West Bank strike over Israeli tomb heritage claim, Islamic World News, NewAgeIslam.com

Islamic World News

West Bank strike over Israeli tomb heritage claim

A strike has been called by the Palestinian Authority in Bethlehem in protest at Israel's move to claim two West Bank shrines as heritage sites.

Businesses, schools and universities remained closed as people observed the first day of the three-day walk-out.

Local TV stations broadcast the PA's call following Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu's addition of the shrines to Israel's heritage list at the weekend.

The PA also called for a rally to be held on Friday in Bethlehem.

Israel's prime minister announced on Sunday that Rachel's Tomb in Bethlehem and the Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron would be included in an Israeli-funded $107m (£69m) restoration plan.

Bethlehem residents said businesses were shuttered and universities and schools empty as the strike began.

Staffs at Bethlehem University were told on Monday not to report for work for three days because of the strike.

Separation

Rachel, the biblical matriarch holy to Jews, Christians, and Muslims, is believed to be buried in a tomb near the entrance to Bethlehem.

Some Muslims say the tomb is also a mosque.

The shrine is on the Israeli side of the separation barrier. The Israelis say this is for security reasons, but Palestinians say it constitutes a land grab, illegal under international law.

http://newageislam.com/west-bank-strike-over-israeli-tomb-heritage-claim/islamic-world-news/d/2495

City madrasa keeps purdah to ‘part’ it, and educate girls, Islamic Culture, NewAgeIslam.com

Islamic Culture

City madrasa keeps purdah to ‘part’ it, and educate girls

By Preeti Jha

Posted online: Sunday, August 03, 2008

Academics researching JBI and other such madrasas acknowledge that they open up opportunities for Muslim girls whose parents are discouraged by existing educational institutes, but at the same time stress the importance of improving the quality of education and widening access to opportunities.

Based on his 2006 study of madrasas, which included JBI, Prof S M Sajid of Jamia’s Department of Social Work says: “My conclusions pointed to the importance of building the capacity of teachers in madrasas — they are not all sufficiently trained. This would significantly improve the quality of education and provide a benchmark for teaching standards.”

Dr Sushma Jaireth, a reader in Department of Women’s Studies at NCERT, is researching madrasas from a gender perspective. She says: “Madrasas certainly improve literacy and provide learning opportunities for Muslim girls. But while the girls are empowered about their religion, they are very isolated from the rest of the world. For wider empowerment in their communities it would be a good idea to open up other subjects and career opportunities.”

http://newageislam.com/city-madrasa-keeps-purdah-to-%E2%80%98part%E2%80%99-it,-and-educate-girls/islamic-culture/d/443

Afghanistan orders investigation into US attack, War on Terror, NewAgeIslam.com

War on Terror

Afghanistan orders investigation into US attack

By RAHIM FAIEZ

Meanwhile, the chief government official in the Deh Bala district of Nangarhar province said villagers reported that between 30 and 35 people walking in a group toward a wedding were killed in a bombing early Sunday. Up to 10 others were wounded, he said.

Haji Amishah Gul said the group was hit while resting in the shadow of a mountain. Those killed included men, women and children, he said.

No other officials could immediately confirm Gul's claim because of the remote location of the incident. No hospitals reported receiving any of the wounded.

The U.S.-led coalition said an airstrike killed several militants in Nangarhar. Spokesman 1st Lt. Nathan Perry said he had no reports that civilians were among those killed.

Karzai's statement appeared to indicate that Afghan civilians were fleeing in cars during the time of Friday's airstrike by coalition helicopters because of a warning from the U.S. coalition.

http://newageislam.com/afghanistan-orders-investigation-into-us-attack/war-on-terror/d/174