The negative stereotypes surrounding Muslim women are a common occurrence in media, and they often portray them as oppressed and imperilled victims. However, an initiative called Rising Beyond The Ceiling (RBTC) is trying to change this negative narrative by launching a book titled “Rising Beyond The Ceiling Karnataka” that honours 100 Muslim women achievers from the state who have made noteworthy contributions in 14 categories ranging from politics to social work.
Curated by Zoya Fatehally and Aiman Ansari over 18 months, the book was launched on Saturday by former Governor of Rajasthan Margaret Alva.
Dr. Farah Usmani, the founder of RBTC, said the initiative aims to celebrate the contributions of Muslim women to nation-building and to show the diversity among the Muslim women in India.
As the director of the United Nations International Civil Service, Dr. Usmani has taken it upon herself to challenge the negative stereotypes that surround Muslim women. Her team, with her guidance, has created a book called “Rising Beyond the Ceiling” that features inspiring profiles of 100 Muslim women from Karnataka. These women’s stories highlight their contributions to the nation through their innovation, creativity, and resilience. The book showcases the incredible number of women who have overcome obstacles to rise from grassroots to success, with many achieving their dreams even after getting married. Their mentors, often their husbands, are highlighted as well. Their struggle and determination to overcome barriers speak to their leadership, perseverance, and courage. Through these profiles, the book exposes a reality that shatters any myth surrounding Muslim women.
According to Noor Ayesha, founder of Iqra International School, who was among those honoured, “The RBTC book debunks the mainstream narratives that objectify Muslim women and that often use the image of the hijab to do so. The archetype most commonly associated with them is that of the oppressed and imperilled victim confined to just being a housewife. The RBTC initiative shatters the much publicised and misused worldview of the Muslim women seen as a threat to liberal values, justifying violence against them and their communities. Every honouree mentioned and their actual lived experiences/accomplishments which are complex and extend well beyond a singular trope stand in stark contrast of the most common misconception in India and beyond. If one state of India that is Karnataka alone can have these many (and more) intellectual Muslim women from every walk of life with such great achievements, I’ll leave it to you to do the math as to how many of us are making a huge difference all over India and the world which most often goes unnoticed unless somebody takes up initiatives like RBTC. Hope these facts serve as a relief to confined minds that limit the capabilities of Muslim women.”
“We exist and we matter,” she asserted.
Dr. Farah Afraz, a former IAF wing commander and doctor praised the initiative for its ability to broaden the limited perspective of Indian Muslim women. According to her, the event highlights the exceptional work being done by women in various fields, and what has been showcased is merely the beginning.
The RBTC initiative aims to showcase how Muslim women are breaking stereotypes and highlight inspiring profiles of women who have overcome obstacles to achieve success. Modelled on the lines of ‘BBC 100 Women’ and Forbes’ ‘The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women’ list, the collective aims to release these lists of 100 inspiring women in 14 states in the country once every two years. The book is a reminder that Muslim women exist, matter, and their capabilities should not be limited by negative stereotypes.
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Shaik Zakeer Hussain is the Founder and Editor of The Cognate.
