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sport

From California to Team Iran: Roxanna Barahman Proudly Wears the National Jersey

by خانم هاشمی April 14, 2025

Roxanna Barahman, the newest member of Iran’s national women’s basketball team, says wearing the Iranian jersey is the greatest honor of her life.

An International Journey to the Iranian Team

Roxanna Barahman, recently called up to Iran’s training camp for the West Asia Championship, was born in May 1998 in California to Iranian parents. Her professional career spans leagues in France, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Greece, and most recently China. Now, she has officially joined Iran’s national team and will compete in upcoming international tournaments.

“Wearing Iran’s Jersey Is a Huge Honor”

Speaking about donning the Iranian national jersey for the first time, Barahman said: “I feel deeply honored to wear the Iranian national team’s uniform. I’m incredibly excited to represent the country my family comes from. Being among these amazing, strong women is an incredible feeling.”

A Dream Come True for Her and Her Family

When asked about her reaction to receiving the invitation to join the team, she said: “I was overjoyed and immediately told my parents. They’ve always supported me in my basketball journey, but nothing made them prouder than seeing me play for our country. Nothing makes me happier than playing for Team Iran.”

Finding Her Place in the Team

Barahman admitted she had initial doubts but shared: “Over the past few years, I’ve stayed in touch with Coach Eleni, someone I deeply respect and admire. This year, everything aligned for me to become part of the Iranian national team.”

A Warm Welcome in Her New Basketball Home

Speaking about the team and staff’s reception, she added: “I was welcomed right away by the coaches and my teammates. They were incredibly kind and made the transition easier for me. In my five years of playing professionally, no team has ever felt more like home than this one.”

en.jahanbanou.ir

From: irna

April 14, 2025 0 comment

Women in Islam Women Pioneers

Prominent Muslim Women in 2024

by faeze mohammadi March 18, 2025

Introducing 11 Prominent Muslim Women in 2024 Across Science, Sports, and the Arts

Science

Professor Rana Dajani (Jordan) – Molecular Biologist

Winner of the TRT World Citizen Award in 2025

Professor Rana Dajani, a leading geneticist from Jordan, has made significant contributions to genomic studies on diabetes and cancer through stem cell research. Her work played a key role in establishing ethical guidelines for stem cell research in Jordan. A strong advocate for biological evolution in relation to Islam, she is also deeply committed to women’s education and empowerment. She serves as a member of the UN Women’s Advisory Council in Jordan.

In 2025, she was honored at the TRT World Citizen Awards, receiving the Educator Award for her dedication to fostering a love of learning and driving positive change in education.

Fauzia Khan (United Kingdom) – Psychologist & Mental Health Advocate

Winner of the 2024 Rising Star Award from APNA NHS
Recipient of the NHS Hero Award at the Birmingham Local Heroes Awards (August 2024)

Fauzia Khan, an assistant psychologist at the Black Country Mental Health Foundation (NHS), is recognized for her efforts in promoting diversity in psychology, supporting staff mental health, and improving patient care.

Hosna Salimi (Iran) – Elite Student & Researcher

Awarded the “Young Researcher of the Year” title at the 2025 BRICS & SCO Young Leaders Awards

Hosna Salimi is a PhD student in Indian Studies at the Faculty of World Studies, University of Tehran. She specializes in research on international relations and regional cooperation, particularly focusing on Iran’s interactions with Asian countries, especially India. She also serves as an intern at the Asian Mayors Forum, reflecting her interest in urban and international cooperation.

At the BRICS & SCO Young Leaders Awards in Kazan, Russia, held from January 24–26, 2025, she was named “Best Young Researcher of the Year 2025.”

Dr. Intisar Al-Hattlani (Kuwait) – Professor of Chemistry, Kuwait University

Winner of the 2024 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Award

Dr. Al-Hattlani was among six Arab women scientists honored in 2024 for their groundbreaking work in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Her award-winning research focuses on forensic chemistry, particularly in detecting drugs and toxins. Her team has developed advanced methods for identifying harmful substances in saliva, blood serum, and beverages. Additionally, her research has led to innovative fingerprint analysis techniques, contributing to forensic science worldwide.

Sports

Tina Rahimi (Iranian-Australian) – Boxer

First Muslim woman in history to qualify for Olympic boxing at the 2024 Summer Olympics

Tina Rahimi made history as the first Muslim and hijab-wearing woman from Australia to qualify for the Olympics. She was one of 12 boxers representing Australia at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Previously, she won a bronze medal in the 57 kg category at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham..

Sarah Chaâri (Belgium) – Taekwondo Athlete

Bronze Medalist at the 2024 Summer Olympics

Born in Belgium in 2005, Sarah Chaâri started Taekwondo at the age of five and quickly rose to prominence. In 2022, at just 17 years old, she became the first Taekwondo athlete to win the World Taekwondo Championships in her weight category.

She won gold at the 2023 European Games in the 62 kg category and also claimed the World Taekwondo Grand Prix title. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, she won bronze in the 67 kg weight class, making her the first hijab-wearing European Muslim woman to win an Olympic medal.

Sara Ahmed Samir (Egypt) – Weightlifter

Silver Medalist in the Women’s 81 kg Category at the 2024 Olympics

Sara Ahmed Samir made history in 2016 as the first Egyptian woman to win an Olympic medal in weightlifting, securing a bronze in the 69 kg category at the Rio Olympics. She was also the first Arab woman to achieve this milestone.

Since then, she has continued to dominate, winning silver at the 2018 IWF World Championships and gold at the 2022 IWF World Championships, lifting 261 kg in the 76 kg category. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, she won a silver medal in the 81 kg category, earning her second Olympic medal.

Arts

Marrim Akashi Sani (USA) – Photographer

Finalist for the 2024 Jameel Prize in Photography

Marrim Akashi Sani, an Iraqi-Iranian American artist based in Detroit, explores Islamic traditions in North America through photography. Her acclaimed series, Muharram, captures both public and private aspects of Muharram ceremonies, offering an intimate look at personal expressions of faith.

In 2024, her work was shortlisted for the Jameel Prize, which honors contemporary artists whose work engages with Islamic traditions in innovative ways.

Rosalind Noor (Australia) – Painter & Author

Winner of the 2024 Australian Muslim Artists Art Prize

Australian-English artist Rosalind Noor won the 2024 Muslim Australian Artists Award for her oil painting The Sovereign. This piece, created after the referendum on the voting rights of Indigenous Australians and Torres Strait Islanders, explores themes of Indigenous sovereignty and post-colonialism.

Her painting beautifully integrates Australian flora and fauna with artistic influences from 15th and 16th-century Persian and Mongolian miniature paintings. Noor is also a member of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Islamic Studies and Classical Arabic at Charles Sturt University. She is the author of the children’s book Trouble at Taraweeh, which tells the story of a young girl named Imama trying to perform a special prayer on Laylat al-Qadr.

Shima Shaigan (Iran) – Architect

Gold Medal in the Restoration and Conservation Category at the 2nd Continental Architecture Prize in Asia

Shima Shaigan holds a master’s degree in architecture from the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Tehran. In May 2024, she received first place in the Preservation and Revitalization category at the 16th Iranian Architecture Awards, recognized by the Architecture & Building magazine.

Shadi Habib (Iran) – Wood Artist & Educator

Third place in the 3D Category at the International Women’s Art Exhibition

Shadi Habib is an accomplished artist, researcher, and university professor. She holds a Level 2 Art Degree from the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution and serves as a Board Member of the Wood Arts Institute of Vadood.

She has received numerous national and international awards, including Best Work (1st place) at the 2021 International Women’s Art Competition in the U.S., as well as Excellence Awards in 2022. She also secured third place at the Italy International Design Festival in 2019 and 2020.

This year, Shadi Habib won third prize in the 3D category of the 14th International Women’s Art Exhibition for her artwork, “The Birds’ Battlefield.“

en.jahanbanou.ir

with: jahanbanou

March 18, 2025 0 comment

Sport Women Pioneers

Iran: A Global Leader in Advancing Women’s Para Sports

by خانم هاشمی March 8, 2025

Iran has been recognized as the top nation in the world for developing women’s Para sports! The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has awarded the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) of Iran the 2025 International Women’s Day Recognition Award for its remarkable efforts in empowering female Para athletes.

A Legacy of Excellence and Growth

Since its founding in 2000, NPC Iran has made women’s participation in Para sports a strategic priority. By focusing on competition opportunities, leadership roles, and educational programs, Iran has witnessed a massive increase in female athletes competing on the world stage.

✨ From Barcelona 1992 to Paris 2024:

Iranian women first participated in the 1992 Barcelona Paralympics with four table tennis players.

In Paris 2024, 12 Iranian female athletes competed in five sports, winning seven medals – a 33.3% increase in participation!

✨ A Historic Rise in the Asian Para Games:

At the 2010 Guangzhou Games, 34 female athletes competed in eight sports, earning 17 medals.

In Hangzhou 2022, 82 female athletes across 13 sports secured 40 medals – a 42% increase in women’s participation.

Iran: A Global Leader — *Para archer Zahra Nemati carries the Iranian flag during the Rio 2016 Olympics Opening Ceremony*

inspiring Champions & Role Models

Iran is home to legendary female Para athletes who have paved the way for future generations:

🏹 Zahra Nemati – The first Iranian woman to win Paralympic gold (London 2012, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020) and an inspirational figure worldwide.

🎯 Sareh Javanmardi – A four-time Paralympic gold medalist, dominating Para shooting competitions.

⛷ Elaheh Gholi Fallah – Iran’s first female cross-country Para skier to qualify for the Winter Paralympics.

A Commitment to Equality & Leadership

Beyond sports, NPC Iran is a leader in gender inclusivity:

✔️ 40% of its executive board and committees are women, including two athlete representatives.

✔️ The organization has a female Vice President, ensuring that women’s voices are heard at the highest levels.

✔️ More than 60,000 Para athletes train under NPC Iran, and one-third are women.

A Global Model for Women’s Para Sports

Iran’s groundbreaking efforts in promoting equality, inclusion, and excellence in women’s Para sports have set a global standard. The IPC’s recognition of Iran’s leadership is a powerful testament to the country’s commitment to empowering female athletes.

🔗 Read more on paralympic.org

en.jahanbanou.ir

March 8, 2025 0 comment

Sport Women Pioneers

world tennis tour: An Iranian girl’s ascent

by خانم هاشمی November 28, 2024

An Iranian female tennis player achieved victory in the world tennis tour. The $25,000 men’s and $15,000 women’s world tennis tour tournaments are currently underway in Antalya, Turkey.

In these tournaments, Meshkatolzahra Safi advanced to the second round of the main draw after defeating her opponent, while Ali Yazdani ended his participation in the singles section after losing to his opponent.

In the women’s section, Meshkatolzahra Safi defeated Anastasia Muzgalova from Russia with a score of 2-6 and 6-7. Tomorrow, she will compete for a place among the top 8 tennis players against the winner of the match between Indonesia and Russia.

Meshkatolzahra Safi was born in Karaj, Iran in 2004. Having started playing tennis from a young age, she is currently a member of the Iranian national youth women’s tennis team. In 2022, she was ranked among the top 100 junior tennis players in the world by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).

Top 100 Tennis Players in the World

On June 2021, Meshkatolzahra Safi from Iran won the under-18 World Tennis Tour in Shiraz with a decisive victory against a Turkish representative.

This outstanding result in the under-18 World Tour enabled her to, for the first time, be ranked among the top 100 junior tennis players in the world, reaching 74th place according to the World Federation’s announcement.

Safi’s achievement of being ranked among the top 100 is unprecedented for an Iranian player. She also became the first Iranian to qualify for the prestigious Junior Grand Slam tournaments.

en.jahanbanou.ir

November 28, 2024 0 comment

Sport Women Pioneers

Karateka Donates Medal to Resistance Front

by خانم هاشمی November 10, 2024

Zahra Rahmani, a champion karateka in the “IMA” style, made a remarkable gesture after her victory at the Asian Karate Championships. She attended a ceremony at the Martyrs’ Cemetery in Borujen and donated her gold medal and prize money to the Resistance Front.

A special ceremony was held at the city’s Martyrs’ Cemetery to honor this extraordinary young woman. During the event, Zahra presented her hard-earned gold medal and prize to the Resistance Front.

The 17-year-old karateka from Borujen shared her journey, stating that she started training in karate at the age of five and had been striving for national and international titles ever since.

Reflecting on her victory, Zahra said, “When I defeated my opponent in the finals of the Asian Karate Games and won the gold medal, all my years of hard work and effort finally paid off. But after receiving the medal, I thought of the innocent children in Gaza and Lebanon and decided to dedicate my medal to the Resistance Front.”

Karateka Donates Medal to Resistance Front — Zahra Rahmani presented her gold medal
to the Resistance Front

Expressing her happiness with this decision, Rahmani added, “In obedience to our leader’s call to help the people of Lebanon and Palestine, I wanted to contribute in a small way to the children and people of Gaza and Lebanon. This motivated me to donate the fruits of my years of hard work and effort to the Resistance.”

The young athlete concluded by stating that if she were to win a gold medal at the World Karate Championships, she would also donate it to the Resistance Front. She emphasized that there is no greater honor for an athlete than to raise their country’s flag in international arenas.

en.jahanbanou..ir

From: farsnews

November 10, 2024 0 comment

Sport Women Pioneers

Zahra Rahimi Dedicates Her Medal to the Children of Gaza

by خانم هاشمی September 12, 2024

Inspiring Story of a 15-Year-Old Paralympic Medalist

Everyone thought Zahra Rahimi’s silver medal at the Paris Paralympics was a fluke. It was hard to bet on a 15-year-old girl experiencing her first major competition. However, Rahimi proved her doubters wrong, securing Iran’s first-ever women’s para-taekwondo medal in the history of the games.

After winning gold at the Asian Championships, Rahimi was confident she could also medal at the Paralympics. Although she aimed for gold in Paris and ended up with silver, she assures that she will win three gold medals in future competitions.

Beyond the Medal: Rahimi’s Dedication to Gaza’s Children

Rahimi’s main concern isn’t Olympic gold; she’s more focused on children with disabilities and those in Gaza. She has dedicated her medal to the children of Gaza and plans to use her prize money to establish a robotics company that will provide free prosthetics for disabled children.

Zahra Rahimi Dedicates Her Medal to the Children of Gaza

Did you expect to win a medal before going to Paris?

Yes, I did. I worked hard for this medal and believed in my abilities. This medal is very valuable to me, although I wished it were gold.

You had high expectations; did you only think about winning gold?

Yes, my phone’s wallpaper was even a picture of the Paris gold medal. Now I have silver but am motivated for gold in the next Olympics.

Motivation and Support

Where does your confidence come from?

My biggest supporter is God. I promised Him I’d perform my best at the Olympics. My mother is my second biggest supporter; her trust in me made me believe in myself.

Technically, were you ready for gold?

Based on my performance at the Asian Championships, I knew I could win an Olympic medal. Unfortunately, an injury before the final and facing a more experienced opponent cost me the gold.

How did you start taekwondo?

I’ve been practicing taekwondo since I was seven because I’m interested in martial arts and wanted an Olympic-suitable sport.

How do others treat you given your condition?

Some differences sometimes bothered me, but I focused on my training and ignored them. Now I’ve won an Olympic medal while they haven’t achieved anything significant.

Besides the medal, what else was valuable to you in Paris?

The happiness of my parents. When my mother called, she spoke with excitement and tears, giving me a special feeling of joy. My mother had always wished for a banner in the streets of our city for me, and now the streets are filled with banners and photos celebrating my competition and medal. My main motivation is to make my parents proud and do something that brings them honor.

a vow to Imam

Are you very attached to your family?

I love them very much. Before going to the Olympics, we were taken to the shrine of Imam Reza (AS). I made a vow there that if I won a medal at the Olympics, I would bring my parents to the shrine.

Were you training under the Taekwondo Federation or the Federation for Veterans and Disabled for Paris?

Mr. Saei and the Taekwondo Federation supported me greatly. They did everything necessary for us.

Did the large scale of the Olympics affect your performance?

I am not stressed and am very calm; I never pay attention to the atmosphere of the venue. I know how to calm myself down. Rather than seeing a psychologist, I trust myself more.

Dedication to Gaza

Why did you dedicate your medal to the children of Gaza?

Seeing their images and videos on social media—innocent children living in harsh conditions or being martyred—makes me very sad. I dedicated my medal to them so that they might be happy even if just for a moment.

If asked to do something for them, what would you do?

The only thing I can do is provide financial support.

You said that the best congratulatory message was from the President. Why was it the best—because he is from Tabriz?

No, just because he is our country’s President.

Your fellow citizens gave you an overwhelming welcome. Did you expect such a reception?

I knew they would welcome me like this. My fellow citizens and people from my province are very proud of their youth. I thank all of them.

Future Plans

What are your plans for the future? Besides aiming for the gold medal at the 2028 Paralympics, do you have any other plans?

I have a lot of work to do. First, I want to win three Paralympic gold medals. After achieving these medals, I will retire from professional sports. My field of study is mathematics, and I intend to pursue programming. With the rewards from these medals, I plan to start a robotics company, design and build prosthetic limbs, and provide them for free to children in need.

Message for Those with Physical Challenges

Those who have physical challenges often find it very difficult to integrate into society, let alone pursue sports or continue in professional sports. What message do you have for them?

Be yourself and love yourself as you are. If we strive hard, we can even surpass those who are physically normal. I tell them not to underestimate.

hamshahrionline.ir

September 12, 2024 0 comment

Asia

Japan Takes a Stand: New Uniform Tech Protects Athlete Privacy

by faeze mohammadi July 31, 2024

Japan’s Olympic athletes are set to compete in a new era of privacy after the introduction of high-tech uniforms designed to thwart intrusive photography

Japan’s commitment to athlete privacy has taken a significant step forward with the introduction of new fabric technology in this year’s Olympic uniforms. The material is designed to absorb infrared light, effectively rendering it invisible to night vision cameras.

This groundbreaking move comes in response to a disturbing trend of privacy violations during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Numerous female athletes fell victim to the unauthorized distribution of compromising photos. The issue of inappropriate photography and its exploitation has been a persistent problem in Japan, but this technological advancement offers a promising solution.

By prioritizing the protection of its athletes, particularly women, Japan is setting a powerful example for the global sports community. It’s a step in the right direction towards creating a safer and more respectful environment for all athletes.

From: Unseen Japan

July 31, 2024 0 comment

Europe

Olympics camera operators urged to avoid ‘sexism’ in filming female athletes

by faeze mohammadi July 30, 2024

Head of Olympic Broadcasting Services says women are still shot in a different way to men due to ‘unconscious bias’.

The official Olympics broadcaster has urged camera operators to film male and female athletes in the same way to avoid “stereotypes and sexism” creeping into the coverage.

The Paris Olympics are the first in the 128-year history of the modern Games to reach gender parity among athletes, with women’s sport also given more prime-time broadcast spots to help raise its profile.

With the Games now in full swing, the head of Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) said his organisation had updated its guidelines for camera operators, most of whom are men. OBS is responsible for the TV coverage of the Olympics, with its images shared with rights holders around the world.

“Unfortunately, in some events they [women] are still being filmed in a way that you can identify that stereotypes and sexism remains, even from the way in which some camera operators are framing differently men and women athletes,” the OBS chief executive, Yiannis Exarchos, told reporters in Paris.

“Women athletes are not there because they are more attractive or sexy or whatever. They are there because they are elite athletes.”

He said the problem was mainly down to “unconscious bias”, with camera operators and TV editors tending to show more closeup shots of women than men.

A number of scheduling changes have been made by Olympics organisers in Paris to boost women’s sport. The women’s marathon is to be the final event of the Games instead of the men’s race.

“The schedules of sporting events have traditionally been biased towards highlighting men’s events,” Exarchos said. “Traditionally, in team sports, you have first women’s finals, and then the men’s final … In strength and combat sports, traditionally you have women’s competitions in the morning and men’s competitions in the afternoon.”

Marie Sallois, the director in charge of gender equality at the International Olympic Committee, said the Paris Games were “de facto the world’s largest platform to promote gender equality in and through sport”.

She pointed to “symbolic moments” in the opening ceremony on Friday, with almost all delegations having a male and a female flag carrier, while the artistic show paid tribute to influential women in French history.

When the ancient Greek Olympics concept was revived by the French aristocrat Pierre de Coubertin in the late 19^th century, he saw it as a celebration of gentlemanly athleticism “with female applause as its reward”.

In 1924, the last time the Olympics were held in Paris, just 4% of competitors were women and they were restricted to sports considered “suitable” for them, such as swimming, tennis and croquet.

From: Guardian

July 30, 2024 0 comment