– Pervez Bari
Maulana Obaidullah Azmi, Vice President of All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), delivered the keynote address at Women’s Conference-2025, emphasising the transformative power of education. Referring to the sacrifices of Hazrat Khadijah, who dedicated her wealth to the propagation of Islam, he urged women to uphold similar values in advancing the community.
Addressing the challenges faced by Muslim Ummah, Maulana Azmi highlighted the need for substantial resources and a dedicated workforce to ensure education, protection, and survival of the community. He encouraged women to contribute actively to these causes.
Organised by All India Muslim Women Association (AIMWA) at Banjara Hills in Hyderabad, the conference titled “The Role of Women in Safety, Protection, and Progress of the Muslim Community” brought together prominent personalities and over 2,000 women from across India. Asma Nadeem, convener of the event, recounted AIMWA’s 30-year journey in serving the community. She spotlighted Hyderabad’s women for their contributions to education, empowerment, and poverty alleviation through initiatives like the Muslim Girls’ Association.
Shamim Fatima, State President of Telangana AIMWA, quoted Qur’anic verses, underscoring the attributes of Muslimat, Muminat, Sa’imat, and Zakirat as essential for the community’s survival. She warned of threats to family structures and cultural values, calling for their preservation.
Maulana Arif Kaleem, Principal of Jamia Ahl-e-Sunnah wal Jamaat, highlighted the legacy of Muslim women, including the Mothers of Believers, whose contributions strengthened the foundation of Islamic society.
Muhammad Adeeb, President of Indian Muslims for Civil Rights, and Mushtaq Malik, President of Tehreek Muslim Shabban, discussed pressing issues such as poverty, ignorance, CAA-NRC, and the protection of Waqf properties. Both leaders acknowledged the indispensable role of women in addressing these challenges.
Asma Shah, a distinguished educationist, stressed the importance of family stability as a cornerstone of societal progress. She advocated for learning Islamic teachings and prioritising peace and harmony in homes.
Tehniyat Athar and Yasmin Farooqi highlighted global and national challenges, including historical exploitation and rising hostility against Muslims in India. Farooqi called for strong opposition to Waqf (Amendment) Bill-2024, warning of its potential to undermine Muslim heritage.
Zeenat Mehtab from New Delhi emphasised the pivotal roles of mothers and teachers in shaping future generations and preserving cultural identity.
Dr. Asma Zehra, President of AIMWA, urged women to protect Islamic values and practices amidst external pressures to erode Muslim identity. She highlighted Islam’s family system as a blessing and called for organised efforts to safeguard faith and culture.
