Tag Archives: Muslims of Lucknow

A doughty warrior builds a mosque for women

February 19, 2026Community Involvement / Social Issues, Women/Girls(since May26-2021)Ambar Masjid - Lucknow, Ambar Mosque - Lucknow, Amber Mosque, Amber Mosque - Lucknow, Amber Mosque - Teli Bagh - Lucknow, Indian Muslims, Lucknow Muslims, M A Siraj, MA Siraj, Maulana Ali Mian - 7th Chancellor - Nadwatul Uloom, Maulana Ali Mian Nadwi, Mosques built by Muslim Women in India, Mosques built by Muslim Women of Lucknow, Muslim of Uttar Pradesh, Muslim Women of India, Muslim Women of Lucknow, Muslim Women of Uttar Pradesh, Muslims of India, Muslims of India - Positive News, Muslims of Lucknow, Posiitive News of Muslim Women of India, Positive News of Indian Muslims, Positive News of Muslim of Uttar Pradesh, Positive News of Muslim Women of Lucknow, Positive News of Muslim Women of Uttar Pradesh, Positive News of Muslims of India, Positive News of Muslims of Lucknow, Positive Stories of Indian Muslims, Positive Stories of Muslims of India, Prof Zehra Khatoon - JMI - Awarded - Maulana Ali Mian Award for Urdu Persian Language, Shaista Ambar, Shaista Ambar - Chief Mutawalli - Amber Mosque - Lucknow, www.shaistaambar.commpositiveone@gmail.com

Lucknow, UTTAR PRADESH :

Mosques in Hindi heartland states are an exclusive male preserve. Though Islam doesn’t barentry of women into mosques, they are scrupulously kept away from the holy precincts all across north India. But Amber Mosque in the outskirts of Lucknow challenges this shibboleth. It was founded and built by Ms. Shaista Ambar, a social activist from Lucknow who wouldn’t take such taboos lying down.

Wife of a bureaucrat in Uttar Pradesh, Shaista conceived the idea of a mosque where women could also offer namaz alongside men, in 1995. As a young woman, Shaista would take up social causes during the 1980s and 90s. Construction of a mosque was certainly not on her mental screen. But the rebel in her got awakened when she took a child inside a mosque to introduce him to the collective prayers.

For the imam the sight of woman inside the mosque was no less than a sacrilege. She was ordered out. The outrageous behaviour left a deep imprint on her. Beating a hasty retreat, she vowed to build a mosque where both men and women could pray. She drove straight to Nadwatul Uloom, the world famous centre of Islamic learning in Lucknow seeking an audience with Maulana Ali Miyan, the 7th Chancellor of the seminary and a world re nowned scholar of Islam.

The revered Maulana signalled her to go ahead pledging his full support. Pouring the family’s savings, a 26,000 square feet plot of land was bought in Teli Bagh, 15 kms away from the city centre on the road going to Rae Bareli. She sold away her car and ornaments to raise the required funds. The move gathered support from wider circle of relatives and acquaintances.

Lo and behold! The mosque came up opposite the trauma care centre of the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences. And it was none other than Maulana Ali Miyan Nadwi who presided over the consecration of the mosque in 1999. (He passed away on December 31, 1999). The mosque can host a congregation of over a thousand persons on a Friday when doughty Shaista Amber ensures her weekly presence.

She presides over the committee taking care of the mosque as the chief mutawalli with several other members of the family. She has resolutely stood against traditional maulvis taking over the management of the mosque. There have been pleas to start a madrassa (Islamic theological school) within the precincts.

She has declined permission and has instead started a dharamshala (stay-homes for wayfarers) within the boundary of the mosque where women attendants of inmates at the Sanjay Gandhi Institute find accommodation at a very reasonable rent. And they could belong to any faith. She says Uttar Pradesh has several thousands of madrassas but no dharamshalas and other such key civic facilities set up by Muslims.

The mosque is open for namaz to Sunnis as well as Shias, the major sects within Muslims. The mosque also runs a counselling centre where family disputes, mainly post-marital, are referred for resolution. Shaista has had differences with the All India Muslim Personal Law Board on several issues pertaining to women’s rights in Islam.

Critical about the rigidity on its outmoded stances, she and several of her supporters set up the All India Muslim Women Personal Law Board nearly a decade ago. The Board has appreciated the law banning the practice of triple talaq at one sitting and has suggested several progressive reforms. One who completed her graduation from the Aligarh Muslim University and later acquired Adib and Kamil certificates, Shaista has willed that her two daughters and son would look after the management of the mosque after her passing away.

Shaista came visiting Bengaluru last May at the invitation of the Azim Premji University for a seminar where this author had a chance meeting as a participant. Log onto www.shaista ambar.com for an overview of her vision and activities.

source: http://www.newstrailindia.com / News Trail / Home / by M A Siraj / October 19th, 2025

Celebrating Unsung Heroes: Indian Muslim Changemakers

INDIA :

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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

Collective efforts lead to the betterment of the nation: Farooq Siddiqui

September 4, 2025UncategorizedAlma Siddiqui, AMP NGO Connect Project Head - Farooq Siddiqui, Aqib Rauf, Ausaf Azeem Kirmani, Ayesha Alvi, Ayesha Mahmood, Dr Anis Ansari, Dr Anis Ansari - IAS, Dr Kaleem Ahmed Khan, Dr Mohammad Mubashir, Dr Mohammad Shamim, Dr Roohi, Dr Saba Yunus, Dr Saleem Mohammad Khan, Dr Sumbul Shakeel, Dr Uzma Mubashir, Dr Waliullah Siddiqui, Fahad Mahmood, Farooq Siddiqui, Farooq Siddiqui - Head - AMP National Coordination Team, Farooq Siddiqui - Social Worker, Indian Muslim Women, Indian Muslim Women Achievers, Indian Muslims, Institute of Social Harmony and Upliftment, Jamaluddin Khan, Javed Akbar Khan Lodi, Maulana Muhammad Rehan Qasmi, Mirza Mubeen Baig, Mohammad Imran, Mohammad Khalid Ashu, Mohammad Mohiuddin, Mohammad Mohiuddin - AMP Lucknow - Chapter Head, Mohammad Shahid Khan, Mujtaba Khan, Muslim Women of India, Muslim Women of Kanpur, Muslim Women of Lucknow, Muslim Women of Uttar Pradesh, Muslims of India, Muslims of India - Positive News, Muslims of Kanpur, Muslims of Lucknow, Muslims of UP, Muslims of Uttar Pradesh, Najm Ul Hasan Rizvi Najmi, Naseem Ahmed Khan, Positive News of Indian Muslims, Positive News of Muslim Women of Kanpur, Positive News of Muslim Women of Uttar Pradesh, Positive News of Muslims of India, Positive News of Muslims of Kanpur, Positive News of Muslims of Lucknow, Positive News of Muslims of Uttar Pradesh, Positive Stories of Indian Muslims, Positive Stories of Muslims of India, Prof Dr Nuzhat Hussain, Professor Mirza Mohammad Sufiyan Baig, Professor Naseem Ahmed Khan, Rizwan Ansari, Sabiha Ahmed, Sagheer Khaksar, Samiullah Ansari, Shaheen Islam, Shaheen Islam - AMP State Head, Shahenshah Ansari, Shahid Kamran Khan, Syed Abrar, Syed Shoaib, Syed Shoaib - AMP Zonal Head for Central Zone, Tauheedul Muslimeen Trust, The Association of Muslim Professionals (AMP) - Uttar Pradesh Chapter, Uttar Pradesh Chapter of Association of Muslim Professionals (AMP), Zaheer Baigmpositiveone@gmail.com

UTTAR PRADESH :

Lucknow :

The Uttar Pradesh Chapter of the Association of Muslim Professionals (AMP) organized an ceremony at Hotel Arif Castle for the recipients of the 4th National Awards for Social Excellence and the 8th National Awards for Excellence in Education from Uttar Pradesh.

Among special guests were senior gastro surgeon Dr. Waliullah Siddiqui from Apollo Hospital and Mirza Mubeen Baig from Gautam Budh Nagar. Distinguished educationist and career counsellor Dr. Amrita Das was to attend as the chief guest but could not participate due to health issues, so former senior bureaucrat Zahra Chatterjee filled the role.

The programme began with a recitation from the Holy Quran by Maulana Muhammad Rehan Qasmi.

The welcome address was delivered by AMP’s Zonal Head for Central Zone, Syed Shoaib. AMP’s State Head, Shaheen Islam, introduced the audience to AMP’s objectives and activities, mentioning that this non-governmental, non-political, and non-profit organization was founded in 2007. Over the years, AMP has been engaged in educational, social, economic, and developmental activities aimed at empowering marginalized communities.

Guest of honour Mirza Mubeen Baig emphasized that working for NGOs is becoming increasingly challenging, and only those organizations that serve selflessly and with sincerity will succeed. He stressed the need for collaboration among serious NGOs to benefit from each other’s experiences.

Dr. Waliullah Siddiqui congratulated the awardees for their contributions to education and social services, highlighting that the responsibility for educating and nurturing children lies with both parents and teachers. In today’s changing times, this responsibility has grown even more significant. He shared personal lessons from his life, crediting his parents for playing a central role in his achievements.

Speaking as the chief guest, retired IAS officer Zahra Chatterjee praised AMP’s work and said that every individual’s contribution is crucial for the nation’s development. She stressed the need to reach out to the last individual to ensure educational awareness and economic stability.

Farooq Siddiqui, Head of AMP’s National Coordination Team, addressed the audience, stating that these awards aim to encourage individuals and organizations committed to transforming the nation through their selfless services. He emphasized the importance of collective efforts and mutual cooperation, noting that the welfare of the country and nation lies in unity and partnership.

The vote of thanks was delivered by Mohammad Mohiuddin, Chapter Head of AMP Lucknow, and the event was hosted by Dr. Sumbul Shakeel.

The recipients of the National Awards for Social Excellence included the Best NGO awardees:

Tauheedul Muslimeen Trust, Institute of Social Harmony and Upliftment.

Among the Change Maker Awardees were:

Professor Dr. Nuzhat Hussain from Lucknow, Dr. Mohammad Mubashir, Sabiha Ahmed, Balbir Singh Maan, Dr. Kaleem Ahmed Khan from Kanpur, Dr. Saba Yunus, Shahid Kamran Khan, Sagheer Khaksar from Balrampur, Dr. Saleem Mohammad Khan and Naseem Ahmed Khan from Aligarh, and Ramesh Chandra Srivastava from Ayodhya.

The recipients of the National Awards for Excellence in Education included:

Professor Mirza Mohammad Sufiyan Baig, Professor Naseem Ahmed Khan, Ausaf Azeem Kirmani from Aligarh, Mohammad Shahid Khan, Dr. Mohammad Shamim, Samiullah Ansari from Kanpur, Chitra Maheshwari from Lucknow, Dr. Roohi, and Maulana Mohammad Rehan Qasmi.

Lifetime Achievement Awardees included senior teacher Sheila Lawrence from Lucknow and Jamaluddin Khan from Kanpur.

A large number of attendees were present at the event, including Dr. Anis Ansari (former IAS), Mohammad Khalid Ashu, Mujtaba Khan, Najm-ul-Hasan Rizvi Najmi, Dr. Uzma Mubashir, Syed Abrar, Rizwan Ansari, Mohammad Zeeshan, Mohammad Imran, Javed Akbar Khan Lodi, Shahenshah Ansari, Fahad Mahmood, Ayesha Mahmood, Alma Siddiqui, Ayesha Alvi, Zaheer Baig, and Aqib Rauf.

source: http://www.indiatomorrow.net / India Tomorrow / Home> Education / by India Tomorrow / September 03rd, 2024

10 trailblazers of Uttar Pradesh reshaping India’s future

UTTAR PRADESH :

New Delhi :

While media spotlight often shines on celebrities and politicians, the real engine of India’s progress runs on the resolve of countless unsung heroes who, away from limelight, quietly transform society.

From national defense to grassroots education, sports, science, and civil service, these individuals from Uttar Pradesh show how courage, compassion, and conviction can drive extraordinary change. Here are 10 such trailblazers whose stories deserve to be heard:

Captain Sariya Abbasi: A Woman in Uniform on the Frontlines

Hailing from a small city of Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, Captain Sayria Abbasi broke every convention to join the Indian Army. A graduate in Genetic Engineering and with plenty of job offers and career opportunities from big companies was not enough for her to pursue in life. The call of service for the motherland was too strong to be sacrificed.

The world noticed her as a soldier deployed at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), India-China temporary border, manning an Air Gun. Today, Sariya leads drone-killer teams and operates L-70 anti-aircraft guns on the border. Her journey from an academic achiever to a defender of the nation’s borders is not just about military precision; it’s about shattering glass ceilings and reshaping how India imagines women in uniform.

Dr. Faiyaz Ahmad Fyzie: Voice for the Voiceless Pasmanda Community

Dr. Faiyaz Ahmad Fyzie, an AYUSH physician, is more than a healer—he is a public intellectual, columnist, translator, and relentless advocate for the Pasmanda (socially backward) Muslim community. Raised in modest conditions, his rise to national recognition is built on fearless writing and tireless grassroots work.

When even the Prime Minister refers to Pasmanda voices, Fyzie’s years of advocacy resonate. His pen continues to empower those whose struggles were long silenced. His work is a call to conscience—and a roadmap for inclusive discourse.

Mohammad Luqman Ali: Wrestling His Way to Glory and Degree

Wrestler Mohammad Luqman Ali, a student of Social Work at Jamia Millia Islamia, is balancing body and brain. Born in Amroha’s tiny village of Mohraka Patti, his father worked on the railways, and his mother gave him religious grounding. Despite limited resources, Luqman’s grit has earned him recognition in India’s wrestling circles.

From the mat to the classroom, his dual commitment shows that excellence doesn’t require compromise. It requires discipline, heart—and a family’s belief in you.

Rubina Rashid Ali: Reviving Mughal-Era Art with a Modern Mission

In a sun-drenched corner of Aligarh, Rubina Rashid Ali has quietly built a movement. Her work in floral appliqué embroidery, a legacy of Mughal art, now supports dozens of women in Aligarh and Rampur. What was once an undervalued craft monopolized by middlemen has been transformed by Rubina into a vehicle for women’s economic empowerment.

Her home resonates not only with the sound of needles and threads but also with the hum of independence. “Real artists were reduced to laborers,” she says. Today, she ensures their hands are not just working — but also earning.

Babban Mian: A Gaushala Keeper Inspired by His Mother’s Love

At Madhu Sudan Gaushalla in Bulandshahr, Babban Mian tends to cows not out of ritual, but reverence — inspired by his late mother Hamidunnisa Begum. “She loved cows like her own children,” he recalls. After she passed away in 2015, Babban vowed to preserve her legacy.

Despite being a Muslim in a Hindu-dominated tradition, he runs a government-recognized shelter rooted in compassion, not controversy. For him, animal welfare is a universal value — not a communal issue. His work quietly redefines what shared culture and interfaith harmony look like.

Khushboo Mirza: From Amroha to the Moon with ISRO

Khushboo Mirza, scientist at ISRO and part of the Chandrayaan-1 and Chandrayaan-2 missions, is a stellar example of perseverance. After her father’s death when she was just seven, her mother raised three children alone, running a petrol pump and defying social norms.

Khushboo earned a Gold Medal in Electronics Engineering from AMU and was the youngest member of the Chandrayaan-1 checkout team. A practicing Muslim and a symbol of India’s scientific aspirations, she turned down corporate offers to reach for the stars—and took a whole generation of girls with her.

Zaheer Farooqui: A People’s Leader with a Vision for Purkazi

In western UP’s Purkazi, Zaheer Farooqui is rewriting what local leadership means. As Nagar Panchayat Chairperson, he donated land worth ₹1.5 crore for the area’s first Intermediate College and modernized local schools into PM Shri-certified institutions.

His initiatives go beyond classrooms. From India’s first double-storey government-run cow shelter to a gym for Muslim women, and one of the most sophisticated rural CCTV networks in the region — Farooqui’s governance is a blend of tradition and tech, equity and empowerment. His Tiranga Yatra revives local history, reminding citizens that patriotism is inclusive and action-oriented.

Dr. Farah Usmani: From AMU to Global Health Leadership

On a cold morning in New York, Dr. Farah Usmani stood outside an apartment, a folder in hand, her eyes bright with resolve. The daughter of Uttar Pradesh, she is today a formidable presence in global health policy.

n M.D. in Obstetrics & Gynecology from AMU, Farah sought impact beyond hospital walls. Armed with a Master’s in Health Policy from LSE and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, she’s led transformative health initiatives around the world. Her journey is one of intellect guided by idealism — a doctor who chose not just to heal individuals but to reform systems.

Anjum Ara: Bridging Communities Through Compassionate Policing

Hailing from Azamgarh’s Kamharia village, Anjum Ara, a 2012-batch IPS officer, has redefined the image of policing with a human touch. A computer engineer by training, her journey from Integral University to Senior Superintendent of Police in Shimla has been marked by integrity and reform. Known for her work in cybercrime and her community-focused policing model, Anjum is also a fierce advocate for girls’ education.

Together with her husband, IAS officer Yunus Khan, Anjum adopted the cause of Khushdeep, the daughter of a martyred soldier, pledging to support her upbringing. This act of empathy mirrors her professional ethos, proactive, principled, and deeply people-centered.

Mumtaz Khan: From Vegetable Stall to World Hockey Stage

From the bustling alleys of Lucknow’s Cantt area to the turf fields of South Africa, Mumtaz Khan’s journey is pure grit. Once helping her father at a vegetable stall, a single race at school changed her life when Coach Neelam Siddiqui noticed her speed. That moment set her on a course to become a leading forward in India’s Junior Women’s Hockey Team.

Her standout performance at the 2018 Youth Olympics, where she scored 10 goals, earned her national acclaim. Yet, Mumtaz remains rooted, balancing hope and humility as she eyes the Olympics. She is proof that dreams born in dusty streets can blaze across international arenas.

These ten changemakers hail from Uttar Pradesh, from narrow village lanes to bustling metros, from battlefields to laboratories. But they are united by one thing: quiet, relentless courage. In their lives, we find the India that persists, uplifts, and transforms—not with headlines, but with hard work.

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source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> The Changemakers / by Vidushi Gaur / May 24th, 2025

Shaheen Academy Felicitates NEET Achievers; Abdul Qadeer Urges Education-Led Social Reform

July 8, 2025Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Education - Gold Medallists, Toppers, Merits, Achievers (wef. June 12th, 2023), Education- Excellence, Coaching, Training, Tutorials (wef. Feb 09th, 2024), Events, Exhibitions, Conferences (wef. Nov 18th, 2021), Karnataka (under research project), Leaders, Useful / SCHOLARSHIPS, Women/Girls(since May26-2021)Abdul Qadeer - Chairman - Shaheen Group of Institutions, Al Hafeez Educational Academy, Al-Hafeez Educational Academy, Dr Abdul Qadeer, Indian Muslims, Indian Muslims in Education, Kaleemul Hafeez, Kaleemul Hafeez - Chairman - Al Hafeez Educational Academy, Muslim Women of India, Muslims of Bidar, Muslims of India, Muslims of India - Positive News, Muslims of Karnataka, Muslims of Lucknow, Muslims of Uttar Pradesh, Noor Nawaz, Noor Nawaz - Founder - The Hind Guru Academy, Positive News of Indian Muslims, Positive News of Indian Muslims in Education, Positive News of Muslims of India, Positive News of Muslims of Karnataka, Positive News of Muslims of Lucknow, Positive News of Muslims of Uttar Pradesh, Positive Stories of Indian Muslims, Positive Stories of Muslims of India, Shaheen Academy, The Hind Guru Academympositiveone@gmail.com

Bidar, KARNATAKA / UTTAR PRADESH :

New Delhi:

Shaheen Academy organised a grand event to honour its NEET achievers. The ceremony celebrated the students’ success and dedication.

The event was attended by educationists and community leaders. Among them was Abdul Qadeer, founder and chairman of Shaheen Group of Institutions.

In his keynote speech, Abdul Qadeer praised students and faculty. He stressed that education should not just be for earning. “Education can uplift society and spark social change,” he said. “It plays a key role in national growth and development.”

He reaffirmed Shaheen Academy’s mission: to offer value-based, holistic education. He said students must grow into responsible citizens and future leaders.

Abdul Qadeer urged students to look beyond personal success. He asked them to engage in social service and nation-building.

He also made a heartfelt appeal against lavish weddings. “Don’t spend lakhs on grand celebrations,” he said. “Use that money to educate your children, neighbours, and the poor.”

He called education the true celebration. “Transforming lives through education is the real joy,” he added.

He also underlined the need for wider educational outreach. “Five or six institutions are not enough,” he said. “We need 5,000 organisations working for value-based education. Shaheen must have 500 branches to transform society.”

Kaleemul Hafeez, Chairman of Al-Hafeez Educational Academy, also spoke. He compared Abdul Qadeer’s work to that of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. “Abdul Qadeer Sahib is continuing that legacy to educate a new generation,” he said.

Noor Nawaz, founder of The Hind Guru Academy, echoed the same spirit. He reminded students of the idea of Rabbul Alamin—Lord of all worlds. “Be ambassadors of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ,” he said. “Show compassion, honesty, and service in all you do.”

The event ended with a special honour for teachers and staff of Shaheen Academy. Their hard work was praised as a key part of the students’ success.

The celebration not only recognised academic achievement but also highlighted education’s role in building a better society.

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Report / by Radiance News Bureau / June 28th, 2025

Bookshop owner who is more interested in collecting books than selling them: Unique Urdu bookshop in Lucknow

April 6, 2025Business & EconomyBookshop in Lucknow, Danish Mahal, Indian Muslims, Muslims of Bihar, Muslims of India, Muslims of India - Positive News, Muslims of Lucknow, Parekh Book Depot, Parekh Book Depot - Lucknow - Uttar Pradesh, Positive News of Indian Muslims, Positive News of Muslims of India, Positive Stories of Indian Muslims, Positive Stories of Muslims of India, Shaheed Ul Hasan Khan, Shams Ur Rehman Alavi, Shams Ur Rehman Alvimpositiveone@gmail.com

Rohtas, BIHAR / Lucknow, UTTAR PRADESH :

Lucknow :

Every city in India has many iconic bookshops and Lucknow too has a few. However, in recent years, a bookshop has drawn attention of book lovers because of the variety and collection of books, particularly, in Urdu.

This bookshop has drawn readers from other states and cities too and people buy from him online as well. But the most unique aspect about this bookshop is that the passion of the owner who has been running it purely for the love of books.

Imagine, you go and find a good book and want to buy it. The bookshop owner appears sad that you chose the particular book. “I have just one copy of this book and I want to keep it”, says the man, who owns this shop. Or going to the extent of telling the visitor that they can take a look and buy from any shop elsewhere or telling the location or suggesting how to get a particular book.

But first about the uniqueness of the bookshop. Unlike other Urdu bookshops, the owner Shahood Ul Hasan Khan keeps a very wide range of books. It’s not limited to a few publishers but he keeps books of all publications and also ensures that books ranging from all the topics are available in Urdu, ensuring a collection.

From literature to language, and law politics to philosophy, history to Islam, Hindusim and other religions, fiction, non fiction, other than books in English and Hindi too, everything is available under one roof. He tries to put on display maximum books of all variety in his shop.

“I wanted to be among books, own them and have them around me”, he says. That’s the reason he started the bookshop even though people are always suggesting that he should switch to some other business. “It’s true that I put lot of money, because it’s my hobby and passion. However, it is not a very lucrative business.

He gets lot of unwanted advices and people have finally reconciled that he would not switch to anything else, except, keeping himself amid books. People and relatives keep advising that I should give this big space to someone and the rent would be more than my current earnings, but this is my passion”, says Khan, 42, who started Parekh Book Depot, and has totally dedicated himself in this work.

“I do it for the sake of books, not for profit. I always wanted to do this and hence I am happy doing what I do”, he further adds. In a city that has iconic Danish Mahal in Aminabad and many other bookshops, the emergence of Parekh Book Depot and it’s growing popularity, has drawn attention of people.

Urdu readers who come to Lucknow, try to take time out of their schedule and visit the place, as they know they might get a surprise, a rare book that was not available for long, translation of a famous English or French book or latest ones that have just been out of printing press.

As I select the books and am about to pay, he tells me that I can get these books online or from another particular place too. When I asked him why was he not keen on selling it and giving me the suggestion, he said that, ‘this set of books is not an ordinary one and we don’t know when it again gets printed and comes to market, hence, I am having a hitch and can feel that I am losing something.

At least, the set of books was with me till now”, Shahood Ul Hasan says. It was subsequently that I spoke to him and he told me about his life and his passion that has earlier been described in the report. Hailing from Rohtas in Bihar, he had come to Lucknow as an infant. He studied in the famous Nadwatul Ulema and his bookshop is also close to the gate of the seminary in Lucknow.

Many bookshops are selling just religious texts or literature. Also, there are different models. But he has shown a way, how a bookshop can thrive in an era when people keep ruing about lack of readership. “I am happy that I make enough to run my household. What else do I wish for?”.

One thing is sure, he has put in efforts and money but his passion has resulted in this bookshop emerging as an institution. It is remarkable that he opened the bookshop in 2016, and within a couple of years, it was too well known and in direct contact with readers who get details on their Whatsapp accounts about news books’ arrival and then order them through post as well.

source: http://www.newsbits.in / NewsBits.in / Home> Special / by Shams Ur Rehman Alavi / July 11th, 2023

Maulana Ammar Hasani Nadwi Appointed Nazim-e-Aam of Nadwatul Ulama

January 25, 2025Community Involvement / Social Issues, LeadersIndian Muslims, Madrasa Mazhar Ul Islam, Maulana Abdullah Hasani Nadwi, Maulana Ammar, Maulana Ammar Hasani Nadwi, Maulana Ammar Hasani Nadwi - Nazim e Aam - Nadwatul Ulama, Maulana Jafar Masood Hasani Nadwi, Maulana Muhammad Hasani, Muslims of India, Muslims of India - Positive News, Muslims of Lucknow, Muslims of Uttar Pradesh, Nadwatul Ulama - Lucknow - Uttar Pradesh, Positive News of Indian Muslims, Positive News of Muslims of India, Positive Stories of Indian Muslims, Positive Stories of Muslims of Indiampositiveone@gmail.com

Lucknow, UTTAR PRADESH :

Lucknow:

Following the sad demise of Maulana Jafar Masood Hasani Nadwi, the position of Nazim-e-Aam (General Manager) of Nadwatul Ulama had fallen vacant. In a unanimous decision, the Majlis-e-Nizam (Governing Council) has appointed Maulana Ammar Abdul Ali Hasani Nadwi to the esteemed role.

Maulana Ammar is the son of the renowned Islamic scholar and journalist Maulana Muhammad Hasani and the younger brother of Maulana Abdullah Hasani Nadwi. He has been serving as the head of Madrasa Mazhar-ul-Islam, a significant branch of Nadwatul Ulama located in Balochpura here for a considerable time.

The Nadwi community has extended heartfelt congratulations to Maulana Ammar on his appointment. They expressed their confidence that, under his leadership, the institution will continue to progress and flourish.

Prayers were also offered for the institution’s protection from envy and hypocrisy, seeking Allah’s guidance and support for its continued growth and prosperity.

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Report / by Radiance News Bureau / January 25th, 2025

THE INDIAN HERO : Resham Fatma – Acid reflex

April 14, 2024Amazing Feats, Bravery Awards, Citations, Commendations etc (since April 14th, 2024), Women/Girls(since May26-2021)Ebrah Foundation, Female Muslims of Lucknow, Muslim Women of Bihar, Muslim Women of Lucknow, Muslims of Bihar, Muslims of Lucknow, Muslims of New Delhi, Positive News of Muslim Women of Delhi, Positive News of Muslim Women of Lucknow, Positive News of Muslims of Lucknow, Positive Stories of Muslim Women of Lucknow, Positive Stories of Muslims of Lucknow, Positive Stories on Muslim Women of Bihar, Resham Fatima, Resham Fatma, Resham Fatma - Acid Attack Survior, Resham Fatma - Awarded - Bharat Award by President Pranab Mukherjee, Resham Fatma - Awardee - National Bravery Award 2014, Resham Fatma - Founder - Ebrah Foundationmpositiveone@gmail.com

BIHAR / Lucknow, UTTAR PRADESH / NEW DELHI :

*It burnt her face, but not her spirit. Resham Fatma, National Bravery Award winner, is confident about tomorrow*

Sometime last summer, Resham Fatma, 17, decided that she needed to score 98 per cent in her twelfth standard board examinations. For days, she had been scouring the newspapers to find the best college to pursue her favourite subject, mathematics. St Stephen’s College, Delhi, it was. “Last year’s cut off was 97.2 per cent, so with 98, it will be smooth sailing,” says the Lucknow girl.

Resham has planned her future in detail. After graduation, she will do an MBA from IIM-Ahmedabad. Then, she will take the Union Public Service Commission exams, get into the Indian Administrative Service and work towards the post of district magistrate, a post from which she believes she can implement all the glorious government policies that remain on paper. “If I set my mind on something, I can achieve it,” she says. But, the future does not always work out the way you plan it. The last year has been, to put it bleakly, scarring for Resham.

The day is etched into her memory. It was February 1. On the previous day, her class had given their seniors a formal farewell. Her hair was a curtain of black satin, glossy from all the shampooing and conditioning. “See, this is me, in the centre,” she says, fishing out her smartphone and showing a groupfie with friends at the farewell.

The next day, she headed for her tuition, getting off the autorickshaw and walking the last mile as per routine. Suddenly, Riyaz, 38, her mother’s cousin, pulled up in his Tata Indica. He had been pestering her for a few years, and she had learnt to avoid him. On farewell day, he had asked her to meet him and she had said, “Main pagalon se baat nahi karti [I don’t talk to madmen].” She had no idea how mad he was.

After dragging her into the car, he held a butcher’s knife to her throat and asked her to marry him. She struggled; he got forceful. When she loosened his grip on the knife, he pulled out a barber’s razor from under the seat. “The car was auto-locked,” she says. “I was in his grip, struggling with all my strength. He banged his head on the steering and asked why I was refusing him. Then, suddenly, he pulled out a plastic bottle from the recess in the car door. It was filled with a yellowish liquid. He asked me if I knew what it was and said it was shakkar pani ghol [sugar solution]. He poured the liquid over my head.”

For a fraction of a second, she did not know what it was. Then it began to burn and she immediately shut her eyes. Her face, arm and thigh were on fire. He pulled her by the hair, still holding the knife to her throat. “I do not know how I got this phenomenal strength at that moment,” she says. “I pushed him and he crumpled towards the door. I fumbled blindly with the ignition, unlocked the car and tumbled out.” It was a dark winter evening and the road was desolate. Presently, an autorickshaw drove by and she pleaded to be taken to the police station. Luck was on her side, the occupants rushed to help. Later, as she was taken from the police station to hospital in an autorickshaw, they had to stop at a railway crossing. Passers-by peered into the auto, clucking in sympathy or gasping in horror. “That’s when I learnt that my face was black and I had my first shudder,” she says. “Riyaz mama ko mat chodna [Don’t let Riyaz get away], I screamed.”

Resham had so far known only unconditional love. She was the eldest grandchild from her maternal side, and her mother’s brothers doted on her so much that when she entered primary school, she moved from Bihar, where her father is an automobile dealer, to her grandfather’s residence at Amausi, near the Lucknow airport. Both her uncles have sons, she grew up as the only girl and the apple of everyone’s eyes. She has a younger sister and brother, who live with her parents. “I am more comfortable here, this is my home,” she says.

Resham means silk. But in the months ahead, the teenager discovered reserves of steel within her. Her long tresses were shorn, there is a huge patch on the scalp where follicles are dead. Resham, for the first time in her life, started wearing a scarf and headed for her evening coaching. She had to skip regular school at Stella Maris; her skin was not ready to face the onslaught of the sun.

In between, she kept popping into the hospital for surgeries. Her thigh needed grafting and her face needs a lot more work, but that has not deterred Resham from going out with nonchalance. A few months after the incident, her uncle declared she could do her own shopping without being escorted around like an invalid. “People ask me what happened, most ask whether it’s an allergy,” she says. “I tell them blankly, ‘No allergy, I survived an acid attack.’’’ Does she miss her old face? “Well, I am a girl, I like looking into the mirror and I’d want to like what I see,” she says. “I am still not bad looking, am I? This is my new identity.”

Most of her friends broke down when they visited and she consoled them. Her best friend is her diary. One day, she wrote about her dream: “I wanted to become the district magistrate and visit Riyaz in jail and tell him, see where you are today and where I am.” But these Bollywood-type situations are not meant for off-screen lives, even if they are as extraordinary as Resham’s.

Riyaz was arrested and was in lockup, where on December 28, he committed suicide. “I read about it in the newspaper next day and felt blank,” Resham says. “He got away so easily. He should have lived a long life, regretting every moment.”

Her earliest recollections of Riyaz are of sitting on his shoulders as he ran across the lawn. As she grew up though, his presence began getting uncomfortable. He would enter her room, force her to leave her books and talk to him. At one point, her grandfather, a former policeman, banished him from their house.

Resham today prefers to look at the possibilities that the future offers. “I have bad days, though I don’t cry in public,” she says. “Some days ago, I was very angry with Allah pak. But then, I got this call from Delhi that I was getting the Bharat Award at the Republic Day celebrations. I am so happy today. I have met big people, Modiji himself. I am a heroine, isn’t that great?” The scar tissue on her face hurts a lot, especially when she has to receive injections for treatment. But now she is complaining happily about how her cheeks are hurting with the constant smiling. “I am posing for cameras all day. Yaay,” she shrieks.

President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee presenting the ‘National Bravery Awards 2014’ at Rashtrapati Bhavan . January 22nd, 2015. pic credit: facebook.com/Muslims.of.India.Page

There’s a bit of regret, though. “When I came to Delhi, I learnt that all the other children had been felicitated by their states. But no one from my state government ever came to me. A Supreme Court order says the state has to give an immediate relief of 03 lakh to an acid attack victim. I have not got anything yet, though my family has sent several Right To Information pleas. We could afford my treatment, but there are those for whom this money means a lot more. You know, there is a lot of good intent and great laws, but what we lack in this country is implementation. That’s why I want to be an IAS officer,” she emphasises with all her Taurean determination.

source: http://www.theweek.in / The Week / Home> Web Specials> Features> Heroes / by Rekha Dixit / Headline Edited + Additional image inserted courtesy of Facebook.com/Muslims.of.India.page / February 08th, 2015

UP Government confers Yash Bharti award to 46 people, list includes nine Muslims

February 16, 2024Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Education - Gold Medallists, Toppers, Merits, Achievers (wef. June 12th, 2023), Sports, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), World OpinionAleemullah Siddiqui, Anwar Jalalpuri, Dr Nahid Abedi, Dr Nawaz Deobandi, Ghazal Singers, Historians of India, Imran Khan - aka - Imran Pratapgarhi, Indian Muslims, Indian Muslims of Uttar Pradesh, Indian Muslims Positive Story, Iqbal Ahmed Siddiqui, Irfan Habib, Muslim Historians of India, Muslims of India, Muslims of India - Positive News, Muslims of India in Sports, Muslims of Lucknow, Muslims of Uttar Pradesh, Nahed Abedi, Padma Shri Irfan Habib - 2005, Padma Shri Nahed Abidi, Positive News of Muslims of Lucknow, Positive News of Muslims of Uttar Pradesh, Positive News on Muslims of Lucknow, Positive Stories of Muslims of Lucknow, Prof Irfan Habib - Chairman - Indian Council of Historical Research, Professor Irfan Habib, Rafiqul Mulk Mulayam Singh Yadav Urdu IAS Study Center - Lucknow, Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan, Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan - Awarded - Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Wazeer Ahmed Khan, Wazeer Ahmed Khan - Chess Champion of Uttar Pradeshmpositiveone@gmail.com

UTTAR PRADESH:

Lucknow:

Uttar Pradesh’s highest honour Yash Bharti award was given to 46 personalities on Monday. Among them, nine Muslims were conferred the award by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav in presence of Mulayam Singh Yadav. The award is given annually by Culture Department of UP government.

Yash Bharti comes with a cash prize of Rs 11 lakh, citation and a shawl. The awardees are also eligible for a monthly pension of Rs 50,000 for their life.

Yash Bharti award were constituted in 1994 by the then CM Mulayam Singh Yadav but were discontinued between 2007 and 2012 by Mayawati. It has since been revived by CM Akhilesh Yadav.

1. Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan
Classical singing
Born- 3 march 1931, Badaun

Belong to Rampur Sahaswa Gharana in classical singing. Conferred honorary citizenship of Baltimore and Maryland in 1986. Padamshri in 1991, Sangeet Natak Academy Award in 2003, Padam Bhushan in 2006 and Rashtriya Tansen Award in 2008.

2. Professor Irfan Habib
Historian
Born-12, August 1931 in Baroda.
D.Phil from Oxford

Chairman, Indian Council of Historical Research 1987-93, 1993-96. Jawaharlal Nehru Fellowship in 1968-70, D.Lit from BHU (2008), Vishwa Bharti (2008), Kalyani Vishwavidyalaya (2009), North Bengal University (1990) and Ravindra Bharti University (1989). Padam Shree in 2005.

3. Dr Nahid Abedi
Sanskrit literature and philoshophy
Born—12 February 1961, Mirzapur
D. Lit from Lucknow University in 2009. Padam Shree awardee.
Several books and papers published in Sanskrit.

4. Iqbal Ahmed Siddiqui
Ghazal singer
Born—November 9, Allahabad

Performed at All India Radio and Doordarshan. Released 17 cassettes. Sang one song in film Rama O Rama.

5. Anwar Jalalpuri
Urdu poetry and writing
Born—6 July 1947

Several awards on Urdu poetry like UP Gaurav Samman, Mati Ratan Samman, Iftikhar-e-Meer Samman etc.

6. Dr Nawaz Deobandi
Poet and educationist
Born—16 July 1956, Saharanpur

Chairman, UP State Urdu Academy. Established Rafiqul Mulk Mulayam Singh Yadav Urdu IAS Study Center in Lucknow. Several awards like Kaifi Azmi award, Dushyant award, Rotary award etc.

7. Aleemullah Siddiqui
Artist
Born—10 June 1953, Lucknow

Artist using stem of wheat plant, painting on cloth etc. Acted in play Dilli Ka Akhirir Mushaira and Main Urdu Hoon.

8. Imran Khan alias Imran Pratapgarhi
Literature
Born—6 August 1987 Pratapgarh.

Internationally acclaimed poet and attended Mushairas in Oman, Bahrain, Dubai, Sharjah etc. Received Urdu Academy award in Saudi Arab, Red Cross Society Orissa’s Vishist Vidyarthi award and Sadbhavna award by Maharashtra Municipal Corporation.

9. Wazeer Ahmed Khan
Chess
Born—4 February 1947, Rampur

Participated in Chess National B competition in 1972, 1980, 1995, 1999, 2004 and 2008. UP Champion in 2004-2005. First prize in Asian Senior competition in Iran in 2015.

source: http://www.twocircles.net / TwoCircles.net / Home> Arts-Culture / by TCN Staff Reporter / March 22nd, 2016

A historian who shed light on colonial-era opium trade in the city

February 11, 2024Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Education, Uncategorized, Women/Girls(since May26-2021)Asiya Siddiqi, Asiya Siddiqi - Aligarh Muslim University, Asiya Siddiqi - Author, Asiya Siddiqi - Historian, Bombays People, Book - Agrarian Change in Northern Indian City - Uttar Pradesh - 1819 to 1833, Book - Bombays People 1860-1898 - Insolvent in the City, Diba Siddiqi, Imran Siddiqi, Indian Muslim Academics, Indian Muslim Authors, Indian Muslim Book Authors, Indian Muslims, Indian Muslims of Uttar Pradesh, Kaleem Siddiqi, Lucknow Women, Muslim Women of India, Muslim Women of India in Education, Muslims of India, Muslims of Lucknow, Muslims of Utttar Pradesh in Education, Obaid Siddqi, Positive News of Muslim Women of Uttar Pradesh, Positive News of Muslims of India, Positive News of Muslims of Lucknow, Positive News of Muslims of Uttar Pradesh, Positive News on Muslims of Lucknow, Positive Stories of Indian Muslims of Uttar Pradesh, Positive Stories of Muslim Women of Lucknow, Positive Stories of Muslims of Uttar Pradesh, Positive Stories on Muslims of Uttar Pradesh, Positve News of Muslims of Lucknow, Yumna Siddiqimpositiveone@gmail.com

Lucknow, UTTAR PRADESH / Mumbai, MAHARASHTRA, Bengaluru, KARNATAKA :

Asiya Siddiqi (1928-2019) (Pic Courtesy: Obaid Siddiqi)

Siddiqi also broke new ground by studying 20,000 HC insolvency records to recreate the lives of an array of 19th-century city inhabitants.

In an age that sometimes overrates quantity and is beguiled by grandiloquence, economic historian Asiya Siddiqi, who passed away on Monday morning, went against the grain.

A chronicler of 19th century India, she wrote just two books. But each was a culmination of decades of painstaking original research, presented in prose that many might describe as being quietly elegant. In between working on the two books, she edited a volume on trade and finance in colonial India.

She broke new ground in both her books by closely reading new or underutilised primary sources. In the second book, Bombay’s People, 1860-1898: Insolvents in the City, published in 2017 by the Oxford University Press, she not only tapped a voluminous new source, namely about 20,000 insolvency records in the high court, but also incorporated the innovative conceptual approach of microhistory to illuminate the past.

She admired the work of one of microhistory’s founding scholars, Italian historian Carlo Ginzburg, especially his book ‘The Cheese and the Worms: The Cosmos of a 16th Century Miller’. Microhistory focuses on small units of research, such as a village, a single event or an individual, instead of large ones such as nations, kingdoms and cities. Siddiqi’s chapter, ‘Ayesha’s World’, the story of an unlettered butcher’s wife, is a gem of this genre.

“She was a first-rate historian, approaching her work with a craftlike precision,” said Mariam Dossal, a friend of hers who is an urban and maritime historian of 18th and 19th -century Mumbai and a former professor at the University of Mumbai, where Siddiqi worked for everal years. “In Bombay’s People, her view was so rich and broad that it covered every kind of person who inhabited the city, from the wealthy Jamshetji Jejeebhoy all the way to Ayesha. One marvelled at her beautiful use of language, through which she recreated the worlds of these inhabitants. For Asiya, everybody deserved a history.”

Her early work on the 19th-century opium and cotton trade based in Mumbai was also influential, in particular her article ‘The Business World of Jamshetji Jejeebhoy’, which appeared in the Indian Economic and Social History Review in 1982. She worked for years on the private papers of the merchant who was a central figure in those two trades to offer a finely-etched view of the entrepreneurial climate of that period, while also shedding light on the ways in which Mumbai supported the growth of the British economy.

A large portion of these papers consisted of letters in which Jejeebhoy had recorded both his business dealings and social life in great detail. Because the papers were disintegrating in the heat and humidity of Mumbai, she got them laminated with help from her uncle Saiyid Nurul Hasan, who was then the union minister of state for education, Dossal recalled.

Asiya Siddiqi’s first book, Agrarian Change in a Northern Indian State: Uttar Pradesh, 1819 to 1833, published in 1973 by Oxford Clarendon Press, grew out of the thesis she did for her DPhil at Oxford University. In what became a classic of South Asian economic history, she analysed the relevant records with characteristic rigor, becoming one of of the earliest to show how colonial trade policies contributed to a severe agricultural depression in the region.

She grew up in Lucknow, and from 1962 worked in and on Mumbai for four decades. She moved in the late 1990s to Bangalore, where her daughter said she passed away peacefully in her sleep. Her husband was the eminent biologist Obaid Siddiqi, who founded the biology department at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Colaba and the National Centre for Biological Sciences in Bangalore. He passed away in 2013.

Asiya Siddiqi balanced her research with bringing up four accomplished children: the eldest Imran, a leading plant biologist based in Hyderabad; Yumna, a professor of English in the US; and fraternal twins, Diba, a visual artist and high school social science teacher in Bangalore, and Kaleem, a computer scientist in Canada.

Siddiqi seemed happiest working by herself in the archives, as an independent researcher, although she had two productive teaching stints: one at Aligarh Muslim University, where she met her husband just after getting a bachelor’s degree at Oxford University, and the other at Mumbai University.

She quit teaching when, at one point she found it difficult to commute from her home in south Mumbai to the university campus in Kalina while also keeping up with her research and and raising four children.

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are the author’s own. The opinions and facts expressed here do not reflect the views of Mirror and Mirror does not assume any responsibility or or liability for the same.

source: http://www.mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com / Mumbai Mirror / Opinion > Columnist / by Sumana Ramanan / October 11th, 2019