Parvez Parwaz, a 72-year-old former journalist and social activist, died in Gorakhpur District Jail on Sunday while serving a life sentence in a gangrape case. Jail officials said he suffered from high blood pressure and diabetes. He developed breathing difficulties late Saturday night and was taken to the district hospital, where he died around 2:50 am during treatment.
Parwaz had been in custody since September 2018 after a woman accused him and another man of gangrape. A district court sentenced him to life imprisonment in July 2020.
His death has revived attention on his prolonged legal challenge against a 2007 speech by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, then a BJP MP from Gorakhpur. On 27 January 2007, Parwaz recorded Adityanath addressing a gathering near Gorakhpur railway station amid communal tension following a clash during a Muharram procession. Adityanath was quoted saying that for the blood of one Hindu, “we will not get an FIR registered against the administration, but will instead have at least 10 such people killed.”
Violence followed in parts of the city, with reports of at least two deaths and extensive property damage. Parwaz sought an investigation into alleged incitement. A local court rejected his plea, and later efforts, including before the Supreme Court, did not yield the proceedings he sought before his own criminal case led to imprisonment.
source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Indian Muslim> Media / by Muslim Mirror Desk / October 13th, 2026
It is a commonly held notion that the states of India are natural units, each a homeland of a particular language and culture that existed long before 1947. The formal recognition of these states after India became a Republic was nothing but natural.
A Slice of History
History shows that the political boundaries most Indians live inside today were drawn by a three-member commission that submitted its report on 30 September 1955. This means that the line that separates a Kannadiga from a Malayali or a Bihari from a Bengali was an innovation.
Till then, India had simply carried forward former British provinces, princely states and centrally administered territories, classified under a four-tier system of Part A, B, C, and D states inherited from the Government of India Act of 1935. It was Sir Syed Fazl Ali, a judge from Benares (Varanasi), who led the work to define the boundaries of Indian states,
Born on 19 September 1886 in Varanasi to Saiyid Nazir Ali, Fazl Ali belonged to a family of lawyers, with roots in Bihar. He studied at Muir Central College, Allahabad (now Prayagraj), and at the Middle Temple, London.
Oner his return to India, in 1912, set up practice in the district courts of Chapra, Bihar, arguing criminal cases before subordinate judges. This apprenticeship carried him to the Patna High Court in April 1928, with a deputation to settle labour disputes at the Tata steel works in Jamshedpur.
He was knighted in the New Year Honours of 1941, became acting Chief Justice of Patna in 1938 and permanent Chief Justice in January 1943.
Fazl Ali also chaired the inquiry into the Royal Indian Naval Mutiny of February 1946, one of the last rebellions against the British Empire in India. Later he sat on the Calcutta Disturbances Enquiry Commission, investigating the killings during the partition.
Fazl Ali was elevated to the Federal Court in June 1947. In three months and an Independent India, he went as India’s delegate to the second session of the United Nations General Assembly, where he was elected chairman of its Fifth Committee. In 1950, he became one of the eight judges of the Supreme Court of India. He was also the first Muslim to sit on that bench.
One of his dissenting notes as a Supreme Court judge made history. Indian Parliament had passed the Preventive Detention Act of 1950, allowing the state to jail a person without trial. In A.K. Gopalan versus State of Madras, decided on 19 May 1950, Chief Justice Harilal Kania led the majority in holding that a citizen could be stripped of his liberty by any procedure Parliament chose to enact, however unfair, so long as it was called law.
Two of the six judges who disagreed were Fazl Ali. Fazl Ali held that the procedure established by law had to rest on four elementary principles, which he summed up in a single line: “the right to be heard before one is condemned.” It took twenty-eight years and the government’s arbitrary seizure of a young woman’s passport, without explanation, for the Supreme Court to agree with him.
In Maneka Gandhi versus Union of India in 1978, the Court finally read fairness back into Article 21, and nearly every later right to dignity, privacy and due process in India has been built on that foundation. In fact, less than two years after Gopalan, Fazl Ali had already sat with the majority in the State of West Bengal versus Anwar Ali Sarkar, striking down a law that let the government to select certain cases for trial in Special Courts, bypassing ordinary procedures.
The Court held that such discretionary power violated Article 14 of the Constitution, as it allowed arbitrary and unequal treatment of similar offences. Indian courts still apply the test of reasonable classification under Article 14 that this judgment helped establish.
In 1952, Potti Sreeramulu fasted for a separate Telugu state. He died in the process, and there was unrest in the region. This forced Jawaharlal Nehru’s government to concede to reorganisation of India along linguistic lines.
In December 1953, Ali Fazl Ali, then Governor of Odisha, was asked to head a commission with the historian-diplomat K.M. Panikkar and the veteran liberal parliamentarian H.N. Kunzru as members for the purpose. For almost two years they toured the country, took evidence region by region and read memoranda from parties, princes and peasants. They weighed every demand against four tests – national unity and security, linguistic and cultural homogeneity, financial and administrative viability, and the welfare of the people in each proposed state.
The Commission submitted its report on 30 September 1955. The report said that it was guided by the principle that “the unity of India must be regarded as the paramount consideration,” and refused to accept one language, one state as an absolute rule.
Not every line the commission drew was viable. For example, it kept Maharashtra and Gujarat together as a bilingual Bombay state. The plan was not acceptable to both Marathi and Gujarati speakers, and the state was split into Maharashtra and Gujarat in 1960.
The commission had recommended 16 states and three union territories as against the final Reorganisation Act of November 1956 going for 14 states and six UTs. However, the template was intact. Punjab and Haryana followed it in 1966. Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand and Jharkhand followed it in 2000. Telangana followed it in 2014. Every one of these reorganisations has worked within the same administrative and legal vocabulary that Fazl Ali’s commission wrote, that a community’s claim to its own language and government must be weighed against, never simply surrendered to, the unity and coherence of the nation.
Fazl Ali spent his last years as Governor of Assam, working to bring the Naga hills into the administrative mainstream. He opened a college at Mokokchung, Nagaland that still bears his name.
Fazl Ali’s son, Syed Murtaza Fazl Ali, became Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court and, in 1975, a judge of the very Supreme Court his father had helped inaugurate. Sir Syed Fazl Ali was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1956. He died in office on 22 August 1959.
Sir Syed Fazl Ali led no mass movement. But every time an Indian under arrest demands to know the grounds, every time a citizen calls a law arbitrary before a court, and every time someone crosses from one state into another without a thought for how that border came to sit exactly there, they are repeating an argument first made by a Varanasi-born Bihari judge.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by Saquib Salim / September 11th, 2026
A survey covering more than 30 colleges across seven districts linked with Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University shows a significant rise in female Muslim students
New Delhi :
The number of Muslim girls pursuing higher education in Kanpur and nearby districts in Uttar Pradesh has increased significantly over the past five years, according to a survey conducted by a senior academic. The study shows that the share of Muslim female students in colleges has risen from around five per cent in 2021 to more than 21 per cent during the current admission process.
The survey was prepared by Prof B D Pandey, a senior teacher at PPN College and president of the Kanpur University Teachers’ Association (KUTA). The study was based on admission data collected from more than 30 colleges spread across seven districts of Uttar Pradesh.
The colleges included in the survey are located in Kanpur Nagar, Kanpur Dehat, Unnao, Kannauj, Farrukhabad, Etawah and Auraiya. All these colleges are affiliated with Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University (CSJMU), Kanpur.
Prof Pandey said the data was collected from admission coordinators appointed in different colleges during the ongoing admission process. The survey looked at students enrolling in undergraduate courses such as Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) and other professional programmes.
According to the findings, Muslim girls accounted for around five per cent of female students enrolled in colleges in 2021. This figure increased to nearly 12 per cent in 2023 and has now crossed 21 per cent during the latest admission cycle.
The rise indicates a growing interest among Muslim families in sending their daughters for higher education. The survey also highlights that many of these students come from economically weaker sections of society.
Prof Pandey said one of the notable findings was that a large number of Muslim girls entering higher education belong to families with limited financial resources. In many such families, sons are also present, but instead of continuing studies after school, they often move towards employment or skill-based work.
“Many Muslim girls who are entering graduation and postgraduate courses belong to families where their brothers have studied only up to high school or intermediate level and then started working according to their skills,” Prof Pandey said.
The data suggests a changing attitude among some Muslim families towards women’s education. While economic challenges continue to remain a concern, more families are now supporting their daughters’ efforts to continue their studies beyond school.
The increase has been visible across different courses, including traditional degree programmes and professional courses. Teachers associated with these colleges believe that awareness about education, career opportunities and financial independence may be among the reasons behind the rise.
The trend also reflects a wider change in the participation of women from minority communities in higher education. More young women are seeking college education to improve their career opportunities and become financially independent.
Prof Pandey said the increase in Muslim girls’ admissions is a positive development and shows that educational aspirations among families are changing.
The survey, however, does not represent all colleges across Uttar Pradesh or the entire Muslim community. It is based only on admission figures from selected colleges affiliated with CSJMU.
Education experts say that continued support through scholarships, better awareness programmes and improved access to colleges will be important to maintain this growth.
The increasing presence of Muslim girls in colleges in the Kanpur region shows a gradual shift in educational choices, with more young women from the community moving towards higher education despite economic and social challenges.
source: http://www.clarionindia.net / Clarion India / Home> Big Story> India>Indian Muslims / by Mohammad Alamullah / August 04th, 2026
A young dentist from Maharashtra has drawn attention for balancing a professional career with dedicated service to the Quran. Dr. Mohammad Faisal Ansari, aged 26, has been leading Taraweeh prayers for the past six years while also working as a dental professional and online tutor.
Originally from Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh, Faisal grew up in Mira Road after his family moved there in 2000. He received both religious and modern education in the area. Under the guidance of Maulana Sirajuddin, he began learning Arabic and later started memorising the Quran on his own initiative. After completing three parts, his parents formally supported his journey. He completed his Hifz in December 2013 at Darul Uloom Aziziyah under Hafiz Wa Qari Hadis Ansari. Dr. Faisal is a member of the Students Islamic Organization (SIO) of India.
After passing his SSC in 2015 with 82 percent marks, he began leading Taraweeh prayers. He later completed HSC with 72 percent and qualified through NEET to secure admission at Mohammad Ali Rangoonwala Dental College in Pune. He completed his dental degree in 2025.
Since 2021, he has been leading 27-day Taraweeh prayers at the Islamic Information Centre in Pune. Alongside his profession, he teaches Quran memorisation, Tajweed and basic Arabic to students across India and abroad, including learners from Australia, the United States, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Speaking about his journey, Dr. Faisal said he gives priority to maintaining his connection with the Quran, especially during Ramadan. He said his teachers advised him to never lose focus on the importance of the Quran regardless of his profession.
He currently works at a dental clinic in Pune and plans to start his own clinic in Mira Road after Eid. Coming from a family deeply connected with Islamic learning, his siblings have also pursued both religious and professional education.
His journey reflects a consistent effort to balance faith, education and professional growth.
Story courtesy inquilab.com
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Features> Latest News> Markers of Excellence> Personality> Reports / by Radiance News Bureau / March 17th, 2026
Asma Gulzar (Left) in Indo-Arabic dress with another model
New Delhi :
“Asma Gulzar isn’t just designing clothes—she’s designing her own path. A mind that refuses limits and a heart that thrives on passion. Keep creating, keep inspiring,” reads a social media post from one of the world’s leading fashion designers.
Today, Asma Gulzar is a prominent name in the Indo-fusion fashion space. Her stores in Delhi showcase a blend of Indo-Western and Indo-Arab designs, reflecting her distinctive aesthetic.
Her latest venture is a signature perfume from her brand, launched in Delhi during her annual Dawat-e-Iftar. The event has become one of the capital’s most talked-about Iftar gatherings, attended by eminent citizens, religious leaders, and fashion icons.
Asma Gulzar receiving SMSE award from industrialist Kumarmangalam Birla
“Life is a blessing,” says the celebrity designer, whose journey has been marked by resilience and determination.
Four years ago, Asma was diagnosed with a serious, life-threatening illness. “I was devastated and kept asking, ‘Why me?’ But soon I gathered myself and decided to face the disease with positivity and mindfulness,” she told Anjali Ada in an interview for Awaz-the Voice.
Following surgery, she underwent treatment for nearly two and a half months. “Initially, a family member would accompany me. Then I decided I must fight it alone.”
Asma Gulzar receiving an award from Dharmendra
She began visiting the hospital by herself. “After each session, I would pack the drip bags attached to my body into a plastic bag and hide it under my dress. From the hospital, I would go straight to my store in a nearby mall,” she recalled.
That same indomitable spirit defines how Asma runs her business today.
Her designs have found their way into Bollywood wardrobes, with celebrities such as Malaika Arora, Nushrratt Bharuccha, Pooja Batra, Celina Jaitly, and Shama Sikander, among others, wearing her creations.
Beyond commercial success, she has earned artistic recognition as well. Many in the industry look up to her for guidance. She has collaborated with international production houses, including serving as lead designer for BollyGoods Edition 2. She also played a key role in the Asian Trunk Show in London and has appeared on BBC London.
Asma Gulzar
For Asma, becoming a designer was never just about formal training at the National Institute of Fashion Technology. “Design is in my blood,” she says.
Growing up in Lucknow, she was particular about what she wore. She would brief the neighbourhood tailor—“Masterji”—in detail about her designs. “I even made him promise not to share my designs with anyone, not even my sister,” she recalls with a smile.
She believes creativity is innate. “You can see it in every corner of my home,” she says.
As a designer, her priority has always been to stand out. Interestingly, during her fashion shows, audiences often end up ordering the outfit she herself is wearing, rather than the ones showcased on models.
Asma Gulzar with actor and philanthropist Sonu Sood
Today, Asma runs a full-fledged business and manages a factory. “I started working at 17 and have been in this field for 20 years. It wasn’t easy,” she says.
She interned with Manish Malhotra, a crucial step in her journey. “In our industry, no matter how many degrees you have, unless you’ve worked with established names, it’s difficult to be taken seriously.”
While she acknowledges that today’s designers benefit from social media and artificial intelligence tools, she has clear advice: “Be original. Never copy designs. Step out of your comfort zone to gain exposure.”
Contrary to common perceptions about Muslim women facing barriers in unconventional careers, Asma says she received unwavering support from her family. “Some relatives and members of the community disapproved of a young Muslim girl taking up fashion and even modelling her own designs. But my family never let that overshadow my ambitions.”
She is the recipient of many awards including the one instituted by ther government for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises, and from the bodies which focus of women of substance.
Asma Gulzar with actor Nushrratt Bharuccha
She credits her grandmother for shaping her outlook. “She always told me never to give up. I live by three D’s—Determination, Dedication, and Discipline—and they have guided me throughout.”
Running a factory, she admits, is no easy task for a woman. “I had no prior experience. I started with just a sewing machine in my garage.”
Today, her brand has a global footprint, and she is planning to launch an exclusive menswear line. Her design philosophy remains rooted in her tagline: “Original beauty with elegance and comfort.”
Deeply spiritual, Asma believes her journey has been guided by faith. “God has held my hand through it all,” she says, adding that success is never possible without divine blessings.
See the full Interview:
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Success Story / by Aasha Khosa / April 08th, 2026
In a groundbreaking revelation, Roxtern Aerospace has introduced a paradigm-shift flying supercar, harnessing the cutting-edge power of hydrogen fuel cell technology. This visionary aircraft, conceptualized and brought to life under the inventive leadership of CEO and Chief Inventor Mohammad Furkan Shoaib, is poised to redefine the aviation industry with its exceptional blend of efficiency, speed, and safety.
Mohammad Furkan shared exciting news from Roxtern Aerospace about the unveiling of their innovative Flying Supercar powered by hydrogen fuel cell technology. A patent has been published for this supercar, which promises quieter take-offs, faster speeds, improved safety, and zero emissions.
Specifications Overview
The Roxtern Aerospace flying supercar stands as a pinnacle of innovation, tailored for urban air mobility and intercity flights. With a two-passenger payload capacity, this sleek vehicle spans 10.5 meters in length, flaunts an 11-meter wingspan, and reaches a height of 2.3 meters. Boasting a maximum takeoff weight of 1450 kg and an empty weight of 1250 kg, the flying supercar achieves a remarkable endurance of 100 minutes, propelling itself at speeds of up to 300 km/h and covering a substantial range of 500 km.
Propulsion System
The heart of this marvel lies in Roxtern Aerospace’s unwavering commitment to efficiency and innovation. Eight propellers, strategically mounted for vertical takeoff and landing, not only minimize propeller noise for discreet take-offs and landings but also reduce disc loading and enhance hovering efficiency. During horizontal flight, a sophisticated electric jet engine comprising 12 units ensures higher forward flight speed and efficiency, making it an optimal choice for swift intercity travel.
Safety Features
Roxtern Aerospace’s flying supercar distinguishes itself with a comprehensive safety system. Multiple motors and propellers facilitate safe vertical takeoff and landing, ensuring a secure descent in the event of propeller or motor failure. Simultaneously, multiple electric jet engines engage during cruise flight, providing redundancy in case of engine failure, elevating the overall safety profile of the aircraft.
To further fortify safety, multiple hydrogen fuel cells power the aircraft, offering redundancy in case of fuel cell failure. The incorporation of multiple batteries acts as a fail-safe mechanism, ensuring a secure landing in the event of a complete fuel cell system failure.
Additional Safety Measures
In a testament to safety innovation, Roxtern Aerospace has incorporated features to mitigate risks during unforeseen circumstances. Parachutes, seamlessly integrated and ready to deploy in the event of multiple motor and propeller failures, guarantee a safe descent to the ground.
Furthermore, strategically placed airbags within the aircraft are designed to eject and reduce crash forces during emergency landings on both solid ground and water surfaces. This additional layer of safety underscores Roxtern Aerospace’s unwavering commitment to passenger well-being and accident prevention.
The unveiling of Roxtern Aerospace’s flying supercar, spearheaded by Shoaib’s inventive leadership, signifies a pivotal shift in the aerospace industry. By merging cutting-edge technology with an unyielding commitment to safety, this aircraft emerges as a key player in shaping the future of urban air mobility and intercity travel.
Earlier in September 2021, the world was introduced to Asia’s first hybrid flying car, developed by Vinata Aeromobility. The innovator behind Asia’s first hybrid flying car, Mohammed Furkan Shoaib, was the chief technology officer of Vinata Aeromibility, a start-up based in Chennai.
Furkan, from Kannauj (Kanpur) Uttar Pradesh, is an Indian inventor, an aeronautical engineer as well as a certified UAV pilot. He is an expert in Aerospace Design and UAV Engineering. He has a passion for making advanced aircraft and UAVs. He also has experience in the research and development of UAVs and aircraft.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Focus> Markers of Excellence / by Raheem Khan / February 19th, 2024
Usia Village – Kamsarbar (Ghazipur District), UTTAR PRADESH / Kolkata, WEST BENGAL :
The daughter of Kamsarbar village in Uttar Pradesh becomes the first woman civil servant from her area, inspiring Muslim girls across the country
New Delhi :
In a moment of pride for Indian Muslims, especially young women from small towns, Saima Saraj Khan from Kamsarbar in Ghazipur district, Uttar Pradesh, has once again cleared the prestigious Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination. This time, she achieved an impressive All India Rank of 135, improving on her earlier success where she secured Rank 165. With this double achievement, Saima joins the rare group of women in the country who have passed the tough exam twice.
Saima, the only daughter among three siblings, hails from Usia village in the Muslim-majority Kamsarbar area of Ghazipur. Her family later moved to Kolkata, where she grew up and studied. Her father, Saraj Ahmad Khan, is a successful businessman and builder, and he played a big role in encouraging her education from childhood. “My father always said education is the biggest power. Once you get it, paths in life open on their own,” Saima recalled.
Most of Saima’s schooling took place in Kolkata. She completed up to Class 8 at St. Paul’s Boarding and Day School in Kidderpore, then did her Class 12 from Ashok Hall Girls Higher Secondary School. She graduated with honours in Sociology from St. Xavier’s College. During her college days, working with an NGO brought her close to real problems faced by people on the ground. “When I met people and saw their struggles, I felt I wanted to help them, even if in a small way. That need for real authority to make change pushed me towards UPSC,” she said.
Saima prepared for the exam at Educate IAS Academy in Kolkata. After clearing prelims in earlier attempts, she also guided other aspirants for some time. Her journey was not easy. She failed three times before her first success in UPSC 2023, which made her the first woman from Kamsarbar to become a civil servant. Each failure tested her deeply. “Every day after those failures, the thought of giving up came. But I had no other plan. All my dreams were tied to UPSC, so I kept going,” she shared.
To focus fully, Saima cut herself off from social media and most social events for four to five years. She rarely visited relatives or attended weddings, limiting outings to occasional meetings with childhood friends once a month. “There was no fixed study time, but I gave as many hours as possible to studies,” she explained.
Her message to other aspirants is clear and practical. “First, be honest with yourself. If you study five hours, focus on quality, not just quantity. Consistency matters most. Don’t worry too much about results—just keep preparing fully.” She also spoke directly to Muslim girls and women: “Dreaming and working to fulfil those dreams is every girl’s right. Women can succeed in any field. Never give up on your dreams.”
Saima’s success brings huge joy to her family, village, and district. People in Ghazipur and beyond see her as a strong example of self-reliance and hard work for Muslim women, where many still face limits on education and careers. Her story shows that with family support and belief in oneself, no goal is too far.
She quoted a line that sums up her journey: “Where there is a will, there is a way.” Saima often repeats that difficulties and failures are part of success. “Don’t let them take over you. Keep pushing.”
Her achievement also connects to Kolkata’s proud history—from Satyendranath Tagore, the first Indian ICS officer from united India, to now Saima becoming the first woman civil servant from Kamsarbar. “Education is the real power,” she stresses, echoing her father’s words from childhood.
As news of her Rank 135 spread, young Muslim girls in Uttar Pradesh and across India are finding fresh hope. Saima proves that with clear goals, steady effort, and strong resolve, women from humble backgrounds can reach the top. In the words of poet Dushyant Kumar that capture her spirit perfectly:
“Kaise aakaash mein suraakh nahin ho sakta
Ek patthar to tabiyat se uchhaalo yaaro”
(How can the sky not have a hole?
Just throw a stone with real courage, friends.)
Saima Khan has thrown that stone with full courage—and broken through barriers for many to follow. Her story is a shining light for education, perseverance, and the power of dreams in the Indian Muslim community.
source: http://www.clarionindia.net / Clarion India / Home> Editor’s Pick> Indian Muslims> Women / by Mohammad Bin Ismail / March 10th, 2026
Dariyapur Jaka Village (Bulandshahr District), UTTAR PRADESH :
Jamia Millia Islamia’s Nabiya Parvez Secures AIR 29 in UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced the results of the Civil Services Examination 2025, one of the toughest competitive examinations in the world.
According to the official statement, a total of 958 candidates have been selected for appointment to India’s top civil services. These include the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS), along with several Group A and Group B central services.
Among the successful candidates is Nabiya Parvez, who secured an impressive All India Rank (AIR) 29 in the UPSC CSE 2025. She hails from Dariyapur Jaka village in Bulandshahr district of Uttar Pradesh. Nabiya pursued a Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) from Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi.
She was also a student of the Residential Coaching Academy (RCA) at Jamia Millia Islamia, which provides guidance to aspirants preparing for civil services examinations.
According to information available on her LinkedIn profile, Nabiya successfully cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination with AIR 29, placing her among the top 30 candidates in the country.
The UPSC CSE is conducted in three stages: the Preliminary Examination, the Main Examination, and the Interview (Personality Test). The preliminary exam for 2025 was held on May 25, followed by the mains from August 22 to August 31.
The interview process took place in two phases between December 2025 and January 2026. The final merit list was released on March 6, 2026.
The top 10 rank holders of UPSC CSE 2025 include Anuj Agnihotri, Rajeshwari Suve M, Akansh Dhull, Raghav Jhunjhunwala, Ishan Bhatnagar, Zinnia Aurora, A R Rajah Mohaideen, Pakshal Secretry, Astha Jain, and Ujjwal Priyank.
source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Indian Muslim / by Muslim Mirror Desk / March 08th, 2026
Amid our fast-paced lives, there exists a remarkable group of individuals who believe in slow, steady, and consistent efforts to create meaningful change.
These individuals are known as changemakers—people who quietly dedicate themselves to bettering society, far from the spotlight and the noise of daily routine.
They don’t seek fame or recognition. Instead, they focus on making a positive impact in their communities. Often unheard of, these changemakers influence others through their actions, values, and vision for a better world.
Awaz–The Voice is proud to launch a special series starting this Sunday, spotlighting Indian Muslim changemakers of India.
Through their inspiring stories, we aim to shine a light on individuals whose work exemplifies compassion, dedication, and innovation.
Our editorial team has carefully selected these changemakers based on several parameters, including the authenticity of their efforts and the tangible impact they have made.
These are everyday heroes who are addressing pressing social, environmental, and economic challenges—often with limited resources but unwavering commitment.
They are improving access to education, healthcare, and sanitation; they are empowering women, protecting the environment, and uplifting their communities—all without expecting any rewards or recognition. For them, the satisfaction of doing good is reward enough.
Their actions may seem small, but their impact is profound. As the saying goes, “Every drop counts in making an ocean.” Each changemaker is a vital part of the wave of progress that is quietly transforming India.
One of our key criteria in identifying these individuals was whether they are creating tangible change or inspiring others to become changemakers themselves. For us, a changemaker is someone who brings positivity into the world through innovative solutions, leadership, and a commitment to improving lives and systems.
In a world that often celebrates loud success, we believe it’s important to pause and acknowledge those who uphold the highest ideals of humanity. These changemakers serve as a moral compass, reminding us of our own responsibilities to society and to one another.
We begin our series with changemakers from Uttar Pradesh, featuring stories like that of Capt. Saria Abbasi, who dreamt of joining the Indian Armed Forces from a young age. After earning her engineering degree and receiving multiple job offers, she chose instead to follow her dream and joined the Indian Army—becoming a role model for countless Muslim women aspiring to serve the nation. She has done challenging missions like serving at Indo-China border post at Tawang in October 2021.
Rubina Rashid Ali, who lives in Aligarh Muslim University’s campus has become a champion for women earning their livelihood out of applique (ornamental needlework in which pieces of fabric are sewn or stuck). She has stood up for them to ensure that these women from poor backgrounds get the wages they deserve.
The changemakers of India
Dr Farha Usmani, a medical practitioner who hails from Aligarh, went to US to pursue her career in the United Nations Population Fund in 2007. Leaving behind her family was a tough call for her. She is the only Muslim woman to have risen to the position of director in the UNFPA. Today, she is making world policies for women’s health and rights. She is the Vice President of SAFAR, an organization that is responsible for the overall advancement and rights of minority and marginalized women and girls in India.
Another inspiring figure is Babban Mian, a businessman who runs a large gaushala (cow shelter) in Bulandshahar, caring for hundreds of cows. Inspired by his late mother’s deep affection for animals, Babban Mian’s work also challenges stereotypes and promotes harmony by offering a different perspective on the Muslim community’s relationship with animal care.
Some of the changemakers will remind you of characters straight from Indian folklore and vernacular literature. People who have been nurtured by Indian civilizational values of compassion and selflessness.
Through these stories and many more, we hope to inspire our readers and celebrate the quiet revolution being led by changemakers who are shaping a better, more inclusive India.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this series. Write to us at input@awazthevoice.in or engage with us on our social media platforms.
The author is the Editor-in-Chief of Awaz-the Voice portal
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by Atir Khan, Editor-in-Chief, Awaz-the Voice portal / May 22nd, 2025
As the year draws to an end, we have compiled a brief list of the Indian Muslims who have been in news during 2021.
Danish Siddiqui :
Danish Siddiqui was a Pulitzer Award winning photojournalist from New Delhi, who was killed by Taliban while covering the war in Afghanistan. An alumnus of Jamia Millia Islamia, Siddiqui was one of the country’s most well known photographers who documented the Rohingya refugee crisis, Covid deaths and the Delhi riots to win several awards. In July 2021, Reuters assigned him documentation of the Afghanistan War as an embedded journalist with Afghan Special Forces. On July 16, Siddiqui was killed in action. Governments of India, USA, Afghanistan and United Nations expressed grief and shock on his death and thousands joined his funeral procession in DelhI.
Dr Shahid Jameel :
Dr. Shahid Jameel is a world renowned virologist and is one of the leaders of India’s fight against Covid-19. The Covid-19 outbreak has thrown new challenges to the scientific community. When the Government of India set up an Indian Sars-Cov-2 Genomics Sequencing Consortium (INSACOG), which consists of 38 laboratories to monitor the genomic variations in the SARS-CoV-2, Jameel was appointed as the head of its scientific advisory group. He served the INSACOG in this position till May, 2021 and still advises different government and non-government bodies in strategising the war against Covid-19.
Coach Naseem Ahmed with Olympian Neeraj Chopra
Naseem Ahmed :
Naseem Ahmed: On 7 August, 2021, Neeraj Chopra threw Javelin for 87.58 mts. and became the first Indian to win an Olympic Gold in track and field events. With this success, Naseem Ahmed of Panchkula also hit the headlines. Ahmed was his first coach, who coached Chopra for almost six years at Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex in Panchkula. It was under his guidance that Chopra turned into an athlete from a chubby child. After returning to India, Chopra went to meet and receive blessings from his coach.
Mohammad Shareef alias Shareef Chacha receiving Padma Shri from President Ran Nath Kovind
Mohammad Shareef :
Mohammad Shareef is a bicycle mechanic from Faizabad, Ayodhya and hit the news headlines this year for receiving Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in India, from the President Ram Nath Kovind. In 1992, his son was murdered and was eaten by animals as nobody claimed it. This incident moved him so much that he took it upon himself to perform the last rights of unclaimed dead bodies. In the last 28 years, he has performed the last rights of more than 25,000 unclaimed dead bodies according to their religions.
Firoz Alam as an IPS officer (Left) and as a Constable of the Delhi Police (Right)
Firoz Alam :
Firoz Alam’s story is straight out of a fiction, where his character bears resemblance to those played on screen by several film stars. Alam, a resident of Hapur in U.P, was a constable with Delhi Police since 2010. In 2014, he started preparing for UPSC CSE. The work pressure and family responsibilities did not allow him to devote full time to the studies, like many availing coachings could do. After five unsuccessful attempts, in his sixth attempt he qualified UPSC CSE and joined as an IPS officer. His inspiring journey from a constable to IPS had taken the nation by a storm when he joined the training after leaving the job as constable.
Sadaf Choudhary
Sadaf Choudhary :
Sadaf Choudhary came into limelight when the UPSC CSE results were declared in September and she secured 23rd rank. She was the highest rank holder among Muslims this year and will become an IAS officer. It must be kept in mind that since independence only 179 Muslims have secured ranks to get IAS allotted to them.
Mohammed Siraj praying at the gave of his father
Mohammed Siraj :
Mohammed Siraj is an Indian cricketer from Hyderabad who made it to the headlines in January by becoming the highest wicket taker from India during the India – Australia Test Match Series in Australia. To claim his 13 scalps, he played only three of the four tests in the series. The fact that his father had died just before the series and he was given an option to return to the country, which he declined citing his commitment to the nation made it even more special.
In the last test match at Brisbane, he bagged five Australian wickets to script a historic win and became a national hero. The headlines of the sports column were filled with his heroics, commitment and ability. Since then he has been a regular feature of the Indian Cricket team as a pacer.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by Saquib Salim / December 30th, 2021
