Dr. Najma Sultana, AFMI’s past-president, is no more

November 27, 2013
FARMINGTON,MI—It is with great sadness that we announce that Dr. Najma Sultana, the American Federation of Muslims of Indian Origin’s (AFMI) former president and well-known social activist, on November 27, 2013 passed away. She served as the federation’s Regional Vice-President for New York for a number of years and was its national president from 1995-1996. She also chaired its Women’s Committee.
The causes of education, women’s empowerment, and social justice were close to her heart and she endeavored to do the utmost in promoting them everywhere. She traveled far and wide in India as part of AFMI’s delegations and always inspired the crowds, especially the students, with her message of educational empowerment. She had also instituted many scholarships for students in India. In 2000 she was the chief guest at the Khawateen Bedari Caravan (Women’s Awareness Caravan) held in Patna which was attended by more than 30,000 women.
AFMI’s founding trustee Dr. A. S. Nakadar in his message said, “Dr. Najma Sultana was one of the early members to join AFMI. A self-less and dedicated person she was an inspiration to one and all. She gave generously of her time and talent to the organization. Education of the girl child was especially dear to her heart.
On behalf of AFMI I convey my deepest condolences to the family and pray for her maghfirah.”
She was associated with a number of educational and social justice organizations including the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), NRI-SAHI (NRI’s for a Secular and Harmonious India), among many others. A fierce defender of human rights she was instrumental in organizing a Sadhbhavana Yatra in 2002 in the wake of the Gujarat massacres.
Dr. Najma Sultana was born in the small town of Nirmal in Adilabad district of Andhra Pradesh. Her early education was in a Telugu medium school. She was fluent in Urdu, Hindi, English, Telugu and Marathi. She later moved to Hyderabad and completed her MBBS from the Gandhi Medical College. She came to the United States in 1973 and worked in many hospitals, including the Creedmoor Psychiatric Center, as a psychiatrist. She excelled in her profession and was the recipient of many awards. She was also included in many Who’s Who compilations and was named as one of the Emerging Leaders of America in the Medicine and Health Care field.