Muslim Women Face Double Patriarchy: Prof Firdous Azmat
New Age Islam News Bureau
19 April 2026
• Muslim women face double patriarchy: Prof FirdousAzmat
• Match officials announced for Pakistan v Zimbabwe women's series
• Suspect images released in alleged attack on Muslim woman on bus in Scarborough
• PM Modi slams opposition, apologises to women for bill’s defeat
• Woman gangraped by cleric, aide inside mosque in UP
• Florida man fools elderly woman into paying $600,000 in gold through ‘phantom hacker’ scheme
• Charlotte woman honors Arab American heritage through community and connection
• WHO: 55 Health Workers Trained in Balkh, Including 43 Women
• Iranian women's soccer players 'were misled,' in Australia, Pezeshkian says in video address
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/muslim-women-face-double-patriarchy/d/139719
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Muslim women face double patriarchy: Prof FirdousAzmat
AashaKhosa
19-04-2026
Sauib Salim in conversation with Prof Firdous Azmat
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The Muslim woman is imprisoned in a specific image. Society sets a standard for her and judges her by it. Although Muslim women have played a very active role in history, today they face dual patriarchy. On one hand, they face pressure from the community and on the other hand, external interference. Each class wants to see the Muslim woman according to its own thinking, which affects her autonomy.
In Awaz-The Voice's special podcast DeenAurDuniya (Religion and the World), JamiaMilliaIslamia Professor FirdousAzmat, who is an expert in Women's Studies, expressed these views.
Host SaquibSalim discussed the prevailing concepts about Muslim women in his podcast. He pointed out that Muslim women are often seen from a specific angle, due to which their true identity is not revealed.
To SaquibSalim's question whether Muslim women have always been seen as they are today - voiceless and confined to a particular role,rFirdousAzmat explained that Muslim women have been imprisoned in a certain image. "Society sets a standard for her, and she is judged accordingly."
She says that Muslim women are under pressure to protect the honour of the family and community, due to which they avoid talking about certain sensitive issues. Thus, a double responsibility is imposed on them. But Muslim women have not always been like this. They did not need guidance or someone else to make them feel their strength.
She gives an example where AraShahnawaz participated in the Round Table Conference of 1930, 1931, 1932 and raised her voice for women's rights, especially voting rights and representation.
Professor FirdousAzmat said that the organisational activities of Muslim women have been very strong. Organisations like AnjumanKhawatan Islam and AnjumanKhawatan Hind were established at the all-India level in 1914 or 1916. Even before that, there were small groups of women in Lahore and Delhi around 1890 who were discussing issues like education and the veil.
When it comes to reform movements of the nineteenth century, Professor FirdousAzmat said that the name of Aziz-un-Nisa Begum, mother of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, comes up prominently.
She played an important role in raising social awareness among women. During this period, three major issues related to women were discussed. The issue of sati, restrictions on widow marriage and early marriage. Aziz-un-Nisa Begum explained to women that widow marriage should be allowed and that it was not against Islamic teachings.
When women talked about their rights within the framework of Islam, they referred to the Quran and Islamic teachings. While living within this Islamic identity, it was made clear that Islam had given women many rights, the fulfilment of which was lacking.
That way, women raised their voices against the violation of their rights. MaulviMumtaz Ali and Muhammadi Begum are prominent examples of this. MaulviMumtaz Ali wrote an important book, "Women's Rights" during this period, in which the inheritance rights of women and other Islamic rights were discussed in detail.
This book was ahead of its time. Narrating an incident, Prof Azmat said Sir Syed Ahmed Khan disliked the book and reacted strongly against its contents. After being suppressed and ignored for a long time, the book later became popular. A key point in this was that since 124,000 prophets are mentioned in Islam, it is possible that women were among them.
This was an example of extraordinary intellectual courage at that time. The real problem was not Islam or the Quran, but their interpretation. Islam recognised women as full human beings and recognised their rights. But over time, these rights were limited, and women were marginalised. Therefore, there is a need to re-examine these interpretations.
About literature, Professor FirdousAzmat says that magazines like TehzeebNiswan gave women an opportunity to express themselves. Women expressed their views through diaries, fiction and autobiographies.
The magazine published under the editorship of Mohammadi Begum proved to be an important milestone for gender parity. It was a platform where women wrote and presented their voices. This magazine created a new awareness in the literary world. With the development of printing, awareness and creative expression among women also increased.
After the nineteenth century, there was a significant change in Urdu literature. Initially, Deputy Nazir Ahmed promoted novel writing, but later, women writers did revolutionary work in this field. Personalities like Rashid Jahan and IsmatChughtai presented very bold writings that looked at social issues from a fresh perspective.
Muslim women in North India, Bihar and Bengal were particularly developed and active. In Bhopal, Begums have rendered significant services in the fields of education, health and social reform. Begum Shahjahan and Begum Sultanjahan worked extensively even while living behind the curtain. They established educational institutions, hospitals and social organisations and provided opportunities for women to move forward.
After independence, Muslim men also got involved in various issues. Issues like security, identity and the formation of a new India came to the fore. As a result, women's issues were pushed to the back burner. It is difficult to say whether this was deliberate or a result of circumstances, but the fact is that the intensity with which women's issues were raised had decreased.
Where did the women who were active during the colonial period go? Their voices were less heard after independence. The Shah Bano case once again breathed new life into the Muslim women's movement, but at the same time, this issue got entangled in the debate over cultural identity and a uniform civil code.
Organisations like the Indian Muslim Women's Movement emerged in 2007. Though it took many crucial steps to push women's issues, it faced backlash from within the community, especially on issues like marriage and the role of the judge.
About literature, Professor FirdousAzmat says that magazines like TehzeebNiswan gave women an opportunity to express themselves. Women expressed their views through diaries, fiction and autobiographies.
The magazine published under the editorship of Mohammadi Begum proved to be an important milestone for gender parity. It was a platform where women wrote and presented their voices. This magazine created a new awareness in the literary world. With the development of printing, awareness and creative expression among women also increased.
After the nineteenth century, there was a significant change in Urdu literature. Initially, Deputy Nazir Ahmed promoted novel writing, but later women writers did revolutionary work in this field. Personalities like Rashid Jahan and IsmatChughtai presented very bold writings that looked at social issues from a fresh perspective.
Muslim women in North India, Bihar and Bengal were particularly developed and active. In Bhopal, Begums have rendered significant services in the fields of education, health and social reform. Begum Shahjahan and Begum Sultanjahan worked extensively even while living behind the curtain. They established educational institutions, hospitals and social organizations and provided opportunities for women to move forward.
After independence, Muslim men also got involved in various issues. Issues like security, identity and the formation of a new India came to the fore. As a result, women's issues were pushed on backburner. It is difficult to say whether this was deliberate or a result of circumstances, but the fact is that the intensity with which women's issues were raised had decreased.
Where did the women who were active during the colonial period go? Their voices were less heard after independence. The Shah Bano case once again breathed new life into the Muslim women's movement, but at the same time, this issue got entangled in the debate over cultural identity and uniform civil code.
Organizations like the Indian Muslim Women's Movement emerged in 2007. Though it took many crucial steps to push women's issues, it faced backlash from within the community, especially, on the issues like marriage and the role of the judge.
Prof FirdousAzmat says that Muslim women are facing a dual patriarchy. On the one hand, there is pressure from the community and on the other hand, external interference. Each class wants to see a Muslim woman according to its own thinking, which affects her autonomy.
On SaquibSalim's question on the subject of the veil, Professor FirdousAzmat clarifies that the veil is not only a religious matter but also has social and cultural aspects. Every woman should have the right to decide for herself what she wants to wear. It is not right to make clothing a standard of progress or backwardness.
Source: www.awazthevoice.in
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Match officials announced for Pakistan v Zimbabwe women's series
Apr 19, 2026
Six-match white-ball series to be staged at National Bank Stadium from 4 to 15 May
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Karachi, 19 April 2026: The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced match officials for the forthcoming Pakistan v Zimbabwe Women’s series scheduled to take place at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi from 4 to 15 May.
The six-match white-ball series includes three ODIs and three T20Is. The ODIs are part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2025-29, followed by three T20Is.
Sri Lanka’s NimaliPerera will stand as on-field umpire in all six matches of the series. PCB’s match umpires including Zulfiqar Jan, Tariq Rasheed, SaleemaImtiaz, Faisal Afridi and Nasir Hussain will perform their duties as match officials across the white-ball series. Humairah Farah will perform reserve umpire duties in the ODI matches
Kamran Choudhry, who was recently inducted in PCB international panel of match referees will serve as match referee for the ODI series, while Ali Naqvi will lead the playing control team during the T20I series.
Source: www.pcb.com.pk
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Suspect images released in alleged attack on Muslim woman on bus in Scarborough
By John Marchesan
April 18, 2026
Toronto police have released surveillance images of a man wanted in connection with a suspected hate-motivated assault aboard a transit bus earlier in the week.
Investigators say on April 13, a man approached someone while on a Durham transit bus and made derogatory and anti-Muslim comments before assaulting them. He then exited the bus in the Progress Avenue and Milner Avenue area of Scarborough.
In a brief video posted on X by the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), a man can be heard swearing at the woman and saying the word “terror” at least twice before he lunges and kicks at her.
We are outraged by a recent incident of Islamophobia that occurred on the Durham Transit. A hijabi women travelling between Scarborough and Ajax was allegedly both verbally and physically assaulted.
“We are outraged by a recent incident of Islamophobia that occurred on the Durham Transit,” the NCCM said in the social media post. “A hijabi women travelling between Scarborough and Ajax was allegedly both verbally and physically assaulted.”
Police say the man is described as between 30 to 40 years old, with a heavy build. He was last seen wearing a black jacket, blue jeans, and a camouflage baseball hat with a Canada logo.
Police add the hate-crime unit is investigating the incident. If someone is charged and convicted of an offence believed to have been motivated by bias, prejudice, or hate, the judge in the case can take hate as an aggravating factor when imposing a sentence.
Source: toronto.citynews.ca
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PM Modi slams opposition, apologises to women for bill’s defeat
Apr 19, 2026
NEW DELHI: PM NarendraModi on Saturday launched a fiery attack on opposition for defeating the proposed amendments to “women’s reservation law,” as he accused them of committing “bhrunhatya” (foeticide) in Parliament by scuttling his govt’s “honest attempts” for rollout of 33% quota for women by 2029 and increase in the LokSabha seats of every state by 50%.
“Women will never forgive you for this sin,” he said in an address to the nation and affirmed that it is only a matter of time before women are given their rightful share in LokSabha and state assemblies. “I assure every woman that we will remove each obstacle that comes in the way of women's reservation,” he said.
He began his impassioned 30-minute speech by apologising to women for his govt’s inability to get the bill to amend women’s reservation law passed despite utmost efforts. Asserting that those who defeated the bill thwarted the rise of women and smothered their aspirations, Modi said, “I apologise to my mothers and sisters.”
Soon, he switched gears to slam opposition, especially Congress, Trinamool Congress, SP and DMK, four parties he named for spreading lies to mislead people over the proposed amendments’ intent. They ended up unmasking themselves before the country, he said. PM NarendraModi on Saturday launched a fiery attack on opposition for defeating the proposed amendments to “women’s reservation law,” as he accused them of committing “bhrunhatya” (feticide) in Parliament by scuttling his govt’s “honest attempts” for rollout of 33% quota for women by 2029 and increase in the LokSabha seats of every state by 50%.
It is rare for Modi to target his political rivals in an address to the nation, which he has generally used to speak on pressing policy and governance matters. The departure seemed to signal the intent to take the fight to them after a united opposition rebuffed his repeated appeals and later assurance in LokSabha to dispel their criticism of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill.
He said the bill was not meant to snatch anything but to give every state, big or small, something in equal measure, rebutting the charge of opposition parties that delimitation would reduce the share of southern states in LokSabha. The women’s reservation amendment bill was the need of the hour, as it also sought to increase the political power of every region, be it north, south, east or west, and state by an equal percentage. However, family-run parties like Congress, TMC, Samajwadi Party and DMK were scared an empowered women’s leadership will threaten the hold of their ruling families, he said.
“Members of these parties were thumping their desks after snatching the rights of women. This was not merely thumping of desks but also a strike at women’s self-respect. And women can forget everything but an insult,” he said. “We might not have 66% votes needed to get the bill passed, but I know that we have the blessings of 100% of women,” he added, in what seemed to reflect the assessment that BJP can turn the setback into an opportunity to enhance support among women. He also seemed confident that opponents would suffer for their decision.
“I want to put it bluntly that those who opposed the Constitution amendment bill are taking women for granted.” Parties like Congress, Trinamool, SP and DMK are guilty of this feticide, he said, before singling out the main opposition party for historically detesting quota for women and being essentially an “anti-reform” party which has reflexively criticised every move of his govt, be it GST, digital payment, repeal of Article 370 and triple talaq or CAA.
Congress rejects and thwarts every reform needed for a developed India in the 21st century, he said. These parties betrayed their own people, Modi said, adding that the likes of DMK and TMC had a great opportunity to politically empower more people from their state. While Congress itself has lost relevance in many parts of the country and is now living off its allies like a parasite, it still pushed them into opposing the bill to blight their future, he said.
He slammed what he called the attempt to engineer a north versus south divide despite govt’s repeated assertion that no state will suffer. Congress has inherited its divide-and-rule mindset from the British, he said, claiming that every challenge facing the country is an outcome of the party being steeped in negativity and an anti-reform ethos.
He said, “For us, national interest is paramount. But when for some parties partisan interest becomes everything and is placed above national interest, then women’s empowerment and the nation’s interest have to bear the consequences.” Modi said he, like women, was feeling sad over the failure to introduce changes for early enforcement of women’s reservation law. But he ended on a note of defiance rather than disappointment.
“Our morale is undimmed and our courage is intact. Our resolve is also unshakeable. Parties which opposed the bill will not be able to stop us from increasing the representation of women in legislatures. It is only a matter of time. We may have lacked the numbers, but that does not mean that we lost. Our willpower is invincible, and we will not be stopped until we have fulfilled our commitment,” he said.
Source: timesofindia.com
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Woman gangraped by cleric, aide inside mosque in UP
By: MayukhDebnath
Apr 19, 2026
A woman was allegedly gangraped by a Muslim cleric and his associate inside the premises of a mosque in Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur. The purported incident took place on April 15.
The woman has claimed that she was brought to the mosque by the cleric's aide under the pretext of her child's treatment.
"He told me that there was a cleric who would treat my child so that his health would never deteriorate again. So I went there," she said.
The woman claims that she and her son were misled into drinking water laced with sedatives by the cleric at the mosque. According to her, they both lost consciousness upon consuming the water.
The woman has alleged that the cleric and his aide raped her while she was unconscious and also filmed a video of the horrific act. She also said that the duo threatened to make the clip viral if she told anyone about their crime.
She has also accused the police of ignoring her complaint and pressuring her into silence. The woman later approached a senior official, who has assured an investigation and appropriate legal action in the matter.
Source: www.indiatoday.in
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Florida man fools elderly woman into paying $600,000 in gold through ‘phantom hacker’ scheme
Apr 18, 2026
A Florida man has been arrested in Arizona after allegedly travelling to collect hundreds of thousands of dollars in gold from an elderly woman caught up in a so-called “phantom hacker” fraud scheme.
59-year-old Gary Christopher from Port Saint Lucie, Florida, was taken into custody on April 10 when he reportedly arrived at a Phoenix-area home to pick up gold bullion worth about $600,000 from the victim. He has been charged with conspiracy to launder money and made his first appearance in federal court on April 13.
Christopher acted as a courier in a bigger scam targeting an elderly woman. The fraudsters contacted her while pretending her identity had been stolen and falsely claimed she needed to secure her money.
One of the scammers even impersonated a former US Attorney and instructed her to convert her savings into gold and hand it over for “safekeeping”. Over time, the victim transferred more than $400,000 in assets before realising she had been tricked.
Christopher’s role came at the final stage of the scheme. Prosecutors say he travelled to Arizona on April 9 to collect an additional delivery of gold from the woman. However, law enforcement officers were already monitoring the situation and intercepted him when he arrived at the property.
Investigators later found evidence that Christopher had been given detailed instructions on how to collect and transfer the gold to other members of the group.
Authorities say the case is part of a growing trend of “phantom hacker” scams, where criminals impersonate government officials or technical support agents to trick victims, often elderly people, into handing over money or valuables. Usually, real government agencies will never ask people to withdraw cash, buy gold, or hand valuables to a courier sent to their home.
Christopher remains under investigation as authorities continue to trace other suspects involved in the scheme.
Source: timesofindia.com
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshowprint/130358751.cms
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Charlotte woman honors Arab American heritage through community and connection
April 18, 2026
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — April is Arab American Heritage Month, a time to recognize the history, culture, and contributions of Arab Americans across the country.
This year, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein is officially recognizing the observance, highlighting the growing Arab American community in the state and their impact in fields ranging from business to education to public service.
Honoring Arab American stories, heritage, and traditions is Charlotte resident JazelIssa’s mission. During Arab American Heritage Month, she says it’s a chance to highlight contributions while building greater understanding.
Issa says recognition is important in addressing misrepresentation and expanding awareness of a community with deep roots in the United States.
“I feel like there’s always a stereotypical sense of misrepresentation of our people and our culture but honestly the Arab people are so hospitable. They’re the most loving hardworking people. Our culture is beautiful, obviously. Our food is amazing. And the people are the best thing about our culture.”
Shortly after moving to Charlotte, Issa created a social club called “Home for the Arabs” to help connect the community and support Arab-owned businesses. She also volunteers with Gather Good, a local organization focused on community support.
“We raise money to send displaced Palestinian refugees back to school. So we give them the opportunity to have full ride scholarships and complete their education whether it’s to become a doctor, a journalist, whatever they desire.”
Issa says the current moment is difficult for many families, and she hopes people understand the broader impact of conflict in the Middle East, including in Gaza.
“We’re fortunate enough to have to deal with the effects of the war in gas prices rather than our lives and that’s a reality for my people. My community is having to check up on our people every single day.”
As the daughter of immigrants, with her father from Lebanon and her mother from Vietnam, Issa says she understands the immigrant experience and the importance of representation.
“I feel like it’s my duty to be able to honor and help those in the community just as I would have hoped others helped my family when they came here.”
Source: www.wcnc.com
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WHO: 55 Health Workers Trained in Balkh, Including 43 Women
19-04-2026
The World Health Organization (WHO) says that 55 health workers, including 43 women, have received health training in Balkh province.
In a message issued on Sunday, April 19, the organization said these workers can now strengthen the early detection and referral of non-communicable diseases.
According to the WHO, the training focused on conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, and common cancers.
It added that the training will also help bring life-saving services closer to communities.
After the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, women have been barred from formal education in health institutes.
According to United Nations reports, most provinces in Afghanistan are facing a shortage of female doctors.
Source: 8am.media
https://8am.media/eng/who-balkh-health-workers-training/
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Iranian women's soccer players 'were misled,' in Australia, Pezeshkian says in video address
APRIL 19, 2026
Iran's President MasoudPezeshkian released a lengthy statement on Sunday, distributed by the semi-official Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA), that addressed a number of topics, including the Iranian athletes who were offered asylum in Australia in March.
Australia granted humanitarian visas to six players and one support staff member from the Iranian squad in early March after they sought asylum over fears of possible persecution upon returning home. The concerns came after they failed to sing the national anthem at a Women's Asian Cup match. Three members of the delegation decided to abandon the asylum offer. Another member later changed her mind, leaving only two members in Australia.
Of those who chose to return to Iran, Pezeshkian said: "We take pride in them and thank them and their families." He added that those who stayed - who "have been misled" - would be welcomed back to Iran should they choose to return.
Tasnim News Agency claimed in March that Australian authorities tried to pressure members of Iran’s women’s national football team into seeking asylum during their trip to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, presenting the episode as a Western political operation rather than a story about the players’ fears of returning home.
Tasnim further claimed Sydney police separated players from coaching staff, offered them incentives such as housing and education, and tried to create conditions for asylum.
"We are proud of our female soccer players who did not succumb to Australia's deceit," said Iran Foreign Ministry Spokesperson EsmaeilBaghaei in March, when referring to the decision by the Iranian women's national soccer team to forgo asylum and return from Australia.
According to Baghaei, "What happened in Australia was a clear example of hypocrisy and deceit."
Source: www.jpost.com
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-893476
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