NEW DELHI — Amid ongoing debates over historical representation and exclusion, the Women’s Department of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) organised a National History Conference titled “Contribution of Muslim Women to Indian Society.” Held virtually on Saturday, the event brought together prominent academics and educators to spotlight the often-neglected role of Muslim women in shaping India’s social, cultural, and political landscape.
The webinar was presided over by Mrs. Rahmathunnissa A, National Secretary of JIH, known for her long standing work on women’s empowerment and social reform. In her closing address, she made an impassioned plea to scholars and educators to “not allow history to remain only his-story,” emphasising the urgent need for a gender-inclusive historiography that acknowledges the contributions of Muslim women sidelined by mainstream narratives.
Forgotten Voices
Dr. Sangeeta Saxena, India Faculty Supervisor at Southern New Hampshire University and Saint Leo University, delivered the keynote address. She drew from historical records of Bihar and Bengal to resurrect the legacies of pioneering Muslim women who contributed to India’s freedom movement, trade, and education.
From Begum Hazrat Mahal, who led a valiant rebellion against the British during the 1857 uprising, to Zahara Kaleem, a little-known reformist from Bengal, Dr. Saxena described these women as “unsung heroines in the annals of our country,” whose stories have been systematically excluded from textbooks and public memory.
Complementing this, Dr. Tuhina Islam, Assistant Professor at Aliah University, Kolkata, presented a detailed profile of Wahid Jahan Begum, founder of the Women’s College at Aligarh. She chronicled how Begum’s visionary leadership established safe and dignified educational spaces for Muslim girls in the face of deep-seated societal resistance.
Both speakers highlighted how Muslim women have been doubly marginalized—first by entrenched patriarchy, and second by historical amnesia. They urged today’s scholars and students to delve into oral histories and domestic narratives, where the silent sacrifices and stories of countless women remain undocumented.
“The real research must begin at home,” said Dr. Saxena. “Our mothers and grandmothers hold within them centuries of resilience, struggle, and strength—unwritten but invaluable.”
‘Her-story’ in a Time of Narrative Battles
In her address, Mrs. Rahmathunnissa linked the theme of the conference to broader political efforts to rewrite India’s historical narrative. She raised concern over recent NCERT textbook revisions that emphasize the so-called brutality of Mughal rulers and destruction of temples, while ignoring their contributions to India’s art, administration, and pluralism.
“There’s an institutional push to rewrite history with a divisive lens,” she said. “We must ensure that the role of Muslim women as builders of this nation is documented with honesty and pride.”
Calling for rigorous academic engagement, she added, “Whether known or unknown, directly or indirectly, Muslim women have always contributed to the progress of this country.”
Jamaat’s Commitment to Women’s Narratives
The conference opened with an inaugural address by Mrs. Rabia Basri, Assistant Secretary of the JIH Women’s Department. She underlined Jamaat’s ongoing commitment to amplifying women’s voices—especially those excluded from dominant discourse.
Mrs. Sumaiyya Maryam, the event coordinator, ensured wide participation from across India, drawing in educators, students, and activists. Mrs. Meenaz Bhanu, member of JIH’s Women’s National Executive Committee, moderated the session, reinforcing the need to view Muslim women not merely as victims of history but as agents of change.
More than just an academic exercise, the conference served as a moral call—to remember, document, and honor the legacy of Muslim women in India’s nation-building journey. It also posed a challenge to prevailing historiographies that often mirror political agendas.
As India confronts contentious versions of its past, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind’s conference offered an alternative lens—one that not only recovers erased histories but also empowers future generations to construct a more inclusive, plural, and truthful narrative.
