets on the 2017 London Marathon. As the sole runner in my
family, my motivation stemmed from a desire to prove not only my ability to
complete it, but to do so with strength and determination. I’ve now completed
seven marathons, and the most recent – the London Marathon 2024 – holds a
special place in my heart.
I had the privilege of representing Muslim women as
an official five-hour pacer. It was truly a surreal moment – one that I still
struggle to believe. Not only was I representing Muslim women, I was helping
runners reach their personal bests. I’m also the Community Lead of Muslim
Runners and seeing the diverse journeys of our community was one of the most
memorable aspects of this year’s London Marathon training. Whether they were
novice runners taking their first race or seasoned veterans, being a part of
this vibrant community was incredibly fulfilling.
Training-wise, observing Ramadan was a huge
challenge. While I could manage without food and water, the inability to listen
to music during long runs was difficult [it's believed that listening to music
could take your focus off prayer during Ramadan]. I found solace in running
with or calling friends. As for fasting, I typically set out an hour before
breaking fast to ensure I could refuel promptly afterward. Coping with sleep
deprivation (we have additional night prayers during Ramadan) and no music
proved to be most challenging.
As for mental challenges, I often felt out of place
at the start of my running journey. Female Muslim runners were scarce, and I
was often the lone representative at races. This sense of isolation left me
feeling like I didn’t quite fit in, but that’s what kept me going. In a world
where stereotypes and lack of diversity and inclusivity are all too common,
lacing up my running shoes and hitting the pavement has been a way to assert
myself and build confidence.
Through running, I've come to see that being a
Muslim woman doesn't hold me back—it has shown me how to embrace who I am
without apology, challenge stereotypes, and inspire others to do the same. One
of the biggest lessons I’ve taken away from running as a Muslim woman is
recognising my own strength and resilience.
Source: yahoo.com
https://uk.style.yahoo.com/3-women-crushing-stereotypes-around-100600968.html
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Muslim Women On How They Express Themselves Through
Modest Dressing
NAWAL SARI
APRIL 30, 2024
Modest fashion means something different for
everyone. For some, it’s wearing looser or longer garments, and for others,
it's wearing a hijab, turban, niqab etc., or just taking small steps every day
to work towards ultimately dressing more modestly.
For Muslim women, dressing modestly is an act of
worship and is done to strengthen one's faith and spirituality, but there are
also women who dress modestly for totally different reasons. We all know that
having autonomy over our own bodies is a basic right, and yet, there is
constant pressure and bias against women who decide to wear more. At times, it
has felt as if feminine liberation only looked a particular way and there was
no room for me within it.
I've personally always found strength in breaking
the norm of what social and fashion standards mean when living in a Western
society. With women's bodies and dress codes constantly being a topic for
debate, choosing to wear the hijab and dress modestly was, for me, an act of
rebellion against beauty and fashion standards at the time. Instead of wearing
mini skirts and mini dresses on their own, I styled them layered over jeans or
maxi skirts; instead of wearing crop tops on their own, I wore them over loose,
long-sleeve blouses for a layered effect.
I've never felt like I've missed out on partaking in
a trend entirely — I have just redefined how it could work for me.
When I first started wearing the hijab at 15 years
old, I played it mostly safe with fashion trends and styles because I wanted to
just fit in in high school, but when I started university, I began exploring
who I am and what I like. Launching my online profile felt like a mission to be
creative and also to break down stigmas and prove to the world that Muslim
women are liberated and beautifully dynamic.
Upon reflection, I can acknowledge that was a lot of
pressure to put on myself and mostly impossible to assume I can change
everyone's prejudiced thinking on my own. But it did help me find an online community
of like-minded women who have had similar experiences to me, and who are also
representing their faith and exploring their creativity through fashion.
Ahead, I interview some of my favorite online
creatives from around the world, who also happen to be Muslim, and are
exploring modest fashion through their content. They inspire me in so many ways
and I hope you can also find some inspiration in their platforms, too.
Source: refinery29.com
https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/how-muslim-women-express-themselves-modest-dressing
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Bella Hadid unveils debut fragrances from her new
brand Orebella
May 1, 2024
DUBAI: American-Dutch-Palestinian model Bella Hadid
has unveiled “skin perfumes,” the inaugural products of her new brand,
Orebella.
The runway sensation turned to Instagram on
Wednesday to showcase images of her fragrances, which are named “Salted Muse,”
“Blooming Fire” and “Window2Soul.”
Crafted from glass and adorned with a gold cap, the
bottles are offered in 10 ml, 50 ml and 100 ml.
Hadid in her caption described the fragrances as
“hydrating, alcohol-free and enriched with essential oils.” She urged her
followers to “shake to activate the transformative bi-phase formula.”
The “Salted Muse” perfume has “top notes” of sea
salt, pink pepper and carbon dioxide extract, “heart notes” of olive tree
accord, fig and lavender, and “base notes” of cedarwood, sandalwood and amber,
according to reports.
The “Blooming Fire” fragrance has bergamot,
cedarwood, clove leaf and cardamom, followed by Tahitian monoi and jasmine, and
finishes with patchouli.
The “Window2Soul” scent has a blend of lemon,
geranium and mint in its top notes, transitions to jasmine and damask rose, and
concludes with a base of tonka bean.
The brand will launch on May 2.
Hadid wrote on her website: “For me, fragrance has
always been at the center of my life — helping me feel in charge of who I am
and my surroundings,” she said. “From my home to nostalgic memories, to my own
energy and connection with others, scent has been an outlet for me. It made me
feel safe in my own world.”
“Through my healing journey, I found that I was
extremely sensitive to the alcohol in traditional perfumes — both physically
and mentally — it became something that was more overwhelming than calming to
me,” she added. “That is the main reason I wanted to find an alternative, so
essential oils became an artistic and experimental process for me.”
She started growing lavender on her farm, walking
through the garden every morning and learning about her family’s tradition of
making homemade scents. “I realized I might have a calling in this. I found
healing, joy, and love within nature’s scents,” she said.
“This is why I am so proud of Orebella. It was truly
a dream and a passion, that through the universe and authentic dedication, was
able to become this brand,” she wrote.
Source: arabnews.com
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2502491/lifestyle
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/saudi-arabia-activist-manahel-otaibi/d/132241