Sara Ishaq's Station: Sisterhood, Solidarity, And Survival In War-Torn Yemen Take Centre Stage At This Year's Cannes Film Festival
New Age Islam News Bureau
23 May 2026
· Sara Ishaq's Station: Sisterhood, solidarity, and survival in war-torn Yemen take centre stage at this year's Cannes Film Festival
· Women of Will expands women empowerment programmes to Kedah under decade-long Yayasan Hasanah partnership
· Troops Arrest Suspected Female Boko Haram Collaborator In Borno
· Iranian authorities have intensified measures against the Baha'i community
· Iranian judiciary summons IRNA chief over photos of woman without hijab
· British envoy urges protection of women’s rights in Afghanistan
· Norway urges Afghanistan to end restrictions on women and girls
· Girls in schools to get skills programmes for economic empowerment
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
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Sara Ishaq's The Station: Sisterhood, solidarity, and survival in war-torn Yemen take centre stage at this year's Cannes Film Festival
22 May, 2026
Film Review: Set in a nameless village ravaged by civil war, 'The Station' follows sisters Layal & Shams carving a fragile sanctuary for women in war-torn Yemen
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Gaza, Lebanon, Iran… Our daily newsfeeds are constantly updated with horrifying reports from conflict zones across the Middle East, yet only fragments of information reach us from Yemen.
Since 2014, Yemen has been devastated by civil war, fought mainly between the Iran-backed Houthis, who control much of the north, and the Yemeni government, supported by a Saudi-led coalition, leaving fertile lands turned into battlefields and once-thriving cities in ruins.
The country has also suffered one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, with more than half the population still requiring aid. Although these striking details are available across information channels, they remain largely outside the spotlight and away from the mainstream news cycle.
In this context of media eclipse, Sara Ishaq's debut feature, inspired by real-life experiences, The Station — a multinational co-production between Yemen, Jordan, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Qatar, and currently competing in the Critics' Week strand of the 78th Cannes Film Festival — feels like a timely corrective to the widespread ignorance surrounding the subject.
However, the film does not delve directly into the political context, nor does it zoom in on the front lines. Rather, it captures the war's resonance in society and portrays a tragic reality through the minimalist story of two sisters and their little brother, who somehow carry on with their lives despite the circumstances, set within small female communities.
"As men vanish into the battlefields, women are left to hold society together," opens the film's opening line, before inviting viewers into a world "caught in an endless cycle of fighting", but also into a clandestine, parallel and ultimately hopeful realm with alternative rules, shaped by inventive mechanisms of survival, where destructive male logic is replaced by the female impulse to create, nurture and preserve.
It is a curious and mysterious world that draws us into its orbit, making us want to know more about this culture and place and to explore the real events surrounding it further.
In this sense, The Station fulfils its purpose best not by merely expanding viewers' knowledge, but by awakening curiosity after first seducing the eye and the senses.
Sisters at odds
At the centre of this unusual universe stands Layal, who runs the proudly titled Queen of Sheba women-only petrol station somewhere in the Yemeni desert; a sanctuary governed by a few uncompromising rules: no men, no weapons, no politics.
Besides petrol, which is constantly running out anyway, Layal has also set up a small bar serving tea and sweets, cultivating a cosy atmosphere that invites lively conversation. Her customers exchange ointments and jewellery, and even contraceptives can be found under the counter, despite loudspeakers encouraging childbirth and condemning birth control.
In a country fractured by violence and ideological division, the station functions as a fragile enclave of solidarity and mutual care, where women carve out a temporary refuge from the chaos beyond its borders.
Nevertheless, the outside world inevitably seeps in when Layal's younger brother, Laith, faces forced enlistment, mandatory for all boys who have turned 12, and she is compelled to reunite with her estranged sister, Shams, in an attempt to save the one life still within their reach.
Through this deceptively simple premise, Sara further constructs a dynamic, multilayered and gripping story that moves between intimacy and allegory, balancing the political context and the daily absurdities with a deeply humanist message.
The two sisters make for an intriguing duo, skilfully embodying strong personalities and two distinct approaches to survival.
While Shams has chosen to take an active role — collecting donations for soldiers at the frontline and bravely moving through a male-dominated world with quiet determination beneath her mandatory hijab — Layal prefers to avoid direct confrontation with it, instead tending flowers in the middle of the desert and caring for her brother and the female community, all without giving up life's small everyday pleasures.
Abeer Mohammed and Manal Al-Mulaiki's performances are emotionally nuanced, oscillating between initial mutual hostility and tenderness, rivalry and acceptance, while Rashad Khaled, as Laith, appears to be the film's brightest ray of pure joy, portrayed as carefree a child as circumstances allow.
As Sara explains in an interview for the festival strand's page, shooting in Yemen was not feasible due to security concerns and the limitations the team would have faced during production.
Jordan emerged as the most viable alternative, offering experienced crews, landscapes resembling Yemen's terrain, and well-established Yemeni refugee and diaspora communities that became essential for casting.
Fragile utopias amid chaos
The film's atmosphere — at once playful, quietly melancholic, and tense amid the surrounding chaos — reflects Sara's own vision of Yemen, shaped by both personal memory and political rupture.
Born to a Yemeni father and Scottish mother, the filmmaker first gained international recognition with her Oscar and Bafta-nominated short documentary Karama Has No Walls (2012), made in the aftermath of the Yemeni revolution, followed by The Mulberry House (2013), an intimate documentary portrait of her family during the uprising.
Since then, Sara has remained deeply engaged with the realities of filmmaking in Yemen, training local filmmakers. The Station marks her transition into fiction, but it retains the same urgency and emotional proximity to lived experience that characterised her earlier work.
Imagining this parallel reality, which distils what she cherishes about Yemeni society into "a fragile utopia, constantly shadowed by turmoil beyond its walls," as noted in her director's statement, Sara underscores the film's tension between fragility and perseverance that runs through every frame.
Even amid anxiety and loss, she foregrounds gestures of warmth, affection, humour and collective resilience, offering an ode to the people of Yemen and their capacity to endure destruction while maintaining their dignity.
Source: newarab.com
https://www.newarab.com/features/sara-ishaqs-station-powerful-ode-yemens-women
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Women of Will expands women empowerment programmes to Kedah under decade-long Yayasan Hasanah partnership
23 May 2026
The flagship programme also commemorated a decade-long partnership between WOW and Yayasan Hasanah, bringing together women entrepreneurs, community leaders, government agencies and strategic partners.
PETALING JAYA: Women of Will (WOW) marked its first large-scale community initiative in Kedah through its Community Wellbeing Day, reflecting the organisation’s expansion beyond the Klang Valley into states with higher socio-economic vulnerabilities and underserved communities.
The flagship programme also commemorated a decade-long partnership between WOW and Yayasan Hasanah, bringing together women entrepreneurs, community leaders, government agencies and strategic partners.
The event was officiated by Her Highness YTM Tunku Temenggong Kedah, Datuk Seri Diraja Tan Sri Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz binti Almarhum Sultan Abdul Halim.
In her royal address, she said women play a vital role in strengthening families and community resilience through both economic and caregiving contributions.
“Women work tirelessly, often without recognition, to ensure their families continue to persevere and progress. Through small businesses and daily sacrifices, they continue to rise again for the sake of their children and families,” she said.
Her Highness also commended WOW and Yayasan Hasanah for their decade-long partnership, which has extended its impact to underserved communities in Kedah.
Yayasan Hasanah trustee and managing director Siti Kamariah Ahmad Subki said the partnership with WOW has focused on empowering women and strengthening grassroots communities through entrepreneurship and leadership development.
She said Kedah was selected as a priority state due to its strong community potential, with programmes reaching areas including the People’s Housing Programme (PPR) in Kota Setar, PPR Seri Jerlun and Kampung Lahar.
WOW president Datin Wira Goh Suet Lan said the initiative reflects sustained collaboration aimed at creating long-term community impact.
“Our partnership with Yayasan Hasanah goes beyond funding support. It is a shared commitment towards sustainable grassroots development that uplifts women, families and communities,” she said.
State Welfare, Women, Family, Community and Unity Committee chairman Datuk Halimaton Shaadiah Saad said women’s empowerment initiatives have contributed to broader community progress.
“When women are equipped with support and confidence, they become catalysts for progress within their households and communities,” she said.
WOW began expanding into Kedah in 2021 through community assessments and stakeholder engagement sessions focusing on poverty intervention, women’s economic participation, entrepreneurship development and community resilience.
To date, the organisation has supported more than 150 women entrepreneurs across seven communities in Kedah and trained 21 women community leaders.
Among the participants, Syahida Shukor from PPR Seri Jerlun said her sambal business had grown from a home-based operation into a wholesale venture through continuous support and training.
Another participant, Nurzaisha Kasim from Kampung Lahar said entrepreneurship training had helped strengthen her branding, marketing and business management skills, enabling her to expand her catering business.
As part of the programme, WOW also shared preliminary findings from an ongoing research collaboration with Monash University Malaysia on the impact of women’s empowerment initiatives in low-income communities.
The study found that 31.6 per cent of participants reported business growth, 36.6 per cent registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), while 25.1 per cent took on community leadership roles.
Overall, WOW has empowered more than 2,900 women entrepreneurs and nurtured over 110 community women leaders across more than 45 communities in the Klang Valley, Kedah and Sabah.
Source: thesun.my
https://thesun.my/news/malaysia-news/women-of-will-expands-women-empowerment-programmes-to-kedah-under-decade-long-yayasan-hasanah-partnership/
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Troops Arrest Suspected Female Boko Haram Collaborator In Borno
May 22, 2026
By Enioluwa Adeniyi
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested a suspected female Boko Haram/ISWAP collaborator at a security checkpoint in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
The suspect, identified as 50-year-old Kellu Abba, was reportedly arrested around 8 am on Wednesday.
Security sources quoted by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, said the woman was intercepted while allegedly conveying supplies to a suspected terrorist.
According to the sources, Abba is a Kanuri woman residing in the Lawanti area of Baga town.
She was allegedly taking supplies to her son, identified as Modu Mustapha, said to be a suspected terrorist operating within the Dumba general area.
“The sources said the suspect, a Kanuri woman residing in Lawanti area of Baga town, was intercepted while allegedly conveying supplies to her son, identified as Modu Mustapha, a suspected terrorist operating within the Dumba general area,” Makama said.
Items reportedly recovered from the suspect included four ready-to-use supplementary food packs, two hijabs and one wristwatch.
“According to the sources, items recovered from the suspect included four ready-to-use supplementary food packs, two hijabs and one wristwatch,” the report added.
The suspect is said to be in the custody of the 196 Amphibious Battalion for further investigation.
“The military said the suspect was currently in the custody of the 196 Amphibious Battalion for further investigation and necessary action,” the publication said.
The report added that the security situation across the theatre remained calm but unpredictable. It also said troops continued to maintain satisfactory morale and fighting efficiency.
Source: naijanews.com
https://www.naijanews.com/2026/05/22/troops-arrest-suspected-female-boko-haram/
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Iranian authorities have intensified measures against the Baha'i community
MAY 22, 2026
The following cases involve arrests without disclosed charges, prolonged detention, upheld prison sentences, denial of legal counsel, and psychological abuse, under allegations including "educational and propaganda activities disruptive to Islamic law" and "propaganda against the regime."
On 19 May 2026, it was learned that Navid Zarrehbin Irani, a Baha'i photographer from Mashhad, remains detained without charge at Vakilabad Prison more than four months after his arrest on 16 January 2026. Family members observed he had lost considerable weight. Authorities denied him access to a lawyer of his choosing, transferred him to a death row ward, and subjected him to a mock execution and "white torture." No information has been released regarding any charges against him.
On 18 May 2026, it was learned that Pejman Zare, a Baha'i resident of Shiraz and father of a 10-month-old, remains detained more than 65 days after his arrest on 15 March 2026. He was held for 58 days in an undisclosed location before being transferred to Adelabad Prison, where he has had only one visit through a glass partition. Authorities have refused bail. No charges have been disclosed.
On 21 May 2026, it was learned that Mahsa Sotoudeh, 25, and Mandana Sotoudeh, 38, two Baha'i sisters from Shiraz, remain detained at Adelabad Prison without charge more than 50 days after their arrests on 29 March and 1 April 2026. They were arrested by IRGC Intelligence without warrants, are being held separately, and have been denied bail. No explanation has been provided for their arrests.
On 19 May 2026, it was learned that Branch 47 of the Isfahan Province Court of Appeals upheld a prison sentence against Roya Ostovar. Ms. Ostovar was sentenced to five years in prison, a fine, and 15 years deprivation of social rights for creating and administering a Baha'i WhatsApp group on charges of "educational and propaganda activities disruptive to Islamic law," plus an additional year for "propaganda against the regime" through online publications. Authorities claimed that social media content published by Ms. Ostovar and several other Baha’is had caused “deviation within Islam," and the court cited the "multiplicity of offenses" in imposing the maximum punishment.
These updates cover 15 - 22 May 2026, and are drawn from bulletins provided by the Baha'i International Community.
Source: iranwire.com
https://iranwire.com/en/features/152749-iranian-authorities-have-intensified-measures-against-the-bahai-community/
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Iranian judiciary summons IRNA chief over photos of woman without hijab
May. 22, 2026
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Iran’s judiciary on Thursday summoned the editor-in-chief of the state-run IRNA news agency after a photostory featuring a woman not wearing a hijab triggered widespread public reaction, with critics accusing it of promoting a state narrative amid ongoing anger over victims of the Islamic Republic’s strict hijab laws.
On Tuesday, IRNA published a photo story that once again sparked public controversy over compulsory hijab laws and state narratives promoted by the government, which faced a dead end due to resistance from hardliners within the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The photo story followed 37-year-old Tehran resident and writer Sara Kanaani, who claimed she adopted an orphaned newborn during the recent war as a single woman and was later forced to give up the child so the baby could find a future family.
The story was published without Kanaani adhering to the compulsory hijab and headscarf regulations typically enforced in Iran, raising controversy.
As public criticism intensified, IRNA removed the most controversial photos of Kanaani, which showed her in a typical appearance seen in Tehran’s daily life but rarely displayed on a state-run platform.
“Following the publication of images of a woman by the IRNA news agency without observing the country's Islamic laws and regulations, the director in charge of this media outlet was summoned to the Culture and Media Prosecutor's Office to provide explanations,” the Judiciary’s Mizan outlet reported on Thursday.
IRNA was also ”warned at the same time of publication to remove the content,” it added.
Public reaction soon followed, with many accusing the story of being another state-driven narrative, naming many victims of the Islamic Republic’s enforced laws firsthand, such as Zhina (Mahsa) Amini, a young Kurdish woman dying in police custody in 2022 after being arrested for allegedly not covering her hair sufficiently with her hijab.
Kanaani was later heavily criticized by the public after old social media comments resurfaced in which she appeared to blame Mahsa Amini and other victims of the government for the fate imposed on them.
Unconfirmed documents circulating on social media led to claims that the model herself is affiliated with the state, leading to further criticism of the perceived hypocrisy of her participation in the photostory itself.
Following the recent war and the January nationwide protests, the Islamic Republic, notorious for its draconian modesty laws, has increasingly shown footage of women flouting hijab regulations in public at pro-government rallies.
Tehran has been trying to contain anti-government outrage that has persisted since the January crackdown on protesters and the subsequent war.
In mid-February, Amini’s father, Amjad, whose daughter’s death in Iran’s police custody over her lax hijab sparked one of the largest nationwide protests in the country, criticized the Iranian government for broadcasting women with loose hijabs during pro-government rallies.
“They killed my innocent daughter because of four strands of hair, and no one was held accountable. Yet when they film girls with uncovered heads and what they call ‘unconventional’ clothing at official ceremonies and broadcast it, no one cries out, ‘Oh Islam!’ This is a strange time we live in,” Amini wrote on his social media account.
Source: thenewregion.com
https://thenewregion.com/posts/5436
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British envoy urges protection of women’s rights in Afghanistan
By Fidel Rahmati
May 22, 2026
Richard Lindsay, Britain’s special envoy for Afghanistan, has reaffirmed support for Afghan women and girls during a visit to Kabul, stressing the importance of education and social participation.
According to a statement released Thursday, Lindsay met Afghan women, civil society representatives and Taliban officials during his trip.
The British envoy said improving the situation of Afghan women and girls remains a priority for the United Kingdom and called for continued international engagement and support.
He also warned that continued border disruptions between Afghanistan and Pakistan are threatening humanitarian aid deliveries and limiting access to urgent assistance for millions of people.
Lindsay urged the reopening of border crossings and safe humanitarian corridors, saying women’s participation in education, work and public life is essential for Afghanistan’s long-term stability and development.
Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban have imposed sweeping restrictions on Afghan women and girls, including bans on secondary and university education, limits on employment and restrictions on movement and public participation.
The United Nations says Afghanistan remains one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises, with millions facing poverty, food insecurity and limited access to healthcare and education amid declining international aid.
Source: khaama.com
https://www.khaama.com/british-envoy-urges-protection-of-womens-rights-in-afghanistan/
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Norway urges Afghanistan to end restrictions on women and girls
By Fidel Rahmati
May 23, 2026
Norway has urged the Taliban to uphold Afghanistan’s international human rights obligations and end discrimination against women and girls, while supporting concerns raised by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan over recent Taliban policies affecting children and families.
Norway’s diplomatic mission for Afghanistan said Friday that protecting children’s rights and ensuring equal justice and rights for all Afghans must remain a priority, according to a statement published on social media platform X.
The statement echoed concerns raised earlier by UNAMA over a recent Taliban directive related to marriage and family matters, which the UN mission described as part of a broader and deeply worrying pattern steadily restricting the rights of Afghan women and girls.
Norway has maintained diplomatic engagement with the Taliban since the group returned to power in 2021, despite not formally recognizing the administration as Afghanistan’s legitimate government.
Oslo previously hosted several rounds of talks between Taliban representatives, Western officials and Afghan political figures during both the insurgency period and after the Taliban takeover.
Afghanistan continues to face one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises, with millions dependent on international assistance amid widespread poverty, unemployment and cuts to foreign aid programs.
Women and girls in Afghanistan remain under sweeping restrictions imposed by the crrent policies, including bans on secondary and higher education, limits on employment and severe restrictions on participation in public life, drawing repeated international condemnation.
Source: khaama.com
https://www.khaama.com/norway-urges-afghanistan-to-end-restrictions-on-women-and-girls/
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Girls in schools to get skills programmes for economic empowerment
23 May 2026
Malaysia will roll out skills programmes for girls in schools nationwide this year to boost their economic empowerment, says minister Nancy Shukri.
KUALA LUMPUR: The government will roll out skills development programmes for girls in schools nationwide this year as part of efforts to strengthen economic empowerment among young women.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the initiative aims to equip girls with practical skills before they finish school, enabling them to generate income and achieve financial independence in the future.
She said the programme is part of broader efforts to reduce social issues through women’s empowerment and to increase the number of financially independent women in the country.
“Before they become women, they are just girls. That is why we are going to schools to provide them with skills programmes.
“They can test their skills, and in the future, they can sell their products and generate income,” she told reporters after the Rotary District Conference 2026 in Bangsar here today.
Nancy said the programme would be implemented in collaboration with the district education offices (PPD) nationwide, particularly after major school examinations, subject to approval and coordination with schools.
“We have targeted schools for this initiative, but it depends on the ministries involved, as we need to work with the PPD in the respective areas.
“If approved, we can take students for two to three days after examinations to build their skills so they are not only strong academically, but also equipped with practical skills for their future,” she said.
She added that the ministry is actively seeking to expand collaboration with various non-governmental organisations (NGOs), including Rotary International, to address social issues and improve community welfare.
At the same time, Nancy said the ministry is exploring ways to expand volunteer participation, particularly in assisting welfare recipients who are homebound and require support, such as transportation to hospitals and basic daily needs.
“We have the Home Help Service, where volunteers receive a small allowance. They are dedicated individuals who help support those who are homebound, and we are strengthening this programme further,” she said.
In her speech earlier, Nancy said recent national records showed that Malaysia has nearly one million single mothers and single women heading households, many of whom shoulder the “double burden” of being both primary caregivers and sole breadwinners.
She said that despite the large numbers, only a fraction are formally registered within existing support systems, leaving many to struggle unsupported, including mothers caring for children with autism.
Nancy said the ministry complements these efforts through its KasihniTA programme, designed to empower single mothers through financial literacy, psychosocial support and legal skills.
“In 2025 alone, nearly 1,900 single mothers participated across six zones nationwide, and 90 legal aid cases were successfully handled to help women defend their rights,” she said.
Meanwhile, Nancy noted that the Social Welfare Department continues to record rising demand for psychosocial support, child protection interventions, elderly care and disability assistance.
She said the ministry currently supports over 839,535 registered persons with disabilities nationwide, with autism identified as one of the fastest-growing developmental conditions among children.
Source: thesun.my
https://thesun.my/news/malaysia-news/girls-in-schools-to-get-skills-programmes-for-economic-empowerment/
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