In the heart of Jakarta, the grand Istiqlal Mosque was built with a vision for it to stand for a thousand years. The mosque was conceived by Soekarno, Indonesia’s founding father, and was designed as an impressive symbol for the country's independence. Its seven gates — representing the seven heavens in Islam — welcome visitors from across the archipelago and the world into the mosque's lofty interior. But they don't just see the light here. It fuels them. A major renovation in 2019 installed upwards of 500 solar panels on the mosque's expansive roof, now a major and clean source of Istiqlal's electricity. And this Ramadan, the mosque has encouraged an energy waqf — a type of donation in Islam that continues to bear fruit over time — to grow its capacity to make renewable power. Her Pramtama, deputy head of the Ri’ayah — or building management — division of Istiqlal Mosque, hopes that Islam's holiest month, when the faithful flock to mosques in greater numbers, can provide momentum to Istiqlal's solar project through donations. The mosque's climate push is just one example of different “Green Ramadan” initiatives in Indonesia and around the world that promote an array of changes during the Muslim holy month, which has fasting and, in many cases, feasting elements as people gather to break their fasts. In a month where restraint and charity are emphasized, recommendations can include using less water while performing the ritual washing before prayers, replacing plastic bottles and cutlery during community iftars with reusable ones and reducing food waste. Other suggestions include carpooling to mosques, using local produce, emphasizing recycling and using donations to fund clean energy projects. For the world to limit the effects of climate change — which is already causing worsening droughts, floods and heat waves — the use of dirty fuels for electricity and transport, petrochemicals to make products like plastics and the emissions from food waste in landfills all need to be drastically slashed, scientists say. Though individual initiatives are just a small part of that transition, experts say growing momentum behind climate goals can have an effect. Groups taking an Islamic-based approach often highlight environmental understandings of certain Quranic verses and sayings and practices of Prophet Muhammad about the earth, water and against wastefulness. Last year, at a meeting of the Muslim Congress for Sustainable Indonesia, the country’s vice president Ma’ruf Amin called on clerics and community leaders “to play an active role in conveying issues related to environmental damage” and asked for concrete action on climate change including through donations to solar projects like those at Istiqlal Mosque. Muhammad Ali Yusuf, a board member at the faith-based Nahdlatul Ulama’s Institution for Disaster Management and Climate Change in Indonesia, said spreading awareness about clean energy is a “shared responsibility” for Muslims, where mosques' own solar panel installations can be catalysts toward a greater transition. In the United States and Canada, environmental groups that began springing up in Muslim communities in the mid-2000s independently from one another formed “green Muslim understandings” from within their religious traditions, according to Imam Saffet Catovic, a U.S. Muslim community environmental activist. “In some cases, the mosques were receptive to it,” he said. In others, mosque leaders, “didn’t fully understand” the drive, he added. Ramadan offers a “possibility for ecological training that’s unique to the Muslim community,” Catovic said. “Thirty days allow someone to change their habits." The Islamic Society of North America website calls on Muslims to be “an eco-friendly community”, saying looking after the environment is “based upon the premise that Islam has ordained us to be the stewards and protectors of this planet.” Some mosques and Muslims around the world are heeding such calls, one small step at a time. Ahead of Ramadan this year, the mosque at Al Ma’hadul Islamic Boarding School in Indonesia received solar panels through Islamic donations, supplying enough energy for the mosque's entire needs. The electricity from the solar panels also lights up schools and roads in the vicinity. The Nizamiye Mosque in Johannesburg, South Africa, with its towering minarets and spacious interior, has a roof dotted with domes and solar panels that help keep the power on at the mosque and its surrounding schools, clinic and bazaar. The 143 panels cover over a third of the complex's energy use in a country that has struggled in recent years to provide enough electricity through its strained grid. In Edison, New Jersey, Masjid Al-Wali¸ a mosque and community center, has been adopting changes such as selling reusable water bottles to members at cost and installing more water coolers to discourage the use of disposable plastic bottles, said board member Akil Mansuri. “Preserving the environment is the Islamically right thing to do,” Mansuri said. “People accept the message, but adoption is always slower.” Several years ago, Masjid Al-Wali, whose activities include an Islamic school and monthly community dinners, installed solar panels. Meals this Ramadan for the mosque’s community iftars come in plastic pre-packaged boxes for now, Mansuri said. But mosque leaders encourage members to take leftovers and reuse the boxes, instead of throwing them away, he said, adding he hopes alternatives can be found next Ramadan. In the United Kingdom, Projects Against Plastic, a Bristol-based charity, is leading a plastic-free Ramadan campaign. “I feel like, as a Muslim, that mosques are the hub of the communities and they should take a little bit more leading role for sustainability and toward recycling,” PAP founder Naseem Talukdar said. “During the month of Ramadan is where I’ve really seen a ridiculous amount of plastic being used and thrown away.” Mosques are urged to raise awareness on plastic pollution and reduce reliance on single-use plastic. Seven Bristol mosques participated in a pilot project last year, with varying results, and a national campaign, with more than 20 participating mosques, was rolled out this year. Besides education, another challenge is when mosques don’t have enough funds to buy reusable cutlery, dishwashers and water fountains. “We knew we were going to hit some hard walls and some pushbacks, but, to be honest, the engagement that we’ve seen so far, it was a little overwhelming,” Talukdar said. “Even though the progress is slow, but there’s a real appetite for this kind of initiative within the mosque." Ummah for Earth, an alliance-led initiative that aims to empower Muslim communities facing climate change, is urging people to pledge to adopt one eco-friendly practice during Ramadan. Options include asking an imam to address environmental issues, donating to environmental charities and shopping sustainably. “Many Muslims are not aware that there are environmental teachings in the Quran and the sayings of the prophet and that they have a role that they can play to protect the planet,” said Nouhad Awwad, Beirut-based campaigner and global outreach coordinator for the Ummah for Earth project at Greenpeace MENA. As they work to raise awareness, campaigners often encounter the argument that climate change is “destined” and that “you cannot change God’s destiny,” Awwad said. “We’re trying to change the narrative,” she said. “We have things that we can do on an individual level, on a community level and on a political level.”

The holy Shab-e-Barat -- the night of blessings and forgiveness -- will be observed in Bangladesh tonight with befitting religious fervour. Shab-e-Barat is observed on the 15th night of the Arabic month of Sha'ban. Shab-e-Barat is regarded as a significant occasion during which Muslims pray to Allah and beg for forgiveness for their transgressions. It is thought to absolve them of their sins and bestow upon them good fortune for the entire year. Muslim devotees will offer special prayers, recite from the Holy Quran, and also hold religious gatherings seeking divine blessings for the wellbeing of mankind. Read more: No fireworks during Shab-e-Barat: DMP The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has imposed a ban on using firecrackers in areas under its jurisdiction in the capital ahead of the holy Shab-e-Barat. The 12-hour restriction will come into effect from 6pm this evening and remain in force till 6am the next day, DMP Commissioner Khandker Gulam Faruk said.  The ban was imposed to maintain the law and order in the capital and ensure the sanctity of Shab-e-Barat, he added. Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar, and private TV channels and radio stations will air special programmes, highlighting the significance of the night. President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the occasion on Monday. They greeted all Muslims in the country and elsewhere across the world on the occasion of the holy Shab-e-Barat. President Abdul Hamid in his message said the holy Shab-e-Barat comes to mark the advent of the holy month of Ramadan and good fortune. “On this holy night of Shab-e-Barat, we pray for the continued progress, welfare, and greater unity of the Muslim Ummah, along with seeking eternal mercy and blessings from the Almighty Allah. May the full virtues of the holy Shab-e-Barat be upon us.” Read more: 7 Exclusive Halwa Ideas, Recipes for holy Shab-e-Barat He urged the affluent to come forward and help the distressed and the poor on this occasion, as the world is gripped by a multitude of crises due to the Covid-19 pandemic followed by the war in Ukraine. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said: “Inspired by the greatness of the holy Shab-e-Barat, I am calling upon all to devote themselves to the cause of human welfare and nation building.”   She also asked all to establish the spirit of Islam at personal, social, and national levels, putting off all kinds of injustice, violence, and superstition.  

The holy Shab-e-Barat or Barat Night is a religious event for Muslims. Shab-e-Barat is observed as the ‘Night of Forgiveness’ or the ‘Day of Atonement’. This event is celebrated in South Asian, Central Asian, South East Asian, and Middle Eastern Muslim countries. Muslims observe the night of Shab-e-Barat on the 15th night of the month of Sha'ban in worship and pray for salvation. On this holy event, the practice of distributing halwa among neighbours, relatives, and poor people has become a part of the tradition. Let's take a look at 7 delicious halwa recipes for Shab-e-Barat to try at home.   7 Healthy Halwa Recipes for the Holy Shab-e-Barat  Carrot Halwa Recipe Ingredients: 1 kg carrots (grated), 2 and a half cups of boiled milk, sugar (as required), ½ tsp cardamom powder, 3 tbsp butter, a few almonds, a few pistachios, a few cashews Method: First, take a pan and butter, and then cook the grated carrots on low heat so that the rawness of the carrots goes away. Continue cooking until the smell changes. Then add the milk and cook as long as the mixture becomes thick. Now add the sugar and when it becomes thick, keep stirring. Add the cardamom powder and finally add the nuts. Transfer the halwa to a dish to set it. When it is cool, serve.   Chana Dal Halwa Recipe Ingredients  1 Cup chana dal, 1 cup water, 3 tbsp ghee, 1 tsp saffron, 1 cup sugar, 2 tsp cardamom powder, 1/2 tsp clove powder, 10 pieces almonds, 10 pieces cashew nuts Method: First, wash the chana dal and then soak it in water for two hours. Then cook the soaked chana dal and the water in a pressure cooker for about 10 minutes. Now, heal ghee in a pan and add the chana dal. Cook and stir frequently to make a thick liquid. Add saffron and stir well so that it mixes well. Then add sugar, cardamom powder, clove powder, almond, and cashew nut and remove from the stove when it becomes sticky and smells a good aroma. Garnish with Chopped almonds and serve.  Green Pea Halwa Recipe Ingredients : 1 cup chickpeas, 1 cup sugar, 1/4 cup ghee, 2 cardamom pods  For garnish: 1 teaspoon ghee, 5-6 pistachios ( chopped), 10-12 raisins Method: First, wash the green peas and blend them to have a good puree. Then heat ghee in a pan and then add the peas puree and keep stirring. Cook on low heat for 7-8 minutes. Then add sugar and cardamom powder and continue cooking and stirring until all the extra moisture is absorbed and the halwa becomes non-sticky. Remove the heat. Meanwhile, fry the dry fruits with ghee till fragrant and put them over the halwa for garnishing and then serve. 

Six cases have been filed and 81 people arrested in connection with the clashes between police and Muslim devotees over ‘Salana Jalsa’ event of the Ahmadiyya community on Friday (March 03, 2023). Among those, police filed four cases with Panchagarh Sadar Police Station, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) filed two cases and Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat another case. A total of 31 named people and 8,200 unnamed ones were made accused in the cases on various charges including spreading rumours, attacks, vandalism, looting and obstructing government work, according to police. Fazle Rabbi, 28, of the Rajnagar area and Rabbi Emon, (26) of the Satmera area of Tentulia upazila were arrested for spreading rumours on Facebook. Also Read: ‘Rumours against Ahmadiyya’: BNP leader among 19 held Ismail Hossain Jhanu, 25, of the Rajangarh area of Panchagarh municipality and Rasel Hossain, 28, of the Tular Danga area of the municipality were arrested in connection with the murder of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat engineer Zahid Hasan. Besides, 77 people were shown arrested in the cases filed by the police and Rab on several charges and they were sent to jail through a court. According to police and case statements, sub-inspectors Masud Rana, Saidur Rahman, Shamsuzzoha Sarker,  Altaf Hossain, and DAD Abdus Samad on behalf of Rab-13 filed the cases at Panchagarh Sadar Police Station on March 4 night. Osman Ali, father of engineer Zahid Hasan, filed a case on behalf of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in connection with the murder. No one was named in the case, but 400 unnamed people were made accused. Also Read: ‘Hate campaign’ being run against Ahmadiyyas on Twitter, says member of community Police said two people who were allegedly directly involved in Zahid’s murder have been arrested. They gave confessional statements in connection with the murder. Panchagarh Superintendent of Police SM Sirajul Huda said the situation is under control now. Members of the police, Border Guard Bangladesh and RAB have been deployed at different points, he said. “We are investigating the incident and arresting those involved. No matter who the attackers are, they will not be spared. Raids are on to arrest the other accused,” said the SP. Read More: Clash over Ahmadiyya event: Law enforcers on high alert to avoid further trouble in Panchagarh  Earlier, on Friday, two people were killed and at least 50 others including policemen were injured in the clash between a section of Muslim devotees and police during a protest march of the devotees demanding the closure of an Ahmadiyya community’s event in Panchagarh district town. Later on Saturday, a vested interest group spread rumours in different parts of the district town and on social media saying that some Ahmidyya community members slaughtered two Muslims. Following the rumours, some young people equipped with sticks and sharp weapons blocked roads, carried out arson attacks, and looted shops and houses of the Ahmadiyya community. Read More: 20 hurt in clash between two BCL factions while paying homage at CU

The holy Shab-e-Meraj will be observed in the country tonight (Saturday night) with due religious fervour. Muslim devotees will offer special prayers at mosques and homes across the country seeking blessings of Allah, the Merciful, for the welfare of the entire nation and the Muslim Ummah. On the night of 26th Rajab every year, Muslims observe Shab-e-Meraj when Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) embarked on a special journey to meet Allah. According to Islam, the Great Prophet (PBUH) was transported from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al-Aqsa, from where he ascended to Heaven. Also read: Holy Shab-e-Meraj on February 18 In the journey, the Prophet travelled on the “Buraq” to Heaven where Allah gave him some instructions to take back to the faithful regarding the details of prayers.  

After Hajj, Umrah is another important thing for devout Muslims. If you want to go for Umrah from Bangladesh, either you can process yourself or process through a travel agency. Various travel agencies in Bangladesh offer all packages for performing Umrah. But the price of these packages is relatively high. So, if you can do all the processings of Umrah yourself, then you can reduce the cost. However, you cannot apply for a visa by yourself, and you need to contact government-approved agencies to apply for an Umrah visa. Stay with us to know the procedure of performing Umrah from Bangladesh. Who Is Eligible to Go for Umrah? It is obligatory for financially capable Muslims to perform Hajj once in a lifetime. Capable Muslims should also perform Umrah. However, apart from financial capability, there are a few basic conditions a Muslim should fulfill before performing Umrah and Hajj. The first condition is that the person must be a Muslim and a believer. If a person does not have faith and Islam in his heart and if he has not become a Muslim and is hypocritical about Islam, then Hajj is not obligatory on him. If such a person performs Hajj, then his Hajj may not be granted by almighty. Read Saudi Arabia opens Umrah pilgrimage to vaccinated worshipers from abroad Another condition is that the person should be an adult, but you can take your child with you. In Islam being an adult means that a person can understand the difference between two things. Although there is a dilemma on this point. According to a hadith of Hazrat Abu Dawood (RA) the age of an adult person is 10 years. If a person is promoted to this age, then he can perform Hajj, then his Hajj will be acceptable. The Season of Umrah The literal meaning of Umrah is religious deeds, worship, pleasure, service, pilgrimage, and desire. The person who performs Umrah is called Mutamir. The specific activities of Umrah are Ihram, Tawaf, Sai, Halak, Qasr, etc. Umrah is performed in Kaaba Sharif mainly. It is Sunnah for the Afaqi, that is, the one who comes from far places to perform Umrah, to visit the Rawza Sharif of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in Madinah. There is no specific time for performing Umrah. Anyone can perform Umrah all year round. However, it is not obligatory to perform Umrah at the specified time of Hajj (5 days from 8 Zilhaj to 12 Zilhaj). Umrah can be performed at any time of the year except these five days. Read Bill placed in JS to deal with irregularities in Hajj, Umrah sector How Bangladeshi Citizens Can Do Umrah? As we have mentioned earlier, Bangladeshi citizens can go for Umrah by themselves or through an agency. If you don’t have time to do all the processes by yourself, you can take Umrah packages from different agencies. However, make sure you contact the government-approved agencies. There are many agencies that are not approved by the Bangladesh government. Usually, travel agencies may charge you BDT 1 lakh to BDT 1.5 lakh, depending on the season. But, you can reduce the cost by doing everything yourself. But you must contact an agency for the visa. Depending on the situation and season, agencies may take BDT 15,000 to 20,000. The required documents for an umrah visa are, - Valid Bangladeshi passport (must have 6 months validity) - One passport size photograph less than six months old with white background (one copy). - Application form. Read How to Get E-Passport in Bangladesh: Things you need to know Going with groups or if you can go with your family or friends will help you to reduce the cost. After getting the visa, you will need to make the tour plan by booking hotels, airline tickets, and more. Umrah visas are usually issued for 14 days, 21 days, 30 days, and 45 days. However, it does not actually take more than 2 to 3 days to perform Umrah. So, you can plan according to your budget and visas. For example, if you plan for 10 days, you can first go to Medina for 4 nights and then to Makkah for 6 nights. And, accordingly, make hotel bookings in Medina and Mecca. More than one person can stay in one room in the hotel. Most of the rooms have 5 to 6 beds. Read E-Passport for Children in Bangladesh: Application process, necessary documents So, if you go in groups, the hotel cost will be 70-80 Saudi Riyal. And same goes for the plane tickets too. The return plane fare will be around BDT 60,000. However, if you buy a group ticket, this could be reduced to BDT 50,000 or less. For the food, there are many hotels where you can do breakfast, lunch, and dinner for 25-30 Saudi Riyal per person. You can also visit Islamic landmarks (called Ziara) in Medina and Makkah. For this, you can take a reserve car in Madinah for 150-200 Saudi Riyals so that 6 people can go, and you can take a taxi microbus in Makkah, which will take 100-120 Saudi Riyals. Using these vehicles, you can see all the sights. Read Nominees of pilgrims unable to attend hajj 2022 can withdraw deposited money According to this tour plan, if you stay there for 4 nights in Medina and 6 nights in Makkah for a total of 10 nights, you will get two Juma prayers and participate in one Medina and another in Mecca. These 10 days, tour plans will cost you around BDT 80,000-90,000. However, this cost may vary depending on the seasons. For example, the cost during Ramadan is a bit higher. Beware of Scammers There are also serious allegations that many travels and Hajj agencies have been cheating travelers in the name of helping them perform Umrah. In particular, the Muslims are deceived by the glamorous advertisements of taking responsibility for all matters of performing Umrah for very little money. Read Bank officials can travel abroad for Hajj, treatment, foreign-funded workshop: BB These attractive advertisements are advertised in newspapers or through social media. As per the advertisement, they are supposed to provide services like three-star hotels, guides, transportation, etc., in Saudi Arabia. But in reality, travelers do not get any of them. In addition, some of these agencies may charge more money in the name tax and surcharges. Moreover, brokers are also active in Saudi Arabia. They extort large sums of money from tourists in the name of various services or sightseeing. So beware of them. Final Words Performing Umrah is an important sunnah that applies to both men and women. There is no provision that Hajj becomes obligatory after doing Umrah. If you want to do Urah from Bangladesh, this guideline will surely help you out. And if you want to go through an agency, make sure you choose a reupdated one. Read Online Hajj Registration from Bangladesh: Procedure and Costs

Authorities in New Delhi stopped a demolition drive in a Muslim-dominated neighborhood after hundreds of residents and a number of opposition party workers gathered in protest Monday. No buildings were razed down before the bulldozers retreated. Anti-Muslim sentiment and attacks have risen across India in the past month, including stone throwing between Hindu and Muslim groups during religious processions, followed by demolition drives in a few states where many Muslim-owned properties were razed down by local authorities. Also read: India’s Muslims mark Eid ul-Fitr amid community violence This was most recently seen last month in a northwest neighborhood in New Delhi where bulldozers destroyed several Muslim properties before the Supreme Court halted the drive. The demolitions were carried out days after communal violence there left several injured and sparked arrests. Amid heavy police presence Monday, bulldozers arrived in Shaheen Bagh, a neighborhood that in 2020 became a site of intense protest after the Parliament passed a controversial bill the previous year that amended the country's citizenship law. The new law would fast-track naturalization for persecuted religious minorities from some neighboring Islamic countries, but excludes Muslims, sparking many to call it discriminatory. It unleashed months of demonstrations from across India and Shaheen Bagh quickly became a symbol of the resistance, with the protests there led by a peaceful sit-in by Muslim women along a highway that passed through the neighborhood. Officials have said these demolition drives target illegal buildings and not any particular religious group. But critics argue such moves are the latest attempt to harass and marginalize Muslims, who are 14% of India’s 1.4 billion population, and point to a pattern of rising religious polarization under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party. As the bulldozers drove away, Mohammed Niyaz, a 47-year-old resident in the neighborhood, called it “vote-bank politics” intended to divide the Hindu and Muslim communities. Also read: Extreme heatwave batters millions in India, Pakistan Residents in Shaheen Bagh also questioned the timing of the move to bring in bulldozers, saying many buildings in the neighborhood have existed for decades with no interference from local authorities. Previously, officials termed the recent demolition drives as “routine exercises” to bring down illegal properties.

The holy Shab-e-Barat, the night of fortune and forgiveness, was observed in Bangladesh on Friday with religious fervour. According to Muslim belief, Shab-e-Barat is the night when Allah arranges the affairs of the following year. On this night, Allah writes the destinies of all creations for the coming year by taking into account their past deeds. Muslim devotees offered special prayers and recited from the Holy Quran seeking divine blessings for the wellbeing of mankind and to save people from the fatal onslaught of the coronavirus pandemic. They passed the whole night offering prayers at home due to Covid-induced restrictions on holding jamaat at mosques and milad mahfil. Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and private TV channels and radio stations aired special programmes while newspapers published articles highlighting the significance of the night. READ: Shab-e-Barat to be observed tonight The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) had imposed a ban on the bursting of firecrackers in areas under its jurisdiction in the capital ahead of the holy Shab-e-Barat. The ban remained effective till 6am on Saturday (March 19) to ensure a peaceful observation of the holy Shab-e-Barat. READ: DMP bans crackers ahead of Shab-e-Barat Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had issued separate messages on the occasion.

The holy Shab-e-Barat, the night of fortune and forgiveness, will be observed in Bangladesh on Friday night with religious fervour. It is observed on the 15th night of the Arabic month of Sha'ban. According to Muslim belief, it is the night when Allah arranges the affairs of the following year. On this night, Allah writes the destinies of all his creations for the coming year by taking into account their past deeds. Muslim devotees will offer special prayers, reciting from the Holy Quran, and also hold religious gatherings seeking divine blessings for the wellbeing of mankind. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has imposed a ban on the bursting of firecrackers in areas under its jurisdiction in the capital ahead the holy Shab-e-Barat. The ban will come into force from 6pm Friday (March 18) and remain effective till 6am on Saturday (March 19), for ensuring peaceful observation of the holy Shab-e-Barat, the DMP said on Wednesday.  Also read: DMP bans crackers ahead of Shab-e-Barat Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar, and private TV channels and radio stations will air special programmes, highlighting the significance of the night. President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the occasion. They urged the Muslim devotees to observe the holy Shab-e-Barat maintaining all Covid-safety protocols amid the pandemic. "Along with mercy and blessings of the Almighty Allah, we will pray for continued progress and welfare of the country and greater unity of the Muslim Ummah on the holy night of Shab-e-Barat," President Hamid said in his message. He urged the affluent to come forward and help the distressed and the poor on the occasion. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister urged all to devote themselves to human welfare and nation-building inspired with the teachings of the holy Shab-e-Barat. Also read: Shab-e-Barat on March 18 Hasina also asked all to establish the spirit of Islam at personal, social and national levels, putting off all kinds of injustice, violence and superstition.

Police in India have detained a man and a woman alleged to be involved in the offering for sale of prominent Muslim women on a fake online auction website, according to government officials, in a case that has sparked outrage across the country. The cyber unit of the Mumbai Police detained the two suspects following a complaint from one of the targeted woman. It wasn’t clear whether the two created the website. Police brought charges against the man, a 21-year-old engineering student, and said they were investigating the woman further. READ: Indian Muslims face stigma, blame for surge in infections Photographs of more than 100 prominent Indian Muslim women, including journalists, activists, film stars and artists, were displayed last weekend without their permission on a website and put up for fake auction. The women listed on the website also included the 65-year-old mother of a disappeared Indian student and Pakistani Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai. The website, which was taken down within 24 hours, was called “Bulli Bai,” a derogatory slang term for Indian Muslims. Though there was no real sale involved, the Muslim women listed on the website said the auction was intended to humiliate them, many of whom have been vocal about rising Hindu nationalism in India and some of the policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The website was hosted on GitHub, a San Francisco-based coding platform. A company spokesperson said GitHub had taken down the user account that had hosted the website on its platform, and that it would cooperate with investigating authorities. The fake auction unleashed outrage on Twitter after complaints from the victims, with several women posting screenshots after finding their photos listed on the website. Women rights groups and politicians from opposition parties urged the governing Bharatiya Janata Party to take action against online harassment of Muslim women, prompting Indian technology minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to promise strict measures. Police in at least three states said they have opened investigations into the incident and filed criminal complaints against developers of the website, based on the complaints of the targeted women. This is not the first time Muslim women were listed on a fake auction website. Last June, a similar website called “Sulli Deals,” also a derogatory term for Muslim women, was created for the same purpose. That website remained online for weeks and was only taken down by authorities after complaints from victims. Police opened an investigation into that case, but no one was arrested. Indian women, particularly Muslims, have often found themselves the target of hate and abuse on social media platforms, including Twitter. Outspoken Muslim women, including journalists and activists and those critical of Modi and his Hindu nationalist party, have received threats of rape and violence. READ: Modi says Indian Muslims had nothing to fear in new law Many of the victims say the fake auction website is the latest attempt to intimidate them. Khadija Khan, a lawyer and journalist with Bar & Bench website, said she received a Twitter notification on New Year’s Eve that informed her she was tagged in a tweet that displayed her picture as part of the fake auction. The account has since been suspended. Khan’s initial reaction was to report the tweet and block the user, dismissing it as spam. But she soon received messages from her friends and colleagues who confirmed to her that she was also on the list. “My initial reaction was indifference and dismissal because we are used to daily trolling but by the next day, it had turned into shock and horror. Realizing what it actually was gave me nightmares,” Khan said. Khan found support from her family and colleagues, but the incident left her shaken. “It’s a message that ‘Look! We can brazenly humiliate and sell Muslim women online and still go scot free while they are still vying for some modicum of justice,’” Khan said.