Fresh Hijab Vs Saffron Shawl Battle Brews Ahead Of School Reopening In Karnataka
New Age Islam News Bureau
22 May 2026
· Fresh hijab Vs saffron shawl battle brews ahead of school reopening in Karnataka
· Afghanistan women's refugee team to tour England
· Bangladesh take on Iran in CAVA Women’s Championship tomorrow
· Egyptian Researcher: Women’s rights key to Syria’s stability
· Meeting in Derbasiyah discusses women, YPJ's rights
· Baha’i Woman Sentenced to 6 Years in Iran Over WhatsApp Group
· Minister urges action in female teacher grooming case
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
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Fresh hijab Vs saffron shawl battle brews ahead of school reopening in Karnataka
21 MAY 2026
Davanagere (Karnataka): The hijab versus saffron shawl controversy is likely to intensify in Karnataka, with the Sri Rama Sene on Thursday announcing its plan to distribute saffron shawls to students in schools and colleges from June 1 in protest against the state government’s decision to lift restrictions on hijab and also allow limited religious symbols like turban, kada, tilak, holy ash and kalawa in educational institutions while ruling out the use of saffron shawls.
Addressing reporters in Davanagere, Sri Rama Sene chief Pramod Muthalik strongly opposed allowing hijabs and religious symbols like turban, kada, tilak, holy ash and kalawa in schools and colleges and accused the Congress government of reversing the BJP government’s earlier notification on the issue.
The BJP government’s 2022 notification has been withdrawn and the Congress government has issued a new notification allowing hijabs in schools and colleges, he alleged. Muthalik said uniforms were introduced decades ago to ensure equality among students and avoid discrimination.
Forty years ago, the Congress government itself implemented a uniform policy across the country so that there would be no discrimination among students. But now they have broken that principle by permitting hijabs, he claimed.
Referring to the new notification, Muthalik claimed it allowed students to wear hijabs along with religious symbols such as the sacred thread and Shivadhara. If hijabs are allowed inside schools and colleges, saffron shawls will also have to be allowed, he asserted.
The anger witnessed among Muslims in Davanagere during bypoll spread across the state. To pacify them, the government has brought back the hijab issue. This could lead to conflict and even communal riots, he alleged.
On the issue of cow slaughter and beef exports from India, Muthalik said Sri Rama Sene had written to the Union Home Ministry and the Animal Husbandry Department seeking action.
Every year, beef worth nearly Rs 50,000 crore is exported. Worshipping cows on one hand and exporting beef on the other is not right, he said. Muthalik warned that the organisation would launch a major protest against the Central government over the issue.
It can be noted that the hijab versus saffron shawl controversy is likely to intensify in Karnataka, with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, opposing the state government’s decision to lift restrictions on hijab and also allow limited religious symbols like turban, kada, tilak, holy ash, Cross and kalawa in educational institutions while ruling out the use of saffron shawls.
The authorities are closely monitoring the turn of events, as the hijab controversy had threatened to disturb the law and order situation across the state in 2022.
At the time, the Al Qaeda terror network had controversially waded into the Karnataka hijab row when its then leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri, released a video praising Muskan Khan, a student who shouted Allahu Akbar after being heckled by a crowd in Mandya.
Zawahiri praised her actions and called upon Indian Muslims to stand against what he described as oppression.
Despite the state government’s order prohibiting saffron shawls in educational institutions, Hindu organisations have maintained that they would continue to support students who choose to wear saffron shawls to schools and colleges.
While the controversy currently remains limited to statements and political reactions, tensions are expected to rise from June 1 onwards when most schools and colleges across the state reopen for the new academic year after the summer vacation.
Source: telanganatoday.com
https://telanganatoday.com/fresh-hijab-vs-saffron-shawl-battle-brews-ahead-of-school-reopening-in-ktaka
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Afghanistan women's refugee team to tour England
21 May 2026
An Afghanistan women's XI played its first competitive match in Melbourne in January 2025
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The Afghanistan women's refugee team will tour England this summer in their continued bid to be recognised for international competition.
More than 20 members of what was the Afghanistan national team have been exiled in Australia since 2021, when the Taliban returned to power and effectively outlawed female participation in sport in the country.
An Afghanistan Women's XI played its first competitive match in Melbourne in January 2025 and the squad were in India at the same time as the 50-over World Cup late last year.
Now, the refugee team will tour England from 22 June, playing T20 matches alongside training opportunities. The players will also attend the final of the T20 World Cup, which is being held in England.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said the tour "carries significant cultural and sporting importance".
The ECB currently has no plans for the England men's team to play Afghanistan in any bilateral contests.
England's seven previous matches against Afghanistan have all been in global tournaments.
Early last year, there were calls for England to boycott their match against Afghanistan at the Champions Trophy, with more than 200 politicians signing a letter asking the ECB to take a stance.
The fixture still went ahead, but the ECB labelled the situation in Afghanistan as "nothing short of gender apartheid".
In April of last year, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced a dedicated taskforce to support the displaced female cricketers from Afghanistan.
The ICC were assisted by the ECB, Cricket Australia and the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
The support included a "dedicated fund to provide direct monetary assistance". The long-term future of that financial assistance is unknown.
The ICC requires its full members, of which Afghanistan is one, to have a national women's team, but the men's team has retained its Test status.
In April, Fifa approved Afghanistan's return to international women's football competitions.
The refugee cricketers have called on the ICC to follow Fifa's lead and allow the exiled players to compete as Afghanistan.
"Fifa has given significant hope to many Afghan women athletes and shown that no matter where they live, they can represent their country and follow their passion," Afghan women's player Shafiqa Khan told Australia's ABC Sport.
"We can represent Afghan women who live back home and be a voice for a million girls who are denied their basic rights and follow their passion."
Source: bbc.com
https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/articles/c62d0m6nn76o
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Bangladesh take on Iran in CAVA Women’s Championship tomorrow
21 May 2026
DHAKA, May 21, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh women’s volleyball team will start their CAVA Women’s Championship taking on Iran in their opening pool B match scheduled to be held in Kathmandu, Nepal tomorrow (Friday).
Bangladesh, pitted in group B along with Iran, Kazakhstan and Sri Lanka, will play their remaining group matches against Kazakhstan and Sri Lanka on May 24 and 25 respectively.
The Bangladesh team is expected to return home from Nepal on May 28.
Source: bssnews.net
https://www.bssnews.net/sports/389287
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Egyptian Researcher: Women’s rights key to Syria’s stability
21 May, 2026
In the context of ongoing discussions about Syria’s political and constitutional future, Egyptian researcher on Arab and international affairs, Suha Al-Baghdadi, stressed that the issue of Syrian women’s rights is no longer a marginal demand concerning women alone, but has become a fundamental pillar of any genuine project aimed at building a modern Syria after years of war, suffering, and division.
Al-Baghdadi explained that Syrian women have demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout the years of crisis, carrying major responsibilities and actively participating in humanitarian, social, and political fields. She noted that any new Syrian constitution must explicitly and clearly guarantee women’s rights to justice, equality, and full citizenship, from marginalization or symbolic representation.
She stated: “Enshrining women’s rights within the constitution represents a real guarantee for building a more stable and just future, especially regarding the rights to education, employment, political participation, and protection from violence, in addition to ensuring women’s representation in decision-making positions as essential partners in building the state and society.”
Al-Baghdadi also pointed out that many Syrian women’s initiatives and forums have called for strengthening women’s role within state institutions and ensuring their participation in shaping Syria’s future. She emphasized that women’s presence in the political and constitutional process is a key element for achieving lasting peace and sustainable stability.
Speaking further, she referred to the Egyptian experience in promoting women’s participation in state institutions and public life, explaining that this experience has proven that empowering women does not conflict with societal stability, but rather contributes to development, stability, and preserving state cohesion. She added that when women are given fair opportunities, they become true partners in combating extremism, raising awareness, and shaping the future.
The researcher concluded by affirming that a just future for Syria cannot be built without the voice of Syrian women, and that any political or constitutional process that fails to ensure women’s genuine participation will remain incomplete and incapable of achieving lasting peace and stability.
Egyptian researcher and journalist Suha Al-Baghdadi specializes in Arab and international affairs and strategic relations. She is known for her writings and analyses on Middle Eastern conflicts and Arab national security and has played a prominent role in documenting political developments and supporting Arab causes.
Source: hawarnews.com
https://hawarnews.com/en/egyptian-researcher-womens-rights-key-to-syrias-stability
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Meeting in Derbasiyah discusses women, YPJ's rights
21 May, 2026
The Kongra Star held a meeting on Thursday in the city of Derbasiyah, with the participation of women and representatives from civil institutions and councils, at the Culture and Art Center.
Fawza Youssef; the member of the Presidential Council of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), delivered a speech addressing the political developments in the region and the mechanism for integration. She also emphasized the importance of women's role and the necessity of guaranteeing their rights in the constitution and ensuring their active participation in all fields, particularly the Women's Protection Units (YPJ).
Youssef pointed out that YPJ constitutes the primary guarantee for protecting women's rights, and stressed the need for women from all backgrounds to continue their struggle to secure their rights and exert every effort to gain official recognition for the units, in order to build a safe and free Syria.
She also affirmed that women must have a fundamental role in all aspects of political, social, and administrative life in Syria, noting that the Interim Government has not yet recognized YPJ. However, women continue to insist on obtaining their full rights and ensuring their participation in all fields.
After that, the floor was opened for discussion among the attendees, during which views were exchanged on political developments and the role of women in the current stage, with emphasis on the importance of protecting their rights and ensuring their active participation in the future of Syria.
Source: hawarnews.com
https://hawarnews.com/en/meeting-in-derbasiyah-discusses-women-ypjs-rights
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Baha’i Woman Sentenced to 6 Years in Iran Over WhatsApp Group
MAY 21, 2026
Branch 47 of the Isfahan Province Court of Appeals has upheld a six-year discretionary prison sentence for Baha’i citizen Roya Ostovar.
According to information obtained by IranWire, the branch, presided over by Judge Ali Dayani, upheld the initial verdict in May 2026 without modification.
Under the primary court’s ruling, Ostovar was sentenced to five years in prison, a fine of 165 million tomans, and 15 years of deprivation of social rights under Article 500-bis of the Islamic Penal Code on charges of “educational and propaganda activities disruptive to the holy Sharia of Islam” by setting up and managing a WhatsApp group about the Baha’i faith. She was additionally sentenced to one year of discretionary imprisonment on the charge of “propaganda against the regime,” bringing her total sentence to six years in prison.
Roya Ostovar was previously interrogated by security forces in July 2024 upon her arrival in Iran at Isfahan airport. During that interrogation, her passport and all of her electronic devices were confiscated.
Two months later, the Baha’i citizen was summoned and re-interrogated by the Isfahan Intelligence Department. Following a formal summons, she appeared in court on October 26, 2024, and was temporarily released on bail of one billion tomans pending the conclusion of her judicial proceedings.
The court hearing for Roya Ostovar’s case was held on January 20 in her absence, but with her defense attorney present.
Source: iranwire.com
https://iranwire.com/en/news/152685-bahai-woman-sentenced-to-6-years-in-iran-over-whatsapp-group/
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Minister urges action in female teacher grooming case
22 May 2026
The ministry calls for firm action after a female teacher is accused of sexually grooming a 14-year-old male student in Seremban.
PUTRAJAYA: The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) has called for strict action over a case involving a female teacher alleged to have engaged in sexual grooming and misconduct involving a 14-year-old male student.
Its Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the case must not be taken lightly and urged the relevant agencies to take firm and immediate action.
“Usually, the perpetrator is male, but in this case, it is a female. I am also surprised. We are concerned about such matters and hope that the relevant ministry or agencies, apart from the Sexual, Women and Children Investigation Division (D11) of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), will take appropriate action. The ministry under which she is employed should also take firm action,” she said.
Nancy said this to reporters after launching the ‘A Journey of Malaysia’s Participation under the Convention on the Rights of the Child’ programme here today.
She stressed that the case had caused serious harm to the victim, adding that such incidents could have long-term effects on a child’s future.
“They have to do something because this is not good for the child. This is truly a bad experience for him, and I do not know how it is going to affect his future because he is only a child,” said Nancy.
On May 20, the media reported that a 42-year-old female teacher pleaded not guilty at the Seremban Sessions Court to five counts of physical and non-physical sexual assault involving a 14-year-old male student, with the offences allegedly committed since September last year.
In another development, Nancy said her ministry, through the Social Welfare Department, is conducting ongoing spot-checks at childcare centres nationwide to ensure compliance and detect any unregistered premises operating without approval.
She said the move follows several reported cases involving the deaths of infants and children at childcare centres, which have raised public concern over safety standards.
“They are still carrying out spot-checks. Once they discover such premises, immediate action will be taken, including ordering them to close,” she said.
Elaborating further, Nancy said some unregistered centres may still go undetected due to limited public awareness and a lack of community reporting, and hoped that the public would play their part by reporting any suspected unregistered childcare facilities.
“This is what we mean by a whole-of-community approach. We need that support because we would not know unless the public alerts us to the existence of unregistered childcare centres,” she said.
Source: thesun.my
https://thesun.my/news/malaysia-news/minister-urges-action-in-female-teacher-grooming-case/#google_vignette
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