FATHIMA THAHILIYA

In 2017, based on an all-India survey of young and upcoming leaders across India, the “Aapka Times” website listed her as the number one among the most influential women students leaders of India. She has served as a Member of several government bodies and committees including the Senate of Calicut University (2015- 2016); SAMAAGATI, a committee constituted by the Kerala State Higher Education Council to safeguard gender justice on Campuses. She moved a writ petition at the Honourable High Court of Kerala to issue a direction to the Central Board of Secondary Education to withdraw their decision requiring girls to remove their headscarves while writing their examinations. The High Court ruled in favour of the right of girls to maintain their headscarves. This verdict became a landmark in the history of Muslim Women in India who want to practice their religion in schools, colleges and workplaces. In 2019, She was selected by the US State Department to be one of the three delegates representing India at Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom held in Washington DC. During this month-long visit to the U. S., She also took part in the Religious Freedom and Interfaith Dialogue program funded by the Department of State.