Asiya Andrabi

Asiya Andrabi is the leader of Dukhtaran-e-Millat (Daughters of the Nation). This ultra-Islamic group is part of the separatist APHC in the Kashmir valley. The main aim of the organization is the imposition of Islamic Law Sharia in Kashmir as well as separation from India .

Background

Born in 1962, Asiya Andrabi, a vociferous orator, graduated in Home Science from University of Kashmir in 1981. Daughter of a physician, Syed Sahabuddin Andrabi, Aasiya wanted to become a scientist and to move to neighboring, Himachal Pradesh in pursuit of higher studies. But her brother’s refusal changed her destiny. Her close aides said she used to spend most of her time at home and one day, by chance, read a book ‘Khawateen Ke Dilon Ki Bateen’ from her father’s library based on the rights and duties of Muslim women. She was moved by the status of women in Islam and this proved a turning point in her life. She learnt Arabic to propagate the teachings of Islam. Aasiya formed the Dukhtaran-e-Millat (daughters of the community) in the eighties. However, after the eruption of militancy, she spearheaded a reformist movement among women prompting a ban of her organization. Around the same time, she found a match in Muhammad Qasim alias Aashiq Husain Faktoo, then a commander of Jamait-ul-Muhajideen. However, the couple couldn’t stay together for long. They were arrested along with their newborn, Muhammad Bin Qasim. They were booked under Public Safety Act and shifted to Jammu Central Jail. Her husband was booked under Terrorism and Disruptive Act and given life sentence. Despite passing of over 17 years in jail, he has not been released yet. Over the years, Aasiya has been arrested and booked for various charges. During the Amarnath land row and subsequent killing of over 60 youth, Aasiya led massive protests and was again booked under the PSA. She remained in custody for over six months. Though, the High Court quashed the PSA and released her, Aasiya was again arrested after she staged protests against the Shopian double murder and rape in 2009. She along with her associates were booked under PSA. Aasiya’s fame even reached Bollywood and inspired filmmakers to depict her life in films. But she halted their efforts by threatening legal action against the producer.

Dukhtaran-e-Millat

In 1981, after differences over several issues with the Jamaat-e-Islami leadership, Andrabi decided to form a female only exclusive organisation called the Dukhtaran-e-Millat. This organisation first started as an Islamic awareness organisation for women. Later on, it started to stage demonstrations in 1987, and protests against Human Rights Violations in Kashmir.It resorted to symbolic protests by defacing posters and hoardings depicting un-Islamically dressed women. Her organization is presently running a campaign in Kashmir Valley to achieve Right to Self Determination In 1990, when anti-India resistance started rolling in Kashmir Valley and many innocents were killed at the hands of Indian Army, Indian govt imposed ban on them.

Aasiya was recently in dock after some New Delhi based newspapers accused her of double-standards for demanding passport for her elder son, Muhammad Bin Qasim to study abroad.However she had vehemently denied the charges terming it as an attempt to divert attention from the ongoing situation in the Valley. Her sons are still in the Indian administered Kashmir and have not left the troubled state.

Activities

Her organisation is very famous female organisation in Kashmir having lakhs^{[citation needed]} of supporters. Andrabi formed Dukhtaran-e-Millat to bring morals to women and propel Islamic Morals,Values & Laws to impose an Islamic Law in the Muslim dominated Kashmir Valley .

Asiya Andrabi has been arrested and sent to prison on many occasions. The last occasion happened in 2004 and has been placed under house-arrest several times ever since. In an expression of to save the community from social evils she proposed shuttering liquor shops, cyber cafes and restaurants offering seating arrangements for couples claiming that these establishments had become dens of vice. She was again arrested on 28 August 2010. Pertinently Aasiya along with senior Hurriyat Conference (G) leader Masarat Alam have been spearheading the ongoing “Quit Jammu and Kashmir Movement” for over two months. Since the launch of the movement, Aasiya had gone underground to evade arrest.^[1]

In 2006, she initiated an anti-prostitution campaign which later led to uncovering of a high-profile scandal involving many of the top-post government officials.

Quotations

I don't believe in Kashmiriyat, I don't believe in nationalism. I believe there are two nations - Muslims and non-Muslims[1]

I'm Andrabi, I'm from the Syed dynasty. I'm not actually Kashmiri, I'm Arab, my ancestors had come from Arabia to Central Asia.[2]

I do not call myself a Pakistani but a Muslim[3]

So, the strong belief of Dukhtaran-e-Millat is that we want the whole universe to be governed by the laws of Allah the Almighty. Based on Islamic teachings, we are fighting against India. I am telling you that this is Islam, this is my religion.

I don't believe in Kashmiriyat, I don't believe in nationalism. I believe that there are just two nations—Muslims and non-Muslims. I am a Muslim; I am least bothered whether I will be called a Kashmiri. I'm Andrabi, I'm from the Syed dynasty. I'm not actually Kashmiri, I'm Arab, my ancestors had come from Arabia to Central Asia. I believe in Islamic nationalism.

So as far as our ideology is concerned, Kashmir is not a part of India because united India was divided on the basis of religion. No one can deny this fact. We want our future too to be solved on the basis of religion.

References

1. ^ Asiya Andrabi arrested Greater Kashmir - August 29, 2010

External links

• Asiya Andrabi: Warrior in Veil
• Interview with Asiya Andrabi
• Dukhtaran-e-Millat raid on liquor store
• Defenders of Morality
• Asiya Andrabi interview in the Guardian 2001
• What's wrong if Asiya sends her child to study abroad?

Persondata
Name	Andrabi, Asiya
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Date of birth	1963
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Date of death
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