Odisha's First Muslim Woman MLA Sofia Firdous Sends Message of Brotherhood to Entire Country

Bhubaneswar, Jun 10 (PTI) Studied in a Missionary school and an alumnus of IIM Bangalore, Sofia Firdous who scripted history by becoming first Muslim woman MLA of Odisha said her victory has sent a message of brorhood to entire country.

Firdous, who also took part in Durga Puja, said she was born in a Muslim family but was raised among people of Cuttack, who are mostly Hindus.

But first, she is a "proud Odia", she asserted.

Congress candidate Firdous won Barabati-Cuttack Assembly seat defeating her nearest candidate Purna Chandra Mahapatra of BJP by 8,001 votes.

Speaking to PTI, Firdous said people of Cuttack believe in "brorhood" and y proved that religion has no place when matter is about development.

"Religion for me is nothing or than a medium of worship to Supreme Power, Unseen Force. I believe spirituality is essential for all -- Hindus, Muslims, Christians and any or community. It (spirituality) keeps oneself united and gives strength," she said.

32-year-old MLA said she has close friends among Hindus who never see her as different from m.

"In my childhood, I offered prayer in school, participated in Durga Puja in my locality, and enjoyed all festivals of different religions as Cuttack in city of brorhood," said Firdous, an engineering gruate.

On becoming first Muslim woman MLA of Odisha, Firdous said, "First of all, I am a proud Odia and Indian. People have voted for me as I am a daughter of Cuttack. It is a coincidence that I am Muslim and it h not happened before.” Over 140 women have been elected to Odisha assembly in nearly 90 years of its history, but re was no Muslim among m.

" tag of being first Muslim woman MLA of Odisha came automatically. Thank God for all that. I am happy," she said.

Firdous, who also hes a real-estate firm set up by her far, said her ideal politician is Nandini Satpathy who was chief minister of a Congress government in Odisha between 1972 and 1976.

Asked why she joined politics despite her engineering and management background, Firdous said she was me for politics as her far Mohammed Moquim is a "popular Congress leer" whose entanglement in a legal case forced her to enter this field "so early".

Her far Mohammed Moquim was elected from same Assembly seat in 2019 election. He could not contest in 2024 polls after being convicted in Odisha Rural Housing and Development Corporation Limited (ORHDC) loan irregularities case.

"As my far was entangled in a legal case and he could not fight elections this time, I h to enter into electoral politics. I h never thought to come to politics so early. I contested 2024 elections in order to retain my far’s legacy and complete his work in Barabati-Cuttack assembly segment," she said.

young Congress leer said she h campaigned for her far in 2019 elections and also looked after his poll management previously.

“ people of my constituency have elected me keeping a view on my far’s work during last five years and my profile. y trusted ir daughter and I will stand by m in all situations,” Firdous said.

Asked about her far’s conviction ahe of elections, Firdous said, “My far has been targeted for political reasons. people of Odisha have shown BJD government its place in this election.” BJD, which has been in power in state for 24 years, was defeated by BJP in elections. In constituency of Firdous, BJD came third after Congress and BJP.

Congress h raised its strong voice over many issues inside Assembly even when it h just nine MLAs, said Firdous, an engineering gruate and an alumnus of IIM Bangalore.

"Now, party has 14 MLAs while principal opposition party BJD has 51 in 147-member House. As opposition has become very strong now, it will play a major role," she stated. 

(Except for heline, this story has not been edited by Republic and is published from a syndicated feed.)