French-Tunisian influencer Taqwa Bint Ali is on something of a roll.
She is already well respected for her slick take on modest dressing, and is the co-founder of France’s first modest fashion platform Galeries Zarafet, which she set up with her cousin to help hijab wearers feel comfortable in France.
She is also actively involved with the organisation Akagi Club, which helps offer secure sport spaces for Muslim women, and now she has been picked for not one, but two fashion campaigns.
In July, Bint Ali appeared on the social media page of Italian luxury house Fendi, as one of the women modelling the summer collection. Clad in a roomy, logo T-shirt, with a chic silk scarf tied under her chin, she stands with four other women, all wearing elements from the season's range.
Bint Ali was then chosen to be part of series of images entitled No Show for French designer Jean Paul Gaultier. Although Gaultier officially retired from fashion in February, this new series is a celebration of his vast archive, with diverse personalities wearing his vintage couture designs.
In the image, Bint Ali sports an oversized lime green jumper that has trailing neck ties, worn over a black feather-trimmed skirt, and what could well be football shin guards. With Gaultier, anything is possible.
As the first hijabi to model for the house, this is something of a milestone not only for Bint Ali, but for Gaultier, too. Always one to embrace the unconventional, Gaultier has long used everyday people rather than models for his runway shows.
On a wider scale, this also marks an important moment for French fashion. As a nation, France has what is best described as a complex relationship with modest dress codes. While it has freedom of religious expression enshrined into its law, it has also taken actions such as banning the burkini in 2016, drawing widespread criticism.
As a much cherished figure in France, it is good to see that Gaultier at least is taking strides to tackle inclusion and diversity.
When asked about her experience as a Muslim woman growing up in Paris, Bint Ali told Mille World: "As a hijabi woman, it has never been easy for me to find a school, an internship or a job. I've always loved fashion and art but have always felt like there was a huge representation problem within these industries."
However, she cites Galeries Zarafet, which "seeks to celebrate Muslim and modest culture", as helping change the narrative.
“Now, even non-Muslim men and women are hearing us and following us.”
Essentials
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Delhi from about Dh950 return including taxes.
The hotels
Double rooms at Tijara Fort-Palace cost from 6,670 rupees (Dh377), including breakfast.
Doubles at Fort Bishangarh cost from 29,030 rupees (Dh1,641), including breakfast. Doubles at Narendra Bhawan cost from 15,360 rupees (Dh869). Doubles at Chanoud Garh cost from 19,840 rupees (Dh1,122), full board. Doubles at Fort Begu cost from 10,000 rupees (Dh565), including breakfast.
The tours
Amar Grover travelled with Wild Frontiers. A tailor-made, nine-day itinerary via New Delhi, with one night in Tijara and two nights in each of the remaining properties, including car/driver, costs from £1,445 (Dh6,968) per person.
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Facility’s Versatility
Between the start of the 2020 IPL on September 20, and the end of the Pakistan Super League this coming Thursday, the Zayed Cricket Stadium has had an unprecedented amount of traffic.
Never before has a ground in this country – or perhaps anywhere in the world – had such a volume of major-match cricket.
And yet scoring has remained high, and Abu Dhabi has seen some classic encounters in every format of the game.
October 18, IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders tied with Sunrisers Hyderabad
The two playoff-chasing sides put on 163 apiece, before Kolkata went on to win the Super Over
January 8, ODI, UAE beat Ireland by six wickets
A century by CP Rizwan underpinned one of UAE’s greatest ever wins, as they chased 270 to win with an over to spare
February 6, T10, Northern Warriors beat Delhi Bulls by eight wickets
The final of the T10 was chiefly memorable for a ferocious over of fast bowling from Fidel Edwards to Nicholas Pooran
March 14, Test, Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by six wickets
Eleven wickets for Rashid Khan, 1,305 runs scored in five days, and a last session finish
June 17, PSL, Islamabad United beat Peshawar Zalmi by 15 runs
Usman Khawaja scored a hundred as Islamabad posted the highest score ever by a Pakistan team in T20 cricket
