Dr. Bashair Ibrahim, A Saudi Paediatrician’s Inspiring Journey Of Overcoming Her Disability
New Age Islam News Bureau
09 May 2025
· Dr. Bashair Ibrahim, A Saudi Paediatrician’s Inspiring Journey Of Overcoming Her Disability
· Iran Uses Citywide Surveillance To Enforce Hijab Law: Sends Warnings Via Text Message
· Women Own Nearly Half Of Saudi Arabia’s Hospitality Establishments: Report
· Her Majesty Raja ZarithSofiah, Queen of Malaysia Extends Prayers For Malaysian Pilgrims Performing Haj
· Journalist Kim Cross on reconstructed narratives and the women who led a cycling revolution in Afghanistan
· Iranian State TV Host, Zahra Mirzaei, Killed by Cousin in Western Tehran
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
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Dr. Bashair Ibrahim, A Saudi Paediatrician’s Inspiring Journey Of Overcoming Her Disability
RAHAF JAMBI
May 08, 2025
Dr. Bashair Ibrahim overcame prejudice and lack of accessibility to achieve career success. (Supplied)
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RIYADH: Dr. Bashair Ibrahim is a symbol of hope, a testament to the strength of the human spirit, and a living example of perseverance.
Her story of overcoming disability is an inspiration to anyone who has faced adversity.
Ibrahim spoke to Arab News about how she navigated a challenging career, fuelled by unwavering determination and a profound passion for healing.
“One of the most rewarding aspects of working as a paediatrician is the opportunity to care for children, especially at such a young age when they haven’t yet formed judgments or perceptions about disability,” Ibrahim said.
“I find that my connection with them is pure and genuine; they see me for who I am, not for any physical limitations. We build trust and warmth in a very natural way.”
Ibrahim’s journey, marked by both triumphs and systemic barriers, offers a vital perspective on inclusivity, accessibility, and the importance of challenging societal norms.
Her interest in medicine was sparked early, spending time around medical equipment due to mobility challenges.
“As a result of being in a car or using a wheelchair, I started to see a lot of machines, a lot of devices, X-rays, devices they use, needles,” she explained.
This ignited curiosity, leading her to explore the intricacies of the human body and medical science. This was not a deterrent; it fueled her path to healing.
“These experiences from a young age make one stronger,” she said.
Her fascination with science continued, and she began volunteering for lab activities — excelling in biology. This early experience combined with an interest in medical dramas solidified her career aspirations. The allure of understanding the human body and alleviating suffering proved irresistible.
“I liked the science itself,” she recalled. “I was learning more about humans, about how organs work, what diseases can come from that.”
Applying to medical school presented hurdles. Many universities lacked accessibility for individuals with mobility impairments.
She recounted a disheartening experience at one university where the main entrance was only accessible via a long staircase.
Despite finding an alternative route, the dean still denied her access citing concerns about opening hours.
This highlighted a frustrating reality: systemic biases can hinder progress, even when solutions exist.
Undeterred, Ibrahim sought admission to another private university. The director made a comment that stuck with her, asking: how would a patient treat a patient?
For Ibrahim, this dismissive remark is one example of societal biases surrounding people with disabilities in healthcare.
It underscored the need to challenge preconceived notions and recognize potential regardless of physical limitations.
“It never made sense then, it doesn’t make sense now,” she said, emphasizing the enduring impact of prejudice.
Despite these obstacles, Ibrahim remained committed. She specialized in pediatrics, driven by a deep-seated desire to positively impact children’s lives.
“What also makes this work deeply meaningful is the respect I often receive from families,” she explained.
“Many parents have told me they admire the way I’ve pursued a career in medicine despite the challenges that come with having a disability.
“Their appreciation reminds me that I’m not only helping their children medically, but also offering a visible example of resilience and determination.
“That mutual respect, and the human connection it fosters, is something I treasure deeply in my work.”
Ibrahim is acutely aware of misconceptions surrounding doctors with disabilities.
“One of the biggest misconceptions about doctors with disabilities is the stereotype that we are limited in our ability to practice medicine effectively,” she noted.
“I often notice surprise when families meet me for the first time, but I see that as a chance to challenge those assumptions through my work.”
She has adapted her approach to ensure her disability does not compromise care quality.
“I perform the full physical examination while seated, and I’ve adapted my approach to ensure that nothing is compromised in the quality of care I deliver.
“Over time, families come to see that my disability doesn’t define my capability.”
She believes that mentorship is crucial for aspiring medical professionals with disabilities, emphasizing the importance of role models who understand both the clinical demands and personal challenges they face.
Her message is clear: equal access, thoughtful accommodations and representation are essential, and her story is a testament to how people can overcome barriers and achieve their full potential.
Source: arabnews.com
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2600043/saudi-arabia
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Iran Uses Citywide Surveillance To Enforce Hijab Law: Sends Warnings Via Text Message
9 May 2025
Iran has launched video surveillance in several major cities to monitor compliance with its mandatory hijab law, according to media reports.
The surveillance had been introduced in the capital, Tehran, as well as major cities like Isfahan and Shiraz.
Women seen in public without the compulsory hijab reportedly received warnings via text message. Previously, video surveillance was mainly used for traffic monitoring.
It remains unclear which government agency or official authorised the expanded surveillance. In an interview with local media, Iran’s Vice President Zahra Behrouz pledged to investigate.
“We are working to clarify where these SMS messages originate, what their purpose is, and the legal basis for their issuance.
“The development comes as growing numbers of women in Iran’s urban centres openly ignore the Islamic dress code, often as a form of protest and a statement of self-determination,” she said.
This shift in public behaviour was spurred by the 2022 nationwide protests under the slogan “Woman, Life, Freedom.”
While President Masoud Pezeshkian, who took office in mid-2024, had promised a more pragmatic approach to societal issues, he had not proposed repealing the mandatory hijab law. (dpa/NAN)
Source: dailytrust.com
https://dailytrust.com/iran-uses-citywide-surveillance-to-enforce-hijab-law/
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Women own nearly half of Saudi Arabia’s hospitality establishments: Report
9 May 2025
Women now own 59,800 establishments in Saudi Arabia’s booming hospitality sector. Image: Shutterstock
Women in Saudi Arabia now own 59,800 establishments in the accommodation and food service sector, representing 49.7 per cent of the total businesses in this sector, according to data released by the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha’at).
The report revealed that the accommodation and food service sector employed 712,000 workers in 2024, distributed across various enterprise sizes.
The workforce distribution shows 250,000 workers in micro enterprises, 258,600 in small enterprises, 115,000 in medium-sized enterprises, and 88,000 in large enterprises, the Saudi Gazette reported, citing the Monsha’at report.
This growth in women-owned businesses comes amid a broader expansion of commercial activity in the Kingdom.
The Ministry of Commerce reported a 48 per cent increase in commercial registrations issued during the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year.
More than 154,000 commercial registrations were issued in Q1 2025, bringing the total number to more than 1.68 million across all regions of Saudi Arabia, the report said.
Source: arabianbusiness.com
https://www.arabianbusiness.com/industries/travel-hospitality/women-own-nearly-half-of-saudi-arabias-hospitality-establishments-report
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Her Majesty Raja ZarithSofiah, Queen of Malaysia Extends Prayers For Malaysian Pilgrims Performing Haj
Bernama
09-05- 2025
KUALA LUMPUR: Her Majesty Raja ZarithSofiah, Queen of Malaysia has prayed for all Malaysian pilgrims performing the haj in the 1446H/2025M season to be blessed with good health and for their pilgrimage to proceed smoothly.
According to a post on Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar’s Facebook page, Her Majesty also prayed for the pilgrims’ journey to be eased in all aspects.
Raja ZarithSofiah also graciously presented contributions to two Istana Negara officers who will be performing the Haj this year.
They are Royal Malaysian Air Force aide-de-camp Brig Gen AmrulYacob and his wife AnisYusnitaSoip, as well as Royal Malaysia Police special duties officer to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, Supt MohdIrwan Rasul and his wife Nur KamiliaFaizol.
The presentation ceremony was held at Istana Negara today.
Source: thesun.my
https://thesun.my/malaysia-news/queen-extends-prayers-for-malaysian-pilgrims-performing-haj-IA14057906
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Journalist Kim Cross on reconstructed narratives and the women who led a cycling revolution in Afghanistan
May 8, 2025
On this week's episode of the Nieman Storyboard podcast, New York Times bestselling author, journalist, and athlete Kim Cross joins Storyboard Editor Mark Armstrong for a conversation about reporting for narrative nonfiction — focusing on reconstructed narratives and her feature story for Bicycling magazine, "The Alchemists," about the Afghan women who broke gender barriers in cycling before the Taliban took over their country.
"They, as teenage girls, had convinced their culture to change its mind about the fact that women were not allowed to ride bicycles," Cross said.
Cross is a Storyboard contributor and the author of books including the bestselling "What Stands in a Storm," "The Stahl House," and "In Light of All Darkness." Her stories have appeared in The New York Times, Outside, Bicycling, Garden & Gun, and ESPN, among other publications. Her work has been recognized in “Best of” lists by The New York Times, the Columbia Journalism Review, The Sunday Long Read, Longform, Apple News Audio, and Best American Sports Writing. Cross also teaches feature writing through Harvard Extension School, and she's teaching a workshop on reconstructed narratives May 28-June 1 in Archer City, Texas.
Cross's 2024 story “The Alchemists” opens with 18-year-old Reihana Mohammadi going on her last bike ride in Afghanistan before fleeing the country as the Taliban was taking over. Cross recounts how she reported and wrote the scene as a flashback, using interviews, videos, and even Google Earth to pull out key details.
She also tells Armstrong about the challenge of being a freelance journalist. At a time when pay rates remain extremely low and publications have either slashed their freelance budgets or disappeared entirely, Cross says creativity and self-care are important tools when it comes to deciding which projects to pursue.
Excerpts below are edited for length and clarity.
On the correspondence between writing and mountain biking:
I do think about momentum and pacing a lot in my writing, and I think that just like cycling, you don't want to just go one speed. It depends on the terrain. You have to sometimes push really hard and then take a recovery interval. And with narrative, I think that if you are just going all out, full speed, you can really tire the reader.
And so I try to build in little breaks for maybe a moment of exposition to catch your breath after a dramatic scene. And I think that the result is the reader is pulled through the story.
On 'The Alchemists' and doing the story justice:
[“The Alchemists”] was a story not just about cycling, but about women's rights and about women helping other women. So there was this constellation of women outside of Afghanistan who were working together to try to make it possible for these women in Afghanistan to get out safely. I started reporting it, and I have to admit I couldn't fit the Taliban and [Cross's book project on] a child kidnapping and murder in my brain at the same time. When I wrote the story, it just wasn't good enough. … I knew that when I turned it in, and we ended up letting it sit for a while. And I felt enormously guilty about this.
I felt like I was letting my editor down and I was letting the women down who had helped me. It sat for about two years. In that time, the story sort of changed. Initially, it had been focused on the evacuation, and then after the evacuation kind of became old news, then it called for a total rewrite and a refocusing on what was lost when these women had to leave their country.
And it was this legacy that they had built. They, as teenage girls, had convinced their culture to change its mind about the fact that women were not allowed to ride bicycles. And they did it in a really lovely way, not by opposing the culture, but by recruiting men as their allies and having conversations and saying, you know, it's not just about a sport, it's actually this vehicle for emancipation.
On describing things you yourself didn’t see:
I call it a reconstructed narrative, where you have to reconstruct scenes that, as a reporter, you are not able to witness. Often it starts with this sequence that I call interviewing for narrative — I did a piece about this for Storyboard because I wanted to break it down for my writing students.
You have to first identify your character, and once you identify the character, you have to then ask really open-ended questions to understand, well, what happened? What were the main beats of the story? … How did it affect you? How did it begin? How did it go? How did it end? And then I tighten it down and start working on a timeline.
I think about pivotal moments and defining moments. … I think of a pivotal moment as a moment when something happens, usually externally to the character that changes what happens next. There's a cause-and-effect relationship between that pivotal moment and something they choose to do next or something that happens to them next.
A defining moment is more internal. It's like an a-ha moment when the character realizes something, and that realization causes them to change the course of action. So I try to identify those and then I start structuring them into a timeline because I think that even though the story doesn't need to be sequenced in chronological order, I need a timeline so I can refer to flashbacks in an accurate way, and I then start building into that timeline external events to the narrative that might give the reader some sense of time and place.
On thinking outside herself:
In reporting, [I focus on] radical acts of empathy and not just listening really hard to someone who you might disagree with, with the intention of understanding and not arguing. I've learned to try to interrogate what I think I know about something and [ask myself]: How do I know what I think I know? How might someone else think they know something completely different, and how can both be kind of true? There's so much that has to do with point of view and context.
That has helped me write scenes with [a] stronger point of view and … seeing the actual world, the story world, through the eyes of a character. And not just feeling what they feel, but looking at it with the logic that they look at it with. So I think that fact-checking my own assumptions has led to wonderful discoveries. Where, “Oh, I thought I knew that,” but then it has opened doors to worlds upon worlds. I think patience is something that we don't always give enough credit to, or for, in that again, sometimes people are not ready and sometimes the story is not ready. You have to respect that and back away and give it some space and some time to marinate. I think that that's really hard, especially when you're in the hustle, and that's why having multiple things going on at once is so important.
Source: niemanstoryboard.org
https://niemanstoryboard.org/2025/05/08/kim-cross-narratives-women-cycling-afghanistan/
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Iranian State TV Host, Zahra Mirzaei, Killed by Cousin in Western Tehran
MAY 8, 2025
Iranian state television host Zahra Mirzaei was killed by her cousin in a robbery attack in western Tehran.
Mirzaei’s body was discovered in her home in the Golestanneighbourhood of the capital on Wednesday after neighbours reported a smell of smoke to authorities.
Police found her body in the bedroom with severe head and neck injuries, along with evidence of attempted arson.
Family members told investigators that Mirzaei had scheduled a meeting with her cousin hours before the incident.
Police tracked the suspect’s mobile phone and arrested him at his residence in eastern Tehran within 24 hours.
Authorities found some of the victim’s gold jewellery hidden in the suspect’s pocket during the arrest.
While initially denying involvement, he later confessed when presented with evidence.
The suspect, who previously worked for online delivery services, cited financial difficulties as his motive.
He admitted to planning the theft for some time and deliberately gaining her trust to carry out his plan.
According to his confession, he struck Mirzaei with a hammer and attempted to destroy evidence by setting fire to the scene.
Mirzaei worked as a host and expert on Ofogh, one of the Islamic Republic’s state television channels.
Source: iranwire.com
https://iranwire.com/en/women/141025-iranian-state-tv-host-killed-by-cousin-in-western-tehran/
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