Saudi Ballet Star, Halaa Nagadi, dances to Inspire Dreams
New Age Islam News Bureau
27 July 2024
·
Saudi Ballet Star, HalaaNagadi, dances to
Inspire Dreams
·
Afghan Break-Dancing Girl, ManizhaTalash,
competes at Paris Olympics After Fleeing Taliban
·
Women in Govt Flay ‘Deepfake’ Targeting Punjab
Minister Azma Bokhari, Other Women Lawmakers
·
6 Female Arab Sports Stars Heading to The 2024
Summer Olympics in Paris
·
Meet Afghanistan's Cycling Hashimi Sisters, Who
Escaped the Taliban To Compete At The Paris Olympics
·
African Female Athletes Aim for Olympic Medals
In Paris
·
Recruitment Drive for Saudi Women to Join Major
Defence Firm
·
‘Falcons Vega MENA’ First Arab Women's Team to
Participate in Esports World Cup
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL:
Saudi
Ballet Star, HalaaNagadi, dances to Inspire Dreams
July 26,
2024
Halaa
Nagadi is currently preparing for the 2024 Dubai International Dance
Competition set to start on Nov. 17 that will have professional and amateur
dancers participating. (Supplied)
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RIYADH:
Saudi Arabia ballet dancer HalaaNagadi, 18, is captivating audiences with her
unwavering passion and hopes others would be inspired to “embrace this
beautiful and expressive art form.”
She is
currently preparing for the 2024 Dubai International Dance Competition set to
start on Nov. 17 that will have professional and amateur dancers participating
from all over the world.
“I
became interested in ballet when I was on a journey to find a dance form that
truly resonated with me,” Nagadi told Arab News. “The way ballet dancers could
convey such powerful emotions and narratives through their bodies was simply
captivating.”
From a
young age, Nagadi was mesmerized by the graceful movements and emotive
storytelling of ballet, and she has pursued her dream with determination.
“One of
my greatest goals is to represent Saudi Arabia on the international ballet
stage,” Nagadi said. “I want to showcase the talent and artistry that exists
within our country, and inspire others to embrace this beautiful and expressive
art form.”
FASTFACTS
• Though
ballet may not have been a typical path for a young Saudi Arabia woman, Nagadi
was undeterred.
• She
immersed herself in studying ballet, first through online videos and then by
seeking out local and international training opportunities.
Though
ballet may not have been a typical path for a young Saudi Arabia woman, Nagadi
was undeterred. She immersed herself in studying ballet, first through online
videos and then by seeking out local and international training opportunities.
“Balancing
my studies in tourism and event management at King Abdulaziz University with my
rigorous ballet training has not been an easy task,” Nagadi revealed.
“But
I’ve remained steadfast in my pursuit, spending four to eight hours each day
honing my skills, whether it’s at the ballet studio or the gym, ensuring that I
am constantly improving and pushing the boundaries of my craft.”
Nagadi’s
journey has not been without its challenges, however. Finding suitable ballet
facilities in Saudi Arabia has been a significant hurdle, and sourcing specialized
equipment is proving to be an ongoing obstacle, she explained.
Undaunted,
Nagadi has sought out opportunities abroad, including a summer program in
Romania and a ballet performance opportunity in Turkiye.
“I also
took a masterclass for professional dancers from the principal of the Royal
Ballet in London,” she added.
Nagadi’s
dedication and passion have not gone unnoticed locally. “I have received the
support of the Saudi Ministry of Culture, who have provided me with
opportunities to showcase my talents at local events, such as the Taif Rose
Festival and a theatrical performance that fused Arabic music with ballet,” she
said.
As Saudi
Arabia’s arts and culture scene continues to evolve, the ballet talent
envisions a future where the dance form will flourish and draw audiences from
across the Kingdom.
“I
believe the ballet scene in Saudi Arabia will only continue to grow and
develop,” she said. “More and more people are becoming interested in learning
and practicing this art form.”
Nagadi’s
unwavering determination has not only earned her recognition within the Saudi
Arabia arts community but has also inspired a new generation of young people to
explore the world of ballet.
Her
story is a reminder that with hard work, dedication, and a willingness to
challenge societal norms, anything is possible.
Source: arabnews.com
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2557296/saudi-arabia
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Afghan
Break-Dancing Girl, ManizhaTalash, competes at Paris Olympics After Fleeing
Taliban
Jul 26,
2024
Manizha
Talash. (AP Photo)
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NEW
DELHI: ManizhaTalash, a 21-year-old Afghan break-dancer, embodies the spirit of
human resilience that the Olympics celebrate. In 2021, she fled Afghanistan
after the Taliban's takeover, crossing the border into Pakistan before finding
refuge in Spain the following year.
Despite
the challenges she faced, Talash never gave up on her passion for
break-dancing, which she discovered as a teenager in Kabul while scrolling
through social media. Little did she know that this hobby, pursued in her
troubled homeland, would lead her to the world's biggest sporting event.
Talash's
life took a remarkable turn when the International Olympics Committee (IOC)
included her in its refugee squad for the Paris Games.
She
recalls the days when she trained with boys in a discreet break-dancing club in
Kabul, a club that became a target of multiple bombings in a country where
women's basic rights are not respected and higher education is denied to them.
As
break-dancing makes its Olympic debut in Paris, Talash is poised to showcase
her gravity-defying moves. The inclusion of this art form in the Olympic
program aims to attract more youth, and there are few better ambassadors than
Talash to promote this new entrant.
"I
am living my dream. I never imagined that it could be so beautiful," Talash,
who originally belongs to Wardak in Central Afghanistan, told PTI in an
interview.
Break
dance will make its debut as an Olympic sport at the 2024 Paris Games, with
athletes competing for medals in two categories: B-boys and B-girls.
For
Talash, an Afghan breaker, the opportunity to compete on the world stage is
about more than just winning a medal. She hopes to inspire other women from her
home country to pursue their aspirations, despite the challenges they face.
Talash's
journey is one of resilience and bravery, serving as an inspiration to many.
However, she doesn't consider herself a role model. In her eyes, "all
women in Afghanistan are role models for the suffering they are going through
every day of their lives."
"It
was after the Taliban that I left Afghanistan to follow my dreams. All the
refugees found it a very hard way to go to another country and same was for me.
"I
am grateful that I am here but I don't consider myself a role model for them.
The girls who are in Afghanistan are role models for me," she said in a
translated interview as she only speaks Dari and Spanish.
Talking
more about her mission in the Olympics, Talash went on: "For me winning
the medal or competition is not very important. I just want to prove to people
in Afghanistan that break-dancing is not only dancing but it is a sport. I see
people doing it professionally. It is also about art and culture."
Talash,
a former employee at a Madrid beauty salon, has now dedicated herself to
break-dancing as a full-time pursuit.
At the
Paris Games, as many as 36 athletes are part of the refugee team representing
over 100 million displaced people.
Having
settled in Spain with her family, Talash now considers the country her second
home. She shared that her mother is an avid follower of Indian cinema.
"I
know about India because my mother is in love with Indian films. She is
watching a lot of Bollywood at home. I don't watch it a lot but she does,"
said Talash.
Mastering
the art of break-dancing demands exceptional physical conditioning. For the
past six months, she has dedicated herself to achieving the peak fitness
required for this challenging dance form.
"When
I was in Madrid, I trained six days a week. Here I am training everyday. In a
day, sometimes I do two hours of gym and then three hours of training. Since I
have been included in the refugee team, I feel I have progressed a lot,"
she said.
Regardless
of the outcome in the competition, Talash's experience in Paris will be a
triumph in itself. Her journey to the city of lights, and the opportunity to
showcase her talents on an international stage, is a victory that cannot be
measured by mere rankings or scores.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/paris-olympics-2024/from-war-zone-to-dance-floor-afghan-b-girl-competes-at-paris-olympics-after-fleeing-taliban/articleshow/112045947.cms
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Women in
Govt Flay ‘Deepfake’ Targeting Punjab Minister Azma Bokhari, Other Women
Lawmakers
July 27,
2024
ISLAMABAD:
Condemning the circulation of a lewd deepfake video targeting the information
minister of Punjab, women lawmakers and other government officials on Friday
announced the initiation of a legal battle against those behind the act.
The
announcement came at a press conference addressed by Minister of State for IT
Shaza Fatima Khawaja, PM’s aide on climate change RominaKhurshid Alam, MNAs
ShaistaPervaiz Malik, Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar and others.
A couple
of days ago, screenshots from a blurry video were circulated on social media
platforms, with several pro-PTI accounts linking it to Punjab Information
Minister Azma Bokhari.
The clip
was debunked as being a ‘deepfake’ by fact-checking platform iVerify, which reported
that the footage was taken from a pornographic video and the minister’s face
was superimposed onto it.
Ms
Bokhari has already filed a petition before the Lahore High Court against those
spreading the video.
On
Friday, the IT minister said the government had obtained the original video and
all relevant information, thanking social media platforms for removing the
offending content.
She
declared that the government would pursue the case effectively and forcefully
through the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
Ms
Khawaja accused the PTI of being behind the act, saying that they had used
deepfake technology to target Ms Bokhari as part of a well-thought-out
conspiracy.
Speaking
on the occasion, RominaKhurshid Alam said that women serving in politics, media
and all other fields of society deserved great respect, adding that the PML-N
had pledged to stay away from malicious smear campaigns against women
politicians.
MNA
ShaistaPervaiz Malik said that no society allows disrespect of women and their
use as a tool for nasty politics, calling for a ‘red line’ for all to avoid
using foul language and crooked political gimmicks against women.
Source: dawn.com
https://www.dawn.com/news/1848313/women-in-govt-flay-deepfake-targeting-punjab-minister-azma-bokhari
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6 female
Arab sports stars heading to the 2024 summer Olympics in Paris
July 25,
2024
These
female sports stars from the Arab region are heading to the 2024 Summer
Olympics in Paris.
The
Emirati cyclist made history last year when she became the first female
cyclist, and the second rider from the country, to qualify for the Olympics.
aewkondo
star DunyaAboutaleb will take to the mat for Saudi Arabia at the women’s 49kg
event in the Taewkondo competition at the Olympics.
Lebanese
trap shooter Ray Bassil will represent her country for the fourth time at the
Olympics, having qualified due to her result at the 2023 Asian Shooting
Championships.
Asian
Games gold medalistJulyana Al-Sadeq will represent Jordan in the women’s 67kg
taekwondo event.
Egyptian
boxer YomnaAyad secured her spot in the 2024 Olympics in September last year
after making a name for herself on the country’s national boxing team.
Moroccan-born
eventing rider Noor Slaoui is the first-ever representative from the MENA
region in the equestrian discipline of eventing at the Olympics.
Source: arabnews.com
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2556321/6-female-arab-sports-stars-heading-2024-summer-olympics-paris
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Meet
Afghanistan's cycling Hashimi sisters, who escaped the Taliban to compete at
the Paris Olympics
By Ahmad
Mukhtar
July 26,
2024
Six
athletes, a team of three women and three men, will participate at the 2024
Paris Olympics representing Afghanistan. The International Olympic Committee has
said the gender-balanced team will make a point about equality for the whole
world to see, including those in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, where women's
rights have been severely eroded since the group's 2021 return to power.
See the
schedule for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics
Two of
the women on the national team are sisters whose prowess as cyclists granted
them an escape from their country when the Taliban came back, and now they're
determined to use the Olympic spotlight to give their fellow Afghan women and
girls hope.
Humble,
hidden beginnings
Fariba
and YulduzHashimi started riding bikes six years ago, but they had to do it
clandestinely on the unpaved, bumpy roads in their home province of Faryab.
It's one of Afghanistan's most conservative regions, and their community would
not accept the idea of girls riding bikes.
The
sisters faced opposition even from their own family, whom they say were just
worried about their safety in the fiercely male-dominated society.
"People
welcomed us on the streets by throwing stones and insulting us, because we
appeared in public without a scarf, in short clothes and a helmet," Fariba
told CBS News.
She said
a rickshaw driver once intentionally rammed them as they rode their bikes. It
took tremendous courage for the sisters to stick with their passion, but they
not only kept riding, they advocated for their right to do so, without
restrictions. They even took part in a race in their province, using fake names
as they didn't have their family's blessing at the time, and came in first and
second place.
That
helped get them noticed by the Afghanistan Cycling Federation, which offered
them membership on the national team.
"My
family was not happy initially and asked us to stop," Fariba told CBS
News, but they eventually won their parents over and their father drove the
sisters to Kabul to register for the team.
Then, in
the summer of 2021, disaster struck with the Taliban's return to power 20 years
after they were ousted by the U.S.-led military in response to the Sept. 11 terrorist
attacks.
A
"terrifying" escape from the Taliban
The
Hashimi sisters, along with four other Afghan cyclists and their immediate
families, were able to secure an escape from Afghanistan with the help of
former Italian world champion cyclist Alessandra Cappellotto.
Fariba
told CBS News it was a the most heart-wrenching decision she's ever had to make
to flee her country, especially as they had to leave other family members
behind.
She said
the journey to Kabul's airport just days after the Taliban returned to power
was harrowing. There was chaos all around the U.S- held facility, and it took
the athletes two days to push their way through the massive crowd that had
gathered outside to finally reach the airport's Abbey Gate.
Even
"thinking about going to the airport was terrifying," Fariba told CBS
News. They made it through to safety just five minutes before a massive suicide
bomb tore through the crowd at Abbey Gate, Fariba said. That attack, claimed by
the ISIS affiliate in Afghanistan, killed almost 200 Afghans and 13 U.S.
troops.
With
Cappellotto's support, the Hashimis made it to Italy, where they were able to
refocus on their cycling dreams. Their commitment paid off, and they were
welcomed onto Italy's prestigious Valcar-Travel & Service racing team.
"At
first, beginning a new life in Italy was difficult," Fariba said.
"Everything was new. The people, the environment, and the freedom."
In 2022,
Fariba and Yulduz joined Israeli's top-class Israel-Premier Tech-Roland team,
becoming the first Afghan women to compete at the Women's WorldTour level of
the sport.
The
sisters now train with the World Cycling Centre in Switzerland, where they had
everything they needed to prepare for the 2024 Paris Games.
Cycling
for the women of Afghanistan
At the
Paris Olympics, the Hashimi sisters will compete under the tricolored flag of
Afghanistan, which is no longer permitted in their own country under the
Taliban's rule.
After
their harrowing journey — and more recently their grueling interval training
sessions of over 30 hours per week — the Hashimi sisters' quest to reach the
Olympic medal podium is deeply personal. They feel they're in Paris
representing women and girls across their country who've been subjected to a
new wave of gender-based discrimination, banned from participating in any
sports and deprived of their rights to work and education.
"We
represent the oppressed women of Afghanistan who are not even allowed to go to
school," Fariba told CBS News. "I will win, and bring a smile to
their faces and hope in their hearts, thinking one day they could also fulfil
their dreams."
"The
hardship I faced in Afghanistan strengthened me," she said. "It
helped me discover who I'm and believe in my abilities — that I can achieve
this dream of getting to the Olympic Games."
"I
am proud to represent Afghan women, who are demonstrating their ability to
accomplish incredible things. Afghan women are excelling in sports, the
Olympics, politics, and education, despite facing numerous challenges,"
Fariba said. "Their voices deserve to be heard worldwide. The oppression
against women and girls in Afghanistan must come to an end."
The
International Olympic Committee has said no officials from the de-facto Taliban
regime will be representing Afghanistan at the Paris Games.
Source: cbsnews.com
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/afghanistan-cycling-hashimi-sisters-escaped-taliban-to-compete-paris-olympics/
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African
female athletes aim for Olympic medals in Paris
July 25,
2024
NAIROBI,
KENYA —
The 2024
Olympics begin Friday, with more than 10,000 athletes gathering in Paris
dreaming of winning gold, silver or bronze. Among them will be dozens of women
from African countries, many of whom have overcome major social and economic
challenges to get to Paris.
For the
first time in history, the International Olympic Committee, or IOC, said it
achieved full gender parity on the field of play at this year's Olympics.
Female
athletes, who once made up only about 2% of Olympic competitors, are now
present in the same numbers as men. They accounted for 48% of the athletes at
the Olympics in Tokyo three years ago, which was delayed a year because of
COVID.
Several
dozen African women are among those who will compete. One is Esti Olivier, a
member of South Africa’s canoe team. She will compete at the Olympics for the
first time after missing the Tokyo Games because of physical and mental health
problems.
"It's
about keeping focus now and not being overwhelmed by the enormous atmosphere
that the Olympics brings but enjoying small increments and moments every step
of the way for me at this stage,” Olivier said. “We still [have] two weeks
before we compete and I am sure the closer I get to that, the more the nerves
will kick in. But at this stage it is just excitement to get to Paris."
Canoeing
is not a popular sport in Africa. However, canoe teams from Angola, Egypt,
Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa and Tunisia will represent the continent at the
Olympics.
Olivier
said training for the sport is tough on women.
"Much
of this journey I've done by myself and because there are so few females
participating in canoe sprints in South Africa,” she said. “I've always had to
train among men. So, it's definitely a challenge. The lack of support is a
challenge. And just juggling private life with sports, you know, just because
we can't only focus on being an athlete. As a woman, I have to also be a
wife."
Despite
the progress made by female athletes, many of the challenges that slow women's
progress in sports still persist, including lack of equal pay, discrimination
and poor training conditions.
Middle-distance
runner Lilian Odira of Kenya, 25, who is competing in the 800 meters, said it
was a long journey to get to Paris, but one that was worth the effort.
"Sports
opened so many doors for me,” she said. “It's given me the confidence to be who
I am. It's given me the confidence to speak out against injustices that I might
witness at any point in time.
“It's
given me the opportunity to be an absolute role model to young girls wanting to
achieve something big in their lives, showing them that even with controversy
in difficult times or various roles that you have to put on, it's still
possible to chase your dream. If you really put your mind to it, it's
possible."
Besides
winning a medal, Odira wants to break her personal best time of 1 minute, 59
seconds.
She said
she enjoys being an Olympic athlete.
"All
over the world, everyone knows you, so I think it is an advantage,” she said.
“When it comes to finance and so many things, we know how to tackle and handle
it. Healthwise, everybody wants to be healthy. Sports is a nice career.”
Kenya is
sending about 20 female athletes to Paris, second only to South Africa, which
is sending 24.
African
women won 17 medals in Tokyo three years ago and hope to collect even more in
France.
Source: voanews.com
https://www.voanews.com/a/african-female-athletes-aim-for-olympic-medals-in-paris-/7713163.html
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Recruitment
Drive for Saudi Women to Join Major Defence Firm
27 July,
2024
As the
first Saudi Arabian woman appointed to the management board of one of the
world’s biggest defence companies, NoufAlarify is using her position to attract
more females to the industry.
Schools
and universities across the kingdom are being scouted for young women to become
leading engineers in BAE Systems in Saudi Arabia, as the kingdom seeks to boost
its female workforce.
The
British company, which has provided defence equipment to Saudi Arabia for the
past 55 years, is also now paving the way for the country to develop its own
national defence industry.
Intrigued
about future
Part of
that fast-moving evolution will be tapping into the cohort of well-educated
Saudi women graduating from universities, said Ms Alarify, director of
strategic communications with BAE Systems Saudi Arabia.
“We go
to schools and explain to them what we do in the company, how to become an
engineer and what this means for our business, so they can be intrigued about
their future,” she explained, speaking at the Farnborough International Airshow
in south-east England.
Talks
are now advanced with ministers in recruiting women from the all-female
Princess Nourah bint Abdul Rahman University in Riyadh, which will see five
taken on to the BAE apprenticeship scheme.
“They
have an engineering programme and we have agreed to have five ladies here for
this specific programme,” said Ms Alarify.
There
are also graduate support programmes from other universities where the focus is
on recruiting more females because “we want to increase their number and get a
fair deal for them, the same as men”.
However,
the company does not always choose them “because they're women”, said Ms
Alarify. But she added that “women sometimes prove to be better engineers”.
New
vision
With
Saudis making up nearly three quarters of BAE’s 7,800 workforce in the kingdom,
there is now a growing local industrial workforce that is currently able to
repair and service more than half of Typhoon fighter aircraft in the country.
“This is
something we are very proud of, having the ability to make 55 per cent of
repairs in Saudi Arabia,” said Ms Alarify.
“We're
trying to transfer the knowledge to KSA as much as we can to be part of this
new vision so that we have some defence capabilities in Saudi Arabia made by
made Saudis and this is a big part of why BAE Systems Saudi Arabia is here
today.”
That
also led to the Saudi workforce believing that they were “working in the
defence and security of our country”, she said.
“And
there is nothing more noble for us as Saudis and as Muslims to protect Makkah
and Madinah, because of their importance to the Muslim world,” said Ms Alarify.
Gender
equality
Ms
Alarify, who previously worked for the kingdom’s Public Investment Fund, is the
first woman on the management board of BAE Systems Saudi Arabia, which she
joined almost two years ago.
“I'm
very proud of that but I also feel like it's a big responsibility working on
women empowerment in the company, as the defence industry doesn't have many
women.”
With
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 just a few years away, Ms
Alarify is working on fulfilling its ambition for great gender equality in
business.
“Vision
2030 states we need to employ more women and to support women in Saudi Arabia
that have joined the workforce later than others because of cultural
boundaries,” she said.
Currently
just over 5 per cent of BAE staff in its Saudi Arabia operation are women, with
400 working for the company in the kingdom.
Source: thenationalnews.com
https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uk/2024/07/27/recruitment-drive-for-saudi-women-to-join-major-defence-firm/
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‘Falcons
Vega MENA’ First Arab Women's Team to Participate in Esports World Cup
27 July
2024
The
Falcons Vega MENA made history by becoming the first Arab women's team to
compete in the Esports World Cup that will be hosted by Riyadh on August 25.
The team
participated in the "Mobile Legends: Bang Bang" (MLBB) tournament for
women from July 24-27, with 12 teams vying for a total prize pool of $500,000.
Taking
part are 66 of the best MLBB players from around the world, including Egypt,
Vietnam, Russia, Brazil, the Philippines, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia,
Myanmar, Paraguay, South Korea, Thailand, and the United States.
Source: english.aawsat.com
https://english.aawsat.com/entertainment/5044264-%E2%80%98falcons-vega-mena%E2%80%99-first-arab-womens-team-participate-esports-world-cup
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/saudi-ballet-halaa-nagadi-dreams/d/132806