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Daud Sharifa Khanam is constructing a mosque for women.

Zafar Sareshwala is the pioneer of Islamic finance in India.

Ijlal Shamsi believes he is a better Muslim today because he studied in the US.

And an Islamic school in Mumbai teaches its students: “Twinkle, twinkle little star, Allah made you what you are.”

Hindustan Times catches up with a community in transition, with Muslims who are proud of being Muslims, and do not hesitate to go back their religion to get ahead in life, make money, get educated and change their lot.

They are The New Muslims.

Also check: Sachar Committee report
Breaking the mould
Zafar Sareshwala
Shagufta Rafique
Kids in action
Sharifa Khanum
Ijlal Shamsi
Ishrat Shahbuddin
Razia Shabnam
Mehraj Gulzar
Samina
Sheeba Fehmi
Readers say...

“This is real journalism.” Another reader said: “It's a great initiative because there is a silent moderate majority within our community, who are not able to raise our heads because of fundamental minority.”

The response to The New Muslim series was overwhelming.

People wrote in from all over the world. A Canadian filmmaker asked for the contact address of Sheeba Fehmi, who has made it her life’s mission to unmask undeserving Muslim leaders.

A huge number of readers wanted to know how they could send Daud Sharif Khanum money to complete her women-only Mosque.

And there were those who were critical. “There is no such thing as New Muslim and Old Muslim.”

The conversation continues here. You can read the responses and reply to them or start a discussion.

Featured on Sunday, October 29, 2007 Featured on Saturday, October 28, 2007
Leading a fight Past tense, present perfect
From a journalist to a firebrand activist. Srinand Jha narratesthe story of Sheeba Fehmi who has filled her plate with issues likepoverty, exploitation, illiteracy and corruption.
Sunita Aron tells us the story of Samina and Zarina, who fought against all the odds, including the cleric, to achieve what they desired.
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Featured on Sunday, October 28, 2007 Featured on Saturday, October 27, 2007
It's possible even in Kashmir Queen of the ring
Kashmir's Mehraj Gulzar feels it’s really important for a Muslim nation associated with injustice to be economically and technologically stronger. Neelesh Misra tells us...
Rajeeb Mukherjee narrates a story of a mother-housewife-boxer-karate coach-international referee. Razia Shabnam is the empress, who conquered social hurdles in her quest to be a boxer. It has taken her out of the mohalla to Moscow, Taiwan and Turkey.
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Featured on Friday, October 26, 2007 Featured on Thursday, October 25, 2007
Portrait of a housewife transformed Striking a fine balance
Ishrat Shahbuddin Shaikh loves the hijab (veil) and is very proud of it. She runs the hugely successful Shalimar restaurant in Mumbai, writes Sunita Aron.
Islam and the West may be in the throes of a so-called clash of civilisations, but Ijlal Shamsi's life is an eloquent example of how they can - and do - happily co-exist, writes Neelesh Misra
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Photo Gallery Photo Gallery
Featured on Wednesday, October 24, 2007 Featured on Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Equality, at any cost English means empowerment
Sunita Aron writes about Sharifa Khanum, 41, who is building a mosque for women in Tamil Nadu. The Mosque will also have women in all key positions there such as the muezzin and the pesh imam.
Samar Halarnkar writes on the new breed of teachers in a growing set of schools imparting a strictly English and strictly Islamic education to those Muslims rediscovering their religion.
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Featured on Monday, October 22, 2007 Featured on Sunday, October 21, 2007
From seamy bars to glittering Bollywood From Masjid to Stock Market:A journey of faith
Neelesh Misra narrates the story of a young Muslim woman, Shagufta Rafique, who transformed from a bar singer to a screenplay writer.
Zafar Sareshwala is encouraging Muslims to invest in the stock market where the community’s participation is negligible, writes Neelesh Misra.
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