Saudi Artist Rehab Zakri Embraces Her Jazani, Southern Saudi Arabian, Heritage
New Age Islam News Bureau
27 May 2024
·
Saudi Artist Rehab Zakri
Embraces Her Jazani, Southern Saudi Arabian, Heritage
·
Saudi Arabia Trains Boxing
Female Coaches In Riyadh
·
Nearly 1,400 Girl Students
Escape From School Building Engulfed By Fire In Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
·
Iran Intensifies Crackdown
on Hijab Removal, Targets Young Women
·
Iran's Proposed Hijab Bill
Tightens Surveillance Measures
·
Govt Needs To Address
Lengthy Divorce Process For Muslim Women, says Sisters In Islam
·
Hong Kong Should Uphold Muslim
Women’s Right To Wear The Hijab
·
Greek Authorities Release Pakistani
Woman Athlete After Two-Day Detention
Compiled by
New Age Islam News Bureau
URL:
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Saudi Artist Rehab Zakri Embraces Her Jazani, Southern
Saudi Arabian, Heritage
The artist’s
impressionist works capture her passion for her heritage and have been
displayed at various exhibitions, including a solo exhibition in 2020.
(Supplied)
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May 26, 2024
JEDDAH: The Saudi artist Rehab Zakri is carving a niche
for herself in the art world by delving deep into the rich culture and identity
of southern Saudi Arabia.
The artist’s impressionist works capture her passion for
her heritage and have been displayed at various exhibitions, including a solo
exhibition in 2020.
The 24-year-old’s art is a vibrant tapestry of colors
reflecting the diverse natural landscapes of her daily life in the city of
Jazan.
“Jazan, my hometown, is a treasure trove of heritage and
natural wonders that stir my soul. Immersed in its rich nature, my artistic
journey blossoms,” she told Arab News.
“Each brushstroke tells a story inspired by ventures with
friends to coffee farms, the majestic Qahar mountains, and the serene
WadiLajab.”
Zakris artistic journey began in childhood when her love
for painting blossomed into a fully fledged passion after a teacher encouraged
her to participate in a drawing competition.
Her talent shone through as she clinched first place in
the Jazan region and fourth place nationally in drawing and painting
competitions. This early recognition fueled her determination to pursue her
artistic dreams further.
Her choice to follow the impressionist school of art
stems from her desire for freedom of expression through color, steering away
from precision and perfection.
Her paintings, rich in color and emotion, allow her to
convey her feelings and thoughts in a visually captivating manner.
“My artistic expression thrives on the interplay of
colors, weaving emotions and identity into every stroke, forging a deep
connection between my art and my being,” she said.
Zakri has also created a space at home where art comes to
life, hosting art gatherings and workshops, welcoming visitors to experience
the beauty and identity of Jazan through her eyes.
“I established a personal sanctuary at home, where every
stroke of paint breathes life into my creations. It’s a haven where I open my
doors to fellow art enthusiasts,” she said.
“Welcoming visitors from afar, I offer them a glimpse
into the essence and allure of Jazan. This city, ingrained in my artistic soul,
finds its way into myriad brushstrokes, embodying its spirit and beauty in
every painting I create.”
Her large-scale interactive artwork, titled “Generosity,”
draws inspiration from Saudi culture and vividly portrays the elegance of the
Najdi majlis, symbolizing the warm hospitality ingrained in Saudi society. The
piece was crafted to honor the Kingdom’s Founding Day.
In her portrayal of a Jazani mountain girl, she captures
the essence of the people of Fayfa and their rich cultural heritage. Fayfa
village is known for its unique natural features and the warmth of its people.
Nestled amid lush greenery and surrounded by stunning mountain landscapes,
Fayfa has a rich biodiversity, with vibrant flora and fauna adding to its
charm.
Through meticulous attention to detail, the mountain girl
is depicted wearing traditional Jazani attire, adorned with a garland of roses
and a straw hat and set against a backdrop of lush green. Zakri’s portrait of
the girl skillfully reflects the beauty of Jazan’s natural surroundings.
Another painting, “Coffee Farms,” captures the essence of
the famed coffee plantations nestled in the Bani Malik mountains of Jazan.
Having participated in various exhibitions, including her
first solo exhibition supported by the Culture and Arts Association in Jazan,
Zakri’s artwork has garnered widespread acclaim, with each work representing a
cherished moment in time.
“The painting dearest to my heart is a portrait of Crown
Prince Mohammed bin Salman,” she said. “It embodies Saudi pride and the
ambitious vision reflected in his gaze toward a radiant future.”
Describing her approach to the work, she said,:“I
employed my impressionist style, infusing vibrant colors and crisp lines to
craft a vivid and expressive depiction exuding prominence. This artwork was
acquired by the deputy governor of the Jazan region, Prince Mohammed bin
Abdulaziz bin Mohammed bin Abdulaziz,” she said.
Her painting titled “Our Present to Our Future”
symbolizes the Saudi people’s achievements in the journey to Vision 2030,
depicting that dreams can come true with belief in one’s abilities.
Her advice to aspiring artists, is straightforward. “Work
hard, stay committed, and stay open to new experiences,” she said. “In art,
don't be afraid to explore new things. And most importantly, enjoy the journey,
even when it gets tough.”
Zakri remains enthusiastic about exploring new
opportunities in the art world and has built a platform on Instagram where she
displays her art and engages with the community.
Source: arabnews.com
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2517521/saudi-arabia
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Saudi Arabia Trains Boxing Female Coaches In Riyadh
Photo: International
Boxing Association
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May 27, 2024
Things are changing in Saudi Arabia. Boxing is becoming
more feminine. At the initiative of the Saudi Boxing Federation, and with the
support of the IBA, coaching training was organized for a week in Riyadh.
Exclusively reserved for women, it was marked by the participation of 38 female
boxing trainers, from Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Tunisia, Morocco, Eritrea, the
United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Palestine. The course was led by Egyptian
Nadia Abdelhameed Mohamed, vice-president of the IBA coaches committee. The
program includes theoretical lessons and a series of practical exercises. At
the end, an exam punctuated, for participants who have passed it, by an IBA
1-star coach certification.
Source: francsjeux.com
https://www.francsjeux.com/en/short/saudi-arabia-trains-women%27s-coaches/
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Nearly 1,400 girl students escape from school building
engulfed by fire in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
By: PTI
Peshawar- May 27, 2024
Nearly 1,400 girl students had a lucky escape on Monday
when they were safely evacuated from a school building that was engulfed by a
massive fire in a remote mountainous region of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
province, according to a media report.
Geo News spoke to a rescue official who said the fire
swept through the Government Girls Higher Secondary School in Haripur
district’s Sirikot village while hundreds of students were inside.
Firefighters along with the local residents began putting
off the blaze, he said. The official said the fire brigade vehicles faced
trouble reaching the site of the incident because of the mountainous terrain.
Haripur’s Rescue 1122 spokesperson Faraz Jalal said there
were about 1,400 students and all of them were safely evacuated from the school
building, the report said. The spokesperson said the blaze badly damaged the
entire school building.
The rescue department confirmed that no loss of life
occurred and said half of the school building was constructed with wood.
Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry
confirmed that the school building caught fire because of a short circuit.
Chaudhry said that further investigation into the
incident was underway and the school would be made functional soon.
Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is a restive province which
has seen attacks on school buildings by militants.
On the night of May 8, a private girls’ school was blown
up by unidentified militants in Tehsil Shewa of North Waziristan district,
police said.
The police said the militants first tortured the watchman
and later blew up two rooms of the school.
Similar attacks took place in May last year when two
government schools for girls in Mirali had been blown up. No loss of life was
reported in the incidents.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur said
rescue officials took timely action and evacuated the students.
The chief minister said the education department and
district administration would submit a report regarding the fire accident. He
said all the educational institutes would be reviewed so that such incidents do
not occur in the future.
Gandapur said the provincial government would compensate
for the losses caused by the blaze.
Source: indianexpress.com
https://indianexpress.com/article/pakistan/n-girl-students-escape-school-building-fire-pakistan-khyber-pakhtunkhwa-9355017/
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Iran Intensifies Crackdown on Hijab Removal, Targets
Young Women
05/25/2024
Hossein Hosseini, the Chief Justice of Iran’s Kordestan
Province, has announced the establishment of a specialized branch at the
Sanandaj Revolutionary Court specifically designed to handle cases of hijab
removal.
Hosseini revealed that "a significant portion of
those who commit hijab removal are under the ages of 15 and 18,"
highlighting the state's focus on penalizing young women.
The initiative is part of the broader Project Noor, which
has ramped up enforcement of the Islamic Republic’s hijab laws, leading to
increased violent confrontations on the streets as authorities clamp down on
Iranian women. The forceful approach has sparked renewed global outrage.
Hosseini categorized individuals who remove their hijab
into three groups: the first receives only a verbal warning for unintentional
non-compliance; the second, includes those seen as encouraging others to unveil
and are actively pursued by the authorities; the third group involves
individuals accused of systematically challenging hijab, targeted by security
and intelligence forces for organized defiance.
The newly launched court branch shows Iran's decision to
criminalize what it perceives as “acts of rebellion” against its “moral codes,”
particularly focusing on the youth. This strategy reflects the government’s
desperation to assert control amid growing internal and international
criticism.
Further unsettling reports have surfaced since the
implementation of Project Noor, detailing police misconduct, including
extortion, theft, andsexual harassment by officers tasked with enforcing hijab
compliance. Such accusations exacerbate the already volatile relationship
between the public and the police, eroding trust and stoking fears among the
population.
Global human rights organizations, student bodies, and
activists are vocally condemning such measures, highlighting the infringement
on basic human rights and personal freedoms in Iran.
Source: iranintl.com
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202405259860
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Iran's Proposed Hijab Bill Tightens Surveillance Measures
Iran has set forth stringent measures under the proposed
Hijab and Chastity Bill to enforce mandatory hijab laws, utilizing surveillance
cameras as a key tool in monitoring compliance.
Amir Hossein Bankipour, a member of the Supreme Council
of Cultural Revolution and the Iranian parliament, revealed that under the
Bill, individuals failing to adhere to hijab regulations will face
identification by using cameras.
In cases where women refuse to be photographed, an
immediate arrest is mandated, with individuals handed over to authorities for
identification.
Bankipour detailed the Bill's provisions in an interview
with Fars News Agency, affiliated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC),
on Saturday. He emphasized the requirement for all including the private sector
to provide access to their CCTV cameras to Iran’s Law Enforcement Command
(FARAJA) forces for hijab enforcement.
“We mandate that all entities, including the private
sector to provide their cameras to FARAJA. All cameras must be connected to
FARAJA,” Bankipour stated.
Bankipour added that once photographed, individuals'
identities will be confirmed through "trusted observers," and fines
will be issued via text messages.
Addressing scenarios where a person's face might be
obscured by a mask or technical systems are offline, Bankipour emphasized:
“In fact, we added an article requiring the use of
identification or documents in situations where it is not possible to identify
a person. The individual must be identified directly.”
Bankipour's statement adds to growing concerns regarding
undocumented women who defy mandatory hijab laws, as they would face an
elevated risk of being arrested.
Furthermore, Bankipour outlined punitive measures for
hijab non-compliance, including financial fines, social exclusion, exile,
closure of social media pages, passport confiscation for up to two years, and
arrest.
Regarding the Bill currently under review by the Guardian
Council, Bankipour expressed confidence in its approval. He cited its alignment
with the country's legislative system and potential implications for Iran's
economic stability, referencing a letter from SadeghAmoliLarijani to Ayatollah
Ahmad Jannati, Secretary of the Guardian Council.
Although as part of Iran’s Nour Plan, initiated in April,
Iranian authorities have been increasingly cracking down on women defying hijab
laws, the apparatus for enabling the use of surveillance technology has been in
the works for some time. In June last year, Ahmad-Reza Radan, Iran's police
chief, announced that President Ebrahim Raisi had allocated funds to install
additional cameras to combat defiance against hijab rules.
The use of CCTV to enforce hijab regulations has
previously raised concerns about women's privacy and the potential exploitation
of surveillance for monetary purposes through fines. Rights groups such as
Article 19 have warned against the use of facial recognition software and
AI-assisted technology to enforce mandatory hijab laws.
More recent examples of such invasive technology
including the use of drones to enforce hijab laws at Tehran’s Book Fair this
month also sparked outrage and concern.
Articles of the Proposed Hijab and Chastity Bill on Use
of CCTV Surveillance
Although not yet approved, below are some of the Articles
that will allow Iran to freely use invasive surveillance technology against
women who defy hijab laws:
Article 30 states that to fulfill the law, the police
command must:
“Create and strengthen intelligent systems for
identifying perpetrators of illegal behavior using tools such as fixed and
mobile cameras.”
Article 61 requires the private sector including
“non-governmental banks”, “passenger transport companies”, “business owners”,
“stores”, and “officials of complexes” to “upload their camera footage and
provide them to the police command of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FARAJA) in
order to identify those who violate this [hijab] law, and further requires them
to keep the footage for at least twenty days.
The article additionally mentions that failure to comply
with this ruling could lead to a suspension from government and public services
ranging from six months to five years. Furthermore, business owners and
professionals might face a monetary penalty equivalent to two to six months'
worth of profits from their business activities.
Article 36 allows “certified individuals”, including all
officers trained by FARAJA, to report instances of hijab law non-compliance or
“inappropriate clothing” by sending photos to the dedicated system established
by FARAJA.
Source: iranintl.com
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202405274040
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Govt Needs To Address Lengthy Divorce Process For Muslim
Women, says Sisters In Islam
27 May 2024
PETALING JAYA: Sisters In Islam (SIS) has called on the
government to address issues confronting Muslim women going through a divorce,
especially securing financial rights and child maintenance.
“While mutual divorce agreements between Muslim men and
women and unilateral divorce by Muslim men can be concluded swiftly, Muslim
women who initiate a ‘fasakh’ divorce continue to endure a long and arduous
process for approval in the shariah court,” the NGO said.
“Despite being entitled to file for ancillary matters,
Muslim women often do not pursue these rights due to the exhaustive demands of
the divorce process.
“The existing shariah legal system does not facilitate
women in claiming their rights but instead forces them to forego these rights.”
SIS said it had presented submissions to the Convention
on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (Cedaw)
committee last week.
“There is a dire need for comprehensive data collection
by the government and robust legal procedures to secure women’s financial
rights and child maintenance in the shariah court,” its executive director,
Rozana Isa, said.
“There must be immediate, tangible actions to protect
women’s rights and end discrimination,” she said.
She called on the government to establish clear
guidelines to safeguard women’s autonomy and ensure fair decision-making in
family matters, while creating a uniform legal landscape by
standardisingshariah law across all states.
“There must be equitable law enforcement in the shariah
court, ensuring women receive fair and equal treatment.
“(The government must also) streamline divorce processes
to alleviate the burden on women seeking separation. With unwavering political
will and structural reforms, change is possible,” she said.
Source: freemalaysiatoday.com
https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2024/05/27/govt-needs-to-address-lengthy-divorce-process-for-muslim-women-says-sis/
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Hong Kong should uphold Muslim women’s right to wear the
hijab
26 May 2024
Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects
of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at
letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed
400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for
verification
Hong Kong must confront the barriers hijab-wearing Muslim
women face in securing employment and fully participating in public life. The
recent case of Saana Qalsoom, a qualified Hong Kong graduate who was turned
away from teaching jobs for refusing to remove her hijab, shines a spotlight on
the lack of protections against religious discrimination in the city.
Qalsoom’s experience is unfortunately not an isolated
one. Despite Hong Kong’s reputation as a cosmopolitan city, many Muslim women
who choose to wear the hijab as an expression of their faith continue to
encounter bias and prejudice.
Employers might incorrectly view the hijab as
incompatible with professional norms, leading them to discriminate against
qualified candidates. This denies opportunities to talented individuals and
robs Hong Kong of the diverse perspectives and skills minority communities can
contribute.
Article 32 of the Basic Law states that Hong Kong
residents have freedom of conscience, freedom of religious belief and freedom
to preach, conduct and participate in religious activities in public. The Hong
Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance incorporates the religious freedom protections of
the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Wearing the hijab should be considered an essential
religious practice for Muslim women. Banning it would be an unconstitutional
violation of their right to freely profess and practise their faith. The
freedom of religion guaranteed by the Basic Law should extend to Muslim women’s
choice to wear the hijab.
The government must take the lead in addressing this
issue. Existing anti-discrimination ordinances have been criticised for
significant loopholes, thus failing to adequately protect religious minorities.
Strengthening anti-discrimination laws and providing clear guidelines for
employers would send a strong message that intolerance has no place in Hong
Kong.
But legislation is not enough. Building a truly inclusive
society requires a concerted effort to foster greater cross-cultural
understanding and dialogue. Schools, businesses and community organisations all
have a role to play in educating the public and challenging harmful
stereotypes.
Ultimately, ensuring hijab-wearing Muslim women in Hong
Kong can freely access opportunities and feel welcome in their communities is
about not just protecting individual rights but upholding the values of diversity,
equality and social harmony that should define a global city. Hong Kong must
have the courage to confront the biases and structural barriers that keep some
residents from thriving.
It’s time to open the door wider for people from all
backgrounds to contribute their talents and enrich the city’s vibrant tapestry.
The future of Hong Kong depends on it.
I wholeheartedly support Hong Kong’s effort to reduce
plastic waste. But if the government is serious about it, can it use more
logic?
On a recent visit to the post office, I found out that it
had stopped providing plastic adhesive tape for customers to seal up their
boxes to be posted, as a result of new waste management regulations. I was told
to buy my own. I don’t mind the cost, but the wasteful roll of plastic tape I
bought now sits unused on my desk.
How can many rolls of barely used tape sitting in homes
across Hong Kong be greener than people sharing one roll? The post office
should switch to paper tape and start sharing it again.
The government should legislate to allow only
biodegradable single-use products and wrappings. It should also promote the use
of personal containers for takeaway food, and encourage people to carry their
own cutlery and water bottles.
Shevaun Gallwey, Tai Wai
Prosecution of war crimes in Gaza deserves our support
Alex Lo is correct that in applying for arrest warrants
for top leaders of Israel and Hamas, Karim Khan of the International Criminal
Court has stood up for global justice and international law against the manipulated
so-called rules-based order (“International court prosecutor rises to historic
occasion”, May 21).
At a time when the West and China are confronting each
other in the South China Sea – with both claiming to act according to the
rules-based order – there is an urgent need for us to clarify what is meant by
“rules-based order”.
Defining what “aggression” and “self-defence” mean in
international conflict has never been easy. Immediately following the Pacific
War, the Tokyo Trial tried to do so, but while the defendants were convicted
and severe sentences handed down, the trial also uncovered areas of moral and
legal uncertainty in the reasoning leading up to the verdict. We are still
living with that confusion.
It is primarily the United Nations – operating within the
global status quo imposed by military force in World War II – that is charged
with the responsibility of identifying and dealing with unlawful international
aggression. The reality, however, is that the UN is struggling to do this.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has found that
there is a prima facie case that both sides in the Gaza conflict have committed
war crimes. The world must now get behind the ICC and the rule of international
law in Gaza. Without this, the phrase “rules-based order” can have no credible
meaning.
Source: scmp.com
https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3263656/hong-kong-should-uphold-muslim-womens-right-wear-hijab
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Greek authorities release Pakistani woman athlete after
two-day detention
May 26, 2024
KARACHI: Pakistani woman athlete and journalist Mona
Khan, who was arrested in Greece this week, has been released from prison, she
said on Sunday, a day after the Pakistani Foreign Office said its mission was
actively engaged with Greek authorities on the case.
Khan said she was stopped by Greek officials at a
checkpoint on Friday afternoon, when she was going to Mount Olympus along with
a team of climbers, and upon checking her passport, Greek authorities held her
for investigation, from where they took her to jail.
The athlete, who also works with Pakistan’s state TV as a
host and participated in the Athens marathon last year, said she wanted to wave
the Pakistan flag and Kalima Tayyaba, a profession of the Islamic faith written
on a cloth piece that means “there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the
Messenger of Allah,” on the highest mountain peak in Greece, some 433
kilometers away from Athens.
On Saturday, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, a spokesperson for
Pakistan’s Foreign Office, told Arab News the Pakistani mission in Athens was
actively engaged with Greek officials to secure the release of the Pakistani
athlete.
Speaking to Arab News after her release on Sunday, the
Pakistani athlete said her release was “conditional” even though she had
violated no rules of the host country, while she would also not be able to
return to Greece for five years.
“They arrested me just when they saw my Pakistani
passport and later questioned me when they found Kalima Tayyaba in my bag,”
Khan said. “I am completely clueless as to why they arrested me, deprived me of
a chance to accomplish my goal, and then asked me to leave.”
She said she was asked to sign documents that she would
not enter another European country despite having visas and would return to
Pakistan within 20 days.
“It’s my right to know what laws I have violated,” Khan
said. “I was there for a healthy activity, but what happened to me caused me
mental stress.”
Greek authorities have not issued any statement on Khan’s
detention, while the Pakistani Foreign Office spokesperson did not respond,
when asked about reasons for her detention and whether Pakistan planned to
lodge a protest with Greek authorities in case Khan had not violated any laws
of the host country.
“Jailed for doing nothing and just because of being
Pakistani,” Khan said, after reuniting with her son, who was waiting for her to
return after completing the mission to wave the Pakistani flag and the Islamic
scripture on Mount Olympus.
“He asked for the video where I was supposed to wave the
flag. I didn’t end his excitement and didn’t tell him about my ordeal.”
Source: arabnews.pk
https://www.arabnews.pk/node/2517356/pakistan
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