Women Take Part in Changing of Kaaba's Kiswa in Saudi Arabia for First Time in History
New Age Islam News Bureau
09 July 2024
·
Women Take Part in Changing of Kaaba's Kiswa in
Saudi Arabia for First Time in History
·
Taliban Don't Recognise Three Female Athletes
On Afghan Paris Olympic Team: Official
·
Muslim, Moroccan Bot in Hijab, KenzaLayli,
Crowned World's First 'Miss AI'
·
Ministry of Finance Stresses 5,000 Afghanis
Monthly Salaries for Female Civil Servants
·
ACCA Holds Its First Women InFinance Event In Saudi
Arabia
·
Lee Do-Hee Named Iran’s Women’s Volleyball
Coach
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL:
Women
Take Part In Changing Of Kaaba's KiswaIn Saudi Arabia For First Time In History
July 8,
2024
An
aerial view of the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest site located in the center of the
Masjid al-Haram (Grand Mosque) in Mecca, Saudi Arabia on January 8, 2023 [Hani
Alshaer – Anadolu Agency]
--------------
Women
have taken part in the replacing of the Kaaba’s Kiswa (cloth) for the first
known time in history, as Saudi Arabia continues to push forward with its drive
to promote female participation in numerous industries.
According
to the General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques, female employees
took part in the ceremonial changing of the Kaaba’s Kiswa – the black cloth
decorated with gold and silver threads which adorns the monument – on Sunday by
carrying some of its components and handing them over to other workers, who
then loaded them into a vehicle for transport to the Makkah’s Grand Mosque.
As part
of the annual ceremony, which takes place after the Hajj pilgrimage season and
on the new year of the Islamic calendar, participants dismantle the old kiswa
and install the new one by securing it on the corners and roof of the Kaaba.
Although
the roles of the female employees were limited to the preparatory phases of the
ceremony, this was the first known instance in history that women have
participated in the ritual. It comes amid the Kingdom’s continued drive to
promote women in various fields and industries throughout the country.
Source:
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20240708-women-take-part-in-changing-of-kaabas-kiswa-in-saudi-arabia-for-first-time-in-history/
--------
Taliban
Don't Recognise Three Female Athletes On Afghan Paris Olympic Team: Official
08 July,
2024
The
three female athletes the Taliban said it doesn't recognise live and train
outside of the country [Getty/file photo]
--------------
Afghanistan's
Taliban government does not recognise the three female athletes who will represent
the country at the Paris Olympic Games this month, a spokesman for their sports
department said.
The
International Olympic Committee (IOC) has invited a squad of six Afghan
athletes - three women and three men - in consultation with Afghanistan's
largely exiled national Olympic committee.
"Only
three athletes are representing Afghanistan," said Atal Mashwani, the
spokesman of the Taliban government's sports directorate, referring to the male
competitors.
"Currently,
in Afghanistan girls' sports have been stopped. When girls' sport isn't
practiced, how can they go on the national team?" he told AFP.
All
three of the women and two of the male athletes are living outside Afghanistan.
The only
one training in the country is a judo fighter, whilst his squad mates will
feature in athletics and swimming.
The
women will compete in athletics and cycling.
The IOC
said it had not consulted Taliban officials about the team and they were not
invited to the games.
Spokesman
Mark Adams last month confirmed Afghanistan's national Olympic committee -
including the president and secretary-general who are both living in exile -
remain "its sole interlocutors for the preparation and participation of
the Afghan team".
But
Afghan committee CEO Dad Mohammad PayendaAkhtari, who is still in the country,
said whilst female athletes were organised abroad, his committee coordinated
with Taliban authorities over the male ones.
Mashwani
claimed the government was supporting them with training and scholarships.
"We
only take the responsibility for three male athletes participating in the
Olympics," he told AFP.
The
participants will compete under the black, red and green flag of the old
Western-backed government which crumbled after the withdrawal of US troops
three years ago.
Since
surging back to power in 2021, the Taliban government has enforced curbs
squeezing women out of sport as well as secondary schools and universities.
The
United Nations has described the restrictions as "gender apartheid".
The IOC
banned Afghanistan from the games in 1999, during the first period of Taliban
rule between 1996 and 2001 when women were also barred from sport.
Afghanistan
was reinstated after the Taliban were ousted by the post-9/11 invasion, but the
Paris games mark the first summer Olympics since their return.
This
time the IOC has taken a different approach - approving the Afghan team under a
system ensuring all 206 nations are represented, in cases where athletes
wouldn't otherwise qualify.
Additionally,
Taliban authorities have slashed the salaries of women government workers who
have been forced to stay at home since the Taliban seized power, the finance
ministry said on Monday.
After
kicking out the foreign-backed government in 2021, the Taliban government
stopped most women employed in the public sector from attending their offices
while continuing to pay them.
"Women
who are at home and do not go to the office their salaries are 5,000 Afghanis
($70) a month," Ahmad Wali Haqmal, the finance ministry spokesman, told
AFP.
Women
who are permitted to work in segregated areas such as in government hospitals
or schools would continue to get paid a salary according to their position.
Women
had previously earned up to around 35,000 Afghanis in the public sector,
including university professors forced off campus.
Administrative
roles in ministries could pay around 20,000 Afghanis, although this was reduced
for many to around 15,000 after the Taliban seized power.
A
25-year-old woman, who asked not to be identified for security reasons and who
has worked for the Information and Culture department outside Kabul since early
2021, said her salary has dropped from 10,000 Afghanis.
"Making
women stay at home is already a very big problem for us - we are in a very bad
mental and psychological condition - and now that our salaries have decreased,
this has only worsened," she told AFP.
She uses
her salary to support the seven members of her family, including her sick
mother, but said it would barely last her two weeks.
The
salary change came into effect in July and is estimated to affect tens of
thousands of women who work in the public sector, the finance ministry
spokesman said.
Source:
https://www.newarab.com/news/taliban-dont-recognise-women-afghan-olympic-team-official
--------
Muslim,
Moroccan Bot in Hijab, KenzaLayli, Crowned World's First 'Miss AI'
07/08/2024
An
internet bot from Morocco was crowned the world's first "Miss AI" on
Monday. KenzaLayli, a digital creation with over 194k Instagram followers, said
it was "genuinely excited" to win the pageant which came with a
$20,000 grand prize for the bot's creator.
The
pageant was commissioned in April by the Fanvue World AI Creator Awards, or
WAICAs. Its panel of judges was comprised of both humans and other bots who
judged the AI creations based on categories such as beauty, technology, and
social media presence.
“The
global interest in this first award from [WAICAs] has been incredible,” Fanvue
co-founder Will Monange stated. “The awards are a fantastic mechanism to
celebrate creator achievements, raise standards, and shape a positive future
for the AI Creator economy.”
“We
created the awards to raise standards within the industry,” stated a WAICAs
representative. “And to uncover inspiring creators from all over the planet we
didn’t know existed is really exciting.”
The bot
took part in an interview with the New York Post, in which it said "While
I don’t feel emotions like humans do, I’m genuinely excited about it."
“My
ambition has always been to proudly showcase Moroccan culture while
consistently offering additional value to my followers across multiple fronts,”
said the bot, adding that she's “available 24/7” to engage and chat with her
Instagram followers in 7 languages.
“AI is a
tool designed to complement human capabilities, not replace them,” it
continued. “By showcasing AI’s potential for innovation and positive impact, I
aim to dispel fears and promote acceptance and collaboration between humans and
AI. Through education and positive examples, we can foster a more informed and
optimistic view of AI’s role in our society. I am also very proud to win this
award for Morocco!”
Layli
was created by 40-year-old Meriam Bessa, the CEO of Phoenix AI, from
Casablanca. Bessa said the pageant, which was comprised of 1,500 total bots
from various creators, was an opportunity to "highlight Moroccan, Arab,
African and Muslim women in the field of technology."
“I am
also very happy to be able to stand for subjects that are dear to me through
KenzaLayli,” Bessa said of her creation, which dons a hijab and traditional
Muslim clothing. “Women empowerment and sisterhood.”
One of
the AI judges of the pageant, Aitana Lopez, who is an Instagram fitness
influencer, said that "Kenza had great facial consistency and achieved
high quality in details like hands, eyes and clothing," adding that
"What truly impressed us was her personality and how she addresses real
issues in the world, showing that she takes her role on the platform
seriously."
Source:
https://humanevents.com/2024/07/08/muslim-moroccan-bot-in-hijab-crowned-worlds-first-miss-ai
--------
Ministry
of Finance Stresses 5,000 Afghanis Monthly Salaries for Female Civil Servants
July 8,
2024
The
Ministry of Finance of Afghanistan has issued a directive detailing the
implementation of monthly salaries for female civil servants, previously set at
5,000 Afghanis per month by order of the Taliban’s leadership.
This
directive, dated Sunday, July 7th, instructs relevant departments in provincial
administrations to commence the salary scheme for female employees who have
been regularly attending work, effective from May 4th 2024.
According
to the document, signed by the Acting Minister of Finance, the monthly salary
provision does not apply to female employees who have not been reporting to
work regularly as per their job responsibilities.
Previously,
the Taliban’s leadership had set the monthly salary for female civil servants
employed in the previous government, and now, they are homebound, sparking
widespread reactions.
Amidst a
dire humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, reports continue to surface of
suppressive policies by the current regime, exacerbating the plight of vulnerable
populations.
Human
rights organizations have expressed grave concerns over the forced deportation
of Afghan refugees from neighboring countries, Pakistan and Iran, amidst
worsening conditions in Afghanistan.
The
United Nations has called for urgent humanitarian aid and protection measures
for civilians affected by the ongoing conflict and political instability in
Afghanistan.
Source:
https://www.khaama.com/ministry-of-finance-stresses-5000-afghanis-monthly-salaries-for-female-civil-servants/
--------
ACCA
holds its first Women in Finance event in Saudi Arabia
09-07-24
The
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) held its first event in
Saudi Arabia last week to celebrate the achievements of women leaders in the
kingdom.
The
event, Women in Finance: Stories from the Top, saw senior female leaders in the
finance profession come together to share stories, hear powerful TED talks,
panel discussions and Q&A sessions.
Women in
the finance profession in Saudi Arabia have seen significant progress in recent
years. The Saudi Vision 2030 initiative has been a driving force, aiming to
increase female participation in the workforce to 30% by 2030.
Broader
social reforms
Notably,
women’s participation in leadership roles within banks and financial institutions
has grown, reflecting broader social reforms and efforts to enhance gender
diversity in the kingdom’s economic landscape.
Speaking
at the event, FazeelaGopalani, Head of Eurasia and Middle East, ACCA,
commented: “I am so delighted to be hosting our first Saudi Women in Finance
event, celebrating the incredible stories and achievements of women leaders
here. The entire experience has been both humbling and inspiring. I am so proud
of the work that has gone into this event and of our Middle East team for their
passion and dedication to advancing women in finance.”
Education
and professional development programmes have played a crucial role in the
progression of women in the workplace. Initiatives like the Women in Leadership
Program by the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA) and various scholarships
for women pursuing finance-related degrees have contributed to a more skilled
and competitive female workforce. The number of women on boards of directors in
Saudi banks has also risen, reflecting a growing acceptance and encouragement
of female leadership in the financial sector.
“As we
look to the future, let’s continue to support and uplift each other, striving
for excellence in all that we do. Our collective strength lies in our
willingness to learn, share, and grow together,” Gopalaniadded.--TradeArabia
News Service
Source:
https://www.tradearabia.com/news/BANK_423951.html
--------
Lee
Do-hee named Iran’s women’s volleyball coach
Jul 9,
2024
TEHRAN,
Jul. 09 (MNA) – South Korean coach Lee Do-hee was named the new head coach of
Iran’s women’s volleyball team.
Lee
Do-hee is set to travel to Tehran in the upcoming days to finalize her deal.
The
56-year-old Korean coach has replaced MitraShabanian in the Iranian team.
Prior to
this, Lee Do-hee was the head coach of the Suwon Hyundai E&C Hillstate
team.
Notably,
Slovenian coach MajdaLebanCicic and Italian Alessandra Campedelli have also
recently served as head coaches of the Iranian team.
Source:
https://en.mehrnews.com/news/217534/Lee-Do-hee-named-Iran-s-women-s-volleyball-coach
--------
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/women-kaaba-kiswa-saudi-arabia/d/132666