Interview with Zakiya Siddiqi, December 9, 2009

Interview Summary

This interview with educator and professor Zakiya Siddiqi begins with a discussion of her family background and education before attending Aligarh Muslim University. She touches upon the subject of the education of Muslim girls, which was unusual during her childhood. She then moves on to her first impressions of Aligarh Muslim University before discussing the role that Islam played in her daily life as a student. She uses this discussion to talk about her own personal faith, which is a combination of Islam and humanism. Next, Siddiqi discusses the difficulties that faced Sheikh Abdullah as he founded the Women?s College at Aligarh Muslim University. She also talks about the importance of women pursuing careers rather than just receiving education to better their marriage prospects. Siddiqi then talks about her career as an educator, as well as the careers of her sisters. She discusses her current job as principal of Aligarh Public School, a high school in Aligarh (India). Siddiqi talks about what she feels is the biggest challenge in Muslim education. She then talks about the importance of educating Muslims to compete in a society which discriminates against them.
Finally, Siddiqi concludes the interview by discussing her memories of the Indian independence movement and the Pakistan movement. Siddiqi talks about the limited access that Muslims have to educational opportunities and other resources that would help them be successful--which she attributes to low socio-economic status. She also talks about the growing trend of educating girls and women.

Interview Keyword

Professors Muslims Educators Women Aligarh Muslim University Education

Interview LC Subject

India--History Aligarh Muslim University Professors Muslim women Educators Women Education

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