Uzbek imam sacked after urging Prez to allow hijabs

TASHKENT: An Uzbek imam has been sacked after urging President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to lift a ban on personal religious symbols such as women’s hijabs and beards for men, in a case showing the limits of newly-proclaimed tolerance in the mainly Muslim country. Mirziyoyev, who came to power in 2016, has relaxed restrictions on religious freedoms as part of his campaign of liberal economic and political reforms in the former Soviet republic. But his government stopped short of lifting a decades-long ban on religious clothes and attributes. Reuters

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Egyptian detained for having meal with woman coworker

Riyadh: Saudi Arabian authorities have detained an Egyptian hotel worker who appeared in an online video eating breakfast with a woman Saudi colleague, said the labour ministry, which also summoned the hotel owner for questioning. The world’s top oil exporter is pushing a host of economic and social reforms, including ending a ban on women driving and opening up new sectors for women, in a bid to end dependency on crude revenues. But some conservative traditions have not been as quick to change in the deeply religious Muslim kingdom. Reuters

Anthony Bourdain wins six posthumous Emmys

Los Angeles: Celebrity chef and food writer Anthony Bourdain was honoured with six Emmys at this year’s Creative Arts Emmys for his CNN show “Parts Unknown” and its digital spin-off. The series, which was up for six awards, took home trophies for best informational series or special, writing for non-fiction programme, picture editing for a non-fiction programme, sound editing for a non-fiction programme and sound mixing for a non-fiction programme. Bourdain personally was the recipient of two of the Emmys, for writing and informational series or special. PTI

Miss Universe Chelsi Smith dead at 45

Mumbai: Chelsi Smith, who took the crown of Miss USA in 1995, and went on to win Miss Universe has died.  Indian actress Sushmita Sen on Sunday mourned the death of Chelsi Smith, who was her successor as Miss Universe in 1995. Smith died on Saturday due to liver cancer. Sushmita tweeted: “I loved her smile and that generous spirit. Rest in peace my beautiful friend, Chelsi Smith. Miss Universe 1995.” Along with the post, Sushmita posted a photograph which captures the moment the Indian beauty had passed her crown to Smith. IANS

Beauty queen

New Jersey: Miss New York Nia Imani Franklin has the tiara put on her by outgoing Miss America Cara Mund on stage in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on Sunday. Reuters

BNP demands Zia’s release

Dhaka: Thousands of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) supporters stage a protest in Dhaka, demanding the immediate release of their leader and three-time former premier Khaleda Zia, who was jailed early this year for corruption, on Monday. AFP