Women Who Made Their Stories Count

We believe one spark can light a fire; and similarly, that spark can be the source of inspiration for women around the world. Dawoodi Bohra women are among the most progressive in India, and have fought, overcome personal struggles and persevered to get to where they are today. Their stories are nothing short of spectacular and we believe these women deserve a chance to share their #IDidIt moments. In order to give Dawoodi Bohra women a platform to share their success stories, we ran a contest which saw a number of women enthusiastically sharing anecdotes as a means to inspire others.

In this series, we give you the top three stories which have inspired us. Please note, we have retained the original entry as is, since each story is the voice of the individual lady and we wanted their story to be told in their own words.

Post 1 - By @Durriya8093 (1st Place)

In the process of birth there was one more Zainab was her name that Maula had chosen for her Highly educated were her parents and religious too Which gave her opportunities and scope all new She always wanted to prove that girls are no less So she competed with her brother but sometimes made a mess In MSB school and then in Burhani college she studied A perception of Duniya through Deen she carried

I had to join my husband’s business which was all disorganised. I entered into entrepreneurship and became the youngest Woman entrepreneur. I entered into entrepreneurship of coated wires and manufacturing of wire-o-wire, which is a book binding element used for all prestigious book binding. I started my manufacturing unit in Palghar and had no buyers for months and months. I worked hard and put in great effort to market my product.

With the help of Qardan Hasana I had incorporated all imported machinery to manufacture wire-o. I used to travel from Mumbai to Palghar every other day to run my company and do all kinds of work in it to cut down on my expenses, I used to load Tempo’s, offload material, be a machine operator, do my own accounts, marketing, packing and all kind of other skilled and unskilled work I used to undertake. My husband was an engineer and the main technical head.

He used to always be there whenever we had a machinery breakdown. Marketing my wire-o many a times got tears in my eyes. After 22 years long journey of struggle and challenges has given me today an established company “Taiyebji Wires Pvt Ltd” and people who are associated with me and my work call me Taiyebji Madam, and Wire-O Queen- yes my product is known all over India and in the world - Brand “Taiyebji “. I travelled to few places in the world to learn how the western countries manufacture and deal with this trade of wire-O-wire. I gathered immense knowledge and immediately put it into application by improving Production, Quality, Packaging, making my company a leading producer of wire-o with international standards. Today my product is used by all stationery exporters all over India, our material is also supplied to Walmart, staple paper and other MNC’s. I have a team of workers which is “Team Taiyebji”.  

I am a survivor of my situation. All this I have achieved through the blessings of Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin Maula(RA) and my spouse who has been my teacher and my pillar of strength.

And thanks to FMB niyaz thali which gives me ample time to devote to my work, all while wearing a Rida all the time and being a complete Dawoodi Bohra Woman - Yes IDidIt. Thank you DBWRF you gave me the courage to acknowledge my achievement. Thank you.

Post 2 - By @DrZainabNajmi (2nd place)

In the process of birth there was one more
Zainab was her name that Maula had chosen for her 
Highly educated were her parents and religious too
Which gave her opportunities and scope all new
She always wanted to prove that girls are no less
So she competed with her brother but sometimes made a mess
In MSB school and then in Burhani college she studied
A perception of Duniya through Deen she carried

#ididit

In Hsc board she stood first in her state
Awarded by the government and then by the college delegate
Along with her college she did her masters in computer
Taught many govt. employees as an instructor
Courses she did many as her father wanted to
Household she knew well as her mother wanted to
Along with the love of her family she found her love too
Taha for her was a dream come true
He loved her a lot and cared for her

So Allah gifted them with 3 beautiful daughters

First baby of Saifee Hospital was Fatema
Followed by smart Ajab and naughty Amatullah

They brought Luck to their life and Love to their heart
they made a family which will never apart
Along with this family, Zainab built one more

Teaching she discovered a profession she was born for
Teaching increased the number in her family
A relationship which will always remain in her memory

Principal she was in one of the schools
From scrap she made the school too cool

A new city she was destined to move
Let see what more to prove

Coordinator and then a Principal here
1800 students was a challenge not to fear

She worked hard to bring the change 
And proved to be highly engaged

She was awarded the educator of the nation
Also completed her Ph.D in Education

Now she is into a lot many things
Training, values, arts and travel
She has extended her wings

She works in her life with motto only one
Khidmat of Maulana is what she wants to be done

He is the one who teaches us right from wrong
May Allah grant him health and life so long

Ameen…….
#IDidit

Post – 3 By @bharmalfaridah (3rd place)

I believe that it takes only one person to change your life – You.

Ten years back, I decided to do a course in Handwriting Analysis and Grapho Therapy. I've never looked back since then.

I remember taking the certificate in hand and showing it to Burhanuddin Moula and the smile on his angelic face, the tashreef I got - that is my most memorable moment # IDIdit 

Like all beautiful girls out there, I had the dream to get married and have children, yet the spark to do something different, to make my own identity kept me on my toes. I remember giving my certification exams after marriage. I remember making my website when my first child was born, I remember it getting hacked and me going distraught about it. I remember making it all over again….. #IDidIt 

I remember  studying even further as I had decided to make my own courses, I remember having them in hand and doing araz to Moulana about it, I remember giving my 200% to the people’s lives I touched… #IDidit 

I remember struggling for a place to do my work in, I remember having dreams of having my own office I would work in. Today when I sit there, I experience my # IDidit moment all over again.

I remember having my second child and all the work which I had done, take a backseat again. I remember enjoying and cherishing these moments and making them work to my advantage. That's when I decided to do a course in Counselling. I remember enrolling for the course 4 years later #IDidit. 

Today, when I look back, I can see where I started and where I have come. I haven't done anything alone. There were people who stood behind me and were there for me when I needed them, supporting me, getting concerned, getting upset, showing pride and whatever the matter, always being my rock-solid support. Hard work, determination, support and above all, prayers always work! #IDidit 

These stories are just a few examples of Dawoodi Bohra women who are not only well educated and ambitious, but also strong enough to overcome the various challenges life threw at them. These women are also fitting examples of how women can achieve success when they are empowered and given equal opportunities and liberties by their community. We look forward to hearing more such inspiring stories.