Connect with us

Trending

Afghan women cannot pray loudly or recite in front of other women, says Taliban minister

Published

on

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Afghan women are forbidden from praying loudly or reciting the Quran in front of other women, according to a Taliban government minister.

It’s the latest restriction on women following morality laws that ban them from raising their voice and baring their faces outside the home. They are already excluded from education after sixth grade, many public spaces and most jobs.

Nobody from the Vice and Virtue Ministry was immediately available Wednesday to clarify the official’s remarks or confirm if the prohibition would also become part of the morality laws.

During an event in eastern Logar province on Sunday, Vice and Virtue Minister Khalid Hanafi said: “It is prohibited for a grown woman to recite Quranic verses or perform recitations in front of another grown woman. Even chants of takbir (Allahu Akbar) are not permitted.”

He said that uttering similar expressions like “subhanallah,” another word central to the Islamic faith, was also not allowed. A woman was not permitted to perform the call to prayer, he told the gathering. “So, there is certainly no permission for singing.”

Audio of Hanafi’s remarks was shared on the ministry’s social media platforms but was later deleted.

The ministry said Tuesday that a nationwide awareness program about the laws is underway involving ministry officials at provincial and district levels.

“Organising such programs will contribute to shaping public perception and increasing awareness of divine rulings,” the ministry added.

Afghan provinces are already barring the mediafrom showing images of living things, another controversial and widely criticized feature of the morality laws.

The Taliban set up the ministry for the ” propagation of virtue and the prevention of vice”after seizing power in 2021.

Since then, the ministry has enforced decreesissued by the Taliban leadership that have a disproportionate impact on women and girls, like dress codes, segregated education and employment, and having a male guardian when they travel.

Trending

S*xual Harassment: Senator Natasha Reacts As Akpabio Sues Her For Defamation, Demands N200 Billion In Damages

Published

on

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central has responded to Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s ₦200 billion defamation lawsuit filed against her over her public allegation of s*xual harassment.

The senator on Friday said that she received formal notice of the suit dated December 5, 2025, marked Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/3356/2025, filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

According to Akpoti-Uduaghan, the lawsuit—filed by Akpabio through an ex parte motion—claims she defamed the Senate President by accusing him of s*xually harassing her. The matter is before Hon. Justice U. P. Kekemeke, and has been adjourned to January 21, 2026.

In a statement posted on Friday, the Kogi senator said she is ready for the legal battle, insisting the lawsuit finally gives her the platform that the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges allegedly denied her.

“Today being the 5th day of December, 2025, I’m in receipt of the newly instituted 200 billion naira suit against me by Senator Godswill Akpabio claiming defamation on s*xual harassment.

“Now, I am glad that Sen. Akpabio has brought this up because the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges failed to grant me audience in this issue relying on the fact that Godswill Akpabio’s wife had instituted a defamatory case against me. Therefore they couldn’t attend to a matter already in court,” she wrote.

Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that Senate rules barred her from initiating court action earlier, insisting she was required to first present her complaint before the same Ethics Committee that previously recommended her illegal suspension.

She said the court case now offers her the long-awaited opportunity to lay out her full allegations: “Albeit, I couldn’t proceed to court because by senate rules, I must still present my case before the Ethics committee (same committee that recommended my illegal suspension).

“Alas, I now have a chance to prove how I was s*xually harassed and how my refusal to give into his demands unleashed series of unprovoked and unprecedented attacks on my person. See you in court Godswill Akpabio,” she added.

Court documents seen by SaharaReporters show that Akpabio, through an ex parte application dated December, sought leave to serve court papers on Akpoti-Uduaghan via substituted means, specifically through the Clerk of the National Assembly at the Three Arms Zone, Abuja.

Justice Kekemeke granted the request, allowing the claimant to deliver all originating and subsequent processes—including hearing notices—to any staff in the Clerk’s office.

The suit, accompanied by Motion No. M/12725/2025, revolves around Akpabio’s claim that Natasha’s allegations damaged his reputation.

“AN ORDER of the Honourable Court granting leave to the Claimant/Applicant to serve the Originating Processes, i.e. Writ of Summons and all other subsequent processes including Hearing Notices in this Suit, (Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/3356/2025) on the Defendant by substituted means to wit, by delivering same to the Clerk of the National Assembly, or any staff in the office of the Clerk of the National Assembly, Three Arms Zone, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory.

“AN ORDER of the Honourable Court deeming the said mode of service of the processes on the Defendant as good and proper service. AND for such further or other Order(s) as the Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances of this case.”

Continue Reading

Trending

Man Who Accused Ned Nwoko Of Plotting To K!ll Regina Daniels Apologizes In Tears, Says It Was ‘Just Content’ (Video)

Published

on

The young TikTok user who went viral for accusing Senator Ned Nwoko of allegedly asking him to kill Nollywood actress Regina Daniels has now issued a tearful apology, claiming the entire allegation was “just content.”

In the video, the young man—who identifies himself as “Liar of TikTok”—went on his knees begging the senator for forgiveness, insisting he never expected the situation to escalate.

According to him, the original full video wasn’t posted, and the edited clip circulating online has now put him in serious trouble.

He repeatedly begged: “Good morning sir, I am very, very sorry. Please forgive me. It was content. I didn’t know it would reach this level… I have nobody. No father, no mother. Please sir, I’m begging you with the God you serve. Forgive me.”

This comes hours after Senator Ned Nwoko announced he had instructed his lawyers to petition security agencies over ongoing cyber harassment and defamation targeted at him.

Watch video below…

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DR4UlBljJbe/?igsh=NWViZnpqZXAxd3lh

Continue Reading

Entertainment

2Baba Cries Out For Help in Now Deleted Instagram Post

Published

on

 

This morning, 2Baba posted “Help Me” on his Instagram stories, but less than 20 minutes later, the message vanished.

For the past few days, his relationship with his current wife, Senator Natasha Osawaru, has been under serious scrutiny, as a series of public incidents have surfaced and fuelled widespread speculation about the state of their marriage.

His cry for help should not be taken lightly. But who will answer him?

Will it be his family, his close friends, or the entertainment industry that has benefited from his legendary career?

At this point, one thing is clear. The music icon seems to be calling for real support and those around him cannot afford to look away.

 

Continue Reading

Trending