First Muslim Woman from India to Work with UN, Farah Usmani's Campaign to Break Stereotype of Indian Muslim Women
New Age Islam News Bureau
02 June 2025
· First Muslim Woman from India to Work with UN,Farah Usmani's Campaign to Break Stereotype of Indian Muslim Women
· Vancouver-Based Nazma Begum:I Am a Muslim Traveller—Here's What It's Like to See the World While Wearing a Hijab
· Afghan-Australian Photographer Cycling 4,000 Km to Support Girls’ Education in Afghanistan
· Afghan Woman, Vega Moqarabi, Helps Lead International Student Film Festival in Istanbul
· TV Series ‘Narya’ Is A Gripping Tale of Modern Iranian Women’s Power, Perseverance
· Wocute: Empowering Muslim Women Through Digital Health andSisterhood
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/muslim-woman-india-campaign-stereotype/d/135751
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First Muslim Woman from India to Work with UN, Farah Usmani's Campaign to Break Stereotype of Indian Muslim Women
AashaKhosa
02-06-2025
Dr. Farah Usmani
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In 2007, Farah Usmani was working at the United Nations headquarters in New York when she made a pivotal decision that sparked a movement aimed at empowering women worldwide through financial independence.
Dr. Usmani, a physician from Uttar Pradesh, relocated to the city six years ago for work. During her search for a rental apartment, she discovered that New York's rental prices were soaring and becoming unaffordable. After doing some quick calculations, she opted for a low-interest mortgage from the UN Federal Credit Union to purchase an apartment. She ended up buying a two-bedroom apartment in Manhattan, with a monthly mortgage payment that was only slightly higher than the rent she would have paid.
"This slightly higher expenditure (along with a down payment) would enable me to own an asset, and not fritter away my money on rent. It was such a wise decision. Today, 15 years later, I am on track to be a mortgage-free homeowner," Usmani shared with the Morning Star newspaper. This experience inspired her to launch a campaign aimed at educating women around the globe about the importance of financial freedom and empowering themselves through financial independence.
Today Dr. Farah Usmani is an international health, gender and development expert based in New York.
Dr. Usmani is also the first Muslim woman from India to work with the United Nations International Civil Service at Director Level. She is the recipient of the 2021 Mahatma Award for Social Impact for her work with women, girls, and minorities.
She has 25 years of experience working with the United Nations International Civil Service with UNFPA, focusing on women and girls and their reproductive health and rights.
Carrying forward her mission to empower women, Dr. Usmani is the Global Vice President of SAFAR Foundation,(Supporting Action for Advancement and Rights), a philanthropic organization focused on uplifting marginalized women and girls.
She is the Founder of "Rising Beyond The Ceiling", a global initiative supported by SAFAR to shine a spotlight on Muslim women of India and contribute towards changing their stereotypical narrative.
The organization has published its first volume on Muslim women from Uttar Pradesh and is working on the rest of the Indian states.
Farah has received several awards and recognitions including the British Council and the Joint-Japan World Bank Merit Fellowships.
At the UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund), Dr. Usmani played a pivotal role in policy, planning, technical leadership, and health services across more than 50 countries, working on the rights of women and girls. She became the first Indian Muslim woman to reach the Director level in the UN’s International Civil Service in New York.
She noticed that Muslim women were often boxed into stereotypical roles on every platform. Farah made it her mission to break that mold.
“Why are our stories limited to the veil and the home?”
Inspired by this question, Dr. Farah Usmani launched Rising Beyond the Ceiling a global initiative that highlights the achievements of Indian Muslim women, brings their hidden stories to light, and challenges societal stereotypes.
This initiative didn’t stay confined to books or speeches it became a movement. A beacon of hope for every woman in a small town who dreams of a bigger world.
Dr. Usmani believes that money is not just a necessity it is power. She says, “Instead of being afraid of money, we need to befriend it.” Her husband taught her: money that doesn’t generate returns slowly vanishes. And that’s where her journey into financial literacy began.She started investing in tax-free savings, fixed deposits, and NRE (Non-Resident External) deposits. Today, her daughter Saba is also a real estate investor in Manhattan. This is not just a financial legacy it is an intellectual one, building a story of empowerment across generations.
Dr. Usmani has received numerous accolades, including Merit Fellowships from the World Bank and the British Council, and the Mahatma Award in 2021. She has worked globally for the rights of women, minorities, and marginalized girls.
She also serves as the Global Vice President of SAFAR Supporting Action for Advancement and Rights a philanthropic organization focused on uplifting marginalized women and girls.Breaking many gender barriers at different stages in her life, she has the distinction of being the first woman student to top the merit list in the pre-medical examination of the Aligarh Muslim University, where she completed her medical training.
She is the recipient of the 2021 Mahatma Award for Social Impact for her work with women, girls, and minorities.
Farah Usmani comes from a middle-class Muslim Family in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh.
She holds a Master’s in Health Policy, Planning & Financing given by the London School of Economics & London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine & a M.D. in Obstetrics &Gynecology from Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh India. She has certifications in leadership and organizational management from Cornell University, Cranfield School of Management, Stanford University & the American Management Association, New York.
Farah is married to Jawed Usmani, an Indian civil servant, who rose to the position of Chief secretary of the Uttar Pradesh government. They have two children FarazUsmani and Sabah Usmani.
Dr. Usmani says, “The coins our mothers and grandmothers hid in their mattresses were not just savings they were their attempt at independence
the “The time has come for women to see money not as shame, but as strength.”
Her mindset, her struggles, her smile they are a source of inspiration for every woman who dreams of flying in an open sky, not a cage.
Dr. Farah Usmani’s story reads like a novel with trials, a determined heroine, a journey of transformation, and a path toward the light.
It teaches us that with courage, even the walls of a house can become the rooftop of the world’s tallest building.
Source: awazthevoice.in
https://www.awazthevoice.in/changemaker-news/farah-usmani-s-campaign-to-break-stereotype-of-indian-muslim-women-38010.html
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Vancouver-Based Nazma Begum:I Am a Muslim Traveller—Here's What It's Like to See the World While Wearing a Hijab
June 1, 2025
Clockwise from top: Jeju Island, in Korea; Positano, Italy; Lake Walansee, Switzerland.
Credit: Courtesy of Nazma Begum
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For the last 10 years, I’ve been a Hijabi, wearing what people call a scarf or hijab. I do it for religious reasons as I was born into Islamic faith as a Muslim. It has become part of my daily routine. Nobody forced me to do this—it’s something I understood going in. Wearing a hijab is a big commitment, so you shouldn’t look down on someone if they don't. Some of my family members do, some don’t.
I made the decision during the month of Ramadan, when we don’t eat or drink from sunrise to sunset. It’s a holy time that acts like a reset for Muslims around the world. That year, I thought, I cover up for prayers, so why can’t I do it all the time? I’m quite comfortable wearing a hijab now. There are many different styles, even silk and other fancy materials. I enjoy styling it as well.
Growing up, my parents didn’t have the mentality of traveling much. I was born in Bangladesh, and my parents migrated to Singapore when I was about 6 years old. We’d take road trips to Malaysia and visit our hometown in Bangladesh. Whether it was cultural or them being protective, my family wasn’t open to having a girl travel by herself or with her friends. But as soon as I graduated from university, I got married and my husband and I started traveling.
Our first big trip was to South Korea—we wanted to experience snow. Unfortunately, we didn’t see any, but I fell in love with traveling. I also love outdoor activities, like hiking and camping. You're going to get sweaty when you're hiking in a hijab, but it's doable. Once you reach the top and the wind is blowing, it feels amazing.
I have a 2-year-old daughter now and I took her on her first flight to Singapore from Vancouver, where my husband and I moved in 2019, when she was just 7 weeks old. We have one-year maternity leave here in Canada, so I used that to the fullest. She was surprisingly good on the flight and impressed me. I was breastfeeding and somehow just knew how to soothe her when she was crying.
When she was about 4 months old, we went to Japan in the fall to see the colors. It was beautiful. We visited Kyoto, Osaka, and the Japanese Alps. My daughter is not going to remember a thing, but I'm going to remember all of this.
Another of my favourite places is Hawaii. I try to go every year. I can’t swim, but I love to hang out by the beach. I also like snorkeling, and in Hawaii, the fishes come right up to the beach, so you don’t have to go deep. But I make sure I'm still covered while enjoying myself. I wear what's called a burkini—it's like leggings and a long suit made of swimsuit material, and it covers your hair. If I need to change and there's no washroom, I have this pop-up tent where I can go in and change. My family and I are used to these challenges.
My husband and I try and pack in a lot when traveling. We go from sunrise to sunset, and we’re adventurous. It’s changed a bit with my daughter, but I enjoy traveling with her. Last year, we went to Oahu, and this year, we went to the Big Island, which is great for kids, especially toddlers. They love to play in the sand, then they get tired and it’s nap time, so they sleep in the car. When they wake up, they're at another beach.
We’ve had so many adventures. In the Italian Dolomites, my in-laws joined us and we rented a boat on a lake. The weather was so calm, but when we were in the middle of the lake, it changed and got so rocky—we had to be rescued.
I think my daughter actually remembers these adventures. She says she remembers when Grandpa and Baba rowed the boat. She also remembers playing at the beach in the sand. I know a lot of parents don't want to travel after they have kids. Trust me, changing a diaper in a different location is better. You don't have to think about daily mundane tasks like laundry, changing sheets, and cooking. Plus, there's a better view.
When we were in a small Italian town, it felt like everybody was looking at me. I don’t think they were being rude; maybe they just hadn’t seen a tourist with a hijab. I do attract a lot of attention. I know it’s difficult for some people who get stares and comments like, “Go back to where you came from.” Luckily, I haven’t really been in any unpleasant situations.
I've had some issues at the border going into the U.S. from Canada, which can be a little unpleasant. Maybe it’s because of my Singaporean passport. It has been easier in places like Italy and Switzerland, where they have so many tourists from all over and see a lot of different people with different clothing. But in smaller places, like Jeju Island in South Korea, they stare because they’re curious.
There are pleasant experiences, too. One time, I was in Vietnam and because of the hijab, they immediately knew I was Muslim, and said, “Salaam,” the Muslim greeting. Also, anytime I see any hijabis, we always smile at each other and give that silent greeting.
The other challenge of travel is that it can be difficult to find halal food. Pork is not halal, and chicken, lamb, or beef need to be slaughtered in the Islamic manner. We also don’t consume any alcohol, so we have to check the ingredients. For instance, in Japan, sometimes the sushi rice has sake in it. We use an app to see if food is halal.
We always try to do our research beforehand, but it can be difficult with itineraries. For example, you might be traveling south, but the halal place is in the north. You don't want to miss out on places just because you need to eat. That said, there are more places recognizing the fact that we, Muslim people, need to eat halal food. I can also always choose vegetarian pasta or tofu bowls. There’s always a way. Traveling doesn’t need to stop.
The idea of seeing so many different places makes me want to travel as much as I can. I want to show my daughter that traveling is easy and flexible, if you work your way around the challenges.
She’s already adapted so much in two years. I go camping, boating, and snorkeling with her. There are moments she’s scared, but I tell her, “I’m right beside you. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”
I’m not going to force her to wear a hijab. It will be good if she wears it. I'd like to show her it's not going to stop you from doing anything that's safe and good for you, like seeing the world.
Source: travelandleisure.com
https://www.travelandleisure.com/nazma-begum-traveling-as-muslim-in-hijab-8785390
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Afghan-Australian photographer cycling 4,000 km to support girls’ education in Afghanistan
By Fidel Rahmati
June 1, 2025
Afghan-Australian activist Muzaffar Ali is cycling 4,000 km across Australia to raise awareness about Afghanistan girls’ education.
Muzaffar Ali, an Afghan-Australian human rights activist, is cycling 4,000 kilometers to support education for refugee children and girls in Afghanistan. The Afghanistan Embassy in Australia announced that Ali is traveling from Queensland to South Australia by bicycle while raising awareness about the situation of women in Afghanistan.
On Saturday, May 31, the embassy released a statement explaining that Muzaffar Ali, who is also a photographer and filmmaker, embarked on this journey to advocate for the educational rights of Afghan refugee children in Indonesia and girls inside Afghanistan.
Ali began his cycling trip on Friday, May 31, starting from Maleny in Queensland. His month-long journey will end in Adelaide, South Australia, where he plans to complete the 4,000-kilometer route.
The activist initiated this ride to mark the tenth anniversary of an educational center established in 2014 in Indonesia, dedicated to Afghan refugees. Throughout his trip, Ali is meeting local communities and screening documentaries about the struggles and resilience of Afghan women.
In addition to raising awareness through film, Ali plans to visit schools along his route to speak about the hope and determination of Afghanistan’s girls and women despite ongoing challenges.
Muzaffar Ali’s journey highlights the ongoing obstacles Afghan women and refugee children face in accessing education. His efforts also emphasize the importance of international solidarity and support for human rights in conflict-affected regions.
As Ali pedals across Australia, his advocacy draws attention to the global need for educational access and gender equality, inspiring communities to support vulnerable populations in Afghanistan and beyond.
Since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan in August 2021, girls have been banned from attending school beyond the sixth grade. This drastic restriction has severely limited educational opportunities for millions of Afghan girls, drawing international condemnation and increasing the urgency for activists like Muzaffar Ali to raise awareness and support for their right to education.
Source: khaama.com
https://www.khaama.com/afghan-australian-photographer-cycles-4000-km-to-support-girls-education-in-afghanitan/
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Afghan Woman, Vega Moqarabi, Helps Lead International Student Film Festival in Istanbul
By MiladSayar
02 June 2025
ISTANBUL — As Afghanistan’s film industry struggles under Taliban restrictions, an Afghan woman has helped organize an international short film festival for students in Turkey, offering a rare cultural platform far from home.
The International Student Short Film Festival, concluded on Saturday, was coordinated by a diverse team of young organizers, including Vega Moqarabi, an Afghan national who served as the festival’s program coordinator. The event featured 29 finalist films selected from more than 450 submissions across multiple countries. Six of the finalists received jury prizes.
In a statement sent to Amu, the organizers described the festival as an initiative designed to provide a creative outlet for international students in Turkey, a country that hosts one of the world’s largest populations of foreign students.
“With opportunities to be heard, to be seen, and to connect, this festival offers fertile ground for artistic and cultural growth,” the statement read.
The event was supported by the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB), a Turkish government agency that promotes cross-cultural engagement.
The festival also featured a special showcase of four student films created during workshops held earlier this year at the Turkish Cinema Academy.
While the Taliban have restricted public screenings and cinematic work inside Afghanistan, the Istanbul festival has grown into an important space for displaced or diaspora Afghans seeking to stay connected with the arts.
Moqarabi, in public remarks during the event, said she hopes the festival helps present a different image of Afghan people — one rooted not in conflict, but in creativity and resilience. “I am very happy when people talk about Afghanistan not just in terms of war, but in terms of cinema and art,” she said.
Now in its third year, the festival continues to draw participants from across the globe. In the previous edition, films from the United States, Germany, and Turkey received top honors.
For Afghan participants, the event represents both a professional milestone and a poignant contrast to life under the Taliban, where institutions like Afghan Film — once the country’s state-run cinema authority — have faded into silence.
As one student filmmaker put it during the event: “This space gives us the chance to dream again — and to be heard.”
Source: amu.tv
https://amu.tv/177695/
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TV Series‘Narya’ Is A Gripping Tale of Modern Iranian Women’s Power, Perseverance
01 June 2025
While Western media often portray Iranian women through stereotypical lenses, the new series Narya, produced by the IRIB World Service, offers a compelling counter-narrative.
This popular drama follows Houjan, a young and brilliant Kurdish woman who manages a high-tech computer component manufacturing company in her hometown of Kermanshah, situated on the foothills of the Zagros mountain range in western Iran.
Houjan’s journey is anything but easy. She faces a complex maze of challenges posed by global and local mafias entrenched in dangerous and illicit trades.
Through her gripping story, Narya vividly dramatizes the real-life obstacles Iranian scientists, entrepreneurs, and innovators have confronted over the past three decades, ranging from cruel and crippling sanctions, financial isolation and internal social pressures.
But Houjan’s struggles and battles are not only external. She must also navigate betrayal from within her own team when one of her key engineers is unknowingly ensnared by foreign spying agencies – a tactic all too familiar in attempts to undermine scientific progress in countries deemed adversaries by the Western hegemonic powers.
As director JavadAfshar said in an interview with ISNA, “One day, I came across an article by a prominent American politician who stated: ‘Our enemy is anyone who gets close to our scientific red lines’.”
“In other words, any country or scientist anywhere in the world that attempts to cross those lines becomes a target—subject to recruitment, sabotage, or elimination.”
Narya explores all three of these tactics, illuminating the psychological and political warfare waged against nations striving for technological and scientific self-reliance.
Yet, the series is far more than a corporate or espionage thriller. It delves into shadowy realms of diamond smuggling, black-market rare manuscripts, and trafficking of advanced technology.
These overlapping plotlines create a richly textured narrative that challenges viewers intellectually while remaining emotionally engaging.
Managing nearly 100 distinct characters – each with unique motivations and story arcs – is no small feat. This structural complexity is balanced by clarity in storytelling, a rare achievement in the detective-thriller genre that demands both narrative depth and viewer accessibility.
Beyond its thought-provoking plot, Narya impresses with outstanding production value. Filmed across more than 130 locations in five countries, the series delivers striking visual authenticity and cultural richness.
Director Afshar of Gandu series fame emphasizes that these settings serve not merely as spectacle but to enhance realism and emotional resonance.
From the vibrant streets of Istanbul to the rugged terrains of Iran’s western provinces, the geographic diversity adds credibility and layers to the story.
By portraying Iran’s ethnic mosaic – Kurdish, Turkish, Persian – Narya celebrates the nation’s multicultural identity and subtly conveys a message of unity through diversity.
The series also excels in its cinematic execution. Afshar’s direction is precise and purposeful, using expansive wide shots to evoke isolation and tight close-ups to heighten tension.
The pacing is deliberate, often lingering on emotional moments of personal crisis and moral complexity. Crisp yet unobtrusive editing allows the layered timeline to unfold seamlessly.
One of Narya’s standout achievements lies in its music. The score – crafted with an acute sense of suspense and emotional depth – enhances the atmosphere without resorting to bombastic flourishes. Instead, it employs subtle, lingering tones that reflect the emotional weight of each scene.
This “suspenseful minimalism” functions as a psychological undercurrent, continuously reminding viewers of the ever-present threats without overshadowing the narrative. The delicate balance of sound and silence intensifies the show’s emotional impact and mirrors the internal and external battles faced by its characters.
Ultimately, Narya is much more than a crime or corporate drama. It is a symbolic portrait of the modern Iranian woman, not as a victim of circumstance, but as a force of innovation and resilience.
Houjan, with her intelligence, dignity, and perseverance, stands as a metaphor for a broader societal movement: the rising role of educated women driving Iran’s scientific and economic transformation.
Perhaps the most poetic element of all is the series’ title itself. “Narya” is “Iran” spelled backward in Persian – a clever and deliberate linguistic inversion, not accidental.
It reflects the series’ central thesis—that within Iran lies a deeper, often unseen force of progress, and that women like Houjan are its beating heart.
In a world that often distorts, isolates, or exploits, Narya reclaims the narrative, reminding us that Iran’s future may well be shaped by the determined hands of its capable daughters.
Source: presstv.ir
https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2025/06/01/749035/review-narya-gripping-tale-modern-iranian-women-power-perseverance
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Wocute: Empowering Muslim Women Through Digital Health and Sisterhood
Jun 02, 2025
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, June 2, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Wocute is a comprehensive women’s health and lifestyle platform built upon the core philosophy of "One Ummah, One Sisterhood", with a focus on delivering integrated services that encompass health management and community connection. Beyond offering intelligent period tracking, pregnancy and parenting resources, and informative content spanning health, relationships, fitness, beauty, and shopping, Wocute focuses on building a dedicated platform.
A cornerstone of the Wocute community is its interactive sharing zone, designed to foster communication and mutual support. It is categorized by specific interests, allowing users to effortlessly discover relevant discussions and connect with like-minded individuals. Wocute cultivates a warm and welcoming environment where Muslim women can genuinely share life experiences, exchange practical advice, and forge meaningful connections. This platform serves as a supportive space where every woman feels supported and connected.
Wocute’s community comprises four primary sections: Health, Beauty, Belief, and SecretBox. Each section offers a distinct space for focused discussions. The Health section provides a platform where users can gain health knowledge, share wellness tips, or discuss personal health issues. This section serves as a useful resource for users seeking specific health information or mutual support.
The Beauty section caters to discussions related to fashion, skincare, makeups, and other beauty-related topics. Users can share photos, videos and explore content centered around fashion, skincare and makeups. Users can share their daily routines, including makeup tutorials, manicure ideas, or product reviews, and interact through likes, comments, or replies. This enables an exchange of trends and techniques, such as outfit inspirations or skincare routines, which helps enable creativity and learning in a collaborative environment focused on aesthetic and self-care topics.
The Belief section serves as a thoughtful space for sharing personal beliefs, values, and sources of inspiration. This section provides a platform for individuals seeking encouragement, exploring personal growth, or connecting with others who share similar values. Here, users can find warmth and strength, whether reflecting on life's insights or embarking on a journey of spiritual development.
SecretBox offers an anonymous platform for users to safely confide in others about sensitive topics such as emotional distress and financial pressures without fear of judgment. Popular threads include anonymous sharing regarding emotional challenges and faith doubts, where users offer empathetic feedback to one another. This anonymity fosters a secure environment, enabling open and honest communication focused on emotional relief and mutual problem-solving. In this private space, users will feel a profound sense of care and support.
Exploring these community sections is straightforward. Users can directly access each section via the top navigation bar, choose a topic and browse existing discussions or start a new threads. Wocute encourages respectful communication and aims to foster a positive environment. In addition to its community features, it provides tools for managing women’s health, including period tracking, pregnancy and parenting resources, and an extensive information library. While building a warm community, Wocute further equips users with AI-powered period tracking, professional pregnancy and parenting resources, and a vast health information database, supporting women's physical and mental well-being.
Source: fox5sandiego.com
https://fox5sandiego.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/817449209/wocute-empowering-muslim-women-through-digital-health-and-sisterhood/
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/muslim-woman-india-campaign-stereotype/d/135751