Seeking Change Through Teaching and Activism

IVLP alumna Syed Mubin Zehra at the “Palette for Peace” exhibition at the American Center New Delhi. (Photograph by Yogesh Kumar)

Syed Mubin Zehra is an assistant professor of history at Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College, Delhi University. She is also a writer, columnist, activist, analyst and speaker.

In 2017, Zehra participated in the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) on countering violent extremism online. In 2019, she participated in another IVLP, Let Leaders Lead—Alumni Advance Interfaith Relations. She has received two Laadli media awards for gender sensitivity for her columns in Urdu and Hindi newspapers—the “Sargoshiyan” weekly column in the Urdu daily Inquilab, and the “Samantar Sansar” fortnightly column in the Hindi daily Jansatta. Her articles focus on social and gender issues.

In September, Zehra spoke to SPAN on the sidelines of an art exhibit at the American Center New Delhi, on International Peace Day. Excerpts from the interview.

Please tell us about yourself and your work as an academic and analyst.

I feel my major responsibility as an academic is the enrichment of young minds, not only in their subjects of study but also nurturing them to be good human beings and global citizens.

I also write, advocate, fight and promote gender equality on every available platform. Another subject which is very close to my heart is fighting violent extremism. I have written on this topic in my columns and have attended national and international seminars on it.

Medieval Indian history and media are your areas of specialization and interest. In what ways can the knowledge of Urdu be beneficial to students and research scholars of medieval Indian history?

I attended an English medium convent school. However, I also had a home tutor to teach me Urdu, Arabic, Persian and basic deeniyaat or Islamic theology. This helped build my understanding of a different culture that came along with these languages.

When I joined Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi for my Ph.D., this knowledge of Urdu and Persian was very useful and helped me a lot in my research work.

It is not just Urdu, learning any language can be an asset as it helps you to know the history, culture, tradition and the soul attached to that particular language. Knowledge of a language helps one have a logical approach toward a subject. I also read, write and speak Marathi and that helps me in my research work, and with communication. My take is that the more languages you know, the more your mental canvas grows for research.

Please tell us about your experiences during the International Visitor Leadership Programs in 2017 and 2019.

I had the good fortune to go on an IVLP twice. I am working on a book about my experiences during these programs.

During the 2019 program, I made great friends and had the illuminating experience of meeting people from 21 countries—all of us speaking the same language of humanity and peace.

In 2017, I visited Washington, D.C., Phoenix, Tampa and New York City and saw how the United States stands strong on its principles of assimilating diverse cultures and faiths. Both my IVLP experiences enriched my thoughts, knowledge and growth as a human being and helped in my academic growth too.

Syed Mubin Zehra visited the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute in Alabama during her trip to the United States under the International Visitor Leadership Program. (Photograph courtesy Syed Mubin Zehra)

What were your key takeaways from these exchange programs and how did they contribute to your work in India?

The most important takeaway was the broadening of my vision and strengthening of my beliefs about the democratic principles both our nations share. There were some questions and misconceptions about issues related to society, people, culture, faiths and democratic values, which were well-clarified during the exchange program. I shared my experiences with my students and motivated them to work on issues close to their heart.

In brief, I can say that the IVLPs made me a wiser, more confident, connected and aware individual.

Please share your thoughts about the recent exhibit at the American Center New Delhi on International Peace Day. How can art and culture contribute to people-to-people ties between the United States and India?

This exhibit, “Palette for Peace,” is a great expression of the artists’ inner thoughts. Art has always been an articulation of the time and period in which it is created and so this exhibit depicts the work of contemporary artists on the topic of peace efforts.

There is a need for more such intellectual exchanges on using art as a tool and vehicle to promote the common democratic principles shared by India and the United States.

What would be your advice for young people who want to work in the fields of conflict resolution or gender issues?

First, it is very important to have more youth participation in these fields. I am optimistic about the next generation as I believe they are more aware and sensitized toward these issues. It is important that we educate and counsel youth and at the same time make them more empowered through legal, social and practical roadmaps for the role they would play. There should be more opportunities for them to travel, work, exchange ideas and become change-makers.

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