The Aiwane Ghalib Auditorium in Delhi turned into a space of dialogue, dissent, and cultural expression on 19 April as the Muslim Students Federation (MSF) Delhi hosted Muslimah Fest ’25, an event exclusively for Muslim women students.
Inaugurated by veteran Muslim women leader and national president of the Indian Union Muslim League Women’s Wing, Fathima Muzaffer, the day-long gathering brought together students, lawyers, poets, and activists to reflect on the lived experiences and political journeys of Muslim women in India.
In one of the key sessions, Awaaz, a panel discussion, speakers addressed themes of incarceration, political awakening, and everyday resistance. Fathima Muzaffer opened the session with a reflection on the legacy of the anti-CAA protests in Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh. Student activist Safoora Zargar shared her personal narrative titled “Dissent, Incarceration, and Defiance: A Muslim Woman’s Fight for Justice”, recounting her arrest under the draconian UAPA during anti-CAA movement and the broader implications for student activism.
Lawyer and Muslim Youth League secretary Adv Fathima Thahliya spoke on the growing political awareness among young Muslim women, while Adv Noor Mehvish highlighted structural and social challenges that continue to shape their daily realities.
In Ufuq, a paper presentation session focused on the theme “Assertive Leadership and Activism of Muslim Women in Contemporary India,” students Farsana Kaliyar, Nehda, and Hiba Nasrin presented their work, bringing academic insights into conversations around activism and representation.
Another session, Guftuguu, hosted a cross-disciplinary dialogue featuring speakers like Adv Najma Thabsheera, Azba Rehman, Hina Saifi, Ramseena Rasheed, and Sumayya Farwi KK. The discussion explored how faith, identity, and power intersect in personal and public spaces and how Muslim women navigate these tensions.
The final session of the day, Zubaan, began with a talk by poet Bushra Alvi Razzack and moved into a cultural showcase. Students performed a silent mime act, Kerala’s traditional Oppana, and Muttippaattu — highlighting the artistic heritage of Muslim communities and reclaiming cultural space through performance.
Solidarity with Palestine was also a visible theme at the event, with many attendees wearing the keffiyeh, a symbol of Palestinian resistance. MSF national leaders Ahmad Saju and Ateeb Khan were present among the guests.
 Delhi hosted Muslimah Fest ’25, an event exclusively for Muslim women students.){kind=link}