Tag Archives: Syedullah Nongrum – MLA – Rajbala Consitutency – Meghalaya

10 Muslim changemakers from the North-East

NORTH EAST , ASSAM :

Guwahati :

The Muslims of North eastern India are a spirited community and are contrinuting immensely to the nation building.

Here are ten Muslims whose stories inspire others and make us look at human spirit differently.

Abid Azad

After his work in the bank, this young professional roams around various places in Assam to feed the hungry. Since the days of COVID-19 and the consequent lockdown, Azad has been providing food to those on the streets, hospitals, and others in need. He distributed meal packets to patients and their attendants at the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) for Iftar, and also delicious foods for Hindus and people from other faiths.

Ahmed Ali

The presence of Ahmed Ali, an unlettered rickshaw puller from Assam who has built a chain of schools in and around his native village, at the Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi on January 26 this year caught the attention of everyone. The Government of India had invited him as a special guest for his extraordinary services to society. He has built a chain of educational institutions from his earnings to encourage children to go to school.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned Ahmed Ali, a resident of a rural village in the Sribhumi district of southern Assam, in his monthly radio program ‘Mann Ki Baat’. Ahmed Ali used his earnings from pulling the rickshaws to support his family and established nine schools in southern Assam. Due to poverty, Ahmed Ali remained unschooled, but he wanted to ensure nobody in his society had to remain illiterate.

Nazrul Haque

He has been recently honored with the prestigious Assam Gaurav Award by the State Government for his outstanding achievements in fish farming and employment generation. Haque, who began his entrepreneurial journey with just Rs 10,000, has successfully overcome numerous challenges and now owns multiple fisheries. His dedication to aquaculture has not only contributed to the fishery sector’s growth in Assam but also provided job opportunities to hundreds of unemployed youths.

Nabab Ali

If Dronacharya awardee the late Ramakant Achrekar, the celebrated coach of legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, had the privilege of nurturing the cricket legend’s son Arjun too, so did Assam’s very own Achrekar, Nabab Ali, who has not only molded former Assam Ranji captain Parag Das but also his son Riyan Parag to be the first ever cricketer from Assam to be in Team India. Fondly called Nababda (Brother Nabab) by one and all in the cricket circles, Nabab Ali may not have hit too many centuries and half centuries during his brief cricketing career, but he has cracked more than a ton as far as the number of quality cricketers he has produced for Assam as well as India.

Dr. Mustafa A Barbhuyan

Hailing from a remote village in southern Assam’s Hailakandi district, Dr. Mustafa A. Barbhuiya has been selected among the top 100 most influential people in Pathology, specifically, as one of the Top 20 Heroes of Pathology in the US for this year.

Syedullah Nongrum

He is the voice of Khasi Muslims and a bridge between communities in Meghalaya. Nongrum spearheaded the construction of Madina Masjid, the only glass mosque in India. This magnificent structure situated in Shillong, not only serves as a place of worship but also houses an Islamic learning center, a school for underprivileged children, and a higher education college with modern facilities in science, arts, and technology.

The mosque is the only glass mosque in India, and reportedly the first glass mosque in Asia, making India the third country to have a mosque built of glass

Arshel Akhtar

Arshel Akhtar wants to make cycling a priority for Guwahati residents and is working on creating a narrative on it. From working across diverse areas like Information and Technology, software development, banking, and share investing, Arshel was appointed as the first ‘Bicycle Mayor’ of Guwahati in 2018. He continues to find solutions to urban mobility issues through his non-profit organizations, Pedal for a Change and The Green Lane Foundation. Akhtar has formed an active citizens group called the Bicycle Councillors of Guwahati, which will work together to make cycling a safe, accessible, and aspirational mode of transport among all sections of society.

Nahid Afrin

She first shot to fame when she became the second runner-up in the 2015 edition of Indian Idol Junior. In 2016, she made her debut as a playback singer in Bollywood with the film Akira starring Sonakshi Sinha in the lead role. In 2024, Nahid Afrin was appointed as UNICEF India’s Youth Advocate, marking a significant milestone in her career. Nahid, along with three other Youth Advocates, will work with Bollywood’s star actor Kareena Kapoor-Khan, who is named as the National Ambassador by UNICEF.

Maulana Nurulamn Qasimi:

At a time when there are many misconceptions about Islam in society, Maulana has tried to dispel those by clearly explaining the principles and ideals of Islam. Maulana Nurul Amin Qasimi is a cleric who preaches Islam in the right form with exceptional thoughts.

Dr. Anwaruddin Choudhry

Dr. Anwaruddin Choudhury, who retired as the Commissioner and Secretary to the Government of Assam, has acquired the nickname of “The Birdman of Assam.” He is the first in Assam to write books on the birds of North Eastern States. His studies have contributed to the conservation and awareness of various bird species. He has authored 28 books, 50 technical reports, and more than 900 articles and scientific papers.

Choudhury, 63, had played a pivotal role in protecting habitats and declaring the white-winged wood duck as the State bird in Assam in 2003.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories> The Changemakers / posted by Vidushi Gaur / June 08th, 2025

Syedullah Nongrum: Khasi Muslim leader works for unity of people in Meghalaya

March 5, 2025Community Involvement / Social Issues, LeadersFakhruddin Ali Ahmed - President - Shillong Muslim Union, First President - Shillong Muslim Union, Khasi Muslim, Khasi Muslims of Meghalaya, Khasi Muslims of Shillong, Madina Masjid, Madina Masjid - Shillong, Meghalaya Muslims, Muslims of Megalaya, Muslims of Meghalaya, Muslims of Shillong, Nongrum, President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, S K Abdullah, Shillong Muslim Union -SMU, Shillong Muslims, Subartan Bibi Nongrum, Syedullah Nongrum, Syedullah Nongrum - Founder - Shillong All Faith Forum, Syedullah Nongrum - General Secretary - Shillong Muslim Union - SMU, Syedullah Nongrum - Khasi Muslim Leader of Meghalaya, Syedullah Nongrum - MLA - Meghalaya State Assembly, Syedullah Nongrum - MLA - Rajbala Consitutency - Meghalaya, The Only Glass Mosque in India, The Only Glass Mosque in India - Madina Masjid - Shillong - Meghalaya, Tribal Muslim of Meghalaya, Umshrypi College - Meghalayampositiveone@gmail.com

Shillong, MEGHALAYA :

Syedullah Nongrum speaking at a function

In the heart of Meghalaya, where Christianity is deeply woven into the cultural fabric, Syedullah Nongrum stands as a prominent figure, embracing both his Khasi and Muslim identities.

As the General Secretary of the Shillong Muslim Union (SMU) for the past three decades, Nongrum has played a pivotal role in safeguarding and uplifting the Muslim community while fostering interfaith harmony.

Founded in 1905, the Shillong Muslim Union (SMU) holds a legacy older than the All India Muslim League, which was established a year later in 1906. The union has had a long history of leadership, with none other than India’s former President, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, serving as its first president in 1964.

Madina Mosque, Shillong, Meghalaya

“I had extensive discussions with the former President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed about the welfare of the Muslim community in Meghalaya,” Nongrum recalls. Determined to revive the organization, his first step was to set up a dedicated office in Shillong. Over the years, he has worked relentlessly to protect and enhance SMU’s assets, ensuring its service to all communities, irrespective of caste, creed, or religion.

When Nongrum took over in 1982, SMU’s properties were in disarray, and opportunists had begun to take advantage of the situation. “The guest house and orphanage were dilapidated, and the Idgah ground was in terrible shape,” he says.

Determined to transform these neglected assets into centers of growth and learning, Nongrum spearheaded the construction of Madina Masjid, the only glass mosque in India.

This magnificent structure in Shillong is not just a place of worship, it also has an Islamic learning center; houses a school for underprivileged children, and a higher education college with modern facilities in science, arts, and technology.

Syedullah Nongrum (third from left) with former Nagaland Governor RN Ravi (second from right)

Beyond Shillong, SMU has successfully sponsored four other mosques and multiple graveyards in different districts of Meghalaya.

Nongrum, son of Subartan Bibi Nongrum and Late S.K. Abdullah, hails from the state’s oldest Khasi-Muslim family. The son of Late Subartan Bibi Nongrum and Late S.K. Abdullah, he holds a unique place in Meghalaya’s political landscape.

He is the only tribal Muslim to have been elected to the Meghalaya State Assembly, representing Rajabala constituency since 1993. He has served as a cabinet minister, advocating for the rights and development of his people.

A painting of President APJ Abdul Kalam inside the Madina mosque library

His contributions extend to education. He played a crucial role in establishing Umshyrpi College which has over 3,500 students. “We ensure that education reaches the underprivileged, regardless of their community or background,” he emphasizes.

For Nongrum, SMU is not just an institution for Muslims—it is a platform for all communities. His vision transcends religious boundaries, as reflected in his role as a founder member of the Shillong All Faith Forum, a collective that promotes communal harmony and mutual understanding among different religious groups.

“We follow the traditions of the land. As an obedient Khasi Muslim, I am committed to carrying forward the good work for the betterment of Meghalaya,” Nongrum asserts.

His journey is a testament to resilience, leadership, and inclusivity. In a region where identities are often defined by religion and ethnicity, Syedullah Nongrum has emerged as a bridge between communities rooted in their respective cultures.

(The writer is an independent journalist based in North East India)

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / by Jhumur Deb, Shillong / Februarty 26th, 2025