Fatima Sheikh's birth anniversary: India's first Muslim woman teacher

New Delhi: Fatima Sheikh was born on January 9, 1875, in the village of Poona, Bombay Presidency, India. She was the first Muslim woman to become a teacher in the country, and her contributions to education and the empowerment of Muslim women have had a lasting impact.

Sheikh was born into a family of scholars and was educated in both traditional Islamic studies and modern subjects such as English, history, and math. She was determined to use her education to make a difference in the world, and in 1906, she became the first Muslim woman to receive a teaching degree from the University of Bombay.

First Muslim woman teacher

After receiving her degree, Sheikh began teaching at a girls' school in Pune, where she quickly gained a reputation for her dedication and commitment to her students. She worked tirelessly to improve the quality of education at the school, and her efforts paid off – enrollment at the school increased significantly under her leadership.

Fatima Sheikh was the sister of Mian Usman Sheikh, in whose house her contemporary and social reformers Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule took up residence. She started educating Bahujan and Dalit children in Phules' school. Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule along with Fatima Sheikh took charge of spreading education among the downtrodden communities.

Sheikh met Savitribai Phule while both were enrolled at a teacher training institution run by Cynthia Farrar, an American missionary. She taught at all five schools that the Phule's went on to establish and she taught children of all religions and castes. Sheikh took part in the founding of two schools in Mumbai (Then Bombay) in 1851.

In addition to her work as a teacher, Sheikh was also involved in social activism and worked to empower Muslim women in India. She was a strong advocate for women's education and believed that it was key to improving the status of women in society. She also worked to promote women's participation in the workforce and encouraged Muslim women to pursue careers outside of the traditional roles of wife and mother.

Sheikh's efforts were not without controversy – some traditionalists in the Muslim community opposed her efforts to educate and empower women. But she remained undeterred, and her work had a lasting impact on the lives of Muslim women in India.

The Indian government has recognised her work for society by featuring her profiles in Urdu textbooks alongside other prominent educators. Her legacy serves as an inspiration to all those who seek to make a difference in the world through education and social activism.