Tag Archives: Muslim Women of Karnataka

Zaara Vasim Assadi wins four gold medals at Muscat Night Festival Karate Championship

Udupi, KARNATAKA / Muscat, OMAN :

Muscat, Oman:

Indian karateka Zaara Vasim Assadi emerged as the standout performer at the International Karate Open Championship held as part of the Muscat Night Festival, clinching four gold medals in a remarkable display of skill and consistency.

The prestigious tournament saw participation from around 400 athletes representing 24 clubs across multiple countries. Amid intense competition, Zaara, aged just 10, created history by becoming the only girl at the championship to secure gold in all four categories she competed in individual Kata, individual Kumite, team Kata, and team Kumite.

Zaara’s achievement adds to her already impressive record. She has remained undefeated in Kata since the age of five, underlining her long-standing dominance in the discipline. Her performances were widely praised for technical precision, discipline, and composure well beyond her age.

Training at The Champ Sports & Arts in Muscat, Zaara’s journey has become a source of inspiration for young martial artists, reinforcing the idea that dedication and passion can overcome age-related barriers in competitive sport.

The championship also served as a platform for cultural exchange, bringing together athletes and spectators from diverse backgrounds and celebrating the unifying spirit of karate.

Zaara Vasim Assadi is the daughter of Vasim Assadi and Hasra Sana and hails from Udupi. She is the granddaughter of Zikriya Assadi.

source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Gulf / by Vartha Bharati / February 02nd, 2026

Women-Exclusive Exhibition-cum-Sale in Shivamogga Empowers Women Entrepreneurs

Shivamogga, KARNATAKA :

A one-day Exhibition-cum-Sale was organised by the Women’s Wing of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Shivamogga District. The exhibition was inaugurated by the State Secretary of the Women’s Wing, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Mohtarma Taskeela Khanum.

The objective of such programmes is to economically strengthen and empower women. In the context of rising inflation, unemployment, and poverty, it was emphasised that addressing these challenges is a shared responsibility, and that women must play an effective role alongside men in the nation’s economic development.

The organisers highlighted that such exhibitions provide women with practical business experience, opportunities to interact with people from diverse backgrounds, and support in developing entrepreneurial ideas. These platforms also enable women to engage in halal business practices within the limits of Shari’ah, while facilitating growth through networking and referrals.

Islam permits women to engage in business, including running enterprises from their homes, as reflected in Islamic history through the example of Khadijah bint Khuwaylid رضی الله عنها, a successful businesswoman. Islam also encourages honest and ethical business practices for both men and women.

Nearly 100 women from across the district set up stalls showcasing clothing, handbags, fancy items, abayas, home-made products, and more. A food court offering a wide variety of food items was another major attraction. Members, associates of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, and women entrepreneurs from different parts of the district actively participated in the exhibition.

The women-exclusive exhibition attracted around 3000 women visitors, who actively shopped at the stalls. The event was described as highly encouraging, as it highlighted the talents, skills, and entrepreneurial potential of women.

Such exhibitions form part of the organisational plan of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind to promote women’s empowerment. Efforts will be made to strengthen the women entrepreneurs’ network.

Feedback received from participants reflected a high level of satisfaction, with many expressing a desire for similar programmes to be organised regularly. Participants particularly appreciated that the exhibition was organised by women, for women, and exclusively for women, creating a comfortable environment that enabled them to conduct business with confidence.

The organisers were widely appreciated, and participants expressed eagerness to remain connected and take part in future programmes. The total sales from all stalls amounted to approximately ₹3 lakh during the one-day exhibition.

The programme concluded on a positive note, reinforcing the importance of such initiatives in promoting women’s economic empowerment and community development.

[The writer of this report is Member Mashavrati Board Karnataka, and District Organiser of JIH Women’s Wing Shimoga]

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Entrepreneurship> Focus / by Naseema Begum / February 01st, 2026

Anupama Women’s Monthly Completes 25 Years: CM Siddaramaiah Releases Special Issue

KARNATAKA :

Bengaluru:

Anupama, the state’s only women’s monthly Kannada magazine run entirely by Muslim women, has completed 25 years. To mark this milestone, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah released a special silver jubilee issue, reflecting on its 25-year journey of success, in Bengaluru on Thursday.

​Speaking at the event, the Chief Minister congratulated the team, saying, “There are only a handful of Muslim women in journalism. In such a scenario, it is highly commendable that the Anupama Women’s Monthly, run by women from the Muslim community and has successfully completed 25 years.”

​Shahnaz M., the editor of Anupama, also spoke at the occasion. “The implementation of the ‘Guarantee’ schemes for women in the state has brought about significant changes in their lives. On behalf of the Anupama team and all women, I extend my gratitude to the government led by CM Siddaramaiah for their commitment to women’s development,” she stated.

​The event was attended by Naseer Ahmed (Political Secretary to the CM), MLA Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah, BMTC Vice-Chairman Niket Raj Maurya, and Anupama’s sub-editors Samina Uppinangady, Sajida Momin, and Kulsum Abubakkar. Other notable attendees included S.M. Muthalib, Faisal Ismail, and Saleem Bolangadi.

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Report/ by Radiance News Bureau / January 10th, 2026

Fruit vendor’s daughter wins gold medal at CUK

Aland Town (Kalaburagi District), KARNATAKA :

Saniya Samreen receiving a Gold Medal from Justice Dinesh Maheshwari, Chairperson of the Law Commission of India and former Judge of the Supreme Court, at the 9th Convocation of the Central University of Karnataka (CUK) held on Saturday. | Photo Credit: ARUN KULKARNI

Defying all odds, Saniya Samreen, daughter of a fruit vendor from Aland town in Kalaburagi district, bagged the Gold Medal in Master of Commerce (MCom) at the 9th convocation ceremony of the Central University of Karnataka (CUK) held on Saturday.

She received the medal from Justice Dinesh Maheshwari, Chairperson of the Law Commission of India and former Judge of the Supreme Court, in the presence of Vice-Chancellor Battu Satyanarayana, Registrar R.R. Biradar and Controller of Examinations Kota Sai Krishna, on Saturday.

Ms. Samreen, who completed her schooling and college education in Aland before joining CUK for her postgraduate studies, said that her achievement was a result of perseverance and family support. 

“All of my achievements are the result of hard work, dedication, and the unwavering support and guidance from my family and mentors,” she with gratitude during her interaction with media representatives on the sidelines of the convocation.

Her father, Mr. Shamu Bagwan, earns his livelihood as a fruit vendor, while her mother, Mrs. Raziya Begum, is a homemaker. “My parents’ constant belief in me has been the driving force behind my success,” Saniya added.

Saniya, who has also qualified both the Karnataka State Eligibility Test (KSET) and the National Eligibility Test (NET) for assistant professor, said she wishes to build her career in academia. 

“I aspire to contribute to the field of commerce through teaching and by shaping future professionals,” she said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / November 08th, 2025

Shabana Faizal is the youngest among Indian philanthropists

Mangaluru, KARNATAKA / Kozhikode, KERALA / Dubai, U.A.E :

Shabana Faizal with her husband Faizal Kottikollon

New Delhi :

Mangalore-based Shabana Faizal has emerged as the youngest woman among India’s top 10 philanthropists, according to the EdelGive Hurun India Philanthropy List 2025.

She has donated ₹40 crore (approximately $1.5 billion) through the Faisal & Shabana Foundation to education, health, and social development.

Shabana Faisal’s journey from being raised in a small town in Mangalore to co-leading a global enterprise is about he hard work and ambition.

Her entrepreneurial journey began in 1995 as a retailer of unique, speciality and luxury products. After leading the company for eight successful years, she decided to team up with her husband, entrepreneur Faizal Kottikollon, and support him in running the world-class foundry, Emirates Techno Casting (ETC).

Shabana took charge of all human resources and administrative processes at ETC, where she created a significant impact in shaping the company’s business success.

In her role as Vice Chairperson of KEF Holdings, she is actively involved in guiding the business’s growth strategy across global markets. Deeply committed to social improvement, Shabana and her husband founded the Faizal & Shabana Foundation in 2007, with the vision of ‘Giving to Create Impact’.

At 53, Shabana’s work has placed her among some of the most influential women in India’s philanthropy world, including Rohini Nilekani, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw and Bina Shah.

EdelGive Foundation, in collaboration with Hurun Research Institute, recently released the 12th edition of the EdelGive Hurun India Philanthropy List 2025.

The list honors India’s most generous individuals and families. Over the past three years, 191 philanthropists have donated a total of ₹10,380 crore, representing an 85% increase in contributions.

The education sector continues to lead as the top donor, receiving ₹4,166 crore from 107 donors.

Shabana is the mother of four children – Sophia, Sara, Zakaria, and Zarina – but continues to play an active role in business and philanthropy. Her work makes her one of India’s most influential female philanthropists, exemplifying how professional leadership and a commitment to giving can combine to create widespread social impact.

The EdelGive Hurun India Philanthropy List 2025 states that the top 25 donors contributed ₹50,000 crore in just five years, or an average of ₹46 crore per day. Mumbai leads in philanthropy, contributing 28% of total donations, followed by New Delhi and Bengaluru.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home / posted by Aasha Khosa / November 10th, 2025

Bhatkal’s Coastal Flavours Shine at Hyderabad Pop-Up

Bhatkal, KARNATAKA :

Hyderabad:

Diners at Sheraton Hyderabad were recently introduced to the rarely seen Bhatkali cuisine, thanks to home chef Fatima Riyaz. Through an exclusive pop-up, Fatima presented dishes rooted in the coastal town of Bhatkal in Karnataka, highlighting its Nawayathi heritage and centuries of cultural exchange.

Bhatkali food is known for its unique blend of spices, coconut, and rice. “Five out of six dishes have rice in some form,” Fatima explained, noting how coconut adds sweetness and depth to most preparations. Spice levels are high, but carefully balanced with caramelised onions. Signature to the cuisine is Loli, a red chilli-based spice paste slow-cooked in coconut oil and used across dishes.

The Sheraton menu included Mudkale, rice balls with prawns cooked in coconut oil, and seasonal desserts like Chibbad, a local melon served with coconut milk and lime. While seafood dominates the cuisine, Fatima also created vegetarian versions to suit diverse diners.

Her food is deeply personal, drawn from family traditions and her community’s layered history. “Our cuisine reflects Islamic influences, Jain touches, and coastal Indian roots,” she said. The language of her community, Nawayathi, similarly borrows from Marathi and Konkani, echoing cultural ties along the western coast.

Fatima began cooking professionally after the pandemic, inspired by people reviving traditional recipes. Since then, she has taken Bhatkali cuisine to cities through curated pop-ups. “I only cook this cuisine,” she noted. “It is Indian, but with a sweetness that is ours.”

Story by Deccan Chronicle

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Features> Latest News> Report / by Radiance News Bureau / September 20th, 2025

Shaheen Group Honors Women with “Shaan-e-Mulk” Lifetime Achievement Award

Bidar, KARNATAKA :

On India’s 76th Republic Day, Shaheen Group of Institutions, Bidar, organized the “Shaan-e-Mulk” Lifetime Achievement Award to honor five distinguished women for their contributions to education, business, humanitarian services, and healthcare.

Dr. Abdul Qadeer, Chairman of Shaheen Group, emphasized the vital role of women in society, stating, “Women are the backbone of families and communities, yet their contributions often go unrecognized. It is crucial to celebrate their achievements and inspire future generations.

Honorees

The award was presented to:

Ms. Shaukat Begum (Institutional Development)

Ms. Noor Jahan Shakeel (Humanitarian Services)

Dr. Rana Noor Siddiqui (Education & Research)

Ms. Uzma Naheed (Entrepreneurship)

Dr. Noor Jahan Sagheer (Healthcare)

The event, attended by thousands of female students, showcased academic performances and aimed to challenge stereotypes, inspire young women, and foster community pride.

Key attendees included Managing Director Abdul Haseeb, Academic Director Abdul Muqeet, and directors Shaista, Wafa, Zakia, Meher Sultana, Afra Naaz, and Munir Deshmukh.

source: http://www.thehindustangazette.com / The Hindustan Gazette / Home> Education / by The Hindustan Gazette / January 29th, 2025

Three siblings from Bhatkal excel at state-level Karate Championship

Bhatkal (Uttara Kannada District) / Mangaluru , KARNATAKA :

PIX

Bhatkal/Mangaluru:

Three siblings from Bhatkal, currently studying in Mangaluru, secured top honours at the State-level Karate Championship held in Moodbidri on September 1, 2025 The event was organised by the Shorin-Ryu Karate Association in association with Swami’s Strength Training and MK Ananthraj College of Physical Education.

Ismail Nameer, a 15-year-old student of Huda Islamia School, Mangaluru, won first place in Kumite (fight). 

His younger brother, Hamdan (11 years), a student of Presidency School, Mangaluru, secured first place in Kumite (Fight) and second place in Kata in the under-11 category.

Their sister, Umme Kulsum, also a student of Presidency School, claimed first place in the Fighting category in the under-8 category.

The siblings are children of Nisar Ahmed Ruknuddin and Nada of Bhatkal, who are presently residing in Mangaluru.

source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Karavali / by Vartha Bharati / September 03rd, 2025

Award-Winning Educator from Bangalore, Noor Ayesha, Begins Postgraduate Studies at Harvard University

Bengaluru, KARNATAKA :

Bangalore’s own Noor Ayesha, an award-winning educator and visionary school leader, has been admitted to Harvard University for advanced postgraduate studies in Education Leadership. She joins the globally renowned Harvard Graduate School of Education to further her lifelong mission of transforming education through value-based learning and holistic child development.

Founder, Vice-Chairperson, and Managing Director of the Iqra Group of Schools in Bangalore, Karnataka, India, which includes Iqra International School, Iqra Juniors, and Iqra British Academy. For over a decade, her schools have redefined education by blending academic excellence with character formation, nurturing young minds to become not only successful learners but also compassionate, ethical citizens.

Her admission to Harvard marks a historic milestone, not just for her but for the entire region, as it highlights the global recognition of her impactful work in education. Noor’s leadership journey continues to inspire educators, parents, and youth, especially young women leaders striving to create change through education.

Quoting the famous line from the Spider-Man movie, Noor often reminds her team: “With great power comes great responsibility,” and she adds her powerful extension: “With great responsibility comes even greater accountability.” She believes educators carry the moral responsibility of shaping future generations and must be held accountable for the world they help create.

“As educators, we hold the power to shape the future,” says Noor. “My goal is to establish value-based schools across the world that nurture responsible, purpose-driven individuals who will lead with integrity and compassion.”

Her selection by Harvard is a proud moment for Bangalore, and a testament to the power of purpose-driven leadership in education.

source: http://www.thecognate.com / The Cognate / Home> Education / by The Cognate News Desk / August 11th, 2025

Kadaba: Student Fathima Sajla Ismail creates record by handwriting Quran in five years

Baitadka ,Kaniyur Village (Kadaba Taluk, Dakshina Kannada District) , KARNATAKA :

Kadaba :

A remarkable achievement by a student from Kumbra’s Markazul Huda Women’s College has drawn attention, as she meticulously handwritten the entire Quran using an ink pen.

The achiever, Fathima Sajla Ismail, a BCom student, hails from Baitadka in Kaniyur village of Kadaba taluk and is the daughter of Ismail and Zahra Jasmine. She dedicated nearly five years to this extraordinary work, beginning in January 2021 and completing it in August 2025.

For the handwritten manuscript, Sajla used white, light blue, and light green papers, along with a black ink pen. The Quran consists of 604 pages, bound with a red and gold-coloured protective cover, and weighs about 14 kg.

“Writing a single page would take me around four hours. On some days, I managed to write two pages in eight hours. In total, I completed the work in 302 days, spending 2,416 hours,” shared Sajla.

The unveiling of the handwritten copy and recognition of her achievement took place at Markazul Huda Women’s College in Kumbra.

The manuscript was officially released by Yaseen Sakhafi Al Azhari, a Mudarris from Markaz Knowledge City, Kerala.

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / Daijiworld.com / Home> Top Stories / by DaijiWorld Media Network – Kadaba (headline and name edited) / August 18th, 2025