New Delhi:
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) has launched the monthly digital magazines exclusively for women in English and Urdu langues here at a ceremony.
The English magazine ‘Aura’ was launched here by a noted public
health doctor and activist Dr. Sylvia Karpagam while the Urdu ‘Haadiya was launched by JIH President Syed Sadatullah Husaini. Both magazines
are being published under the supervision if the JIH women’s department.
Delivering the presidential speech, the JIH chief said the first
issues showed that they would play an important role in creating awareness
among women, imparting religious teachings and highlighting their potential. He
congratulated the women team associated with them for bringing out the
much-awaited and highly-necessitated women’s magazines.
Speaking about
Aura, Mr.Husaini said: “The magazine aptly named ‘Aura’ represents the
beautiful aura of a woman as envisaged in Islamic traditions. This Aura is
characterized by the noble values of modesty, dignity, elegance and full
confidence in the feminine being.”
Mr.Husaini said: “Islamic traditions give great respect to women
along with their feminine character. With the decline of traditional gender
roles, modern societies are moving towards typical ‘unisex’ societies where
only masculine roles are cherished and feminine roles are grossly despised. A woman is forced to surrender her feminine personality and
imitate her male counterpart to look modern and progressive. At times, she is
even expected to reduce her personality to her body and become the object of
lust and the subject of consumption. Traditional societies have subjugated her
by snatching her individuality and her freedom and confined her to the dark prison
of irrational and chauvinist traditions. The modern
societies have come out with another form of male chauvinism where male lust
and perceived superiority of masculine roles and persona make the woman a
prisoner of fake freedom. The magazines are being launched in this backdrop to
demonstrate a perfectly moderate path providing women with the much-needed
freedom from both kinds of exploitation and gives her ideal form of liberty,
perfect equality, and complete justice with the fullest protection to her modesty
and highest reverence to her feminine character.”
Delivering the
launching address as a chief guest of the event, Dr. Sylvia said, “the
situation in the country is a cause of concern due to growing
discrimination and ongoing targeting of certain communities. Even during pandemic
lockdown, people had to bear the brunt of its serious consequences. Instead of
following scientific methods on how to respond to a pandemic, some sections of
the government and the media itself were communalising the issues. This had
direct consequences on people’s health, on their psychological status, mental
well being and their livelihood. Apart from them, the false and fake news have also been
troubling all of us. In these circumstances, a magazine like Aura is a very
timely and courageous step. I really appreciate its team for their dedication
and creativity to bring out such a needed venture at this difficult time of the
country.”
Presenting a keynote
speech on the occasion, noted author and Asst. Professor at JNU Dr. Ghazala
Jamil, said, “when most of the ‘popular’ women’s magazines have capitulated
entirely to banal consumerism and lean-in feminism, it is heartening to see a
handful of women’s magazines that are resisting the appropriation of women’s
rights agenda by the market. The Aura’s birth is especially welcome because it
will widen this agenda with Muslim women at the helm. The first issue looks
spectacular. The Aura is a thinking, compassionate and inquisitive women’s
magazine.”
Chief Editor of the
Aura magazine Mrs Rahmathunnisa has stated that the objective of the magazine
is to revive real feminine strength in the present scenario, where women’s magazines
just revolve around ‘beauties’. “Through the pages of Aura we intend to
make the suppressed voices heard loud and clear. Aura means emotional, mental
and spiritual form of energy that feels around the body.” She added.
Editor of the Aura,
Ms Ayesha Sultana said, “it attempts to engage with women’s voices and debates
while centring social, political, economic, and personal experiences of women
from different communities, drawing upon the framework of gender justice and
social justice.”
Speaking on the
occasion, editor of the digital Urdu magazine, Ms.Mubashshirah Firdos said,
“today social media has become a key medium of our communication. It will be
useful for humanity, if it is used positively for constructive works,
otherwise, it can be very destructive. The aim of this magazine is to carry out
the same constructive works.”
Delivering the
concluding speech, all India Secretary of JIH Women’s department, Ms Atiya
Siddiqua said, “talents of women need to be nurtured in a positive way. A
magazine with positive thoughts is a timely step in this digital age. Efforts
will be made to provide comprehensive content for readers through this
magazine, covering all issues including religious topics.”
The launching
ceremony was followed by an online panel discussion on the “Politics of Health
and Gender” with public health experts and academics. Besides, Dr Sylvia,
women’s activist and General Secretary of Women’s manifesto Dr. Sharnas Muthu,
Ms.Hamida Rashid, mental health counsellor and founder of an NGO ‘With You,
India’ were the panellists. Ms.Iman Fathima has moderated the discussion while
Sub editor of the Aura Ms.Shayma S has presented the vote of thanks.
Principal of
Government Inter College, Ghaziabad,UP Ms. Ela Mishra, well known poetess
Ms.Shahnaz Shaazi , writer and blogger Ms. Zeenat Akhtar, former Member of All
India Muslim Personal Law Board from Darbhanga Ms. Shahnaz Begum and renowned
author from Warangal Ms.Javeda Begum also addressed during the launching
ceremony. Ms.Fatima Tanveer, Ms.Safia Yasmeen and Sadia Yasmeen were also part
of the ceremony.
Here are their official websites:
www.auramag.in
www.haadiya.in
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