US Kuwaiti Artist Latifa Alajlan — “New York Is The Makkah Of The Art World”
New Age Islam News Bureau
19 April 2024
·
US Kuwaiti Artist Latifa Alajlan
— “New York Is The Makkah Of The Art World”
·
Slain Teen Nika Shakarmi’s Sister
Aida Shakarami Moved to Shahr-e Rey for Hijab Defiance
·
Malaysian Nurfifi Amira Nawi
Sentenced To Corporal Punishment Under Sharia LawFor Inappropriate Relations
With A Man
·
Saudi Arabia Offers Safe And
Serene Escapes For Solo Female Travelers
·
US Congresswoman Tlaib Denounces
Proposed $26B Aid Package For Israel
Compiled by New Age Islam News
Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/us-kuwaiti-artist-latifa-shakarami/d/132165
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US
Kuwaiti Artist Latifa Alajlan— “New York Is The Makkah Of The Art World”
Alajlan is based in New York, where she is
represented by Franklin Parrasch Gallery. (Supplied)
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April
19, 2024
RAWAA
TALASS
DUBAI:
Kuwaiti artist Latifa Alajlan moved to America in 2016 to study art at Grossmont College
in San Diego, followed by a Master of Fine Arts program at the School of the
Art Institute of Chicago, where alumni include major American artists Georgia
O’Keeffe, Joan Mitchell and Grant Wood.
Now,
Alajlan is based in New York, where she is represented by Franklin Parrasch
Gallery. “New York is the Makkah of the art world,” she tells Arab News. “You
have so many galleries and institutions — that’s what I do every Friday. It’s
very meditative for me and I enjoy walking around the city.”
But
she is also aware of the competition in such an established artistic
environment. “In New York, when you’re a young artist what’s dangerous about it
is that you compare yourself to other artists,” she says. “I used to do that a
lot and I had to take a step back and realize it was unhealthy. Everyone has
their own journey.”
Hers
began in Kuwait, where her parents, especially her strict father, would “force”
Alajlan and her siblings to visit museums and write essays on artworks. “I just
didn’t understand. People were enjoying their summer, and we were going to
museums,” she says. “That was boring.”
Now,
however, Alajlan can look back on her childhood and understand her parents’
intentions. “That’s what I appreciate: the fact that they kept pushing me,” she
says.
As
for her creative practice, Alajlan has experimented with ceramics,
glass-blowing, blacksmithing and sculpting. But such labor-intensive mediums
weren’t for her. “I almost lost my fingers,” she says. “It’s intense. . . I’ve
realized painting is my thing.”
Through
her abstract work, Alajlan addresses political, cultural and architectural
attributes of her homeland. But she finds inspiration everywhere, she says —
from her friends to conversations with strangers. There is an element of
mystery to her canvases; she might hide certain parts of her composition with
splodges of paint, filling them with gentle gestural strokes and motifs from
mosques.
Source:
arabnews.com
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2495621/lifestyle
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Slain
Teen Nika Shakarmi’s Sister Aida Shakarami Moved to Shahr-e Rey for Hijab
Defiance
Aida Shakarami (R) is the sister of Nika Shakarami
(L), who became a symbol of the "Woman, Life, Freedom" protests
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April
19, 2024
Aida
Shakarami, the older sister of the slain teen protester Nika Shakarmi, has been
transferred to Shahr-e Rey women's prison after her arrest by security forces
for refusing to wear the hijab.
"Aida
was transferred from the morality police detention center to Evin prison on
Thursday morning, and from Evin to Shahr-e Rey women's prison," Nasrin
Shakarami, Aida's mother, wrote on her personal Instagram account on Friday.
Over
the weekend, Nasrin Shakarami revealed on social media that Aida had been
detained for failing to wear the mandatory hijab.
Earlier
this week, Iran's police initiated a renewed crackdown on unveiled women, using
violence against detainees and those trying to intervene to prevent arrests.
Aida’s
sister, 16-year-old NikaShakarami, was abducted by security forces off Tehran’s
Keshavarz Boulevard, while she was protesting against the regime amid the
nationwide 2022 Women, Life, Freedom protests.
Nika’s
body, reportedly subjected to torture, abuse, and beatings by security forces,
was handed over to her family over a week after her disappearance.
Fearful
of her gravesite becoming a location of protests, government agents secretly
seized her body from her hometown of Khorramabad in Lorestan and buried her in
one of the province’s villages instead.
At
least 500 civilians, including children and teenagers, were killed when regime
forces cracked down on the months-long protests following the killing of Mahsa
Jina Amini by the so-called "morality police" in Tehran.
Source:
iranintl.com
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202404191571
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Malaysian
Nurfifi Amira NawiSentenced To Corporal Punishment Under Sharia LawFor
Inappropriate Relations With A Man
04/19/2024
Kuala
Lumpur (AsiaNews) – In Malaysia, in the north-eastern state of Terengganu,
governed by the Islamists of the Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS), a woman was
sentenced to beatings for inappropriate relations with a man, applying sharia,
Islamic law. If carried out, it would be the first case of its kind in the
state.
Nurfifi
Amira Nawi, who is 37 years old and a mother of one, was charged under section
31 (b) of the Syariah Criminal Offenses (Takbir) (Terengganu) (Amendment)
Enactment 2022, for being alone with a 40-year-old man who was not her husband
in a house in Kemaman district on January 31st.
Nurfifi
Amira pleaded guilty to the crime. Judge Rosli Harun then sentenced her to six
strokes of the cane and a fine of 4,000 ringgit (785 euros), as well as eight
months in prison. The defendant had already been convicted of a similar crime
in 2018 and had been fined.
The
judge also advised Nurfifi Amira to get married immediately to avoid committing
a similar crime again. “You said earlier that you were going to get married,
but it didn't happen. There is no remorse in you,” the judge told the woman,
also advising her not to get married in the border town of Golok, Thailand,
where Muslim couples enter into clandestine marriages.
PAS
has governed the north-eastern states of Terengganu and Kelantan since 2018.
Ideologically centered on Islamic fundamentalism, its electoral base is largely
concentrated on the four rural and eastern coasts of Peninsular Malaysia,
including the conservative north, particularly in Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis
and Kedah.
With
these victories, PAS has pushed to toughen punishments under Islamic law
through each state's Sharia penal code. However, the party has to deal with new
actors now after the government of Najib Razak, which supported the PAS agenda,
lost its electoral mandate. In the past, former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed
had blocked PAS attempts to pass Islamic laws in Kelantan and Terengganu.
The
National Trust Party (Amanah), a PAS splinter party that is now part of the
governing coalition under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's "unity
government", is expected to block PAS attempts to push for the
implementation of sharia.
However,
PAS and the coalition it is part of today - Perikatan Nasional - performed well
in the last elections. The Islamist party won the most seats and the Perikatan
Nasional pact reaffirmed its control over four state governments from August
2023. This has led many observers to suggest that a "green" or
"Islamist" wave is transforming the political landscape of Malaysia.
Source:
asianews.it
https://www.asianews.it/news-en/Terengganu%2C-woman-sentenced-to-corporal-punishment-under-Sharia-law-60578.html
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Saudi
Arabia offers safe and serene escapes for solo female travelers
April
18, 2024
JEDDAH:
Saudi Arabia is emerging as a top destination for solo female travelers seeking
a vibrant cultural scene, world-class events and regions rich in heritage.
The
Kingdom has been ranked the safest G20 country based on international
indicators, while the city of Madinah received the highest safety rating for
female solo travel worldwide by InsureMyTrip for the third year in a row.
Rafah
Shawoosh, a tour guide and founding member of Tour Guides Corporative, called
on solo female travelers to “explore the world with an open heart and a curious
mind, embrace new experiences, and always remember to respect and appreciate
the rich cultural heritage of the places you visit.”
She
added: “As a passionate traveler and one of the few female tour guides, I
strive to represent my country with pride and showcase the best of Saudi Arabia
to visitors.”
Thorough
research, forging connections and immersing oneself in local traditions are
important when traveling to the Kingdom, Shawoosh said. “Remember to embrace
hospitality, dress modestly when visiting mosques and enjoy the warm welcome of
the Saudi people,” she added.
A
key reason for women to consider Saudi Arabia as a destination is the country’s
commitment to women’s safety, she said.
With
its cultural emphasis on hospitality, the Kingdom is renowned for its kind and
generous people who are always willing to assist tourists. A warm Saudi welcome
is sure to make solo female travelers feel safe during their visit.
Saudi
Arabia offers wellness holidays for solo travelers looking to relax and
rejuvenate. The country boasts diverse regions that champion bespoke wellness
experiences, from pristine waters in the Red Sea to lush green mountains in
Asir.
“From
bustling cities to serene deserts, there’s something for every traveler to
discover and cherish forever,” Shawoosh said.
Luxury
retreats like Habitas AlUla and Six Senses Southern Dunes offer personalized
spa treatments and wellness programs.
One
female traveler, Rasha, said that solo travel is an opportunity to “immerse
yourself in diverse cultures, discover newfound confidence and expand your
perspectives.
“Each
destination in Saudi Arabia offers safety, warmth, and rich insights into
traditions and culinary delights, fostering empathy and respect,” she added.
“Through
sharing our experiences, we become beacons of empowerment and inspiration,
shaping our own narratives and encouraging others to embrace the transformative
power of travel and cultural exploration. In the exploration of the world, you
may just find yourself.”
Saudi
Arabia is also home to inspiring women who are driving the country’s cultural
transformation. Female entrepreneurs make up 45 percent of SMEs in Saudi
Arabia, and women are leading the charge in the country’s tourism and fashion
sectors.
Female
artists, chefs and fashion designers make the Kingdom an exciting destination
for solo female travelers looking to support women-led businesses.
With
seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a rich heritage and culture, and bustling
cities like Jeddah and Riyadh, the Kingdom offers something for every traveler.
Solo
women travelers can also explore ancient ruins, wander through old towns, or
enjoy outdoor activities like desert safaris and hot air balloon rides.
Dina,
a marketing professional from Australia, has traveled to Saudi Arabia on
multiple occasions, with two of those trips taken solo. As a self-proclaimed
enthusiast for adventure, she finds herself drawn back time and again to
satisfy her cravings for both relaxation and excitement.
Delighting
in the warmth and vibrant cultural scene, she has explored AlUla, Diriyah,
Jeddah and Abha.
“It’s
such a joy to be out and about in Saudi Arabia. Never have I had to think twice
about my safety here and I have never felt uncomfortable,” she said.
Visiting
Saudi Arabia has never been easier, with visa initiatives being rolled out to
make the country more accessible. The eVisa program now includes 63 countries
and special administrative regions, and UK, US and Schengen visa holders are
eligible for instant eVisas.
Source:
arabnews.com
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2495401/saudi-arabia
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US
Congresswoman Tlaib denounces proposed $26B aid package for Israel
ServetGunerigok
19.04.2024
US
Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, a Muslim of Palestinian descent, strongly
criticized a planned House bill that proposes a new aid package worth $26
billion for Israel.
"This
week, my colleagues want to vote and send more money to genocidal (Israeli
Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu, who absolutely wants no conditions on
upholding human rights," Tlaib said during a press briefing outside the
Congress building on Wednesday.
"Our
country is not just complicit in this genocide -- we're actively participating
in it," she said.
Tlaib
accused Netanyahu of escalating the risk of a regional war by violating
international law and bombing Iran's diplomatic compound in Syria.
"This
is why we must achieve an immediate permanent cease-fire that includes an end
to the genocide and the release of all hostages and those arbitrarily detained
by the Israeli government and to end the very risk of escalation into an even
larger war," she added.
The
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, has said that separate
bills providing aid to Ukraine and Israel were being prepared.
President
Joe Biden signaled strong support Wednesday for Johnson's plan to usher
additional funding for Ukraine and Israel through the chamber.
The
proposed aid package for Israel amounts to $26 billion.
The
bills are slated for discussion in the House of Representatives on Saturday and
will be sent to the Senate if passed. Biden has pledged to sign the bills
immediately upon approval.
Source:
aa.com.tr
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/us-congresswoman-tlaib-denounces-proposed-26b-aid-package-for-israel/3195988
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/us-kuwaiti-artist-latifa-shakarami/d/132165