Latest news with #Amira
Shafaq News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Stateless in their homeland: The unending exile of Iraq's Feyli Kurds
Shafaq News/ In the quiet alleys of eastern Baghdad, Amira Abdul-Amir Ali moves through her days under the weight of silence. Her footsteps echo with decades of exclusion—an exile not from geography, but from legal existence. Born in 1960 and raised in Iraq, she remains, at 64, a citizen of nowhere. No official record affirms her Iraqi identity. Her life is suspended in a bureaucratic void—without recognition, rights, or recourse. Amira's story mirrors that of tens of thousands of Feyli Kurds, a Shiite Kurdish minority deeply woven into Iraq's social and economic fabric. For generations, they ran businesses, held public posts, and called Iraq home. But shifting political tides erased that belonging. Displacement by Decree The persecution of the Feyli Kurds was deliberate and protracted. In the early 1970s, the Baath regime under President Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr initiated mass deportations, accusing Feylis of 'Iranian allegiance.' Under Saddam Hussein, the campaign intensified, peaking in 1980 with one of Iraq's most egregious state-led displacements. Citizenship papers vanished overnight. Families were rounded up and forced into Iran. Homes, shops, and savings were confiscated. Over 500,000 Feyli Kurds were expelled, according to estimates. Thousands of young men disappeared, likely executed or buried in unmarked graves. Baghdad's Feyli professionals and merchants were among the hardest hit. The Iraqi Ministry of Human Rights reports that more than 1.3 million people went missing nationwide between 1980 and 1990. Feyli Kurds bore a disproportionate share of that toll. Recognition Without Relief In 2010, Iraq's High Criminal Court classified the deportations and disappearances as genocide. A year later, Parliament echoed that recognition. Yet these acknowledgments, while historic, brought little in practice. Pledges to restore citizenship, return property, and compensate victims remain largely unfulfilled. Many survivors returned to Iraq after the 2003 fall of Saddam Hussein—hopeful, but soon entangled in a labyrinth of paperwork. Reinstating citizenship required documents lost during exile or raids, and the state offered scant support in recovering them. A Name Without a Nation Amira's life exemplifies this bureaucratic limbo. Deported with her family in 1980, she spent decades in Iran. There, she married an Iraqi prisoner of war in a religious ceremony—valid by custom, but unregistered by Iraqi authorities. After returning to Iraq post-2003, her husband failed to submit her nationality paperwork. When he died, Amira was left alone, legally invisible. She holds no national ID, cannot access public healthcare or education, and is excluded from Iraq's food ration system. 'All I ask is to be treated like everyone else,' she told Shafaq News. 'To restore just a piece of my lost dignity.' Her entire legal identity today fits in a worn file folder—an unregistered marriage contract, a few aging residency papers—none sufficient to restore her rights. Bureaucracy and Gender Iraqi law allows reinstatement of Feyli citizenship in principle, but implementation is sluggish and inconsistent. For women, the hurdles are even greater. Iraq's civil registry system still leans heavily on male guardianship. Without a husband or male relative to file her case, Amira has effectively vanished from official records. Her experience reveals how gender compounds legal exclusion. Years in exile, outdated rules, and systemic corruption create a maze most cannot navigate. Her case is just one of hundreds stuck in this legal paralysis. Human Rights Watch has noted that Iraq's transitional justice efforts are undermined by fragmented politics and selective enforcement. Legal structures exist, but urgency and willpower are lacking. Genocide as Daily Reality The 2010 genocide ruling was a milestone—but more than a decade later, material justice remains absent. Property has not been restored. Compensation has not reached most victims. And citizenship remains elusive for many. Some Feyli Kurds have reintegrated. But others—like Amira—live in legal shadows. For them, 'genocide' is not merely a past crime—it is a daily condition. 'I live as though I have no right to anything… no home, no document, no voice,' Amira said. 'Orphaned by both parents—I just want to be treated as an Iraqi. That's all.' A Humanitarian Path Forward Amira continues to appeal to Iraqi leaders—especially Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and Interior Minister Abdul-Amir al-Shammari—seeking a humanitarian solution. Iraqi law does include provisions for exceptional cases, particularly involving mixed marriages and displaced persons, but they are rarely and inconsistently applied. Human rights advocates stress the need for urgent administrative reform: simplify application procedures, recognize informal marriages in exile, and allow women to reclaim citizenship without male intermediaries. The United Nations defines legal identity as a foundational right—one that enables access to education, healthcare, political participation, and economic life. Without it, individuals are effectively erased from public existence.
The Guardian
23-05-2025
- The Guardian
‘Anything Roman, I'm fascinated': hiking Hadrian's Wall with a Muslim women's walking group
As far as walls go, they don't get much more epic than Hadrian's. Stretching 73 miles across the north of England from Bowness-on-Solway to Wallsend, it connects two coasts, 14 forts and huge sweeps of scenic countryside. It's still inspiring a sense of awe almost 2,000 years after its creation, as Amira, Ayisha and Najma – three of the organisers behind Muslim hiking and adventure group the Wanderlust Women – discovered. Venturing from the rocky crags of Steel Rigg to Houseteads, Britain's best-preserved Roman fort, via the Sycamore Gap memorial, they discovered some of the wall's most spectacular sites. 'You can feel the history here, just being able to see all the ruins and everything. The landscape is so vast and so beautiful. It's literally breathtaking,' Ayisha says. Experiences of this kind are something that Amira, the Wanderlust Women's founder, is determined to help her community access. Inheriting a love of the outdoors from her mother, she wanted other Muslim women to feel as at home in nature as she does. So she created the Wanderlust Women in 2020 and, in the years since, has taken scores of women on trips across the UK and abroad, bonding through faith and challenging the stereotype of the 'typical' hiker. As Amira says: 'We walk proudly outside because it is our place to be, it's everyone's place to be.' The women walked from Steel Rigg to Houseteads Roman fort via the Sycamore Gap memorial Accessibility is a major issue in the countryside – a study found that the most white-dominated areas of the UK have 144% more local paths than the most ethnically diverse ones. Amira sees opportunity in the proximity of Hadrian's Wall to cities in the north of England and Scotland. 'We have a lot of community members who are from Newcastle. There's a large percentage of ethnic minority people from that area who probably don't even know how to get here,' she says. A Wanderlust Women trip to Hadrian's Wall has the double benefit of not only making the landscape more accessible to Muslim women, but its history too. Started in AD122 on the orders of emperor Hadrian, the wall took some six years to build and protected and marked the north-western edge of the Roman empire. As well as soldiers, it was a meeting point and trading post for civilians from across Europe and north Africa. 'That sort of history has always fascinated me, the legends and the stories and the myths behind it,' says Ayisha. 'So having the opportunity to come out here with other people has been really nice.' It isn't just the wall that history fans can discover as they traverse its breadth. Other relics include a time capsule of excavated Roman treasures in the form of the Corbridge hoard, as well as ruins of castles and priories that witnessed some of the most tumultuous times in British history. Najma, who had been to Hadrian's Wall before, still finds plenty to surprise and delight. 'As a youngster, I was obsessed with Roman culture and the empire and Greek mythology. Anything Roman, I'm fascinated. So it's lovely to come here and to do it again, because it feels like the first time.' As a parent, Najma can see the wall's potential to captivate big and little kids alike. 'It's a great place to come and imagine how the Roman army lived here and what they did. I can imagine little kids who have a great imagination would love it,' she says. At Housesteads fort, the trio's destination, kid-friendly discoveries await, including interactive exhibitions and the chance to dress up as Romans. You can also check out an impressive set of communal latrines and water channels – the best preserved Roman loos in Britain. Housesteads fort's well-preserved communal latrines Hadrian's Wall certainly delivers on a sense of fantasy as well as history. It inspired the Wall in Game of Thrones – 700 sheer feet of ice patrolled by a caped band of brothers called the Night's Watch. Although Hadrian's Wall never reached the dizzy heights of 700ft, it did originally stand at a rather impressive 4.5 metres (15ft). In the centuries since, its stones have been repurposed all over the surrounding counties. Despite being shorter these days, the wall's sense of drama remains, as Ayisha says: 'I would totally recommend it for the atmosphere alone. When I go out to landscapes like this, I imagine being in Lord of the Rings. I'm on my own little adventure … trying to seek out a ring or find a sword in a stone.' The joy of the day's adventure is something Amira, Ayisha and Najma are determined to share with their community – they are already planning a return Wanderlust Women trip. Amira says: 'Hadrian's Wall is like a bucket-list moment. Now that we've been here, we've experienced it, we can do it on a scale where it's accessible to everyone.' As well as bringing more hikers herself, Amira foresees that simply sharing their visit on social media will help show Muslim women that they belong in this historic landscape. 'There's like a ripple effect. I know for a fact that when we start posting that we've been here, people will go: 'Oh! Where is that?' To help plan your own Roman adventure at Hadrian's Wall, visit here
Gulf Weekly
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Weekly
Bridging the Gulf
The Bahrain Businesswomen's Society is set to launch its third annual art exhibition today, May 22, at the Safeya Ali Kanoo Hub, under the patronage of National Arts Council member Shaikha Dwa bint Khalid Al Khalifa, bringing together works by 12 Bahraini artists and four guest artists from Kuwait. The showcase, titled Wasl, which means 'connection' in Arabic, explores artistic and cultural ties across the Gulf, highlighting women's creativity, regional heritage, and innovation in visual storytelling. 'This exhibition is a great opportunity to showcase the talents of our members and promote the value of art and culture,' the society's board member and economic and cultural committee head Manar Sirriyeh told GulfWeekly. 'In its third edition, Wasl features a total of 16 artists whose work celebrates intellectual innovation and creative exchange. 'It's a powerful step in strengthening Bahrain's cultural identity.' Participating Bahraini artists include Amina Hasan, Aysha Akbari, Fatemah Al Dilawer, Safeya Kanoo, Nawal Al Sabbagh, Salwa Al Moayyed, Noor Al Sairafi, Latifa Al Shaikh, Fareeda Bader, Rand Alkishtaini, Waheeda Al Doy, and Badriya Abdulrahman. They are joined by Kuwaiti artists Amira Ashkanani, Ibtesam Alosfour, Dr Jamila Salem, and Dr Abeer Alkandari. Amina, a member of the Society and contributing artist, is showcasing two paintings: The Peacock, symbolising elegance and inner strength, and a piece depicting a traditional Bahraini folk dance. 'Art is a personal journey of discovery and expression,' she added. 'In this exhibition, I present two artworks that are close to my heart.' Meanwhile, Rand's contributions include functional art pieces – handmade palm straw table lamps – and a vibrant, playful painting highlighting the regional symbol of the palm tree. 'My pieces in the exhibition explore the theme of connection through both functionality and cultural symbolism,' she added. 'The Tala table lamps are designed with a sustainable approach, using natural palm straw to highlight the artistic idea behind the small palm tree, called 'Tala' in Arabic. 'This piece connects nature, tradition, and modern design, emphasising how sustainable materials can foster a deeper bond with our environment. 'The painting reflects a joyful, childish style with vibrant colours that evoke energy and positivity. 'The palm tree, a familiar plant in our region, symbolises growth and resilience, further reinforcing the idea of connection to nature, community, and cultural roots. Noor's work, from her Chromaflora series, uses flowers as metaphors for memory and identity. From Kuwait, Amira brings two paintings under the title Love of a Woman, drawing on themes of beauty and femininity through decorative and abstract styles. 'I always draw inspiration for my artwork from women and their interests in beauty, colour, and symbolic expression,' said Amira, a veteran artist and former art education supervisor in Kuwait's Education Ministry. 'Wasl is a beautiful opportunity to share my work in a regional context and connect with fellow artists.' Organisers say the event represents a growing commitment to supporting female artists and fostering a thriving arts scene in Bahrain. 'Our society believes in the power of culture and creativity to inspire and empower,' said the society's president Dr Fatima Al Kooheji. With themes ranging from tradition and heritage to identity, sustainability, and abstraction, the exhibition is a vibrant testament to the artistic links being formed across the Gulf. It welcomes visitors of all ages to experience this celebration of regional creativity and women's voices in art. The exhibition will be inaugurated today at noon and run daily from 9am to 9pm until May 28.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Oakland couple jailed after Amber Alert for 2-year-old girl
OAKLAND, Calif. (KRON) — An Oakland mother and father who allegedly kidnapped a 2-year-old girl and triggered an Amber Alert for 12 hours are now sitting behind jail bars. Tamira Claggion, 24, and Andrew Coleman, 26, have no legal custody of their biological daughter, named Amira, police said. Both parents have 'extensive' criminal histories, the Oakland Police Department said. The young girl lives with her paternal grandmother, who has sole legal custody, OPD said. At 12:36 p.m. Tuesday, Amira was abducted from her home on 39th Street in Oakland during a violent struggle, according to police. The paternal grandmother was violently attacked in front of the home, police said. According to OPD, Amira's three kidnappers were armed with a gun and knife. OPD identified the three suspects as: Claggion, Coleman, and the girl's maternal grandmother, 49-year-old Chalita West. While police searched for the missing 2-year-old girl, her parents were described as armed and dangerous. California Highway Patrol officials activated an Amber Alert across Alameda, Contra Costa and San Francisco counties. Just after midnight, the CHP and OPD reported that Amira had been found safe and her parents were taken into custody. Santa Rita Jail inmate records show Claggion and Coleman were booked into jail around 6 a.m. Wednesday on suspicion of felony battery with serious bodily injury, violating a child custody order, and felony burglary. The parents are being held in custody in lieu of $140,000 bail. They are scheduled to be arraigned in Alameda County Superior Court Friday morning. The girl's maternal grandmother is also in jail, inmate records show. West was booked on suspicion of assault with a firearm, battery, burglary, and violating a child custody order. Her bail is set at $170,000. Oakland triplets graduate SDSU with honors in same major West is scheduled to be arraigned Friday at the same time as her daughter and son-in-law. An Oakland police lieutenant said tips from the community helped officers find the missing girl at another residence in the city. She was unharmed, and officers reunited the girl with her paternal grandmother. 'She was safely reunited with her guardian,' the lieutenant told reporters. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
New Straits Times
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Fattah Amin: I'm not marrying Amira on May 25
KUALA LUMPUR: Actor Fattah Amin has once again refuted rumours claiming he will marry actress Amira Othman on May 25. In a Berita Harian report yesterday, Fattah clarified that neither he nor Amira has set a wedding date, contrary to what fans have suggested. "Perhaps May 25 is considered an auspicious date for weddings," he speculated. "However, as far as we are concerned, nothing is happening on that day." He further explained that his recent meeting with Amira's family in Singapore was purely coincidental. Fattah also addressed their joint appearance at a recent motivational talk, stating that both he and Amira were invited as guest speakers by the organiser. "Yes, my family was invited to the talk, and her family decided to join at the last minute. Fortunately, the organiser was able to accommodate both families, as hers resides in Johor Baru, which is nearby." Regarding interactions with Amira's family, Fattah described them as "very sporting," explaining that her younger brother, Irfan Harris, was simply joking when he "teased" them about being a "superb couple." Finally, Fattah addressed the speculation about their matching outfits. "That was merely a coincidence. We both have contracts with several fashion brands, which is why we sometimes wear similar attire." This latest denial follows Fattah's recent dismissal of rumours suggesting a wedding shortly after Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
