Female Islamic chanters challenge traditional norms

Egyptian women artists take to religious singing, popularly known as 'Inshad', in a much male-dominated field, challenging religious edicts traditionally banning them from singing.

STORY: These Egyptian artists challenge traditional

norms by performing 'Inshad'

Locator: Cairo, Egypt

It's a form of Islamic chanting

typically done by men

Neaema Fathy is the founder of Egypt’s

first all-female Islamic chanting troupe

(Neaema Fathy, Founder, Al Hoor)

“What attracted me to religious chanting is that I spent a lot of time in this field and I learned all about musical scales, I worked on myself, I trained with great Sheikhs in the religious chanting field, I learned and benefited from them. When I found that women were underrepresented in this field, I wanted to do something that would benefit them as well as the field, in a way that carries out the message that we want to deliver.”

Fathy said the troupe was

initially met with skepticism

Shaimaa El Nouby faced similar challenges

(Shaimaa El Nouby, Chanter)

“Of course, I heard 'a woman's voice is considered Awrah' (Arabic for nakedness) and 'You want to become a trend.' I started before knowing the meaning of a trend. I heard many things like that, useless words like 'because this was how Umm Kulthum started in the beginning before becoming a singer, why not start singing immediately?', 'are you seeking attention?'. At first these words used to bother me, but not anymore.”

Shaimaa El Nouby, an Egyptian Islamic chanter performing Islamic religious songs, popularly known as “Inshad”, sings on stage with Wael El Fashny, during the holy month of Ramadan at El-Rabaa Cultural Center event at Al Hussein in old Cairo, Egypt, April 14, 2023. REUTERS/Fatma Fahmy

Neaema Fathy became fascinated by a form of Islamic chanting known as “Inshad” after first hearing it at the religious festivals she attended as a child with her family in Egypt.

Then at the age of 17, her mother encouraged her to learn “Maqamat” – the art of singing Arabic music melodies which would prepare her for Inshad chanting. She sought help from singers from the Cairo Opera House.

Now 27, she is the founder of “Al Hoor” – an all female Islamic chanting troupe in Egypt.

“I felt women were underrepresented in this field and I wanted us to take part in developing the art form of chanting,” she said. Inshad chants are songs that praise God or the Prophet and his family.

The troupe was initially met with skepticism as Egyptian society was accustomed to chanting by the male voice, Fathy said. “Some people were waiting to see if these girls will deserve to be celebrated or will they disappoint,” added Fathy.

z Shaimaa El Nouby, another Egyptian female chanter, said she faced similar challenges. “I was told that the female voice is forbidden and that I’m only looking for attention.”

Emirati astronaut posts space station video of Makkah and Madinah during Ramadan

Emirati astronaut Sultan Al-Neyadi shared a video of Islam’s holiest cities as viewed from the International Space Station.

Al-Neyadi narrates as the video zooms in and out of the western part of Saudi Arabia at night. The clip first shows the Prophet’s city, Madinah, then focuses on the Red Sea city of Jeddah before narrowing in on Makkah, the holiest site in Islam.

“It’s a sight to behold — Makkah and Madinah are just like shining stars,” he says in the video posted to his Twitter account @Astro_Alneyadi.

من محطة الفضاء الدولية،
إهداء لعيال سلمان في هذه الليالي المباركة 🌙⭐️
إهداء لبلاد الحرمين الشريفين، مهبط الوحي وأرض الرسالة، المملكة العربية السعودية. 🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/3OQTg4CgXb

— Sultan AlNeyadi (@Astro_Alneyadi) April 17, 2023

The Emirati arrived at the station, which has an orbital path 408km above the Earth’s surface, on March 3, 2023.

Ramadan is one of the busiest times for the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah as visitors from across the world arrive in Saudi Arabia to worship during the holy month.

Authorities said that 2.6 million worshippers attended the Grand Mosque in Makkah on Monday night, the 27th of Ramadan, considered by many to be Laylat Al-Qadr, a blessed night on the Islamic calendar.

Proxy War With Russia Brings West's Hegemony to Brink of Collapse, German Lawmaker Warns

©Photo : Wikipedia

The West’s decades-long push to drag Ukraine into the EU and NATO has sparked a direct confrontation with Russia, with the US and its allies sending weapons to Kiev and slapping over 12,600 sanctions on Moscow. These moves prompted Russia to reorient its economic ties to the developing world and sparked a crisis in many EU countries.

The collective West’s economic war against Russia has weakened and isolated the US and Europe, as well as sparking unprecedented resistance to Western neocolonialism from the Global South, a senior German lawmaker has warned.

“In its confrontation against Russia and China, the Biden administration is trying to establish a world of neocolonial oppression in order to prevent the loss of its hegemonic status,” Die Linke (‘The Left’) lawmaker Sevim Dagdelen wrote in a recent piece in a German daily.

“The current expression of this endeavor is the harsh demand by the USA and its allies for the countries of the Global South to take part in the economic war against Russia and to supply arms for the proxy war in Ukraine. Almost desperately, an attempt is being made here to restore a relationship of quasi-colonial bondage in order to resist their waning global standing. But the vast majority of countries and peoples [in the developing world] do not follow the course of the US and the NATO countries,” the lawmaker wrote, pointing out that the nations that have rejected the economic and proxy wars against Russia account for 87 percent of the planets’ population.

Dagdelen pointed to the growing failure of Western efforts to justify unilateral sanctions at international venues like the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, as well as growing signs of a “veritable flight” away from the US dollar as the world’s de facto reserve currency.

“In a rapid development, more and more countries around the world are deciding to de-dollarize their trade relations, and thus cut the ability of the USA to continue to finance its wars and proxy wars via the printing press,” she wrote.

“Former President of Ghana Kwame Nkrumah describes neocolonialism as a systemic problem of the postcolonial state in relation to the former European colonial empires. According to Nkrumah, ex-colonies achieved independence in theory and in form, but without actually gaining sovereignty. And we see how attempts continue to be made in the 21st century to organize the neo-colonial subjugation of the African continent, be it through the ruthless exploitation of raw materials by Western corporations, or the power of financial organizations that determine the fate of African countries to their detriment. The collective and self-confident refusal of the nations of the Global South to participate in the West’s proxy war in Ukraine shows that this system is increasingly faltering,” Dagdelen wrote.

🇿🇦🇺🇸 South Africa will not be bullied - Naledi Pandor pic.twitter.com/7WjuLEhPkf

— maria (@real1maria) August 10, 2022

The lawmaker argued that the rise of China, the development of countries like India and Brazil and the expansion of integrative and cooperative projects among non-Western countries “make it clear” that the slide toward multipolarity has already become “irreversible,” even if this means that it “has to be enforced against the governments of the NATO countries.”

Dagdelen has emerged as one of the most outspoken critics of German involvement in the NATO proxy war in Ukraine over the past year, citing the risk of the conflict escalating into a Third World War. The lawmaker has demanded the expulsion of US troops from Germany, slammed US aggression in Syria, criticized neo-Nazism in Eastern Europe, and emphasized that security in Europe cannot be achieved without Russia.

Dagdelen is not alone in the German parliament when it comes to pursuing anti-US imperialist policies. Late last year, veteran German statesman Oskar Lafontaine, another Die Linke member, slammed Berlin’s spinelessness in failing to stand up to Washington, and warned that if Germany doesn’t join the new multipolar world order as an independent actor, it will “be drawn into Washington’s conflicts with Moscow and Beijing as American vassals.”

Eid 2023 moon sighting: When Saudi Arabia predicts the date of Eid al-Fitr and how Ramadan’s end is calculated

Image: Canva

Muslims around the world are currently fasting as they observe the final days of Ramadan. The end of the holy month and the arrival of Eid al-Fitr will be marked with celebrations centred around a large feast.

Eid al-Fitr is one of two Eid festivals in the Islamic calendar, and gives worshippers the opportunity to gather and commemorate the completion of a month without eating or drinking during daylight hours.

Like Ramadan and other Muslim observances, the date of Eid is calculated by the sighting of the moon, which means it cannot be predicted with complete accuracy too far in advance.

Moon sighting predictions suggest that Eid al-Fitr will likely be celebrated on Friday 21 April this year, according to the charity Islamic Relief and moonsighting.com, as Saudi Arabia is expected to sight the new crescent moon on Thursday night.

However, Saudi Arabia’s International Astronomy Centre has said the moon sighting may actually come on Friday, which would push Eid back to Saturday 22 April.

The centre said in a tweet: “We note that the International Astronomy Center is not an advertising agency, but rather a scientific centre that provides astronomical information.

The original article contained many details showing the conditions of sighting the crescent in various countries of the world, and based on it, the beginning of the month can be determined by the concerned authorities. Note that the criteria adopted for the beginning of the month in the Islamic world are multiple, and the sighting of the crescent may depend on non-local places.”

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development in Saudi Arabia has declared a four-day break for Eid Al-Fitr 2023, for both private sector employees and non-profit organizations. This holiday will commence on Thursday, April 20, after the completion of the workday.

مواعيد إجازة #عيد_الفطر_المبارك للقطاعين الخاص وغير الربحي. pic.twitter.com/XTjL0nqawj

— وزارة الموارد البشرية والتنمية الاجتماعية (@HRSD_SA) April 10, 2023

Across the region, moon-sighting committees announced the start of Ramadan, and many countries have introduced reduced working hours for the month.

Saudi Ramadan working hours

The ministry advised that office hours should be 10am to 3pm throughout the Holy month.

However, it advised that government agencies are able to be flexible depending on work requirements. A two-hour window is provided where agencies can start earlier or later than the advised start times.

If the Moon is spotted on Thursday, then Eid Al Fitr will be celebrated on Friday, April 21. Saudi Arabia has already declared a four-day weekend for Eid Al Fitr, which will run from April 20 to April 23.

Aside from Saudi Arabia, the UAE Moon sighting committee also called on all Muslims to spot the crescent Moon on Thursday night to mark the beginning of Eid Al Fitr 2023.

The UAE has officially declared a four-day holiday on account of Eid Al Fitr for both private and public sector employees, which will run from Thursday, April 20 until Sunday, April 23

On Sunday, the International Astronomy Centre said that Eid Al Fitr could fall on Saturday, April 22, based on moon sighting.

“The countries of the Islamic world will investigate the crescent of the month of Shawwal (Eid al Fitr 1444 AH) on Thursday, April 20, 2023 AD. Seeing the crescent on Thursday is not possible with the naked eye from anywhere in the Arab and Islamic world,” the International Astronomy Centre said via a Twitter post.

#Saudi Supreme Court to sight #Shawwal crescent on Thursday.#UAE_BARQ_EN pic.twitter.com/qHexYFQ7sO

— UAE BARQ (@UAE_BARQ_EN) April 18, 2023

“Seeing the crescent on Thursday is not possible with a telescope in most countries of the Arab and Islamic world, with the exception of parts of West Africa starting from Libya, but vision remains very difficult and requires an accurate telescope, a professional observer and exceptional weather conditions, and the combination of these factors is rare, and therefore it is not expected to see the crescent, even using a telescope, from anywhere in the Arab world, unless the aforementioned conditions are available.

Russian forces control almost all of Artyomovsk, says DPR head’s advisor

©Valentin Sprinchak/TASS

Russian forces have taken control of almost 90% of the city of Artyomovsk (called Bakhmut in Ukraine), Yan Gagin, an advisor to the Donetsk People’s Republic’s (DPR) leader, told TASS on Tuesday.

"The Wagner private military company controls about 90% of Artyomovsk and its advance is inevitable," he said.

Wagner PMC founder Yevgeny Prigozhin said on April 11 that Russian forces controlled more than 80% of Artyomovsk, including all administrative buildings.

Gagin specified that Ukrainian troops were booby-trapping and blowing up major infrastructure facilities before leaving the western outskirts of Artyomovsk. "The Ukrainian armed forces are okay with using scorched earth tactics. This is what they did in Volnovakha and Mariupol, and now, they are blowing up and booby-trapping major infrastructure facilities in Artyomovsk before retreating from the western outskirts of the city. A local community center was one of the buildings that they blew up recently," Gagin noted.

Earlier, he told TASS that Ukraine was redeploying troops to Artyomovsk but the majority of new soldiers were getting killed on their approach to the city.

Artyomovsk, located in the Kiev-controlled part of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), is an important transport hub in terms of Ukrainian military supplies. Heavy fighting is raging in the area.

Special operation, 16 April. Main:

▪️Russian air defense systems over the past day shot down 4 Ukrainian drones, three HARM anti-radar missiles and 10 HIMARS and Uragan MLRS shells, the Russian Defense Ministry said

▪️Wagner detachments liberated two more quarters in Artemovsk, the Russian Defense Ministry said

▪️The southern group of troops of the Russian Armed Forces in the Donetsk direction destroyed up to 145 Ukrainian military and 14 pieces of equipment in a day, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

▪️In the Kupyansk and Krasnolimansky directions, Kyiv lost about 115 military personnel per day, the Russian defense department said

▪️French journalists arrived in Gulyaipole, probably to prepare provocative videos about Russian strikes on civilian infrastructure, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

▪️Italy transferred about 20 M109L self-propelled artillery mounts to Kyiv, the train with them passed through the railway station of the northern city of Udine on Saturday, the newspapers la Repubblica and Corriere della Sera reported on Sunday

▪️Pope Francis congratulated all Christians who this Sunday celebrate the feast of the Holy Resurrection of Christ, and especially addressed the believers in Russia and Ukraine, wishing them peace

▪️On Easter night, Ukrainian troops shelled Donetsk, hitting the area of ​​the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral, where the Easter service was taking place, the DPR representative office in the JCCC reported, a civilian was killed, seven people were injured.

Special operation, 17 April. Main:

▪️Assault detachments captured two quarters in the north-west and in the center of Artemovsk, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.

▪️US resources for military assistance to Ukraine are not unlimited, the Pentagon said.

▪️They noted that the supply of F-16 fighters to Ukraine will take 1.5 years if such a decision is made, and the White House noted that they do not intend to accept it.

▪️Slovakia has completed the transfer of MiG-29 fighters to Kyiv, the Minister of Defense said: 13 aircraft are "already in Ukraine."

▪️Political will and ability to help Kyiv are declining in 10 European countries, Newsweek writes, citing classified documents.

▪️More than $45 billion of international aid has been received by the Ukrainian budget since the beginning of the Russian special operation, said the MP Zheleznyak.

▪️The Cabinet of Ministers of Slovakia followed the example of Poland and Hungary - approved a ban on the import of certain Ukrainian products, it will come into force on April 19 and may affect grain, vegetables and fruits.

▪️The SBU announced the detention of the ex-head of the Kherson railway station, he is accused of cooperation with Russia.

The start of the Ukrainian counter-offensive is scheduled for April 30, the West is actively preparing Ukraine for it, Newsweek writes, citing secret documents leaked to the network.

▪️The US Ambassador was invited to a meeting of the State Duma Commission on April 18 to give explanations about the activities of biological laboratories in Ukraine, but she refused to come.

▪️Russia is interested in the conflict in Ukraine to end as soon as possible, Lavrov said.

Maling Berkedok Petugas PLN Beraksi di Leuwiliang

Aksi maling, pelaku berpura - pura mengaku sebagai petugas PLN, yang beraksi di Desa Kalong, Kecamatan Leuwiliang, Kabupaten Bogor, pada hari Senin, 17/04/2023.

Kapolsek Leuwiliang, Kompol Agus Supriyanto menjelaskan, pelaku beraksi seorang diri tersebut, masuk ke kamar rumah warga yang tidak terkunci, lalu mengambil handphone tergeletak di lantai sedang dicharge.

“Modusnya itu, dia jadi petugas PLN hendak memeriksa meteran listrik. Terus dia masuk ke kamar yang tidak terkunci, lalu ada handphone di lantas lagi dicharge kemudian diambil pelaku,” kata Agus Supriyanto, pada hari Selasa, 18/04/2023.

Pelaku yang melihat rumah sedang sepi, masuk dalam kamar yang kondisinya tidak terkunci. Ia pun langsung mengambil sebuah handphone yang tergeletak di lantai karena sedang di-charge.

Korban yang mengetahui aksi pelaku, kemudian coba menghentikan pelaku yang coba melarikan diri dengan sepeda motor. Korban pun sempat terseret sejauh lima meter namun pelaku berhasil melarikan diri

“Korban sempat terseret dan mengalami luka memar dan lecet pada bagian pipi, mata, lutut, lengan dan pundaknya,” kata Agus.

Korban kemudian melapor ke Polsek Leuwiliang yang kemudian melakukan olah TKP sebagai upaya mengungkap pelaku.

Ia pun menekankan, pihaknya telah menggelar olah TKP di lokasi kejadian. Beberapa saksi juga telah dimintai keterangan.

“Proses tindakan kepolisian dengan penyelidikan pun saat ini sedang terus didalami, sebagai bahan pengungkapan kasus,” tekannya.

Elon Musk says he will launch rival to Microsoft-backed ChatGPT

Billionaire Elon Musk said he will launch an artificial intelligence (AI), which he calls “TruthGPT”, to challenge the offerings from Microsoft and Google.

He criticised Microsoft-backed OpenAI, the firm behind chatbot sensation ChatGPT, for “training the AI to lie” and said that OpenAI has now become a “closed source”, “for-profit” organisation “closely allied with Microsoft”.

He also accused Google co-founder Larry Page of not taking AI safety seriously.

“I’m going to start something which I call ‘TruthGPT’, or a maximum truth-seeking AI that tries to understand the nature of the universe,” Mr Musk said in an interview with Fox News Channel’s anchor Tucker Carlson, which aired on Monday.

He said TruthGPT “might be the best path to safety” that would be “unlikely to annihilate humans”.

“It’s simply starting late. But I will try to create a third option,” Mr Musk said.

Mr Musk, OpenAI, Microsoft and Mr Page did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.

Mr Musk has been poaching AI researchers from Alphabet Inc’s Google to launch a start-up to rival OpenAI, people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

In March, Mr Musk registered a firm named X.AI Corp, incorporated in Nevada, according to a state filing.

The firm lists him as the sole director and Mr Jared Birchall, managing director of Mr Musk’s family office, as a secretary.

The move came even after Mr Musk and a group of AI experts and industry executives called for a six-month pause in developing systems more powerful than OpenAI’s newly launched GPT-4, citing potential risks to society.

Mr Musk also reiterated his warnings about AI during the interview with Mr Carlson, saying “AI is more dangerous than, say, mismanaged aircraft design or production maintenance or bad car production”, according to the excerpts.

“It has the potential of civilisational destruction,” Mr Musk said.

He said, for example, that a super intelligent AI can write incredibly well and potentially manipulate public opinions.

He also tweeted at the weekend that he met former United States president Barack Obama when Mr Obama was in office and told him that Washington needed to “encourage AI regulation”.

Mr Musk co-founded OpenAI in 2015, but stepped down from the company’s board in 2018.

In 2019, he tweeted that he left OpenAI because he had to focus on Tesla and SpaceX.

He also tweeted at that time that other reasons for his departure from OpenAI were that “Tesla was competing for some of the same people as OpenAI and I didn’t agree with some of what (the) OpenAI team wanted to do”.

Mr Musk, who is chief executive of Tesla and SpaceX, is also CEO of social media platform Twitter, which he bought for US$44 billion (S$58.6 billion) in 2022.

In the interview with Fox News, he said he recently valued Twitter at “less than half” of the acquisition price.

In January, Microsoft Corp announced a further multibillion-dollar investment in OpenAI, intensifying competition with rival Google and fuelling the race to attract AI funding in Silicon Valley.