Latest news with #Hijra
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Harlem art gallery showcases inclusive art by Scottish-born artist
HARLEM, Manhattan (PIX11) — Can art change the world? There is one art gallery in Harlem that is hoping the answer is yes. The name of this exhibit at Heath Gallery is called 'More Love Now' by abstract figurative painter Debbie Taylor-Kerman. More Local News The artist, born in Scotland and now living in Harlem, has created 30 pieces of acrylic on wood depicting people of all races and religions, immigrants and transgendered people. The titles are often whimsical, like 'Sweet or Savory,' but the messages are deep. 'It's basically about three different transgendered people from different ethnicities,' Debbie Taylor-Kerman, the artist, told PIX11 News. 'In India, they are called the Hijra, and they accepted and celebrated. Most Native American tribes also celebrate their transgendered,' she added. According to gallery director Saundra Heath, this exhibition creates a space for dialogue about inclusion and acceptance and compassionate community-building. 'When you look at what's happening in the world, when you look at the fear and the divisiveness, her message of unity and acceptance, her celebration of many cultures and people, and that we can really coexist,' Saundra Heath, the director of Heath Gallery, told PIX11 News. By naming her paintings with titles like 'What's your favorite flavor of Ice Cream?' Or 'I miss my dad's corny jokes', featuring a Muslim woman, a Christian man, and a Jewish man, Taylor-Kerman is hoping to start people talking to one another. 'Sometimes it's the simple things in life that connect us,' Taylor-Kerman told PIX11 News. 'I wanted to make that connection,' she added. This weekend, there'll be a talk with artist Debbie Taylor-Kerman at 2 pm Saturday. This exhibit will be here at Heath Gallery until May 3rd. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
A transgender woman's fight for dignity in Bangladesh's Rohingya refugee camps
By Ruma Paul and Sam Jahan KUTUPALONG REFUGEE CAMP, Bangladesh (Reuters) - With her tiny studio tucked in the crowded lanes of the sprawling Rohingya refugee camp in south-eastern Bangladesh, Tanya is a popular beautician, with long lines of people waiting for her signature haircuts and facials. But behind her carefully applied makeup lies a harsher reality for Tanya - she is a transgender woman in a community that barely tolerates her existence. "Being Rohingya is hard," she said. "But being a transgender Rohingya is even harder." Tanya, 25, left Myanmar in 2017 with hundreds of thousands of other Rohingya Muslim refugees escaping a brutal military crackdown. Life in the world's largest refugee settlement is difficult for everyone, but for Tanya, the discrimination adds extra challenges. Along with the hardship of displacement, she faces rejection from her own people, who see her identity as taboo. "I can't visit my 55-year-old mother anymore,' she said, sitting in her 10-by-10-foot (three-by-three metre) salon. "Every time I tried, the neighbours attacked me. They threw water at me, pelted stones, pulled my hair. I couldn't bear it anymore, so I stopped going." Born in Maungdaw in Myanmar's Rakhine state, Tanya knew from an early age she was different. But in the conservative Rohingya society, there was no place for someone like her. When her family refused to accept her, she left home and found support amongst the Hijra, a community of transgender people who often live together for safety and survival. Her godmother in the group gave her the name Tanya. Officials estimate there are about 10,000 hijras, or third-gender people, in Bangladesh but rights groups say the figure could be as high as 1.5 million in the country of 170 million. They face severe social stigma and discrimination in both Myanmar and Bangladesh, with many disowned by their families, denied education, and forced into begging or sex work to survive. Tanya was determined to find another path. While still living in Myanmar, she apprenticed at a local beauty parlour, learning makeup, hairstyling, and bridal makeovers. Those skills became her lifeline when she arrived in Bangladesh. "I had no job when I came here," Tanya said. "But I found the owner of this shop and requested him to open a beauty parlour for me. He gave me a chance. Since then, I've been working here." Today, Tanya earns about 5,000 to 6,000 taka ($45 to $55) a month, enough to cover her basic needs. Her salon attracts both Rohingya refugees and local Bangladeshis, with long queues often forming for facials, haircuts, and wedding makeup. But outside the walls of her shop, acceptance remains distant. "Many transgender people like me hide their identity and live as men just to avoid harassment and rejection," she said. Still, Tanya is determined to make a difference. She has trained four other transgender women as beauticians, and they have since found jobs abroad. Tanya hopes to follow one day. "They always call me and tell me to come. I want to go too," she said. "I dream of opening my own salon and standing on my own feet." Tanya has lost contact with her parents and siblings, some of whom now live in India. "My parents are alive, but I am dead to them," she said. "Even the person I loved left me." As International Transgender Day of Visibility approaches on Monday, Tanya hopes her story will help change how people view transgender Rohingya. "I always tell my community, don't beg - learn a skill," she said. "If we work hard, maybe one day people will respect us." "I just want to be seen as a human being," she added. "Not as a burden, not as a shame - but as someone who deserves dignity." ($1 = 121.0000 taka)
Reuters
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
A transgender woman's fight for dignity in Bangladesh's Rohingya refugee camps
KUTUPALONG REFUGEE CAMP, Bangladesh, March 26 (Reuters) - With her tiny studio tucked in the crowded lanes of the sprawling Rohingya refugee camp in south-eastern Bangladesh, Tanya is a popular beautician, with long lines of people waiting for her signature haircuts and facials. But behind her carefully applied makeup lies a harsher reality for Tanya - she is a transgender woman in a community that barely tolerates her existence. "Being Rohingya is hard," she said. "But being a transgender Rohingya is even harder." Tanya, 25, left Myanmar in 2017 with hundreds of thousands of other Rohingya Muslim refugees escaping a brutal military crackdown. Life in the world's largest refugee settlement is difficult for everyone, but for Tanya, the discrimination adds extra challenges. Along with the hardship of displacement, she faces rejection from her own people, who see her identity as taboo. "I can't visit my 55-year-old mother anymore,' she said, sitting in her 10-by-10-foot (three-by-three metre) salon. "Every time I tried, the neighbours attacked me. They threw water at me, pelted stones, pulled my hair. I couldn't bear it anymore, so I stopped going." Born in Maungdaw in Myanmar's Rakhine state, Tanya knew from an early age she was different. But in the conservative Rohingya society, there was no place for someone like her. When her family refused to accept her, she left home and found support amongst the Hijra, a community of transgender people who often live together for safety and survival. Her godmother in the group gave her the name Tanya. Officials estimate there are about 10,000 hijras, or third-gender people, in Bangladesh but rights groups say the figure could be as high as 1.5 million in the country of 170 million. They face severe social stigma and discrimination in both Myanmar and Bangladesh, with many disowned by their families, denied education, and forced into begging or sex work to survive. Tanya was determined to find another path. While still living in Myanmar, she apprenticed at a local beauty parlour, learning makeup, hairstyling, and bridal makeovers. Those skills became her lifeline when she arrived in Bangladesh. "I had no job when I came here," Tanya said. "But I found the owner of this shop and requested him to open a beauty parlour for me. He gave me a chance. Since then, I've been working here." Today, Tanya earns about 5,000 to 6,000 taka ($45 to $55) a month, enough to cover her basic needs. Her salon attracts both Rohingya refugees and local Bangladeshis, with long queues often forming for facials, haircuts, and wedding makeup. But outside the walls of her shop, acceptance remains distant. "Many transgender people like me hide their identity and live as men just to avoid harassment and rejection," she said. Still, Tanya is determined to make a difference. She has trained four other transgender women as beauticians, and they have since found jobs abroad. Tanya hopes to follow one day. "They always call me and tell me to come. I want to go too," she said. "I dream of opening my own salon and standing on my own feet." Tanya has lost contact with her parents and siblings, some of whom now live in India. "My parents are alive, but I am dead to them," she said. "Even the person I loved left me." As International Transgender Day of Visibility approaches on Monday, Tanya hopes her story will help change how people view transgender Rohingya. "I always tell my community, don't beg - learn a skill," she said. "If we work hard, maybe one day people will respect us." "I just want to be seen as a human being," she added. "Not as a burden, not as a shame - but as someone who deserves dignity." ($1 = 121.0000 taka)
Saba Yemen
22-03-2025
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
Bani Matar district holds commemorative evenings for Imam Ali's martyrdom
Sana'a - Saba: Bani Matar district in Sana'a province on Saturday held a series of evening events to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Ali. At an evening in Bani Suwar district, Province Undersecretary Mohammed Ayed and education official Taleb Dahhan emphasized the importance of reflecting on Imam Ali's martyrdom, highlighting his steadfastness and sacrifice for "truth and supporting the oppressed." They called for learning from Imam Ali's qualities and his resistance against "tyrants and arrogant powers." District Director Yahya Al-Qanous discussed Imam Ali's values and his support for Islam and Prophet Muhammad, emphasizing his connection to the Yemeni people. Evenings were also held in Qata' al-Sharaf, al-Khasma, Ja'al, Bani Ra'i, al-Dhafir, Balad Al-Bustan, Beit Dalham, al-Barwiyah, and Beit al-Ja'dabi. Speakers focused on drawing inspiration from Imam Ali's virtues, particularly his "sacrifice and jihad for the sake of Allah." They stressed the importance of emulating his faith and courage, especially his defense of Prophet Muhammad during the Hijra. Participants urged attendees to use Ramadan for charitable acts and to seek divine assistance in confronting "forces of aggression and oppression." The participants called for embodying Imam Ali's "jihadist stance" against falsehood and in defense of the oppressed. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (Local)
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Nowruz: All you need to know about the ancient celebration
Nowruz marks the arrival of spring in Iran but also the beginning of the new year. The same is true in Afghanistan, where the festival serves as the official start of the solar calendar. The precise moment of the new year, known as "year delivery," is determined by astronomical calculations. It occurs on the spring equinox, when day and night are nearly equal in the Northern Hemisphere. Each year, this timing is calculated down to the very second. If the new year occurs before noon, that same day is considered the first day of the Iranian solar calendar. If it falls after noon, the new year begins the following day. For example, in 2025, the new year in Iran will occur at 12:31:30 PM local time (10:01:30 AM CET). Consequently, March 21, 2025, will be the first day of the 1404 solar year in the Iranian calendar. This system of precise astronomical calculations was developed by Omar Khayyam, the renowned Iranian astronomer, poet, and philosopher. He also played a key role in creating the Jalali calendar, which remains the basis of Iran's current solar calendar. The starting point of this calendar is the Hijra - the migration of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in 622 AD. Nowruz dates back over 3,000 years and has its roots in the ancient Persian Empire and the Zoroastrian calendar. For Zoroastrians, Nowruz marks the creation of the world (Giti) and humankind. During the Achaemenid era, the festival was celebrated with great splendor at Persepolis, where kings welcomed envoys and received gifts from across their vast empire. In fact, historical evidence suggests that one of Persepolis' primary functions was to host Nowruz celebrations. The Zoroastrian religion, which predates the Achaemenid dynasty, played a significant role in shaping the traditions of Nowruz. However, over the centuries, the festival has evolved into a secular celebration, embraced by diverse ethnic and cultural groups. Its endurance lies in its powerful symbolism - the triumph of light over darkness and the promise of new beginnings, both in nature and in the human spirit. Today, more 300 million people worldwide celebrate Nowruz, marking not only the start of the new year but also the celebration of life and the triumph of light over darkness. Originally bringing together the peoples of Iran, Afghanistan, and Central Asia (including Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan), Nowruz has spread across the Caucasus, the Balkans, and other regions. It embodies a shared heritage of customs, traditions, and values, and holds particular significance for Kurds. In 2009, Nowruz was added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List, and the following year, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution declaring March 21 as International Nowruz Day, recognising its role in promoting peace and unity worldwide. Nowruz encompasses a rich variety of traditions that vary by region. Some customs take place just before the New Year, while others continue for up to two weeks after. Throughout all these celebrations, the themes of renewal and hope remain central. On the eve of Nowruz, as spring approaches, families thoroughly clean their homes. This 'spring clean' or 'dusting away of the past' is a symbolic act representing a fresh start and the purification of both physical and spiritual spaces. Additionally, those celebrating Nowruz often purchase new clothes, further emphasising the spirit of renewal and new beginnings. The Haft-Sin tablecloth is a central element of Nowruz, particularly in Iran. Artfully arranged, it features seven items, whose names begin with the letter "S" in Persian. Each item represents different aspects of life: Sabzeh (wheat or lentil sprouts) symbolises rebirth, infancy, and life. Samanu (a sweet pudding made from wheat germ) represents abundance and blessings. Senjed (dried fruit from the Senjed tree) symbolises love. Seer (garlic) represents health and healing. Seeb (apples) symbolise beauty and health. Somāq (sumac) signifies the victory of good over evil and the rising sun. Serkeh (vinegar) symbolises patience, aging, and the passage of time. In addition to these main symbols, other items starting with "S" may be included, such as hyacinths and a clock. The Haft-Sin table is often decorated with mirrors, candlesticks, coloured eggs, and red fish, which represent the passing of the twelfth and final zodiac sign, Pisces. Join Euronews Farsi on Instagram It is also common to place a Divan of Hafez's poems or the Qur'an on the table. Many families have a tradition of randomly opening the book and reading a poem or verse, seeking guidance for the year ahead. In many regions, people take part in fire-related celebrations, such as 'Chaharshanbe Suri' or 'Red Wednesday' in Iran. This celebration, on the last Tuesday before Nowruz, involves families gathering around a fire and jumping over it. The act symbolises cleansing, renewal, and liberation from past sorrows, while embracing the warmth and vitality of the spring season. Food plays a vital role during Nowruz, with special dishes prepared and shared among family and friends. In Iran, families celebrate the arrival of spring on the first day of Nowruz by enjoying dishes like vegetable pilaf and sabzi polow (herbed rice), often served with fish. A standout feature of the Nowruz feast is somālak (also known as sumanak), a sweet dessert. Slowly cooked over several hours, somālak symbolises the gradual yet certain arrival of spring and the promise of new beginnings. During Nowruz, it is customary to visit friends and family. Younger family members traditionally visit their parents and older relatives to wish them a happy New Year and celebrate the arrival of spring. In return, elders often give gifts, typically in the form of aidi (cash), known locally as da'di, as a symbol of blessing. In Zoroastrian culture, this ritual represents mahrūrzai, a profound respect for the older generation. During these visits, families usually offer guests a variety of snacks, such as nuts (including pistachios, almonds, and dried fruits) and various pastries. However, this tradition is slowly fading in Iran due to the rising cost of living. Siyez-e Badr is an ancient Iranian tradition celebrated on the 13th day of April, also known as 'Nature Day'. It marks the conclusion of the Nowruz festivities and is typically a time when people leave their homes to spend the day outdoors. While the number 13 is often linked to bad luck in Iranian culture, this tradition of leaving the house is more closely associated with celebrating the natural world and the end of Nowruz, rather than any superstitions with the number itself.
