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Express Tribune
13 hours ago
- General
- Express Tribune
War on women
Another Muharram approaches. Once again, we will gather and mourn wearing black while remembering a tyrant's violence and a family's sacrifice. But let this not be another year where we ritualistically grieve Karbala and then return to silencing our women. Let this not be another Muharram where we cry over Yazid's cruelty while enabling our own. Because if not for a woman, Islam wouldn't have survived. Not the Quran you recite. Not the Hadith you forwarded. Not the faith you gatekeep while violating every principle it upholds. Islam would never have made it past its earliest trials, political boycotts, economic starvation and rebellions, if it weren't carried on the backs, in the arms, and through the voices of women. Before Islam had a following, it had Bibi Khadijah (RA), not just a supporter, but the first believer. A businesswoman. A strategist. A financier. The one who bankrolled the mission of the Prophet (PBUH) when no man dared. When Quraysh exiled him, it was her caravan, her gold, her unwavering faith that sheltered him. It was Bibi Fatima (AS) who bore the lineage through which the Ahlul Bayt lived on. The axis of legacy. The embodiment of strength in grief. It was Aisha (RA) who brilliantly narrated over 2,000 hadith and debated scholars. Her voice helped shape the jurisprudence we now cite while refusing to let women speak in the same rooms. And then came Bibi Zainab (AS), shattered, shackled, but unafraid. After Karbala had become a graveyard and her brother Imam Hussain (AS) lay slaughtered in the sand, it was she who rose, not with weapons, but with words. Dragged to the court of Yazid, surrounded by mockery, she did not ask for mercy. She gave a sermon. She didn't break. She broke him. She was not just surviving. She was defying. And yet today, in a land that recites their names in every sermon, we silence their daughters. We call it modesty when we erase them. We call it culture when we kill them. We turn their resistance into relics, then light candles at their graves. As though mourning without action ever saved anyone. In 2024 alone, over 5,200 cases of gender-based violence were reported in Pakistan — murders, rapes, forced marriages, suicides, disappearances. We call our daughters Zainab, but fear their fire. We call them Aisha, but shush their speech. We call them Khadijah, but question their independence. We call them Fatima, but scorn their principles. We want them quiet. Covered. Passive. We fear their intellect, police their tone and question their clothing. Every year, we mourn the tragedies of the past and the violence of now and walk in processions. We cry for Karbala and for today's graves. And then? We go back. Back to honour killings, child brides, acid attacks. To clerics who blame women, politicians who mock abuse, courts that shame victims, and homes where daughters are silenced. We mourn the dead but never protect the living. Guilt has never been enough. You cannot grieve Karbala and ignore the women being buried in your own neighbourhood. You cannot claim love for Imam Hussain (AS) while tolerating Yazid's spirit in your own actions. If your grief does not make you just, then it is performance. If your rituals don't translate into compassion, then they are empty. If you cry for the women of Islam but ignore the pain of living women, then you are the problem. Because Karbala was not just a battlefield. It was a woman with a voice. And she didn't whisper. Because Muharram will come and go. But the Yazid of today doesn't need a throne; he rules from homes, offices, police stations, pulpits, parliaments, WhatsApp groups, comment sections, and benches. All he needs is a gun, a platform, and our silence. And too many others, like the armies that watched Karbala unfold, just looked away. Had Bibi Zainab stayed silent, you wouldn't even have a story to tell. So tell it. Live it. Let this be the year your grief grows a spine.
The Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Sun
Kemas teacher salary scheme to be revised
BANGI: The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) will review the salary scheme for Community Development Department (Kemas) teachers, aiming to elevate their role and better protect their welfare. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the welfare of Kemas teachers, whether in terms of allowances, promotion opportunities, social protection or recognition, must be prioritised and structured appropriately. 'To raise outstanding children, we must start by uplifting their educators. We cannot expect extraordinary results if our teachers are only provided with the bare minimum. 'That is why I want a comprehensive and phased strategic improvement plan implemented for Kemas educators,' said Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, when launching the Kemas Educators' Day celebration here today. Also present were KKDW secretary-general Datuk Muhd Khair Razman Mohamed Annuar and Kemas director-general Datuk Mohd Hanafiah Man. Ahmad Zahid expressed confidence that with continued support, focused training, and a work ecosystem that values its educators, Malaysia could nurture more dynamic and competitive Kemas teachers who remain the backbone of community education in the country. Meanwhile, he said KKDW aims to establish at least one kindergarten (tabika) for children with special needs in every district nationwide by 2027. He said this effort was to ensure that children with special needs are not left behind in receiving early education through the implementation of the Tabika Tunas Istimewa@Kemas, which begins this year. 'This initiative will start in Melaka this year. God willing, we will try to ensure that no Malaysian child is left behind in accessing early education, regardless of their circumstances,' he said. On the Smart Classroom@Kemas project, a pilot initiative for smart classrooms introduced by Kemas, Ahmad Zahid said it would be a game changer in propelling the early childhood education system into the digital era. 'My aspiration is for at least one smart kindergarten to be established in every district by 2026,' he said, expressing hope that skills-based education, such as technical and vocational education and training (TVET), could begin from an early stage. Ahmad Zahid also expressed pride in other Kemas achievements, including the graduation of 61,032 young huffaz (Quran memorisers) through the Kemas Pre-Tahfiz Programme at 4,229 centres. 'This programme is one of the major accomplishments that I consider a game changer in the early childhood education system. Starting with just 100 kindergartens in 2023, the programme has seen rapid growth. 'God willing, by 2026, we are targeting more than 9,700 Tabika Kemas to be involved, with the participation of over 145,000 young huffaz, surpassing our initial target of 140,000,' he said. He added that to date, Kemas operates 10,567 kindergartens and 577 nurseries (taska) nationwide, providing care and early education to 221,012 children from diverse backgrounds.
What's On
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- What's On
13 relaxing things to plan in the UAE for next week's long weekend
A long weekend is coming soon, which means more time to do the things you've been putting off. If you're a culture crawler, art enthusiast or just generally want a relaxed, slow weekend. there is no shortage of experiences across the UAE. Take your pick. For the art aficionados Catch an art exhibition at The Third Line Sunrise At The Vortex, the second solo exhibition by artist Nima Nabavi on display at The Third Line, features a selection of new works made by the artist between 2022 and 2025. The pieces are rooted in his travels to sites across the world considered to be energy centers by different communities. Offer: Free entry Location: The Third Line, Alserkal Avenue Times: Until July 27, daily, 11am to 7pm Contact: ( 0) 4 341 1367 @thethirdlinedxb Discover stunning art for less at The Louvre Louvre Abu Dhabi is welcoming visitors for less this summer season. UAE residents can get a 30% discount on tickets for the summer season when booking online. Valid until September 30. One ticket gives you access to the museum galleries, exhibitions, outdoor plazas underneath the dome, museum café, Fouquet's Abu Dhabi and boutique. Book your spot here. Offer: Residents get 30% off Location: Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island Timings: Until September 30 Contact: (600) 565566 @louvreabudhabi Do a pottery workshop at The Workshop The Workshop is hosting a coil pottery workshop, hosted by Shahid Malik. At the workshop, you'll learn everything it is you need to know about making coil pots, one of the oldest forms of pottery dating back 10,000 years. All materials to be provided by the workshop. Offer: Dhs294 per person Location: The Workshop Dubai, Jumeirah Timings: Sunday, June 29, 6.30pm to 8.30pm Contact: (0) 4 341 2595 @louvreabudhabi For the culture crawlers Discover the Silk Road at Bait Elowal Bait Elowal in Sharjah is a cultural hotspot, if there ever was one. The restaurant cum concept store cum library marries the rich trading legacy of Sharjah with the colourful past of the Silk Road, a concept awakened with Emirati identity, values and customs. Read all about it here. Location: Bait Elowal, Al Marija, Sharjah Timings: Saturday to Thursday, 8am to 11pm, Friday, 8am to 12pm, 1pm to 11pm Contact: (0) 6 509 0666 @baitelowal Explore a heritage village at Al Jazeera Al Hamra This stunning heritage village is the only remaining historical pearling village in the entire Gulf region; the rest were demolished with the discovery of oil. The neighbourhood is incredibly quintessential, with all the elements like a fort and watchtowers, mosque, souq and extensive courtyard houses of various designs. Location: Jazeera Al Hamra, Ras Al Khaimah Contact: @visitrasalkhaimah Get lost in a library at Mohammed Bin Rashid Library This is one structure you won't miss when you drive by it. The Mohammed Bin Rashid Library is located by the Al Jaddaf Waterfront and is designed to look like a book on a giant rehl, which is the wooden stand that holds the Quran when it is read– quite appropriate for a library. Location: Mohammed Bin Rashid Library, Al Jaddaf Timings: Saturday to Thursday, 9am to 9pm, Friday, 7pm to 9pm, closed on Sundays Contact: ( 800) 627523 @mbrlae For the beach babies Do a night swim at DRIFT Beach For the first time ever, guests can take a dip in the stunning infinity pool and stroll the beach after dark. Running every Friday and Saturday from 7pm to midnight, this elegant evening experience comes with chilled beats, upscale vibes, and a fully redeemable Dhs200 entry on food and drinks. Offer: Dhs200 Location: DRIFT Beach, Dubai Marina Timings: Friday and Saturday, 7pm to 12am Contact: (0) 4 315 2200 @driftbeachdubai Go boundless swimming at Nessnass Beach Jumeirah Public Beach, also lovingly known by locals as Nessnass Beach, is a serene stretch of sand and pristine waters, and the hotspot for watersports in Dubai. It's one of the few beaches in the city that allows night swimming, with powerful floodlights and lifeguards watching out at all times making this possible. Do an ice bath workshop at AURA Skypool AURA Skypool is hosting an ice bath workshop every Saturday morning, perfect to relax and recharge. Immerse yourself in the power of breathwork and meditation to cultivate inner calm and clarity followed by a healthy and nutritious breakfast. Offer: Dhs475 per person Location: AURA Skypool, The Palm Tower Timings: Saturdays, 7.45am to 9am Contact: (0) 4 566 2121 @ For the wellness fiends Have a dreamy spa day at Talise Spa Talise Spa at Madinat Jumeirah is offering a weekend spa day pass – think a 60-minute bespoke aromatherapy massage and complimentary access to all spa facilities including sauna, steam room, warm and cold plunge pools and adult only spa swimming pool. For that much needed TLC. Offer: Dhs980 per person Location: Talise Spa, Madinat Jumeirah Timings: Saturdays and Sundays Contact: (0) 4 366 6818 @talisespa Take a sound healing class at SOHUM Wellness SOHUM Wellness is offering Pyramid Sound Healing and Journaling classes for those who want to try something new and connect with their deepest chakras. Inside the pyramid, crystal frequencies and guided meditation will help guests realign their chakras, while deep journaling uncovers the emotional layers within. Offer: Dhs210 per person Location: SOHUM Wellness, Al Quoz Timings: Saturdays Contact: (0) 4 397 0271 @ For the movie and theatre buffs Catch a movie at Cinema Akil Everyone's favourite independent arthouse cinema and the go-to spot for alternative watching is bringing a curation that's hot like the summer we're in right now – big, bold and bizarre films that will make you feel more deeply than you ever have, from heady trips to moody flicks and a mind-bending, mind-boggling sci-fi flick. Offer: Dhs56.70 per ticket Location: Cinema Akil, Alserkal Avenue Timings: Find the schedule here Contact: (0) 56 995 1225 @cinemaakil Catch a play at The Junction Nikolai Gogol's The Government Inspector is a razor-sharp satire that skewers corruption, exposes absurdity, and delivers laughs in every scene. The plot follows a case of mistaken identity and a town full of corrupt, greedy officials. Comedy and satire combined – what more do you need. Offer: Dhs120 per ticket Location: The Junction, Alserkal Avenue Timings: June 27 to 29, 7pm to 10pm Contact: (0) 4 338 8525 @cinemaakil Images: Socials
Indian Express
2 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
The story of Kolkata's oldest attar shop and its Awadh origins
Seated at the rear of his shop, Neyazuddin Allah Bukhsh — a tall, sturdy man — carefully penned down the names of seven generations before him and the one after: his daughter and his brother's son. As the eighth generation to run Haji Khuda Bukhsh Nabi Bukhsh, a 200-year-old attar store on Maulana Shaukat Ali Street in Calcutta, Neyazuddin Allah Bukhsh says attar flows in his veins like blood. From the outside, the store appears to be a modest, one-room space, with cupboards on either side stacked with attar bottles, and walls decorated with quotes from the Quran. While Bukhsh sits on a wooden chair at the back, the others at the store, when not busy fetching attar bottles, are seated on a mattress facing the street. 'I talk about our history as often as I sell attar bottles,' Bukhsh laughs. His ground-floor store is part of an old, double-storey building that once served as the criminal court of Siraj-ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal. 'Attar makes you a jollier person, it uplifts your mind and mood,' he exclaims with excitement. What draws even devoted perfume-users, Bukhsh says, is attar's staying capacity. From the arrival of his forefathers in Calcutta in the 1800s to the turbulent Partition of British India, this is the story of the city's oldest attar store told through the eyes of Bukhsh. The origins of attar can be traced back centuries to Ayurveda. In The Lost Generation (2020), author Nidhi Dugar Kundalia says the earliest distillation of attar was mentioned in the Ayurvedic text Charaka Samhita, which elaborated on its healing effects. 'Varahamihira, the fifth-century scholar, jots down the method to create the bakula scent by extracting the essence from seashells by the method of distillation.' The seventh-century text, Harshacharita, also mentioned the use of agarwood oil in perfuming rooms. However, British author Roy Genders, in his book Perfume Through the Ages (1972), argues that the tenth-century Arabian doctor Avicenna was the first to obtain the oil of flowers (attar) by distillation. Kalidasa, in his poem Shakuntala, wrote that perfumes were used both for personal and religious rites. 'Sacrifices, consisting of fires of scented wood, were offered in the temples of Brahma, Vishnu, Siva and the flames were fed with a consecrated ointment and ringed with leaves of the sacred herb 'rusa',' notes Genders. The Mughals popularised the use of attar by fragrancing their palaces, perfuming themselves, and their women. 'The women in the Mughal harem were educated in the art of enticement through fragrances, using motiar (jasmine) when the men were tired, and khus when it was hot,' writes Kundalia. Bukhsh's forefathers were attar-sellers in Lucknow's Hazratganj and Aminabad, then part of the region of Awadh. However, 'British oppression,' he reckons, was the reason they moved to Calcutta. 'They would regularly supply attar to the Bengali babus in Calcutta,' he said, adding, 'it made sense for them to move here, given how difficult the British were making life in Lucknow.' Sheikh Dahan, his son Haji Jaan Mohammad and grandson Haji Khuda Bukhsh were the first three to move to Calcutta. They set up a house on Baithakkhana Road and a factory in Beliaghata in central Calcutta. 'We were the first attar-wallahs in Calcutta,' he remarks with pride. The selection of attars sold, however, was limited: shamama, musk amber, and henna. There was a lot of emphasis on flowers like rajnigandha, bela, and chameli, says Bukhsh. The customer base for the Bukhsh family in this new city was predominantly Bengali. 'Britishers barely bought attar. You see, Bengalis are naturally joyful and artistic, just as an attar-loving person should be,' he remarked. When asked what art had to do with attar, Bukhsh explained: 'Making attar is also an art, it is like an invention. It takes about 20-25 days to make, and all by hand.' From Calcutta, attar was also exported to Burma (Myanmar), Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. The Partition of British India changed things for Haji Khuda Bukhsh Nabi Bukhsh. 'Refugees arrived in large numbers from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and settled in Beliaghata, which compelled us to give up the factory in the area.' Since then, however, no other political movement has disrupted business. 'That was the last time we faced a loss,' Bukhsh said, sounding grateful. Motilal Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and Liaqat Ali Khan were among the notable visitors at the store. An interesting observation, made by Bukhsh, was the use of attar by these men as a form of pleasure. Historian Seema Bawa, in her 2021 book Locating Pleasure in Indian History, concurs with this view: 'Perfumes, incense and ittar/attar were some of the highly prized luxuries… like hearing music or watching a performance, the experience was ephemeral.' At this point, Bukhsh was interrupted by a regular visitor who urged him to talk about his 'customer-identifying skills.' Modestly, Bukhsh replied: 'I've been in the business long enough to identify the mood and desire of customers. Some come looking for attars to woo their beloved, others are nursing a broken heart.' While he laughed that he had never received formal training in attar-selling, he acknowledged that he had never once upset a customer with his choice of attar. 'Women love lavender and jasmine; it calms you down,' he said with a quirky smile. Explaining the process, he said petals are plucked and then brewed in water on a wood fire overnight. The distilled liquid is transferred through a bamboo pipe to a clay receiver, the bhapka. 'Once distillation is complete, the mixture is poured into a leather bottle called a kuppi to allow the mixture to settle and any remaining water to evaporate through the leather,' notes author Elise Vernon Pearlstine in Scent: A Natural History of Fragrance (2022). 'But the time between cutting the flowers and making the attar is crucial because the petals lose their essence with every second,' writes Kundalia. The most important step, though, is monitoring the flame of the stove. 'Not more, not less,' Bukhsh asserts. Haji Khuda Bukhsh Nabi Bukhsh now occupies a crammed corner of a bustling street dotted with shops. Amid the crowd, sweat, and stress, the smell of attar prevails. While the market for imported perfumes has significantly risen, attar continues to be cherished and used. 'Perfumes wear off in 5-6 hours, whereas attar stays in your clothes for at least 24 hours.' The latter, he reiterated, was also handmade and free of alcohol. 'This is also why Hindus use attar on their deities,' Bukhsh added. Attars do not have an expiry date, but they can last over 4-5 years if properly stored and the knob tightly sealed. 'Some attars can be used all year round, whereas others are seasonal,' Bukhsh noted. Oudh, musk, henna, and shamama, for instance, are more suited for winter months. While the material of the bottle may not affect the aroma, the history behind it is fascinating. The earliest containers were made from goat skin, later replaced by wooden bottles, and eventually by aluminium, plastic, and glass. 'Cut-glass attar bottles were introduced in the 1900s; we imported several such from Belgium around a hundred years ago,' opined Bukhsh. 'I use the attar my grandfather once wore,' he said, smiling. 'While the man is long gone, the smell lingers.' Nikita writes for the Research Section of focusing on the intersections between colonial history and contemporary issues, especially in gender, culture, and sport. For suggestions, feedback, or an insider's guide to exploring Calcutta, feel free to reach out to her at ... Read More
Observer
3 days ago
- General
- Observer
‘Basaer' religious initiative launched to empower women
The Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, represented by the Women's Education and Guidance Department, has launched Basaer, a religious initiative aimed at deepening the understanding and appreciation of the Holy Quran. The event was held under the auspices of Her Highness Sayyidah Dr Rawnaq bint Turki al Said. The initiative targets over 200 women from various governmental and private institutions in Muscat Governorate, including Quran teachers, religious guides and female employees. Basaer seeks to instil love and reverence for the Holy Quran, promoting its values and teachings as a guiding light for both personal and community life. 'This initiative carries profound spiritual significance that Omani women need in their life journey,' said Her Highness Sayyidah Dr Rawnaq. 'It represents a path to a happy and fulfilling life today and in the future, rooted in the teachings of the Holy Quran.' She urged women to actively engage in such initiatives, noting that they offer invaluable opportunities to acquire religious knowledge and insight. The opening day featured a keynote address by Shamsa al Rahbi, Director of the Women's Education and Guidance Department, who highlighted the importance of adhering to the principles and teachings of true Islam, as revealed in the Holy Quran. She emphasised that true happiness and goodness in this life are found through obedience to divine guidance. The programme also included two working papers: 'The Message of Man in This Life, and the Role of the Holy Quran in Bringing Happiness to Humanity', presented by Dr Thuraya al Barashdi, and 'Real-Life Experiences of Individuals and Families Who Benefited from the Holy Quran', presented by Shamsa al Rahbi. At the conclusion of the day's proceedings, Her Highness Sayyidah Dr Rawnaq honoured the participating institutions and the speakers for their contributions to the initiative. - ONA
