Northeast History Summit Explores Muslim Communities’ Legacy in the Region

Meghalaya’s University of Science and Technology recently hosted the Northeast History Summit, an event jointly organized by the Students Islamic Organisation (SIO) and the Centre for Educational Research and Training (CERT). The two-day summit, held last Friday and Saturday, delved into the theme “Tracing Histories, Unraveling Identities: Exploring the Muslim Communities of Northeast India.”
The summit was structured into four insightful sessions chaired by distinguished historians and scholars. Prof. Salam Irene led the opening session, “Historical Arrival and Integration of Muslim Communities Across Northeast,” shedding light on the early settlement and assimilation of Muslims in the region.
Prof. Sajal Nag chaired the second session titled “Expressions of Faith and Cultural Fusion,” exploring the interweaving of Islamic faith with indigenous cultural practices.
The third session, “Co-existence and Political Dynamics,” presided over by Prof. Sarah Hilaly, analyzed the socio-political challenges and harmonies between Muslim and non-Muslim communities. The final session, “The Lesser-known Histories,” chaired by Prof. Shah Noorur Rahman, unveiled the often-overlooked stories of Muslim contributions to the region’s history.
More than 25 research papers were presented by scholars and students from various universities. These contributions examined the summit’s central themes, offering fresh perspectives on how regional history, identity, and community dynamics have shaped the resilience and cultural integration of Muslim communities in Northeast India.
The summit concluded with a call for further academic exploration and public recognition of these rich and diverse histories, reinforcing the importance of understanding the region’s multifaceted past.