“Did you ride camels into school? Can your mother drive? Did you have to ask your father’s permission?"
These were some of the typical questions Jana Amin faced when she moved as a young Muslim girl from Egypt to the US.
They made her think long and hard about the perception of Muslim women in the West – and more importantly, what she could do to change it.
After an extraordinary journey, Ms Amin will on Thursday appear online at a high-profile side event of the UN General Assembly's 75th session.
Outgoing, confident and already an accomplished public speaker as shown by her TEDxYouth@BeaconStreet Talk, Ms Amin is unlikely to be fazed by the exposure.
She will gladly use the panel discussion as a platform to further empower Muslim women.
Ms Amin’s enthusiasm and self-possession are evident as she speaks from her Boston home.
Her inner strength comes from formidable women, including her grandmothers, who she says instilled in her “a type of power at a very young age”.
She first discovered the power of the media's portrayal of Muslim women as “victims of oppression, submissive servants or even political pawns” when she left the Middle East for America, aged 12.
“My friends and teachers were shocked to see that I was a self-identified Muslim, Arab woman, and yet I was nothing like the women they had seen in the media,” Ms Amin says.
It was not something the schoolgirl was going to let slide, especially when asked such uninformed questions as the one about her mother driving.
Her mother, Rana El Kaliouby, a computer scientist and entrepreneur, is chief executive of a technology company and a well-respected author.
“I mean, she could do much more than drive, right?” Ms Amin says.
But their encounter with her was the first time many of these American pupils had met a Muslim woman from the Middle East.
“It was a bizarre experience I think because of the way the West portrays Muslims often times,” she says.
“For me, it began my activist journey by telling people the story of the Muslim women I knew.
“A year or so after that, I started realising that this was a way of bridging the gap between the US and the Middle East: sharing with them what it meant to be a Muslim woman; that there are Muslim women who wear the hijab or niqab and there are those who don't.
"And it's not even about the garment. It’s about their intelligence, their intellect.”
Ms Amin set up an initiative called “Bantoota”, the Arabic word for girl, on Instagram with the strapline: “She’s Just Like You. Changing the narrative around Muslim women one woman at a time.”
She used the social-networking service to listen to stories and then share them.
“I realised what they had was powerful and it was just incredible to see that growth and journey,” Ms Amin says.
“People would say, ‘Oh, my gosh, thank you so much for sharing this’, and that completely inspired me. Then these girls would say, ‘Wait, I inspired somebody? How can that be?’”
There is no future for the Middle East without its women and girls
A passion grew within her to help young women by becoming an advocate for girls’ education and women's empowerment.
It is a role that she has found extremely rewarding in spite of a somewhat shaky start.
As part of her work, she joined the Collateral Repair Project teaching English to refugees in Jordan.
At first, with a glitchy Skype signal, Ms Amin found the online teaching difficult and was not convinced of its usefulness.
“I thought nobody was learning anything, because it was just such a mess,” she says.
“Then, at the beginning of a class, this Yemeni mother says, ‘Miss Jana, can I have a moment?’ And I'm like, ‘Sure, go ahead.’
“This mother brings up her four children and has them speak together in English.
"It's incredible to see because she's basically taught them what we've learnt over the past two weeks, saying things like ‘Hi, hello, how are you? I'm a refugee’.
"It was so amazing to see that when you educate one woman, you're educating a whole family and a community.”
Further evidence of Ms Amin’s growing influence will be there for all to see at the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal Action Zone on Thursday, where she will be asked to put forward “policies to further the world”.
Unsurprisingly, she is excited and not in the least daunted by the opportunity.
“It will be on really tangible policies that can improve and progress SDGs on an individual level or recommendations we have for businesses,” Ms Amin says.
In the new era of virtual meetings, she believes that important institutions such as the UN are opening up to the entire world, which she describes as “a blessing”.
But lockdown has been tough on Ms Amin who, gregarious by nature, concedes that she is craving some human connection.
She consoles herself by playing the harp, an instrument that she has learnt since emigrating, and looks forward to competing for her school squash team.
“You always need some sort of physical movement and it’s a fun way to connect with other people my age,” Ms Amin says.
Which, naturally enough, brings her back to advocacy.
“In Egypt, there are still lots of stigmas surrounding women in sports,” Ms Amin says.
She is inspired and hopeful for women in the region, talking of increasing female involvement in politics, such as the role of UAE’s Noura Al Kaabi, the Minister of Culture and Youth.
“Women who are in positions of power, whether that's in the government or in businesses, are role models for us,” Ms Amin says. “It's incredible to see what those women are doing.
"And it's clear to see that their work is really driving forward progress in the Middle East, because there is no future for the Middle East without its women and girls.
"I really do think there are a lot of young women who are currently taking up the fight for the region's future.”
Ms Amin's immediate future lies in finding a university place in international studies, either in America or, as she hopes, following in her mother’s path to the University of Cambridge.
Without putting too much burden on her young shoulders, it is difficult not to draw comparisons with other inspirational young women of today, such as environmental campaigner Greta Thunberg and Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani activist for female education.
Last year, Ms Amin made sure to attend Malala’s inspirational lecture at Harvard University and unabashedly asked for a selfie with the Nobel Peace laureate.
She went on to write an editorial for the Malala Fund publication Assembly.
When Ms Amin gives her thoughts tomorrow as to what meaningful action is needed to change the world for the better, it is unlikely to be the last we hear from her.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
ITU Abu Dhabi World Triathlon
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERobert%20Lorenz%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Liam%20Neeson%2C%20Kerry%20Condon%2C%20Jack%20Gleeson%2C%20Ciaran%20Hinds%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Australia tour of Pakistan
March 4-8: First Test, Rawalpindi
March 12-16: Second Test, Karachi
March 21-25: Third Test, Lahore
March 29: First ODI, Rawalpindi
March 31: Second ODI, Rawalpindi
April 2: Third ODI, Rawalpindi
April 5: T20I, Rawalpindi
RESULTS
5pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: Samau Xmnsor, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Ottoman, Szczepan Mazur, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Sharkh, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 85,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Yaraa, Fernando Jara, Majed Al Jahouri
7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Maaly Al Reef, Bernardo Pinheiro, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Jinjal, Fabrice Veron, Ahmed Al Shemaili
8pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Al Sail, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
If you go...
Etihad Airways flies from Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur, from about Dh3,600. Air Asia currently flies from Kuala Lumpur to Terengganu, with Berjaya Hotels & Resorts planning to launch direct chartered flights to Redang Island in the near future. Rooms at The Taaras Beach and Spa Resort start from 680RM (Dh597).
Meydan racecard:
6.30pm: Handicap | US$135,000 (Dirt) | 1,400 metres
7.05pm: Handicap | $135,000 (Turf) | 1,200m
7.40pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes | Group 3 | $200,000 (T) | 2,000m
8.15pm: UAE Oaks | Group 3 | $250,000 (D) | 1,900m
8.50pm: Zabeel Mile | Group 2 | $250,000 (T) | 1,600m
9.20pm: Handicap | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m
More from our neighbourhood series:
Marathon results
Men:
1. Titus Ekiru(KEN) 2:06:13
2. Alphonce Simbu(TAN) 2:07:50
3. Reuben Kipyego(KEN) 2:08:25
4. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:08:46
5. Felix Kemutai(KEN) 2:10:48
Women:
1. Judith Korir(KEN) 2:22:30
2. Eunice Chumba(BHR) 2:26:01
3. Immaculate Chemutai(UGA) 2:28:30
4. Abebech Bekele(ETH) 2:29:43
5. Aleksandra Morozova(RUS) 2:33:01
Types of policy
Term life insurance: this is the cheapest and most-popular form of life cover. You pay a regular monthly premium for a pre-agreed period, typically anything between five and 25 years, or possibly longer. If you die within that time, the policy will pay a cash lump sum, which is typically tax-free even outside the UAE. If you die after the policy ends, you do not get anything in return. There is no cash-in value at any time. Once you stop paying premiums, cover stops.
Whole-of-life insurance: as its name suggests, this type of life cover is designed to run for the rest of your life. You pay regular monthly premiums and in return, get a guaranteed cash lump sum whenever you die. As a result, premiums are typically much higher than one term life insurance, although they do not usually increase with age. In some cases, you have to keep up premiums for as long as you live, although there may be a cut-off period, say, at age 80 but it can go as high as 95. There are penalties if you don’t last the course and you may get a lot less than you paid in.
Critical illness cover: this pays a cash lump sum if you suffer from a serious illness such as cancer, heart disease or stroke. Some policies cover as many as 50 different illnesses, although cancer triggers by far the most claims. The payout is designed to cover major financial responsibilities such as a mortgage or children’s education fees if you fall ill and are unable to work. It is cost effective to combine it with life insurance, with the policy paying out once if you either die or suffer a serious illness.
Income protection: this pays a replacement income if you fall ill and are unable to continue working. On the best policies, this will continue either until you recover, or reach retirement age. Unlike critical illness cover, policies will typically pay out for stress and musculoskeletal problems such as back trouble.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler
Price, base / as tested Dh57,000
Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine
Transmission Six-speed gearbox
Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm
Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)
Power: 141bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh64,500
On sale: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
THE SPECS
Range Rover Sport Autobiography Dynamic
Engine: 5.0-litre supercharged V8
Transmission: six-speed manual
Power: 518bhp
Torque: 625Nm
Speed: 0-100kmh 5.3 seconds
Price: Dh633,435
On sale: now
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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1.
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United States
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2.
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China
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3.
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UAE
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4.
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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6.
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Canada
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7.
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Singapore
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8.
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Australia
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9.
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Saudi Arabia
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10.
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South Korea
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