Sarah Shendy Becomes Ohio's First Egyptian-Muslim Female Police Sergeant
28
May 2023
•
Sarah Shendy Becomes Ohio's First Egyptian-Muslim Female Police Sergeant
•
Oscar Winner Jennifer Lawrence Made 'Bread And Roses' After Feeling 'Helpless'
For Afghan Women
•
Basketball Led Somali Girl Muna Mohamed To Create Active Wear For Muslim Women
And Girls
•
Nasrin Shahi Clinches Gold for Iran in Women's 10m Air Pistol SH1 at 2023 WSPS
World Cup
•
Iran’s Regime’s New Hijab Bill Seeks to Silence Women
Compiled
by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/sarah-shendy-egyptian-ohio-sergeant/d/129870
-----
Sarah Shendy Becomes Ohio's First Egyptian-Muslim Female Police Sergeant
Northeast Ohio's Sarah Shendy
----
By:
Joe Pagonakis
May
27, 2023
CLEVELAND
— For more than 15 years, Northeast Ohio's Sarah Shendy has dedicated her life
to law enforcement, sharing her success story in an effort to inspire young
people to pursue a career in community service as police officers.
On
May 24, Shendy achieved yet another milestone, being sworn in with the Case
Western Reserve University police department and becoming Ohio's first
Egyptian-Muslim female police sergeant.
“This
department has phenomenal culture, and it really values diversity, leadership
and the advancement of women of law enforcement," Shendy said. “Being in
uniform is absolutely the best job on the planet and also the most fulfilling.
We get the chance, the opportunity and the privilege to be part of people’s
story.”
News
5 has followed the inspiring career of Sergeant Sarah Shendy for more than 3
years.
Source:
News5c Leve Land
-----
Oscar
Winner Jennifer Lawrence Made 'Bread And Roses' After Feeling 'Helpless' For
Afghan Women
Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence
----
05/28/2023
MUMBAI
: Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence and her producing partner Justine Ciarrocchi
touched down at the Cannes Film Festival on Sunday to promote their label's
first ever documentary feature 'Bread and Roses', a harrowing and emotional
look at the lives of women in Afghanistan under Taliban rule.
After
two decades of American occupation, the nation fell once again to the insurgent
group, which moved quickly to strip women of basic rights - simple freedoms
like the ability to work, appear in public without a male chaperone and receive
an education, reports Variety.
"I
was watching this from America, where Roe v. Wade was about to be overturned.
We felt helpless and frustrated with how to get these stories off of the news
cycle and into people's psyches. To help people be galvanised and care about
the plight of these women."
In
the infancy of building their production company Excellent Cadaver, Lawrence
and Ciarrocchi pursued Afghan filmmaker Sahra Mani ('A Thousand Girls Like Me')
to help capture the stories of the suppressed women on the ground. The finished
film, which was received with tears at its world premiere on the Croisette, is
comprised largely of video filmed by its three subjects. Crews could not safely
enter Afghanistan, nor could Mani, who had been abroad working when the Taliban
took over the country.
"The
director was given footage from women using their cell phones, there was one
trusted camera person that was used occasionally," Lawrence said.
Ciarrocchi recalled the high stress of protecting Mani and the subjects from
retaliation.
"Sahra
had been out of Kabul for about a month by the time it fell, she was in France.
The great news now is that all of our protagonists are safely out of
Afghanistan. We wanted to make sure that these women were safe and that we were
being thoughtful, while also trying to shape a film. That was a wild set of
responsibilities for us, and a very new experience," said Ciarrocchi.
Financing
was pieced together on the fly, the producers said, but singular images from
the struggle of these women kept them motivated. Lawrence said that watching
the children these women raise get tased in the street for protesting was
"devastating" to watch as a mother, "You just want to do
anything you can to change it."
Lawrence
and Ciarrocchi also observed an unsettling side effect from the footage of
women living in lockdown - psychological damage from restrictions around
leaving the house.
"One
of our protagonists, Sharifa, we had to witness the tedium of her life. How it
would feel to be a woman who is in her workplace and enjoying freedom in her
city with her friends - to witness her cabin fever was painful,"
Ciarrocchi said.
Another
central character, a successful dentist forced to give up her practice under
the Taliban, gave Lawrence a new appreciation for her own liberties.
"It
makes me think about when I was little, how much I hated going to school. We
take for granted that education is a way out for these women. (Our subject) had
all of that stripped away and can't even go outside without a chaperone. It's a
right to have as a human, to have something to do every day and be productive
in society," she said.
Lawrence
and her partner are hopeful that the film will receive worldwide distribution,
warning that its themes are more relevant than one would suspect in places like
America.
Source:
TellyChakkar
-----
Basketball
Led Somali Girl Muna Mohamed To Create Active Wear For Muslim Women And Girls
By
Abdirahman Mohamed
MAY
27, 2023
Growing
up a Somali girl in Minneapolis' Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, Muna Mohamed
developed an uncommon passion for basketball. Playing in high school, she wore
long-sleeved shirts under her jersey and wrapped her hijab so it wouldn't flow
too much. Even so, some referees deemed it a safety hazard.
When
she went on to coach in her neighborhood, she noticed that some of her players grew
frustrated with their hijabs falling off and interfering with their game. It
reminded her how she had felt having to choose between observing her faith and
playing the game she loved.
"If
I could go back and look at what I wore, I would've never worn it, but I only
did it for the game of basketball and I wish there was someone there advocating
for me," she said.
It
inspired Mohamed to start Kalsoni, a modest activewear brand that she said
helps Muslim women live a healthy lifestyle. In just a few years she has
progressed from pop-up shops to launching a website and selling her clothes at
local retailers such as REI.
In
creating a product marketed to Muslim women in the East African community, it
was important to maintain a sense of cultural expression, Mohamed said. She
settled on the Somali word "Kalsoni," which means confidence — a
feeling she said is crucial for any Muslim woman.
"I
realized we shouldn't run away from our culture and I wanted a word that
represented what I was, who the girls were ... [and] a sense of
confidence," she said.
Mohamed's
personal experience as an athlete and researcher gives her a unique perspective
on design. While well-known brands such as Nike and Lululemon carry versions of
modest athletic and leisure wear, she said they fall short of what Muslim women
want.
"They
often don't understand the type of hijabs that you need to create to cater to
all Muslims," she said. "That's why I have the different versatile
hijabs, from sports shawls to the sports hijab, for everyone."
Customers
can also purchase loose-fitting tunics of different lengths and colors, with
zippers on the bottom of both sides to allow for more mobility. There are
unisex long-sleeve shirts to give men options.
Mohamed
said American lifestyles are more sedentary and exacerbate cardiovascular
issues and high blood pressure, issues for many East African women. Her mother
told her that people in Somalia are naturally healthy because of their daily
activity level.
While
Mohamed was pursuing a degree in exercise science at the University of
Minnesota in 2013, she participated in a research project that aimed to create
culturally appropriate activewear. The project culminated in a fashion show
where apparel design students and local tailors created the clothes imagined by
the young participants.
With
money left over from the program, she developed a sports uniform in
collaboration with Jennifer Weber, co-founder and director of the Cedar
Riverside Athletics Enrichment Program.
While
pursuing a master's degree in kinesiology at the U, Mohamed was a research
assistant on another U study that introduced healthy ways of living for East
African women and their daughters. It concluded that a lack of both culturally
sensitive clothing and programming was preventing Muslim women from pursuing
physical activity.
"A
lot of the fitness spaces don't have culturally inclusive spaces, where there's
an understanding that some women need an all-woman space," she said.
In
2019, Mohamed pitched her business for the MN Cup, an annual startup
competition hosted by the U's Carlson School of Management that awards hundreds
of thousands of dollars to entrepreneurs. She participated in business
accelerators and incubator programs, where she surveyed potential customers
about the fabrics they preferred and the lengths they favored.
Sourcing
the fabrics was an arduous process. After finding a store in the Twin Cities
that sold the materials she needed, she took sketches of her outfits to a
Somali mall and paid a tailor to create a prototype. Then she located a local
manufacturer that matched her values as well as price points, logistics and
quantities.
Mohamed
started selling the Kalsoni brand at local pop-up shops starting in 2020. She
formed a pop-up partnership with Life Time Fitness in Fridley after explaining
to the manager how hard it was for many of the gym's Muslim clients to find
comfortable workout clothes. Several non-Muslim members had complained about
Muslim women in the gym or pool areas wearing clothing they felt wasn't
sanitary or could cause drowning.
Beside
forming relationships with REI, Life Time Fitness and the Hype, a streetwear
retailer in Minneapolis, Mohamed has also partnered with the national nonprofit
Girls on the Run, providing customized sports hijabs for young Muslims.
Kalsoni
launched its website this year with a list of products, some named for
Mohamed's peers and the young women she once coached who affectionately refer
to her as Coach Muna. Even before selling her products online, she was getting
international inquiries.
"I've
sold to folks in Finland, Norway, Sweden, and now getting orders from South
Africa and Kenya," she said. "It was nice to see it validated in
Minnesota, but then it was a unique opportunity when folks were reaching out to
me."
Source:
Star Tribune
-----
Nasrin
Shahi Clinches Gold for Iran in Women's 10m Air Pistol SH1 at 2023 WSPS World
Cup
5/28/2023
(MENAFN)
Iranian para shooter Nasrin Shahi demonstrated exceptional skill and precision
as she secured a remarkable gold medal in the P2 - Women's 10m Air Pistol SH1
event at the 2023 World Shooting Para Sport (WSPS) World Cup. With a total of
239.6 points, Shahi confidently claimed the top spot on the podium, showcasing
her outstanding marksmanship and determination.
The
competition, held in Changwon, South Korea, brings together a total of 226
shooters from 41 nations, each vying for top honors and coveted qualification
spots for the upcoming Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Shahi's impressive
performance not only earned her a gold medal but also served as a significant
milestone in her journey as a para athlete.
Following
closely behind Shahi was GaelleEdon, a talented shooter from France, who
secured the silver medal with an impressive score of 237.1 points. The bronze
medal was awarded to Rubina Francis, representing India, who displayed
exceptional shooting skills throughout the competition. It is worth noting that
Faezeh Ahmadi, another Iranian para shooter, showcased her talent and
determination, finishing fourth in the highly competitive event.
The
victory by Nasrin Shahi not only highlights her individual achievements but
also brings immense pride to Iran's shooting para sport community. As an
important qualifying event for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, the WSPS World
Cup serves as a crucial opportunity for athletes to secure quota places and
gain valuable experience in international competitions. Shahi's outstanding
performance has undoubtedly placed her in a favorable position as she continues
her journey towards representing Iran at the highest level of para shooting.
With
her gold medal win, Nasrin Shahi has proven her mettle as a skilled and
resilient para athlete. Her dedication, perseverance, and remarkable shooting
abilities have propelled her to the pinnacle of the sport, making her a source
of inspiration for aspiring athletes in Iran and beyond. As the competition
progresses and more para shooters showcase their talent, the world eagerly
awaits further thrilling performances and remarkable achievements at the 2023
WSPS World Cup.
Source:
Menafn.Com
-----
Iran’s
Regime’s New Hijab Bill Seeks to Silence Women
By
HOSHANG AMIRI
MAY
27, 2023
On
May 21, Ebrahim Raisi’s government approved and sent a bill on “Chastity and
Hijab” to Iran’s Parliament (Majlis). The bill has sparked controversy among
various factions of the ruling system in recent days since the penalties it
imposes are mainly based on fines.
The
bill refers to the violation of mandatory hijab as “nudity” and states that
“partial nudity” will be subject to a maximum fine of 20 million rials (roughly
$100) and “complete nudity” will be subjected to a maximum fine of 240 million
rials (approximately $1,200) and deprivation of sixth-degree social rights.
Additionally, a section of the bill states that if a driver or passengers fail
to observe mandatory hijab three times, their vehicle will be seized, and they
will be fined 10 million rials for each night.
Under
the new bill, owners, and managers of public places such as stores,
restaurants, cinemas, and sports and entertainment venues, who allow the
“improperly veiled” customers, will not only be fined but will also be
subjected to sealing and deprivation of tax exemptions and government tariffs.
Mohammad
Mehdi Hosseini Hamedani, the Friday Prayer leader of Karaj and representative
of Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei in Alborz province, warned officials
about the consequences of the new hijab bill and said that the bill could not
prevent the collapse of the Berlin Wall. Meanwhile, Ahmad Alamolhoda,
Khamenei’s representative in Mashhad, referred to the bill as the “Protection
of Hijab Bill” and urged the Majlis not to approve it, which was supported by
Hosseini Hamedani.
Hosseini
Hamedani also criticized the growing trend of women defying their mandatory
hijab, which he referred to as “the growth of deviance,” and emphasized that
the judiciary should have submitted the bill to the government earlier. He also
stated that the bill has some weaknesses in its initial stages, but if
implemented, it will have a restraining effect.
Hosseini
Hamedani stated that the bill’s spirit is not to fight against deep-rooted
enemies of the clerical regime and that it is unclear whether some of its
provisions repeal previous laws or whether the penalties it imposes can prevent
the violation of what he called “public chastity.” The representative of
Khamenei in Alborz province also recommended that the government, the
judiciary, and the Majlis strengthen their ” awareness of the enemy.”
On
May 21st, during his Friday prayer sermon in Mashhad, Ahmad Alamolhoda referred
to a bill proposed by the judiciary and sent to the government for approval as
the “Chastity and Hijab Bill.” He warned against the consequences of removing
the mandatory hijab and stated that the bill should focus on protecting the
hijab rather than fighting against it. He also suggested that the penalties
imposed by the bill may not be sufficient to prevent violations of public
chastity.
Meanwhile,
the representative of Khamenei in Khorasan Razavi province requested that they
not approve the hijab bill and criticized the fact that it reduces the
violation of mandatory hijab from a crime to a misdemeanor. He also emphasized
the importance of strengthening the government’s awareness of its enemies.
EnsiyehKhazali,
Raisi’s vice president for women and family affairs, stated that the
government’s approach to combating the phenomenon of non-compliance with
mandatory hijab is “cultural and social” and is not limited to the duties of
the Women and Family Affairs Department. She also mentioned the budgetary
limitations faced by her department and stressed that the government should
focus on providing support for Islamic and standard dress to promote chastity.
This
bill is among a wide range of measures the regime has taken to crack down on
women, who have played a leading role in nationwide protests in recent years.
However, despite these efforts by the regime, women continue to come to the
streets every day to express their hatred for the regime and their desire for
regime change.
Source:
Iranfocus.Com
https://iranfocus.com/iran-general/49603-irans-regimes-new-hijab-bill-seeks-to-silence-women/
-----
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/sarah-shendy-egyptian-ohio-sergeant/d/129870