Iranian Teen, Armita Geravand, Injured In An Alleged Encounter With Officers On The Tehran Metro Over Violating The Country's Hijab Law Dies: State Media
New Age
Islam News Bureau
28 October 2023
·
Iranian
Teen, Armita Geravand, Injured On Tehran Metro While Not Wearing A Head Scarf
Dies: State Media
·
Catholic
Church Welcomes Relaxation Of Hijab Ban In Indian State, Karnataka
·
Emirati
Doctor Muna Tahlak Is First Arab Woman President Of The International Hospital
Federation
·
Muslim
Woman Wearing A Hijab Says She Was Target Of Angry Tirade In Bethesda
·
Lahore
Police Denied Fashion Designer Khadija Shah’s Physical Remand
·
Recognizing
Women’s Rights Would Be Step Towards Legitimacy: Bennett
·
Malala Urges
Pakistan To Reconsider Afghan Refugee Expulsions
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/iranian-armita-tehran-metro-hijab/d/130998
-----
Iranian Teen, Armita Geravand, Injured
In An Alleged Encounter With Officers On The Tehran Metro Over Violating The
Country's Hijab Law Dies: State Media
A photo
montage showing Armita Geravand and a screen grab from a CCTV camera showing
her entering the subway.
------
October 28, 2023
DUBAI: An Iranian teenage girl injured
weeks ago in a mysterious incident on Tehran’s Metro while not wearing a head
scarf has died, Iranian state media reported Saturday.
The death of Armita Geravand comes after
her being in a coma for weeks in Tehran and after the one-year anniversary of
the death of Mahsa Amini and the nationwide protests it sparked.
Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency
reported her death.
What happened in the few seconds after
Armita Geravand entered the train on Oct. 1 remains in question.
While a friend told Iranian state
television that she hit her head on the station’s platform, the soundless
footage aired by the broadcaster from outside of the car is blocked by a
bystander. Just seconds later, her limp body is carried off.
Geravand’s mother and father appeared in
state media footage saying a blood pressure issue, a fall or perhaps both
contributed to their daughter’s injury.
Activists abroad have alleged Geravand
may have been pushed or attacked because she was not wearing the hijab. They
demanded an independent investigation by the United Nations’ fact-finding mission
on Iran, citing the theocracy’s use of pressure on victims’ families and state
TV’s history of airing hundreds of coerced confessions.
Source: arabnews.com
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2399026/middle-east
---------
Catholic Church Welcomes Relaxation Of
Hijab Ban In Indian State, Karnataka
Muslim
students and supporters sit in front of the office of the deputy commissioner
in a protest against the order banning the hijab in schools and colleges in
Shivamogga district in India’s Karnataka state on Feb. 17, 2022. (Photo: AFP)
-----
October 27, 2023
Catholic officials have welcomed the
southern Indian Karnataka state relaxing a ban on traditional hijab (head
scarf) by allowing Muslim women to wear it while appearing for government
recruitment exams.
“There was no need for any such ban and
we are happy that the present government has taken steps to relax it,” said
Father Faustine Lucas Lobo, spokesperson of Karnataka Catholic Bishops’
Council.
The decision was taken on Oct. 22 at a
review meeting attended by Karnataka state’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who
goes by one name, and Higher Education Minister M C Sudhakar, who are from the
ruling Congress party.
Sudhakar told the media that students
will “be allowed to write examinations wearing the hijab,” referring to the
competitive exams for jobs conducted by the state government.
The ban was imposed in February 2022
when the pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was leading the state
government. The party, however, lost to
the Congress party in the May state elections.
The ban order was issued after an
altercation between hijab-wearing Muslim students and a mob of hardline Hindu
nationalists who objected to “the religious practice inside academic
institutions" in January 2022.
The pro-Hindu BJP government’s order
prohibited wearing clothes “that disturb equality, integrity and public order
in schools and colleges.”
Five Muslim students challenged the
constitutionality of the ban in court.
The Karnataka High Court held that the
ban on hijab does not violate Article 25 of the Indian constitution which
guarantees religious freedom.
The state’s top court also observed that
“wearing of the hijab by Muslim women does not form essential religious
practice in the Islamic faith.”
The case eventually went to the Supreme
Court where a split verdict by the judges forced the matter to a larger bench
for adjudication in October last year.
The Congress government, which professes
secular values enshrined in the Indian Constitution, promised voters during the
election that it would withdraw the controversial ban order.
But as the ban is under consideration of
the Supreme Court it has only decided to relax it for the moment for the exams,
said an official who did not want to be named.
Father Lobo told UCA News on Oct. 27
that the previous BJP government “unnecessarily” imposed the ban that he
described as “a clear case of discrimination.”
“In this case, it seemed to be a
deliberate attempt to create disharmony and distrust [between communities] and
disturb discipline in education institutions,” the priest said.
He said the present government is trying
to restore peace and harmony in the state.
But pro-Hindu groups have threatened to
protest the order and the statements by Sudhakar. "This is a secular
country. People are free to dress however they want," the minister said.
The hardline Hindu organizations remain
unanimous in demanding a nationwide ban on the hijab or any other sign of religious
attire worn by any student in class, including Catholic nuns.
The hijab ban order caused protests
against and for it across the country in 2022.
Protests were also seen in Islamic
countries such as Kuwait, where influential leaders called for a ban on the
entry of any member of India’s ruling BJP into their country.
Source: ucanews.com
https://www.ucanews.com/news/church-welcomes-relaxation-of-hijab-ban-in-indian-state/103076
---------
Emirati Doctor MunaTahlak Is First Arab
Woman President Of The International Hospital Federation
Oct 27, 2023
Emirati MunaTahlak has become the first
Arab woman president of the International Hospital Federation.
Dr Tahlak's election is a milestone for
the UAE in global health care.
Not only is she the first Arab woman to
hold the position, she is also the first Emirati president of the IHF.
Her appointment was ratified during the
World Hospital Congress in Lisbon.
Dr Tahlak said: “Emirati women have
consistently excelled in diverse high-ranking roles across domains.
“Our nation has also consistently
offered abundant opportunities to foster the progress and specialisation of
Emirati women, particularly within the medical field.
“This victory highlights not only the
progress that Emirati women have made but also reflects the leading position of
UAE’s health sector.
“I am honoured to represent the UAE and
fellow Emirati women on such an important global platform.”
Dr Tahlak already holds titles including
chief medical officer of Dubai Academic Health Corporation (DAHC), vice provost
clinical practice of Mohammed bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health
Sciences, and chief executive of Latifa Hospital for Women and Children.
“This is an incredibly proud moment for
the entire healthcare sector in the UAE,” said Dr Amer Sharif, chief executive
of DAHC.
“Emirati women have consistently
excelled across domains, particularly in the medical field, making substantial
contributions to the nation's growth and development.
“Dr Tahlak's leadership and dedication
play a crucial role in fulfilling DAHC's mission to impact lives and shape the
future of health through the integration of care, learning, discovery, and
giving.”
Source: thenationalnews.com
https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/health/2023/10/27/emirati-doctor-is-first-arab-woman-president-of-the-international-hospital-federation/
--------
Muslim Woman Wearing A Hijab Says She
Was Target Of Angry Tirade In Bethesda
October 27, 2023
Paul Wagne
A Muslim woman says she was the target
of another woman’s hateful tirade in Bethesda, Maryland, Thursday afternoon.
The victim, who was wearing a hijab,
said she was in her car at a stop light at Rockledge Drive and Democracy
Boulevard when she heard a slur and saw a woman flashing her the middle finger.
The victim said the encounter escalated
when she began recording it on her phone. The other woman stood in front of the
car — banging on the hood — then walked to the passenger side and pounded on
the window with her hand several times.
“It took me a few seconds to process
what had just happened, and then I decided to honk my horn at her, and she
turned back around and started yelling at me, ‘Do you want to get out of your
car? Do you want to come here? Do you want to get out of your car?’” the victim
said.
She said it lasted for about a minute or
two and was witnessed by other drivers stopped at the traffic light.
“I was just so shaken that I didn’t
think to follow her at that point,” the victim said. “I just wanted to get my
baby safe. My biggest fear was, you know, she might do something to me with my
child in the car. So, I was just in a rush to get her home safe.”
Montgomery County police are
investigating the incident but have classified it as a disturbance, not a hate
crime.
The Maryland chapter of the Council on
American and Islamic Relations recently put out a press release detailing a
rise in hate bias incidents since the attack on Israel earlier this month.
“The reports CAIR has recorded only
strengthen our resolve to empower one another, uphold justice and defend civil
liberties,” CAIR said in a statement.
Thursday’s victim said her phone and its
camera are her first line of defense.
“We are in a defensive, protective mode
right now,” she said. “Any second something is going to happen to us.”
She said she always has that thought.
“That is how I go through life,” she
said.
She said she has received an
overwhelming outpouring of support since posting the video on the Nextdoor app.
Source: nbcwashington.com
https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/muslim-woman-says-she-was-target-of-angry-tirade-in-bethesda/3455859/
---------
Lahore Police Denied Fashion Designer
Khadija Shah’s Physical Remand
Wajih Ahmad Sheikh
October 28, 2023
LAHORE: While an anti-terrorism court
(ATC) on Friday denied physical remand of fashion designer Khadija Shah to
police in a third case relating to the May 9 riots, the Lahore High Court
summoned the inspector general of police (IGP) in person to explain her arrest
after securing bail in two cases.
The Sarwar Road police produced Khadija
Shah before the ATC to seek her physical remand in a case of torching police
vehicles outside Rahat Bakery Chowk in the Cantonment area during the May 9
protests.
Inspector Naveed Anjum, the
investigating officer, told the court that three co-suspects had revealed that
the fashion designer’s house was used for meetings to plan attacks on security
installations in case of arrest of PTI Chairman Imran Khan.
Ms Shah came to the rostrum and told the
judge that she had been granted bail by the high court in two cases registered
against her. “I have been languishing in jail for six months and unable to see
my minor daughter,” she said.
LHC summons IG to explain her arrest
after bail in two cases
She said police were misleading the
court as the three suspects referred to by the investigating officer never
visited her residence. She asked the judge to let her go home.
Judge Abher Gul Khan directed the
suspect to record her statement to the police so that investigation could be
completed. The judge observed that the trial in the May 9 cases would be
concluded soon and sent Ms Shah on judicial remand.
The police had also produced Ms Shah
before the ATC on Oct 23 for physical remand, but the judge sent her back to
jail on judicial remand due to proceedings on a contempt petition before the LHC.
IGP summoned
Separately, Justice Ali Baqar Najafi of
the LHC directed IGP Dr Usman Anwar to personally appear on Nov 3 after CCPO
Bilal Siddique Kamyana failed to satisfy the court on the arrest of Khadija
Shah in a new case after her bail in two cases.
Ms Shah had filed a contempt of court
petition seeking action against the IGP and other police officers for keeping
her behind bars with mala fide intention despite bail in the cases against her.
The LHC had granted bail to Ms Shah in
cases relating to attacks on Jinnah House and Askari Tower.
Source: dawn.com
https://www.dawn.com/news/1784355/lahore-police-denied-khadija-shahs-physical-remand
---------
Recognizing Women’s Rights Would Be Step
Towards Legitimacy: Bennett
Fatema Adeeb
October 27, 2023
The UN Special Rapporteur for
Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, said the recognition of women’s rights by the
interim government officials in Afghanistan would help towards greater
legitimacy for the interim government.
He made the remarks in an interview with
TOLOnews.
“If the de facto authorities recognize
women’s rights that they would stand a better chance. It would be a step
towards not recognition, I don’t really use that word very much, but it would
be a step towards a greater legitimacy,” Bennett said.
He said that no country in the world is
treating women the way the “de facto” officials in Afghanistan do.
The UN special rapporteur voiced concern
over the deterioration of human rights within the past two-years.
One of the main reasons for the
deterioration of human rights, he said, “is the treatment of women and girls.”
“In fact, today, there was an index that
was produced by the Georgetown institute for women, peace and security which
rates every country for their treatment of women and girls and Afghanistan came
last in the whole world,” he said.
Bennett further said that the treatment
of women is causing mass concerns among members of the international community.
This comes as the Islamic Emirate has
repeatedly insisted that the rights of all citizens are preserved within an
Islamic structure and Sharia law.
However, the imposition of restrictions
by the interim Afghan government on women and girls’ rights, including their
access to education and work, have been criticized by the Islamic world.
Source: tolonews.com
https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-185756
---------
Malala urges Pakistan to reconsider
Afghan refugee expulsions
October 28, 2023
Fidel Rahmati
The Nobel Peace Prize laureate from
Pakistan has urged her government to reconsider its “hasty” policy of expelling
Afghan immigrants. Malala Yousafzai stated, “Afghan immigrants who have fled
Taliban persecution deserve support, respect, and security, not further
obstacles and harm.”
The Pakistani government has given all
“illegal” immigrants a deadline until November 1st to leave the country, with
the threat of expulsion if they don’t comply. According to Pakistani
authorities, approximately 1.7 million Afghan nationals reside in Pakistan
without proper documentation.
This decision has faced widespread criticism
both within Pakistan and in Afghanistan, and human rights organizations have
expressed concerns about the Pakistani government’s move.
Despite the criticism, recently,
Sarfaraz Bugti, the Interior Minister of Pakistan, declared that their decision
regarding the expulsion of “illegal” immigrants remains firm, with no plans to
extend the expulsion deadline.
Furthermore, in recent months, the
Pakistani government has intensified the detention and expulsion of Afghan
immigrants.
As the deadline for repatriating Afghan
migrants from Pakistan nears, the Afghan Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation
announced that around 8,000 migrants have returned to Afghanistan this week.
According to a Saturday press release, approximately 7,910 Afghan migrants
crossed the Spin Boldak border from Pakistan to enter their home country.
Additionally, on Friday, the Punjab
Information Minister reported that around 99,000 Afghan migrants have been held
in detention. Among them, 33,000 don’t have proper residence permits and will
be sent back.
The Pakistani government has detained
and expelled over 60,000 Afghan migrants so far. According to the latest United
Nations data, approximately 1.3 million Afghan migrants are registered in
Pakistan, with an additional 880,000 individuals having legal status to stay in
the country.
The United Nations Office of the High
Commissioner for Human Rights has called on the Pakistani government to “halt
the forced deportation of Afghan citizens to prevent a humanitarian rights
crisis.” Previously, the spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees
in Pakistan advised registered refugees to seek assistance from the
organization’s legal aid if they faced police harassment.
Source: khaama.com
https://www.khaama.com/malala-urges-pakistan-to-reconsider-afghan-refugee-expulsions/
-----
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/iranian-armita-tehran-metro-hijab/d/130998