The second women’s convention on Champions of Change held successfully in New Delhi
Pervez Bari | Clarion India
NEW DELHI — The All India Muslim Women’s Association (AIMWA) has expressed deep concern at the significant increase in cases of oppression, barbarism, injustice, and violations of rights after the results of the general elections were declared on June 4.
Dr. Asma Zehra, AIMWA president, pointed out that Indian Muslims face new challenges in the present era. “Muslim houses are being demolished. Laws are being enacted to stop veiled hijabi women and girls from pursuing education and in some educational institutions, Muslim students are being treated with utmost disrespect,” she said in her presidential address at the recent three-day AIMWA convention in the national capital.
Over 300 delegates, scholars, homemakers, doctors, students and mothers from 18 states across the country participated in the convention.
Dr. Zehra noted that the mainstream media continues to indulge in anti-Muslim propaganda, which started in 2014. “Decisions and discretionary laws are being made to change Muslim personal laws. Efforts are afoot to eliminate laws of inheritance and endowment waqf etc. Innocent young Muslims have been imprisoned for years without evidence or trial,” she said.
Brinda Karat, former member of Parliament; Salman Khurshid, Supreme Court advocate; and Sofia Firdous, newly-elected Odisha MLA, participated as special guests at the convention. On the sidelines of the event, the “Champion of Change” awards were presented to proficient Muslim women across various fields.
Dr. Zehra said achieving great tasks in life requires equally great sacrifices. She underscored the importance of sacrifices for societal and religious responsibilities and emphasised the need for continuous social efforts to protect and promote Islamic values and rights.
Addressing the gathering, Salman Khurshid highlighted the numerous challenges faced by Muslims in the country today. He stressed the importance of upholding ethics and conduct across all aspects of life and understanding and exercising the freedoms enshrined in the country’s constitution.
Brinda Karat focused on the alarming practice of female foeticide and domestic violence against women. She praised the Muslim community for having the lowest prevalence of female foeticide. She also shed light on other issues faced by women, such as unpaid household work, and urged for their rights and respect within society. She praised the courage shown by Bilkis Bano of Gujarat. She is a victim of gang rape but fought like a warrior to get justice from the Supreme Court, the former MP said.
Brinda Karat, former member of Parliament /File Photo
Sofia Firdous emphasised hard work and dedication. She also narrated the different challenges in her political journey to reach the state assembly.
Uzma Parekh, AIMWA general secretary, presented a report on last year’s activities of the organisation. She highlighted the various educational, developmental, and cultural programs conducted for women and students across multiple states.
Afroz Jaffari, vice president of AIMWA, illuminated Vision 2030 and announced that AIMWA will organise both online and offline programs to reach 7-8 crore Muslim women in India. These programs will focus on education, upbringing, reform, protection, rights, defence and sustainability. Forums for capable educated women, doctors, lawyers, journalists, and politically inclined sisters will be connected with AIMWA. A list of 100 districts with higher Muslim populations has been compiled, where active sisters will be linked with the Development Agenda, she said.
Efforts are underway in the education sector to improve educational standards, establish schools, reading rooms, and libraries, and set up schools of higher education, she said.
In her concluding remarks, Zeenat Mehtab emphasised the responsibility shouldered by educated women. “It is our duty to stand up for mothers and daughters when they face any issue,” she said.
The opening session concluded with a commitment to ongoing efforts towards the community’s development, equity and resilience in the face of contemporary challenges.
The inaugural session, held on July 19 at the India Islamic Cultural Centre featured a recitation of some verses of the Holy Qur’an by Ifa Lule. Mahmooda Majid, Vice President of the All India Muslim Women’s Association, welcomed delegates and participants, emphasising their presence as a testament to their concern for their community’s welfare and future.
Huda Rawal, Secretary of AIMWA, introduced the organisation, and its objectives, and introduced coordinators and executives from various departments. In the third session, activities of sisters from 15 states presented by their coordinators were showcased.
Society’s Objectives & Aims
Asma Nadeem, Secretary of the Muslim Women Development Society, explained the society’s objectives and aims, saying “Make poverty history” is a thought, a movement, and the best slogan. She advocated striving for economic prosperity and avoiding wastefulness, leading to savings among women. She stressed that women play an important role in every society and family’s economic issues. If women start thinking about progress today, they will avoid extravagance and develop a desire for savings, she said.
