Famous Turkish Lawyer Feyza Altun Detained For Calling ‘Sharia’ As Taliban Mentality That Stones Women On The Streets
New
Age Islam News Bureau
20 February 2024
·
Famous Turkish Lawyer Feyza Altun Detained For
Calling ‘Sharia’ As Taliban Mentality That Stones Women On The Streets
·
Times Square Billboard Calls On Qatari Queen Mother,
Moza Bint Nasser, For Release Of Hostages
·
'I'm A Muslim Feminist' Asra Nomani Blasts 'Toxic
Exportation Of Extremist Ideology' From Iran And Saudi
·
UN Experts 'Appalled' By Reported Rights Violations
Against Palestinian Women, Girls
·
Afreen Akhter To Become First US Official To Visit Dhaka
Since Jan 7 Polls
·
Women Wrestlers Grappling Their Way To Recognition
In Jordan
·
WFP Announces Aid For 6 Million Malnourished Women
And Children In Afghanistan
Compiled
by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/turkish-feyza-altun-sharia-turkish/d/131760
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Famous
Turkish Lawyer Feyza Altun Detained For Calling ‘Sharia’ As Taliban Mentality
That Stones Women On The Streets
Lawyer
Feyza Altun
-----
February
19 2024
Lawyer
Feyza Altun, against whom an investigation was initiated by an Istanbul Chief
Public Prosecutor's Office due to “inciting people to hatred and hostility,”
was detained on Feb. 19.
The
police conducted a search and seizure operation at the residence of the
prominent Internet figure. Beykoz district’s Chief Public Prosecutor's Office
initiated an investigation against Altun for allegedly violating Article 216/1
of the Turkish Penal Code.
Article
216/1 regulates the offense of "publicly inciting one section of the
public, which has different characteristics in terms of social class, race,
religion, sect or region, to hatred and hostility against another section of
the public" and stipulates a prison sentence of one to three years.
Some
social media users targeted Altun for "insulting sharia" in a post
shared on X on Feb. 18, where she said, "F**k the sharia," in
response to another user. Altun deleted the post after facing backlash.
Numerous
social media posts circulated about Altun, with calls for her arrest gaining
traction. Altun himself addressed some of these comments in her response.
Altun
on Feb. 19 made a statement on X and noted that she has not written anything
offensive about any belief.
“For
me, what you call Sharia is the Taliban mentality that stones women on the
streets. In this context, I stand behind my word. That regime will not be
implemented in this country either. Modern secular law applies in this country.
Demanding sharia is a threat to the constitutional order and a crime," she
stated.
Source:
duvarenglish.com
https://www.duvarenglish.com/famous-turkish-lawyer-feyza-altun-detained-over-sharia-remark-news-63861
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Times
Square Billboard Calls On Qatari Queen Mother, Moza Bint Nasser, For Release Of
Hostages
Qatar's
Sheikha Moza bint Nasser reacts. (Photo credit: Reuters/Hannah Mckay)
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FEBRUARY
20, 2024
A
billboard displayed in Times Square called on the mother of the Emir of Qatar,
Moza bint Nasser, to partake in the release of hostages being held in Hamas
captivity this week, The New York Post reported on Saturday.
The
image on the billboard was of 1-year-old Israeli hostage Kfir Bibas, alongside
a picture of bint Nasser with large text reading, "It's in your hands.
Release the hostages."
Sheikha
Moza bint Nasser of Qatar is the mother of the Emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani
and is also considered to be an influential figure in the realm of global
philanthropy, the Post noted.
However,
the organization that put up the ad, named ItsIn YourHands, was highly critical
of the emir's mother.
Taking
accountability
The
organization’s website has a page titled "Unveiling Sheikha Moza's Double
Standards," which is an attempt to get her to take accountability for the
hostages in Gaza.
“Sheikha
Moza bint Nasser of Qatar presents herself as a champion of humanitarian causes,
but beneath the surface lies a troubling reality,” the website stated.
ItsInYourHands
is an “informal coalition of Christian leaders and organizations” that work to
aid the families of the hostages held by Hamas, a spokesperson told the Post.
The organization
then elaborates on Qatar's involvement with terrorist organizations.
"Qatar’s
ties to extremist groups and its support for terrorist organizations like Hamas
raise serious questions about Sheikha Moza’s true agenda. As the matriarch of
modern Qatar, she bears a moral responsibility to address these issues and
advocate for the freedom of the hostages."
The
webpage ends with a call to action, as it offers an option to sign a petition
to call on Sheikha Moza to use her influence to release the hostage being held
in Hamas captivity.
"The
time has come to unmask Sheikha Moza’s hypocrisy and hold her accountable for
her inaction. Join us in demanding transparency and accountability from Sheikha
Moza and Qatar. Together, we can ensure the freedom of the hostages and prevent
further tragedies," the webpage concludes.
Source:
jpost.com
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-787861
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'I'm
a Muslim feminist' Asra Nomani blasts 'toxic exportation of extremist ideology'
from Iran and Saudi
19/02/2024
Gabrielle
Wilde
Muslim-American
activist Asra Nomani has blasted the "toxic exportation of extremist
ideology" from Iran and Saudi that she claimed was a "dichotomy for
me as a girl growing up in the West."
Nomani
also brought up her friend, Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl who was
kidnapped and executed in Pakistan in 2002 for being Jewish.
Since
then, Noman said that she has been investigating the links between liberal
activists and radical Islamists.
In
2023, she released a book titled Woke Army which is a phrase that she uses to
describe the Council on American Islamic Relations.
Speaking
to Jacob Rees-Mogg about her life on GBN America Noman said: "You are
looking at a Muslim feminist. I am a girl born in India to conservative Muslim
parents.
"My
parents were socially conservative. We immigrated to the United States like so
many families immigrated to the United Kingdom and I was four years old.
"It
was the summer of 1969 and I grew up with the feminist revolution. And I also
grew up with something else. And that was the toxic exportation of an extremist
ideology of Islam from Iran and the government of Saudi Arabia, starting with
their revolutions in 1979.
"It
was a dichotomy for me as a girl growing up in the West. I grew up on this girl
detective named Nancy Drew and learned to be an empowered young woman.
"In
my community, I was told that I had to take the back door when I went to the
mosque. I had to pray in the basement, the dungeon, the upstairs that looked at
me was turned to stone.
"I
lived this bifurcated life for most of my life. But it was the 9/11 attacks and
then the tragic murder of my dear friend from the Wall Street Journal, Danny
Pearl, that made me the Muslim reformer that you see today, challenging the
extremist interpretations that governments and millionaires are trying to
infuse in our communities.
Rees-Mogg
then asked her: "And you faced a lot of resistance from this, from the
Council for American Islamic Relations, which you say has launched a character
assassination on you and wants to silence you.
"How
does this influence you? Does this make you more determined or is it quite
intimidating?
"No
matter what community you're in, it is daunting to stand up to power and
control. But what I learned from my friend Danny's murder is that so many
innocents will lose their lives if we do not challenge extremism in our
communities.
"And
you know too well that the man who kidnapped Danny was a British Pakistani by
the name of Omar Sheikh, indoctrinated in the mosques of London.
"There
are kids amongst us who are indoctrinated, who try to intimidate us into
silence. And then there are the elders too, who try to pressure us to silence.
Motorists
risk £5,000 fine for driving with pets in the vehicle in Highway Code warning
"This
organization that you spoke of, the Council on American Islamic Relations, they
are part of this network that I call the Woke Army that is trying to silence
anybody who stands up to Islamic extremism.
"I
know that a lot of viewers would be among those people.
"I
want to just encourage everyone to stand up with moral courage because silence
is how they get complicity and we cannot be complicity in complicit in their
extremism."
Source:
gbnews.com
https://www.gbnews.com/news/us/muslim-feminist-asra-nomani-iran-saudi
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UN
Experts 'Appalled' By Reported Rights Violations Against Palestinian Women,
Girls
Peter
Kenny
19.02.2024
UN
experts on Monday expressed alarm over "credible allegations" of
egregious human rights violations that Palestinian women and girls continue to
face in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
"Palestinian
women and girls have reportedly been arbitrarily executed in Gaza, often
together with family members, including their children, according to
information received.
The
experts were shocked by reports of the deliberate targeting and extrajudicial
killing of Palestinian women and children in places where they sought refuge or
while fleeing.
"On
at least one occasion, Palestinian women detained in Gaza were allegedly kept
in a cage in the rain and cold, without food," said the experts.
"We
are particularly distressed by reports that Palestinian women and girls in
detention have also been subjected to multiple forms of sexual assault, such as
being stripped naked and searched by male Israeli army officers."
The
experts said that at least two female Palestinian detainees were reportedly
raped, while others were allegedly threatened with rape and sexual violence.
'Killed
holding white papers'
They
said some of the women were reportedly holding white pieces of cloth when the
Israeli army or affiliated forces killed them.
The
experts are ReemAlsalem, Special Rapporteur on violence against women and
girls; Francesca Albanese, Special Rapporteur on human rights in the
Palestinian territories occupied since 1967; Dorothy Estrada Tanck (Chair),
Claudia Flores, Ivana Krstić, Haina Lu, and Laura Nyirinkindi, from the Working
group on discrimination against women and girls.
The
experts expressed grave concern about the arbitrary detention of hundreds of Palestinian
women and girls, including human rights defenders, journalists, and
humanitarian workers, in Gaza and the West Bank since Oct. 7.
Many
have reportedly been subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment, denied
menstruation pads, food, and medicine, and severely beaten.
"They
also noted that photos of female detainees in degrading circumstances were also
reportedly taken by the Israeli army and uploaded online."
The
experts expressed concern that an unknown number of Palestinian women and
children, including girls, have reportedly gone missing after contact with the
Israeli army in Gaza.
"There
are disturbing reports of at least one female infant forcibly transferred by
the Israeli army into Israel and of children being separated from their parents,
whose whereabouts remain unknown," they said.
"We
remind the government of Israel of its obligation to uphold the right to life,
safety, health, and dignity of Palestinian women and girls and to ensure that
no one is subjected to violence, torture, ill-treatment, or degrading
treatment, including sexual violence," the experts said.
They
called for an independent, impartial, prompt, thorough, and effective
investigation into the allegations and for Israel to cooperate with such
investigations.
"Taken
together, these alleged acts may constitute grave violations of international
human rights and humanitarian law and amount to serious crimes under
international criminal law that could be prosecuted under the Rome
Statute," the experts said.
Source:
aa.com.tr
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/un-experts-appalled-by-reported-rights-violations-against-palestinian-women-girls/3142105
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Afreen
Akhter to become first US official to visit Dhaka since Jan 7 polls
Feb
20, 2024
US
Deputy Assistant Secretary at the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs
Afreen Akhter will arrive in Dhaka on a three-day visit on February 24,
diplomatic sources confirmed today.
It
will be the first visit by any US official after the January 7 elections.
The
visit is aimed at taking forward the bilateral relations that saw strains over
the last two years as Washington imposed sanctions against Rab and did not
invite Bangladesh to Biden's Summit for Democracy in 2021 and 2023.
In
May last year, the US also announced a visa policy, saying it would deny visas
to Bangladeshis who undermine the democratic process.
Following
the elections, the US State Department in a statement said the elections were
not free and fair. It, however, said the US would deepen people-to-people
contact, economic partnership in the context of greater Indo-Pacific Strategy.
Afreen
Akhter, who also visited Bangladesh before the elections, is likely to hold
meeting with senior officials of the foreign ministry and discuss development
partnership, trade, the Rohingya crisis, etc.
During
her previous visit on October 16-17 last year, she met senior government
officials, civil society members, Rohingya refugees, and representatives from
humanitarian organisations. She also visited the Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar.
At a
briefing at the Foreign Press Centre in Washington on February 14, she told
journalists that Washington is focusing on engaging civil society, labour
organisations and media to build institutions that will enable Bangladesh to become
more democratic.
"We
are really wanting to focus on building up the institutions of democracy, the
levers of democracy, in Bangladesh," she said.
Source:
thedailystar.net
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/afreen-akhter-become-first-us-official-visit-dhaka-jan-7-polls-3548481
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Women
wrestlers grappling their way to recognition in Jordan
February
20, 2024
Jordan,
the Middle East and Asia are in for a major treat early this summer. The first
Arab Women’s Wrestling Championship will be held in May followed by the Asian
Wrestling Championship in June — all in the capital Amman.
For
the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport
Wrestling
is one of the world’s oldest sports, but female wrestling, now among the
fastest-growing athletic pursuits in many parts of the planet, is relatively
new. Women’s wrestling became an Olympic sport a little over two decades ago
when it was approved for the 2000 Games in Japan.
In
Jordan, women’s wrestling began just two years ago and has already made huge
progress, according to Iran-born world medalistAfsoon Johnston, who was gushing
in praise for the nation’s female athletes during her visit to the country in
February. “I was pleasantly surprised that in such a short time how much
progress has been made. I am excited about the future of girls and women’s
wrestling in Jordan,” she told Arab News.
Johnston
hopes this will be the first of many visits, calling Jordan a “beautiful and
hospitable country.” She, along with several other world-class women wrestlers,
held wrestling clinics and met the country’s top sports leaders as Jordan
prepares to host the two big regional female events.
Rana
Al-Saeed, secretary-general of the Jordan Olympic Committee, told Arab News
that the Jordan Wrestling Federation began to revive female wrestling by
forming national teams. “They contributed to shedding more light on this sport
and encouraging girls in Jordan to learn about this sport first and then
motivate them to practice it,” she told Arab News. Al-Saeed said that the Jordan
Olympic Committee supports the wrestling federation’s bid to develop the sport
for men and women.
The
responsibility for the success of the sport falls on the shoulders of Mohammed
Al-Awamleh, president of the Jordan Wrestling Federation. His vision and
perseverance have already created significant momentum. “We have more than
tripled the number of Jordanian clubs participating in wrestling from six to
21, and the number of certified women wrestling referees has nearly doubled
from nine to 19,” he said.
Dan
Russell, a former wrestler who has made Amman his home for the past five years,
has assisted in developing the sport in the country and the region. “As the
ambassador for Wrestling for Peace in Jordan, I am proud of the hard work and
intentional grassroots efforts to grow opportunities for boys and girls to
participate in the sport of Olympic wrestling. I am committed to helping the
Jordan Olympic Committee and the Jordan Wrestling Federation accomplish their
outstanding efforts. It was my honor to introduce the Jordan Wrestling
Federation to some of the best global leaders in the sport of wrestling.”
Russell,
who is also board secretary of the US Wrestling Foundation, says that the idea
of getting women in the Middle East to wrestle professionally is a goal of the
NGO he runs. “This Wrestling for Peace initiative included outstanding
delegates from Titan Mercury Wrestling Club, Hoomanities, and Wrestle Like a
Girl, bringing their expertise to support the growth and development of Olympic
wrestling in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.”
Al-Awamleh
and Russell are not the only ones working for women’s wrestling. Jordanians in
leadership positions are also supportive. Sally Roberts, CEO of Wrestle Like a
Girl and two-time women’s wrestling world medalist, was excited to fulfill an
invitation by her former board member to visit Jordan and meet some of them.
In
Amman, Prince Ali Ben Hussein, the chair of the Jordanian Football Federation
and brother of King Abdullah, invited Roberts and the entire group of world-famous
wrestlers to dinner the same day Jordan’s football team returned from gaining
the silver medal in the Asia Cup in Qatar. Roberts praised the development of
the sport in Jordan, calling it “an exemplary example of the promise and
possibilities for the girls and women in the region and worldwide. From the
wrestling mat to the boardroom, women’s leadership is on the rise, and we look
forward to working with all communities to make the hopes and dreams of
everyone a reality.”
But
despite Jordan’s upbeat attitude regarding the big championships they will be
hosting, it is clear that many women will not be able to participate in the
sport. Dress codes, set by the Swiss-based United World Wrestling Association
make it difficult for devout Muslim women to participate. The traditional
Islamic headcover, the hijab, is forbidden, as are uniforms with long sleeves.
Al-Awamleh, however, is not overly concerned. “I know that these are difficult
requirements that will mean we will not be able to include many good athletic
women on our rooster, but we are confident that we can eventually reverse this
rule.”
Al-Awamleh’s
confidence comes from the fact that Prince Ali had successfully reversed a
similar dress code by FIFA for women’s football players. “One of the things we
are hoping that the UWW leadership will realize when we host the championship
is the importance of this sport and the need for it to be inclusive to all
athletes and not to discriminate against some for their religious attire.”
Asian countries like Iran have always done well in men’s wrestling
championships, but as Afsoon says in a book distributed in Jordan about her
life, it will take some time before we see Iranian women on the mat.
One
person who may help sway the UWW board is US wrestling celebrity, Hooman D.
Tavakolian, also of Iranian origin and part of the visiting delegation to
Jordan. Tavakolian is an accomplished wrestler, businessperson, and member of
the UWW board. Founder of the Hoomanities NGO, and board member of the Mercury
Titan Wrestling Club, Hooman explains the attitudes he witnessed during his
visit to Jordan which he says left “indelible marks” on his heart.
“The
spirit, fortitude, and vision of the Jordanian Wrestling Federation to grow the
opportunities for women in wrestling at all levels and welcoming all women in
Jordan to the wrestling mat is an example for the rest of the region and world
to emulate. The warmth and generosity of the people of Jordan are incredible
and I am honored to have been welcomed. I am so excited for the future of
women’s wrestling in Jordan and for the inclusion of all Jordanian and Arab
women who wish to participate in this sport that builds resilience, character,
and confidence.”
At
the end of the visit to Jordan, the American wrestling-related NGOs signed
agreements with the Jordan Wrestling Federation, aimed at strengthening
cooperation. They will exchange experts — coaches, wrestlers and referees — and
participate in the camps, conferences and championships in Jordan and the US.
Wrestle Like a Girl will support a coach from the US for six to 12 months in
Jordan and will provide scholarships from a recognized university in the US for
the athletes. Critically, all US-based NGOs have committed to support the
project of allowing female athletes with hijab to participate in international
tournaments.
Speaking
to reporters at the end of the visit Roberts said wrestling was more than just
a sport. “Win or lose, for many women wrestling is an important step in
building confidence, self-esteem, and knowing that she can always defend
herself in any circumstance.”
Source:
arabnews.com
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2463211/sport
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WFP
announces aid for 6 million malnourished women and children in Afghanistan
Fidel
Rahmati
February
19, 2024
The
World Food Programme has announced that to reduce malnutrition in Afghanistan,
they have distributed food to approximately 6 million women and children
suffering from malnutrition.
The
organization stated in a message on its social media platform X, on Sunday,
February 18th, that these aids were distributed with the support of the CBPF
institution.
Previously,
the World Food Programme, a United Nations agency, had stated that they
distributed specific malnutrition supplies to over 4 million women and children
in Afghanistan.
This
comes as the rates of malnutrition among women and children in Afghanistan have
increased, becoming a serious concern.
Both
the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have consistently warned about
the high levels of malnutrition in Afghanistan.
According
to OCHA’s report, approximately 15.5 million people are facing acute food
insecurity, with 2.7 million of them in emergencies.
The
committee emphasizes that in the coming year, climate change, economic
pressures, increased impunity, and reduced international support will
accelerate humanitarian crises worldwide.
This
comes as human rights organizations have consistently emphasized the need to
address poverty and hunger among women and children in Afghanistan.
Source:
khaama.com
https://www.khaama.com/wfp-announces-aid-for-6-million-malnourished-women-and-children-in-afghanistan/
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/turkish-feyza-altun-sharia-turkish/d/131760