Bangladesh: Woman Beaten, Hair Cut Off Over Dowry Demand In Brahmanbaria
New Age Islam News Bureau
07 May 2026
· Bangladesh: Woman beaten, hair cut off over dowry demand in Brahmanbaria
· Bangladesh Govt mulls law against sexual harassment at workplace
· UK envoy says male support for girls’ education “vital” in Afghanistan
· UN rapporteur urges recognition of gender apartheid in Afghanistan
· Iran’s wartime unity push collides with hijab hardliners
· 30 Women Held in Poor Conditions Inside Mashhad’s Vakilabad Prison
· Martyrs' mothers of YPJ: units represent basic force to protect Syrian women
· Women Teachers Gather to Strengthen Islamic Education in Kosovo
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
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Bangladesh: Woman beaten, hair cut off over dowry demand in Brahmanbaria
6 MAY 2026
Dinu Mia. Photo: Courtesy
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A woman was allegedly beaten, attacked with a sharp weapon, and had her hair cut off by her husband and in-laws over a dowry demand in Akhaura upazila of Brahmanbaria.
The incident took place yesterday morning in Ramdhannagar village.
The victim, Mim Akter, 22, is the wife of Dinu Mia, 30. Both are residents of the village. Police said Dinu has been on the run since the incident.According to Mim and her family, Dinu and his family members had been demanding Tk 5 lakh in dowry since their marriage. As her family could not afford to pay the money, she was allegedly subjected to prolonged mental and physical abuse.
The situation escalated around 10:00am yesterday. According to her family, Dinu first assaulted Mim and then attacked her with a sharp weapon, injuring her face and hands. Her hair was later cut off.
Family members rescued Mim in a critically injured condition and rushed her to Akhaura Upazila Health Complex. On-duty doctors provided primary treatment and said she had multiple injury marks. As her condition deteriorated, she was referred to Brahmanbaria Sadar Hospital for advanced treatment.
The victim’s family have filed a written complaint with the police in connection with the incident, said Akhaura Police Station Officer-in-Charge Javed Ul Islam.
As Dinu has been absconding since the incident, attempts to contact him were unsuccessful.
Doctors at Akhaura Upazila Health Complex confirmed that Mim has visible injury marks and is under observation.
Police have launched a drive to arrest the accused, said the OC.
Source: thedailystar.net
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/woman-beaten-hair-cut-over-dowry-demand-brahmanbaria-4169106
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Bangladesh Govt mulls law against sexual harassment at workplace
6 MAY 2026
Representational photo
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The government is considering the enactment of a law to prevent sexual harassment at workplaces.
This issue was discussed during the session related to the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs on the fourth day of the Deputy Commissioners' (DC) Conference, according to Cabinet Division sources.
The four-day conference began on Sunday at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka. Today, discussions are being held across eight sessions covering 12 ministries and divisions, including the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, the Ministry of Social Welfare, and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
An official who attended the meeting noted that although the issue of workplace sexual harassment has been highlighted multiple times, no specific laws have been enacted. Due to the absence of a strong legal framework, many victims remain silent. Consequently, field administrators have urged the government to prioritise the formulation of such a law.
In this regard, the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs has already held several meetings with stakeholders. Sources from the ministry indicated that work is underway to place a draft of the law before the Cabinet before the next parliamentary session.
Following the session, State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin told reporters that the existing list of social safety net beneficiaries is being re-verified. She instructed the DCs to ensure that only those who are truly eligible remain on the list, removing questionable entries and including genuine beneficiaries who were previously left out.
The state minister added that the process of selecting beneficiaries through the G2P (government-to-person) system is ongoing. She emphasised that the role of field administration is crucial and directed everyone to maintain professionalism in the selection process.
Other topics discussed at the conference included the construction of a daycare center in every district, and the recruitment of physical education teachers for children's mental and physical development.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Youth and Sports addressed ways to shift children away from addiction to devices and back to sports fields.
Discussions included the renovation of stadiums, the creation of new playgrounds, and encouraging year-round sports alongside studies through the "Notun Kuri" sports programme.
Other proposals included creating the post of upazila sports officer in every sub-district, building a swimming pool in every district, and enhancing youth skills through training in third languages, mobile servicing, and freelancing.
Source: thedailystar.net
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/govt-mulls-law-against-sexual-harassment-workplace-4169056
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UK envoy says male support for girls’ education “vital” in Afghanistan
By Fidel Rahmati
May 7, 2026
The UK Special Representative for Afghanistan, Richard Lindsay, has described male support for girls’ education as “vital” for Afghanistan’s future, following the awarding of the Freedom Prize 2026 to education activist Matiullah Wesa.
In a statement on X, Lindsay congratulated Wesa and said his recognition serves as a reminder that Afghan men continue to stand up for the rights of women and girls, particularly their access to education, which he described as essential for national progress.
The Freedom Prize 2026 was awarded by France’s Normandy region after a global voting process involving 18,708 young people from 75 countries, who selected Wesa as this year’s laureate.
Wesa is the founder of the Pen Path organisation, which works with thousands of volunteers to promote education in Afghanistan, especially in remote and underserved communities where access to schooling remains limited.
He has previously been detained by the Taliban due to his education advocacy, reflecting the broader risks faced by activists working on girls’ schooling in the country.
Afghanistan remains the only country where secondary and higher education for girls and women is severely restricted, a policy that has drawn sustained international criticism and limited humanitarian engagement with the authorities.
The restrictions have contributed to a widening humanitarian and economic crisis, with aid organisations warning that reduced access to education, employment, and basic services is deepening poverty and increasing long-term instability across the country.
Source: khaama.com
https://www.khaama.com/uk-envoy-says-male-support-for-girls-education-vital-in-afghanistan/
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UN rapporteur urges recognition of gender apartheid in Afghanistan
By Fidel Rahmati
May 7, 2026
UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan Richard Bennett has urged continued international efforts to recognise “gender apartheid” in Afghanistan, warning that severe restrictions on women require urgent global attention.
Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, called for continued international efforts to recognise what he described as “gender apartheid” in Afghanistan, warning that severe restrictions on women require sustained global attention.
Speaking at a parliamentary conference on Afghanistan at the French National Assembly in Paris, Bennett said the human rights situation in the country remains deeply concerning, particularly restrictions affecting women and girls.
He said that alongside realism about the situation, the international community should maintain hope for people inside Afghanistan, adding that Afghan citizens need continued support and engagement.
Bennett also said the Afghan diaspora could play an important role in sustaining hope and contributing to the country’s future direction.
The conference brought together French lawmakers, rights advocates and former Afghan officials to discuss humanitarian and political developments related to Afghanistan.
Source: khaama.com
https://www.khaama.com/un-rapporteur-urges-recognition-of-gender-apartheid-in-afghanistan-2/
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Iran’s wartime unity push collides with hijab hardliners
May 7, 2026
Maryam Sinaiee
A hardline cleric’s attack on unveiled women, even as Iranian state media showcased them at pro-government rallies to signal broad wartime support, has exposed tensions within the establishment over hijab enforcement.
In the northern city of Rasht, Friday prayer leader Rasoul Fallahi delivered a fiery speech during one of the nightly pro-government gatherings held since the outbreak of the recent war.
Speaking to supporters, he accused unveiled women of standing against “the system and the Quran,” calling them “immoral and immodest.” He also attacked male relatives of such women, describing their fathers, husbands and brothers as “dishonorable.”
Addressing women seen without hijab at the events and elsewhere, Fallahi warned: “Do not think these people will put up with you.” He escalated his rhetoric further by saying that if the public decided to confront them, “they would do something that would make you no longer dare to leave your homes.”
The speech, broadcast live on provincial television, quickly spread across Iran’s domestic online space and reignited debate over hijab enforcement during wartime.
The conservative-leaning outlet Fararu addressed the issue in an article titled, Why Are Unveiled Women Being Attacked?
“From the parade of ‘Self-Sacrificing Volunteer Girls’ to nightly gatherings supporting fighters, camera lenses seek out women with such appearances to show that all segments of society are present among supporters of the homeland,” the editorial read.
The apparent contradiction—highlighting unveiled women in official imagery while condemning them from the pulpit—has not gone unnoticed.
Supporters of stricter dress codes, including clerics like Fallahi, argue that hijab compliance is mandated by Iranian law. They often cite remarks by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who said several years ago that failing to observe hijab was both “religiously and politically forbidden.”
But Fallahi’s remarks have also drawn criticism from some clerics aligned with the government who argue that emphasizing such issues during wartime risks undermining national unity.
Abdolreza Pourzahabi, the Supreme Leader’s representative in Kurdistan province, cautioned against divisive rhetoric.
“We should not focus on points of division and disturb social calm, causing people already dealing with war to also have to answer for their hijab,” he said.
The debate has also fueled backlash online.
One user wrote: “So if there were no war, the law should be enforced and unveiled women would be beaten, arrested and imprisoned—but because the country is at war and needs people’s presence, it’s temporarily acceptable?”
The broader backdrop dates to September 2022, when the death of Mahsa Amini in custody triggered the nationwide “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests. Since then, authorities have largely avoided aggressive street enforcement of hijab laws for fear of reigniting unrest.
Restrictions nevertheless remain firmly in place in official settings. Women without hijab can still be denied entry to government offices, hospitals and courts, while mandatory hijab rules continue to apply in schools.
Enforcement also varies sharply across the country. In more religious cities such as Qom, stricter measures are still reported.
A user recently wrote on X that while shopping in Qom, an officer shouted at her to observe hijab. When she ignored him, she said he placed his hand on his weapon and threatened to impound her car if she could not find something to cover her head, photographing both her and her license plate.
The dispute reflects a deeper uncertainty within the Islamic Republic: whether the wartime softening around hijab is merely tactical, or a recognition that strict enforcement now carries political risks the state can no longer fully control.
Source: iranintl.com
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202605060326
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30 Women Held in Poor Conditions Inside Mashhad’s Vakilabad Prison
MAY 6, 2026
The human rights news agency HRANA has released a report detailing the conditions of at least 30 female prisoners currently held at Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. The report states that these individuals are being kept in the “Aramesh” and quarantine wards under poor sanitary and welfare conditions.
According to the report, 23 women are being held in the “Aramesh” ward, while seven others are in the prison’s quarantine section. A significant number of these detainees are reportedly individuals arrested during the January protests or during the heightened security crackdowns that followed.
HRANA highlighted several critical issues in these wards, including:
Lack of proper ventilation
Substandard sanitation and a lack of proper bathrooms and showers
Limited sleeping facilities
Inadequate access to medical services
The report emphasizes that these combined conditions have led to growing concerns regarding the health and safety of female detainees at the facility.
Source: iranwire.com
https://iranwire.com/en/news/152069-30-women-held-in-poor-conditions-inside-mashhads-vakilabad-prison/
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Martyrs' mothers of YPJ: units represent basic force to protect Syrian women
7 May, 2026
The Joint Events Platform for Women's Movements and Organizations in Rojava launched a campaign on April 26 under the slogan "We are all YPJ, YPJ represents us," aimed at supporting the Women's Protection Units (YPJ) and demanding their inclusion in the Ministry of Defense.
Regarding this issue, the mothers of the martyrs spoke to ANHA agency, emphasizing the necessity of including the Women's Protection Units (YPJ) within the ministry's structure and the rights of women in the Syrian constitution.
Leyla Rashad, the mother of the YPJ fighter, martyr Janda Tolehdan, confirmed that the government has not yet recognized women's rights, and pointed out that the Women's Protection Units (YPJ) fought a great struggle in the war against ISIS/Daesh and saved women from genocide and murder.
She continued her speech, saying: "Our fighters have always been at the heart of the battle, sacrificing their lives to protect this land." As the mothers of the martyrs, we will not abandon our struggle until women's rights are guaranteed in the constitution and the Women's Protection Units find their place in the Syrian army.
Leyla concluded her speech by saying: "All the women of Rojava are with the Women's Protection Units." If they don't want us, we can take up arms and fight alongside our fighters. Let's not forget the enemy's fear of the Women's Protection Units fighters. "If they do not recognize the Women's Protection Units as an official force, our struggle will become stronger."
For her part, Fatima Hussein, the mother of the martyr fighter in the Women's Protection Units, Beritan Dersim, confirmed that the presence of the Women's Protection Units (YPJ) is a presence for all women. She added that if these units did not join the Syrian army, the lives of all Syrian women would be in danger. Fatima said, "The fighters of the Women's Protection Units have sacrificed many years to protect this land, and we will always remain in the field alongside them." The Women's Protection Units represent all Syrian women, and they are capable of saving women from genocide, enslavement, and extermination. And we join the campaign and support the Women's Protection Units until they officially join the Syrian army."
For her part, Koli Mohammed, the mother of the martyr Rojda Afrin, pointed out that the Women's Protection Units (YPJ) have been fighting to protect women in North and East Syria for 14 years and have participated in many operations against ISIS mercenaries. The units have achieved great accomplishments for women, especially in the fight against terrorism in Kobani, and have protected the regions of Rojava from attacks.
She expressed her pride in her daughter and the sacrifices of all the female fighters, saying: "We are all proud of our sons and daughters, for their resistance and struggle to protect the land of Rojava." Why are the Women's Protection Units (YPJ) not officially accepted into the Syrian army? Why are they so afraid of women's will?
Kholi Mohammed concluded her speech by saying: "We have achieved our freedom thanks to the presence of the Women's Protection Units, and therefore, the presence of these units is the presence of women." If women are not represented in the constitution and the army, Syrian women will always live in constant danger, so women's struggle must always be at the forefront of priorities.
The Women's Protection Units (YPJ), which were established on April 4, 2013, and have participated in various stages witnessed in the region, including their role in countering the ISIS mercenaries' attack on Shengal, seek to build a democratic, decentralized, and pluralistic Syria.
Source: hawarnews.com
https://hawarnews.com/en/martyrs-mothers-of-ypj-units-represent-basic-force-to-protect-syrian-women
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Women Teachers Gather to Strengthen Islamic Education in Kosovo
May 06, 2026
In a move that demonstrates the commitment to developing religious education, Prizren, known as the “City of Minarets” for its numerous mosques in southern Kosovo, hosted the meeting of the Islamic Mashikhat (Muslim Affairs Office) in the city, according to the Prizren Islamic Mashikhat Council.
The meeting, which was attended by women teachers, focused on monitoring Islamic education courses in mosques and establishing the “Office of Traditional Schools (Maktabs)” as a tool to organize the educational process.
Discussions at the meeting focused on monitoring the progress of Islamic education courses in Prizren mosques, including the content of the curricula, implementation mechanisms, and challenges faced by teachers in this regard. Practical suggestions for improving the quality of education were also presented.
The importance of developing monitoring and evaluation tools with the aim of achieving better educational outcomes and strengthening the role of traditional Quranic schools in educating children based on Islamic principles and good morals in the Muslim community of Kosovo was also emphasized.
The meeting saw the unveiling of the “Office of Traditional Schools” for the first time. This organizational tool, which previously did not exist in the educational process, was introduced with a detailed explanation of its use. This will help facilitate educational activity and accurately document its performance.
The meeting highlighted the pivotal role of female teachers in Prizren, who contribute to raising children based on Islamic principles and good morals and strengthening values in the Muslim community of Kosovo.
The interactive dialogue between the teachers also helped them express their commitment to developing teaching methods and facing challenges with a responsible spirit, thereby increasing the quality of the educational process and keeping pace with the needs of the community.
Prizren, known as the City of Minarets in southern Kosovo, is one of the most prominent historical centers of the country. It is considered the heart of the Albanian Muslim community in Kosovo and the axis of its religious and national identity.
The city is distinguished by its significant expansion of mosques, as it is home to more than 50 mosques, ranking second in Kosovo in terms of the number of mosques after the capital, Pristina. In addition, mosques are scattered throughout the villages and neighboring areas, indicating the depth of Islam’s presence in this region.
Source: iqna.ir
https://iqna.ir/en/news/3497365/women-teachers-gather-to-strengthen-islamic-education-in-kosovo
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