Top news headline this week
france banning abayas
Education minister, Gabriel Attal, announced the ban of the abaya in state schools stating that “When you walk into a classroom, you shouldn’t be able to identify the pupils’ religion just by looking at them.”
France has been accused of extremist secularism after this new legislation follows follows their previous ban on the hijab, and the burkini in earlier years, as well as other religious symbols such as the Jewish Kippa and the Christian Cross.
Many have questioned the logistics of this new ruling and how it will be enforced, rightly stating that the abaya resembles a maxi full sleeved dress. Attal responded stating that “we will look at the face of the student to determine the religiousness of the dress”, creating an even greater outrage and sparking concerns of fascism.
Many Muslims on social media have gone as far as encouraging a boycott on France due to their extreme secularism. However, many have rebutted with the argument that there is still a population of Muslims in France that cannot be isolated and must be supported. Saeedah Haque, a designer from London bringing modest streetwear clothing announced that to combat France’s new legislation, she will launch an exclusive drop of her latest ‘hoodie abayas’ to France only, claiming that “they can’t ban hoodies.”
What do you think about France’s clear extension of secularism? Are they going too far?
To read more visit:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/28/france-to-ban-girls-from-wearing-abayas-in-state-schools
Rubiales defends inappropriate world cup kiss
Spanish FA President Luis Rubiales faces widespread global criticism after kissing Spain’s Jennifer Hermoso during the awards ceremony following Spain’s 1-0 victory to England at the Women’s World Cup Final.
Rubiales claims that he is being attacked by “false feminism”, and that Hermoso consented to the kiss. This statement was denied by Hermoso in an Instagram Live. Hermoso made it clear that she would not continue playing for the team “while the current leaders remain”, with 80 other players standing by her.
Facing pressures to resign, Rubiales makes a new statement, still denying his inappropriate actions, stating that “the spontaneity and happiness of the historic moment led us to carry out a mutual and consented act, the product of great enthusiasm.”
What makes this worse is not his constant denial of the truth, but more so that such a momentous occasion which should have been celebrated on the news has now been tarnished by Rubiales’ misogynistic behaviour. It has sparked conversations regarding the perception of women in sports and the blatant double standards, with this behaviour never being seen in men’s football.
To read more visit:
https://www.si.com/fannation/soccer/futbol/news/jennifer-hermoso-full-statement-luis-rubiales-rfef-spain
https://news.sky.com/story/luis-rubiales-under-fire-spanish-fa-president-again-defends-mutual-and-consented-world-cup-final-kiss-12952611
indian teacher asks students to slap a muslim classmate
An ongoing investigation in India is being widely discussed after a viral video shows a teacher encouraging students to slap their Muslim classmates for “not knowing his times tables.” This incident took place in Muzaffarnagar district in northern Uttar Pradesh state, with the disturbing video showing the 7-year old boy anxiously staring at his classmates as they are told to repeatedly slap him. The boy cries with background noises of laughter and further rallying by the teacher.
Allegedly, the teacher stated that “When the mothers of Mohammedan (one who follows Islam) students don’t pay attention to their children’s studies, their performance is ruined.”
The teacher has not yet been charged but the district officials have closed down the school.
This horrific event adds fuel to the already growing fire of clashes between the Muslims and the BJP, due to the ruling party’s nationalist sentiments that have mainly been at the expense of the Muslims in India. According to CNN, a study by economist Deepankar Basu noted a 786% increase in hate crimes against all minorities between 2014 and 2018, following the BJP’s election victory.
To read more visit:
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/08/28/india/india-muslim-student-slapped-teacher-video-intl-hnk/index.html
taliban placing more restrictions on women
Human Rights groups have condemned the Taliban’s new restrictions on women in Afghanistan. This includes stopping them from visiting one of the country’s most popular national parks, and prohibiting them from going to the UAE on academic scholarships.
Amnesty International criticised the Taliban’s latest restriction on women’s education by stopping them from travelling to Dubai for their university studies. Around 100 women hoped to start a new chapter of their life in Dubai, achieving complete scholarships, but have now had this opportunity snatched away from them.
Laila said their scholarships were their “only hope to go abroad to continue our education”.
This ‘war on women’ continues as the Taliban instated a ban on women visiting Band-e-Amir national park, apparently stating that female visitors were not covering up.
HRW Associate Women’s Rights Director Heather Barr told AFP the decision to ban women was “cruel in a very intentional way”.
Arguably, the Taliban justify their decisions on the basis of Sharia law, even though Islam not only permits, but encourages women to be educated. “Searching for knowledge is compulsory for every Muslim male and Muslim female.”– Hadith of Prophet Mohammed (Pbuh), recorded in Hadith Collection Ibn Majah.
To read more visit:
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/28/rights-groups-condemn-talibans-new-curbs-on-womens-education-movement
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