By Zaidul Haque, TwoCircles.net,
Kolkata: Perhaps West Bengal is the only state (after J&K) in India today which has eight Muslim ministers – seven male and one woman. Six of them are cabinet rank and two minister of state. Sabina Yasmin added a new chapter to the history of post-Independence West Bengal when she became the first Muslim woman minister.
All eight Muslim ministers are well educated – one is former Calcutta High Court judge and another former IPS. None of them is below graduate.
However, age-wise, they are not young. The average age of the eight Muslim ministers is 59 years with Abu Nasar Khan Chowdhury of Congress the oldest at 76 and Sabina Yasmin the youngest at 33.
Here is a brief introduction of these Muslim ministers.
Sabina Yasmin
Sabina Yasmin
Age: 33
Education: MA
Constituency: Mothabari
Party: Congress
Ministry: Labour
Rank: Minister of State
Sabina Yasmin was Sabhadhipati (president) of Malda Zilla Parishad when she contested the Assembly poll in April-May 2011. She is now Congress MLA from Mothabari constituency in Malda district. She has also become minister – first Muslim woman to get the position in West Bengal after Independence. Sabina was member of Rahul Gandhi’s young brigade. Her husband Mehbub Alam is a small businessman.
Sabina has Masters Degree from North Bengal University. She passed Madhyamik (Secondary) Examination in 1994 from Kaliachak High School in Malda. Then she got admission at Women’s College and passed Higher Secondary in 1997. She completed her Graduation from Gaurh Mahavidyalay in 2000 and did Post-Graduation from North Bengal University in 2002.
In 2008 Sabina fought as Congress candidate in Zilla Parishad Election from Kaliachak-1. She defeated Left Front candidate Rekha Bibi by 8999 votes. After the victory, she was elected as the district president (Sabhadipati) of Malda Zilla Parishad.
For Assembly election 2011, Rahul Gandhi recommended her name. She contested from Mothabari constituency and won by 6020 votes. Her rival candidate was Naimuddin Sheik of CPIM.
Abu Nasar Khan Chowdhury
Abu Nasar Khan Chowdhury
Age: 76
Education: Doctorate (University of Zurich, Switzerland)
Constituency: Sujapur
Party: Congress
Ministry: Science and Technology
Rank: Minister of State
Abu Nasar Khan Chowdhury, brother of Ex Railway Minister late ABA Ghani Khan Chowdhury, is Congress MLA from Sujapur constituency in Malda district.
Abu Nasar passed Matriculation in 1951 and Graduation from Malda College of Calcutta University in 1956. He completed Masters degree from Liverpool University of England in 1965, M.Phil in 1976 from University of Leicester, England and Doctoral degree got from University of Zurich, Switzerland in 1986.
Abu Hena
Abu Hena
Age: 60
Education: Post Graduate
Constituency: Lalgola
Party: Congress
Ministry: Fisheries, Food Processing Industries
Rank: Cabinet
Abu Hena is a long time MLA from Lalgola constituency of Murshidabad District. His father Abdus Sattar was cabinet Minister in Siddhartha Shankar Roy led Congress Govt in West Bengal in 1970s. After death of Abdus Sattar in 1991, Abu Hena has taken his place and he is now five times MLA. Law Garduate Abu Hena is also secretary of State Congress Committee and Member of AICC.
Abdul Karim Chowdhury
Abdul Karim Chowdhury
Age: 65
Education: Graduate
Constituency: Islampur
Party: Trinamool Congress
Ministry: Mass Education Extension and Library Service
Rank: Cabinet
Abdul Karim Chowdhury is minister for Mass Education Extension and Library Services. Abdul Karim Chowdhury won from Islampur constituency of North Dinajpur District. He was MLA from the same constituency in 1987, 1991 & 1996 as Congress candidate. Then he joined the Trinamul Congress and won the seat in 2001. Senior leader Abdul Karim Chowdhury is Graduate from Siliguri College under the North Bengal University.
Jawed Ahmed Khan
Jawed Ahmed Khan
Age: 55
Education: Graduate
Constituency: Kasba
Party: Trinamool Congress
Ministry: Disaster Management, Fire & Emergency Services & Civil Defence
Rank: Cabinet
Jawed Ahmed Khan is well-known Muslim personality in Kolkata. This is second time that he has been elected as MLA. He was opposition Leader of TMC in Kolkata Municipal Corporation in previous Left Front ruling. His wife convent educated Rifat Jawed is elected Councilor in Kolkata Corporation at present. Jawed Kahn is Commerce Graduate of Calcutta University. He represents Kasba constituency of South 24 Parganas under Greater Kolkata.
Nure Alam Chowdhury
Nure Alam Chowdhury
Age: 68
Education: Graduate
Constituency: Murari
Party: Trinamool Congress
Ministry: Animal Resources Development
Rank: Cabinet
Nure Alam Chowdhury was Justice of Calcutta High Court for long time. For few days he was chief justice of Calcutta High Court. His wife Sanghamitra Mumtaz is a renowned doctor and daughter of Monsur Habibulla who was Law Minister in Jyoti Basu’s cabinet. However, he switched sides and won from Murarai constituency of Birbhum District on Trinamool Congress ticket.
Haider Aziz Safwi
Haider Aziz Safwi
Age: 66
Education: Post Graduate
Constituency: Uluberia Purba
Party: Trinamool Congress
Ministry: Cooperation & Inland Water Transport
Rank: Cabinet
Haider Aziz Safwi, a well-known IPS officer in Left Front ruling. He was originally from Gadia village of Barabanki district in Uttar Pradesh. He completed his Graduation from Y.K. College of Lakhimpur, under Agra University in 1963. In 1965 he completed MSC in physics from Aligarh Muslim University. He was IPS of West Bengal Cadre in 1967 batch. He won at Uluberia Purba Constituency of Howrah District.
Firhad Hakim
Firhad Hakim
Age: 52
Education: Graduate
Constituency: Kolkata Port
Party: Trinamool Congress
Ministry: Urban Development and Municipal Affairs
Rank: Cabinet
Firhad Hakim is popularly known as Boby Hakim. He won from Kolkata Port constituency. He was long time councilor of Kolkata Municipality. He was elected as MLA in 2009 when he won bylection for Alipur seat in Kolkata. He is Commerce Graduate from Heramba Chandra College of Calcutta University in 1979.