Banu Mushtaq’s Tale of Indian Muslim Women’s Lives ‘Heart Lamp’ Shortlisted for International Booker Prize
New Age Islam News Bureau
10 April 2025
· Banu Mushtaq’s Tale of Indian Muslim Women’s Lives ‘Heart Lamp’ Shortlisted for International Booker Prize
· Purny Ayman: Bangladesh’s First Female Racer On an International Circuit
· Queen Rania of Jordan Addresses Gaza’s Humanitarian Crisis with Italy’s Giorgia Meloni
· Athletes Frustrated as France Mulls Muslim Headscarf Ban In Sport
· Federal Court Agrees to Hear Landmark Appeal On Orang Asli Woman’s Muslim Status
· Ex-Soldier Lisa Smith 'Has Clear Case' To Appeal Against IS Membership Conviction – Lawyer
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/banu-mushtaq-heart-lamp-booker-prize/d/135116
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Banu Mushtaq’s Tale of Indian Muslim Women’s Lives ‘Heart Lamp’ Shortlisted for International Booker Prize
Indian author Banu Mushtaq @banumushtaq / Instagram
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Saeed Saeed
April 09, 2025
An anthology of short stories exploring the everyday lives of women in Muslim communities in Southern India has been shortlisted for the International Booker Prize. Heart Lamp, by Indian author Banu Mushtaq, is a collection of 12 stories that serve as portraits of families living in tight-knit neighbourhoods, featuring spirited children, ambitious grandmothers, hapless husbands and troublesome brothers. Together, they offer vivid snapshots of human nature and quiet meditations on family.
Published separately in the Kannada language between 1990 and 2020, the collection was translated into English by Deepa Bhasthi, who could also share the £50,000 (Dh235,036) prize with the author, when the winner is announced at a ceremony at London’s Tate Modern on May 20.
The nomination marks the culmination of a remarkable five-decade literary career for Mushtaq, who began writing in the 1970s and went on to publish six short story collections, a novel, essays and poetry. Widely regarded as one of India’s most acclaimed authors, she has received major literary honours, including the Karnataka Sahitya Academy Award and the Daana Chintamani Attimabbe Award. Heart Lamp is the first book-length translation of her work into English, following earlier editions in Urdu, Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam.
In an interview published on the Man Booker website, Mushtaq revealed Heart Lamp was curated from 50 stories spanning her six previous collections. The selection, she explained, was a response to the persistent societal discrimination faced by women in her native India. “My stories are about women – how religion, society and politics demand unquestioning obedience from them, and in doing so, inflict inhumane cruelty upon them, turning them into mere subordinates,” she said. “The daily incidents reported in the media and the personal experiences I have endured, have been my inspiration. The pain, suffering and helpless lives of these women create a deep emotional response within me, compelling me to write.”
Heart Lamp is one of six titles shortlisted this year for the International Booker Prize – and the only short story collection among five novels. The other contenders include On the Calculation of Volume I by Danish writer Solvej Balle, the first in a planned septology centred on an antiquarian bookseller caught in a time loop; Small Boat by French author Vincent Delecroix, inspired by the real-life tragedy of migrants who died while attempting to cross the English Channel in a dinghy in 2021; Under the Eye of the Big Bird by Japan’s Hiromi Kawakami, which follows an expatriate millennial couple adjusting to a new life in Berlin; and A Leopard-Skin Hat by French author Anne Serre, an intimate exploration of the narrator’s evolving bond with a childhood friend.
One title that didn’t make the final cut, after being longlisted in February, is The Book of Disappearance by Palestinian author Ibtisam Azem. The Arabic novel follows a young Palestinian man as he comes to terms with the death of his grandmother, a survivor of the 1948 Nakba.
“These are books about survival and self-preservation – about our indomitable instinct to keep going in the face of catastrophe, oppression, extinction or hopelessness,” the Booker Prize jury said in a statement. “In a world that can often seem full of despair, this is a shortlist that celebrates the human spirit – our capacity to endure and our impulse to live a better life.”
https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/books/2025/04/09/banu-mushtaq-heart-lamp-international-booker-prize-muslim-india/
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Purny Ayman: Bangladesh’s First Female Racer On An International Circuit
Purny Ayman: Bangladesh’s first female racer
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Apr 9, 2025
When Purny Ayman crossed the finish line at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, she wasn't just completing a race — she was making history. As the first Bangladeshi woman to compete in an international motorsport event, Ayman's participation in the UAE Time Attack wasn't just about speed or rankings. It was about representation, perseverance, and breaking barriers in a field where Bangladeshi women have rarely been seen, let alone celebrated.
Competing in the rear-wheel drive unlimited class, Ayman drove a Toyota GT 86 and finished fourth — an impressive feat. There were 35 cars racing 5 different classes, including higher-performance Porsche and BMW cars. Her focus wasn't on outpacing others. It was on proving that women from Bangladesh belong in global motorsports just as much as anyone else.
A lifelong passion for cars
Ayman's interest in cars began long before she had the chance to sit behind a race car's wheel. "Ever since I was a child, cars fascinated me," she said. "My father used to change models frequently, and I was always curious. Over time, it became more than a hobby — it's a lifelong passion that fuels my excitement every single day."
This early curiosity matured into a serious ambition. What was once casual interest turned into late-night research, hands-on practice, and eventually, competitive driving. But growing up in a country with virtually no motorsport infrastructure, especially for women, made her journey far from easy.
Encouragement and early challenges
A key influence on Ayman's racing journey was Avik Anwar, a well-known figure in Bangladesh's automotive scene. "He used to watch me drive and always encouraged me," she recalled. "He'd say things like, 'Your handling is great. You should take this seriously.' That meant a lot to me. It pushed me to think beyond just driving for fun."
With this motivation, Ayman initially planned to train in India. "We were looking into proper training programs abroad. I even bought my first simulator thinking that I'd get to train physically too," she explained. But just as plans began to take shape, COVID-19 disrupted everything. Travel restrictions forced her to stay home and rethink her approach.
Training virtually and racing globally
Rather than give up, Ayman doubled down. In late 2024, she invested in a new simulator and began racing in online competitions organised by the Automobile Association of Bangladesh (AAB). "That phase was crucial. It helped me build reflexes, understand race dynamics, and stay sharp," she said. Her skills began to show as she performed well in virtual races, even winning a few.
Ahead of her UAE debut, Ayman also underwent hands-on training at both the Dubai Autodrome and Yas Marina F1 Circuit. "I had a few sessions with a trainer there — it helped me adjust from virtual to real-world racing," she said.
Breaking barriers, inspiring women
For Ayman, this milestone isn't just a personal win. "It's more than just my achievement," she said. "This is about breaking barriers and showing other women that it's possible to pursue what you love — even if it's in a field dominated by men."
She acknowledges that women drivers often face scepticism. "People judge you just for being on the road, let alone on a track," she noted. "But if you let that negativity get to you, nothing will ever happen. If someone has a dream like this, they should go for it — no matter what others say."
When asked about how different places compare in supporting women in motorsports, Ayman shared a nuanced view. "Dubai is very open-minded and inclusive," she said. "But honestly, maybe people there just don't have the same deep passion to pursue it seriously. In Europe, though, it's different — you see many female drivers, and it's much more normalised."
Her long-term goal? To keep racing and help develop a motorsports culture in Bangladesh —especially for women.
Purny Ayman's debut on an international track is more than a headline. It's a moment of change — subtle but significant — for how Bangladeshi women are seen in the world of motorsports. Her success came through preparation, resilience, and belief in her ability. But she's quick to remind us: she doesn't want to be the only one.
"I just hope more women come forward," she concluded, adding, "This is just the beginning."
https://www.thedailystar.net/life-living/news/purny-ayman-bangladeshs-first-female-racer-international-circuit-3867306
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Queen Rania Of Jordan Addresses Gaza’s Humanitarian Crisis With Italy’s Giorgia Meloni
April 09, 2025
LONDON: Queen Rania of Jordan addressed the humanitarian crisis in Gaza during a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Wednesday, during her brief visit to the country.
Meloni hosted Queen Rania at Villa Doria Pamphili in Rome, where they discussed the humanitarian crisis caused by Israeli military actions in Gaza, the official Petra agency reported.
Queen Rania emphasized the severe shortage of food, medical supplies and shelter following the Israeli suspension of aid relief deliveries to Gaza. She highlighted the increasing orphan crisis in Gaza, where more than 39,000 Palestinian children have lost one or both parents since October 2023.
Queen Rania and Meloni reaffirmed the strong ties between Rome and Amman. They highlighted the significance of educational projects and family protection initiatives in Jordan, which the Italian Development Cooperation supports.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2596445/middle-east
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Athletes frustrated as France mulls Muslim headscarf ban in sport
10 April, 2025
On the outskirts of Paris, 44-year-old French Muslim weightlifter Sylvie Eberena concentrates hard and pushes 80 kilos of bar and weights clean over her veiled head.
The single mother made her four children proud when she became the French national champion in her amateur category last year, after discovering the sport aged 40.
But now the Muslim convert fears she will no longer be able to compete as the French government is pushing for a new law to ban the headscarf in domestic sports competitions.
"It feels like they're trying to limit our freedoms each time a little more," said Eberena, a passionate athlete who trains five days a week.
"It's frustrating because all we want is to do sport."
Under France's secular system, civil servants, teachers, pupils and athletes representing France abroad cannot wear obvious religious symbols, such as a Christian cross, a Jewish kippah, a Sikh turban or a Muslim headscarf, also known as a hijab.
Until now, individual national sports federations could decide whether to allow the hijab in domestic competitions.
But the new legislation aims to forbid the head covering in all professional and amateur competitions countrywide.
Backers say that would unify confusing regulations, boost secularism and fight extremism.
Critics argue it would be just the latest rule discriminating against visibly Muslim women.
Symbol of submission'
The bill passed in the Senate in February and is soon to go to a vote in the lower house of the French parliament.
Some proponents want to stop what they call "Islamist encroachment" in a country that has been rocked by deadly jihadist attacks in recent years.
But critics point to a 2022 interior ministry report finding that data "failed to show a structural or even significant phenomenon of radicalisation" in sport.
French Olympic judo champion Teddy Riner, a star of the 2024 Paris Games, last month said France was "wasting its time" with such debates and should think about "equality instead of attacking a single and same religion".
Right-wing Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau responded that he "radically disagreed", describing the headscarf as "a symbol of submission".
Eberena, who converted aged 19, said her head attire - allowed by the weightlifting federation - had never been an issue among fellow weightlifters.
She said the sport has even allowed her to make friends from completely different backgrounds.
"Sport brings us together: it forces us to get to know each other, to move beyond our prejudices," she said.
'Really sad'
France's football and basketball federations are among those that have banned religious symbols, including the headscarf.
The country's highest administrative court in 2023 upheld the rule in football, arguing the federation was allowed to impose a "neutrality requirement".
United Nations experts last year called the rules in both sports "disproportionate and discriminatory".
It is difficult to estimate how many women might be prevented from competing if such legislation passes.
But AFP spoke to several women whose lives had already been affected by similar rules.
Samia Bouljedri, a French 21-year-old of Algerian origin, said she had been playing football for her club in the village of Moutiers for four years when she decided to cover her hair at the end of high school.
She continued playing with her team, but after her club was fined several weekends in a row for allowing her on the field, they asked her to take off her hijab or quit.
"That they ended my happiness, just like that, over a scarf made me really sad," she said.
France's brand of secularism stems from a 1905 law protecting "freedom of conscience", separating church and state, and ensuring the state's neutrality.
The country's constitution states that France is a secular republic.
Rim-Sarah Alouane, a researcher at University Toulouse Capitole, said the 1905 law, intended "to protect the state against potential abuses from religion", had been "weaponised" against Muslims in recent years.
French secularism "has been transformed into a tool in its modern interpretation to control the visibility of religion within public space, especially, and mostly, targeting Muslims," she said.
'Defend secularism'
Sports Minister Marie Barsacq last month warned against "conflating" the wearing of a headscarf with radicalisation in sport.
But Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin said that if the government did not "defend secularism", it would empower the far right.
In the Oise region north of Paris, Audrey Devaux, 24, said she stopped competing in basketball games after she converted to Islam a few years ago.
Instead, she continued training with her former teammates and began coaching one of the club's adult teams, she said.
But when she goes to weekend games, she is not allowed onto the courtside bench with a headscarf - so she is forced to yell out instructions from the bleachers.
"At school I learnt that secularism was living together, accepting everyone and letting everybody practice their religion," Devaux said.
"It seems to me they're slightly changing the definition."
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https://www.newarab.com/news/athletes-frustrated-france-mulls-muslim-headscarf-ban-sport
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Federal Court agrees to hear landmark appeal on Orang Asli woman’s Muslim status
10 Apr 2025
PUTRAJAYA, April 10 — The Federal Court today granted leave to a 32-year-old Orang Asli woman to appeal against her registration as a Muslim, following her conversion to Islam at the age of two.
A three-member panel led by Federal Court judge Tan Sri Datuk Nallini Pathmanathan unanimously held that leave should be granted, as the matter raises several novel questions of public importance that merit further consideration.
She noted that one of the central issues concerns the interpretation of Section 103 of the Pahang Administration of Islamic Law Enactment 1991, a provision which has yet to be addressed by the Federal Court.
She explained that for Section 103 to be applicable, there must be an order from a civil court, distinct from the Shariah Court, granting custody of the child to the parent who converted to Islam.
In the present case, she observed that no such custody order, nor any other relevant order from a civil court, exists.
Accordingly, she held that the proper construction of the provision in the absence of such an order warrants further judicial examination.
Justice Nallini stated that another key issue is whether the father’s status as a Muslim may be taken as implied consent to his daughter’s conversion.
She said the question of public importance requiring judicial consideration is whether such implied consent suffices to satisfy the constitutional requirement of consent under Article 12(4) of the Federal Constitution.
The panel, which also comprised Justices Datuk Rhodzariah Bujang and Datuk Hanipah Farikullah, held that the matter also warrants further deliberation to determine whether the woman’s case constitutes a renunciation of Islam or whether it is void ab initio (invalid from the outset).
The Court granted leave for the six legal questions proposed by the woman’s counsel to be heard and determined at the appeal stage.
The applicant, a member of the Jakun tribe, has initiated proceedings against the Pahang Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council and the Pahang government, seeking a declaration that she does not profess the religion of Islam.
The applicant asserts that she was converted to Islam by her mother when she was only two years old and that she never recited the Kalimah Syahadah.
She now seeks a declaration affirming her right, as an Indigenous person, to practise and profess her own spiritual and cultural beliefs.
According to the applicant, her mother embraced Islam in November 1995. Her father is a Muslim, but his whereabouts are unknown.
Her claim was previously dismissed by the High Court in February 2023, and the decision was upheld by the Court of Appeal in July that same year in a 2-1 majority ruling.
In today’s online proceedings, the applicant was represented by counsel A. Surendra Ananth and New Sin Yew.
State legal adviser Datuk Saiful Edris Zainuddin appeared for the Pahang government, while Mohd Fairuz Abdullah and Datuk Mohd Najid Hussain represented the Pahang Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council. — Bernama
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/04/10/federal-court-agrees-to-hear-landmark-appeal-on-orang-asli-womans-muslim-status/172581
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Ex-soldier Lisa Smith 'has clear case' to appeal against IS membership conviction – lawyer
09 APR, 2025
Former Irish soldier Lisa Smith has “a clear case” to appeal against her conviction for being a member of the so-called Islamic State (IS) terror group, her lawyer has said.
Smith, 43, from Dundalk in Co Louth, is to outline her case at the Court of Appeal on Thursday.
The ex-Defence Forces member was found guilty of IS membership in 2023 but was cleared of financing terrorism after a nine-week trial at Dublin’s Special Criminal Court.
Smith, a convert to Islam, went to Syria in 2015 after terrorist leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi called on Muslims to travel to the country.
She had pleaded not guilty to charges of membership of IS and providing funds to benefit the group.
She was handed 15 months in prison and lost an appeal over the severity of the sentence.
Her legal team is expected to argue at the Court of Appeal that Smith should not have been convicted of IS membership as she was travelling to Syria for religious reasons only.
Peter Corrigan of Phoenix Law said: “Lisa Smith quite rightly is appealing her conviction given the unique nature of her conviction. She has a clear case to appeal.
“She did not so much as hold a gun, nor fire a shot, nor did she commit any wrongdoings whilst there.
“We make clear that Lisa was a victim of domestic violence and suffered greatly whilst in Syria.
“She is a devoted mother to her daughter to whom she is deeply attached.”
https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/courtandcrime/arid-41610283.html
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URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/banu-mushtaq-heart-lamp-booker-prize/d/135116