Title: Role Models :
Author: Shehla Rashid Shora
Pages: 224
Publisher: ‎Penguin Random House
Buy now

In Role Models: Inspiring Journeys of Indian Muslims, Shehla Rashid weaves together a tapestry of success stories that shed light on the contributions and resilience of Indian Muslims in fields ranging from arts and sports to science and diplomacy. Featuring accomplished figures such as composer A.R. Rahman, tennis champion Sania Mirza, ISRO scientist Nigar Shaji, diplomat Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, and actress Huma Qureshi, the book underscores how these trailblazers have defied stereotypes and societal limitations to reach extraordinary heights. Rashid’s approach is both celebratory and thoughtful, seeking to highlight individual achievements and contextualize them within the broader social and cultural fabric of India.

At the book’s heart is the concept of a “Muslim civil society,” a collective space where new ideas and bold ambitions can thrive, uninhibited by religious or cultural bias. Rashid explores this idea, suggesting it as a necessary foundation for innovation and growth, allowing young talents to dream bigger and reformists to foster positive change. Through these personal accounts, Rashid also delves into the challenges and systemic issues that many Indian Muslims face and how these individuals have overcome them, redefining what success looks like.

Alongside these narratives, Rashid offers glimpses into her own life, her aspirations, and her views on democracy’s role in safeguarding the rights and fostering the growth of minority communities. Her reflections add a personal dimension to the book, inviting readers to consider how democratic principles can be a springboard for inclusive progress. In celebrating these role models, Rashid’s book is a call to broaden one’s vision, dream without limits, and foster a society where diverse talents and voices are acknowledged and valued.

About the Author: Shehla Rashid is an academic, with research interests in Technology & Politics. She is also one of the well-known youth faces in politics and activism in India. The first Kashmiri woman to be elected as an office-bearer of JNU Students’ Union in 2015, she was a popular student leader. She cares deeply about the condition of Indian Muslims and hopes to make a change.