New Delhi

In its series Parvaz, Awaz-the Voice brings you stories of remarkable Muslim woman academicians, whose work across India’s universities, research institutions, and centres of learning, has redefined scholarship.

Their journeys span literature, history, science, social reform, diplomacy, and educational leadership, yet they are united by a shared belief that knowledge must serve society. Through classrooms, research labs, policy platforms, and grassroots engagement, these women have not only broken barriers but have created pathways for future generations.

Here is an introduction to ten selected Muslim Women Academicians of India:

Arjumand Ara stands as a distinguished scholar of language, literature, and feminist thought. A professor at University of Delhi, she has translated more than twenty major literary works and earned the Sahitya Akademi Translation Award in 2021.

Through her scholarship, she has built enduring bridges between Urdu and Hindi while preserving literary heritage and amplifying women’s voices.

Syed Tanveer Nasrin has brought together scholarship, diplomacy, and social activism with rare distinction. Serving at University of Burdwan, she strengthened India’s cultural ties with the Maldives during her tenure in Malé while emerging as a respected voice on women’s rights, minority identity, and interfaith harmony.

Educated at Presidency College, Jadavpur University and JNU, she specializes in Gender Studies.

Abeda Inamdar chose service over security when she left a prestigious government career to dedicate herself to education.

Through the Maharashtra Cosmopolitan Education Society and the celebrated Azam Campus, she has transformed educational opportunities for thousands of girls and marginalized students, creating institutions that continue to uplift generations.

Benazir Tamboli turned personal adversity into a lifelong mission of empowerment and justice.

Through her work with the Muslim Satyashodhak Mandal and educational institutions, she has emerged as a fearless advocate for Muslim women, constitutional rights, and progressive social reform.

Naima Khatoon created history in 2024 by becoming the first woman Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University.

A renowned psychologist, author, and academic leader, she is steering institutional reforms, research excellence, and women’s empowerment while modernizing one of India’s most iconic universities.

Najma Akhtar broke another glass ceiling as the first woman Vice-Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia. A recipient of the Padma Shri, she introduced transformative reforms, expanded professional education, and helped shape Jamia’s emergence as a globally respected academic institution.

She is also the first woman to hold the post in JMI. In 2022, she was awarded with Padma Shri by the Government of India.

Nilofer Khan became the first woman to lead the University of Kashmir, marking a historic moment for higher education in the region. With nearly four decades of academic service and over a hundred research publications, she continues to inspire women to aspire to leadership in academia.

Shahida Murtaza has spent over three decades documenting the realities of marginalized women across southern India. A former Dean at Maulana Azad National Urdu University, she has turned ethnographic research into a powerful mission for gender justice, awareness, and grassroots empowerment.

Sofia Banu represents the growing force of women in scientific innovation. As an Associate Professor at Gauhati University, her groundbreaking work in biotechnology, biodiversity, and agricultural sustainability is creating real-world impact while inspiring young scientists across Northeast India.

Syed Mubin Zehra has established herself as a leading scholar, author, and public intellectual. Serving at Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College of the University of Delhi she continues to shape national conversations on gender equality, education, and social harmony through scholarship, advocacy, and global academic engagement.

READ MORE: Why Congress MLA Motab Shaikh thinks he is the luckiest man on earth