Nabeesa Ummal, the former MLA of Kerala and principal of University College, passes away at the age of 92.

Nabeesa Ummal, the first Muslim woman in Kerala to earn an MA in Malayalam, has passed away at the age of 92. She was a former MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly) of the Indian National Congress party and had represented the Kottakkal constituency in the state assembly from 1982 to 1987.

Ummal was a pioneer in the field of education and broke several barriers as a Muslim woman in a predominantly male-dominated society. She was born in 1941 in Kottakkal, a small town in the Malappuram district of Kerala. Despite facing several challenges and discrimination due to her gender and religion, Ummal went on to pursue her education and became the first Muslim woman to earn an MA in Malayalam in Kerala.

Ummal’s contributions to education and literature are noteworthy. She was a renowned writer and has written several books in Malayalam, including poetry and prose. She was also actively involved in social work and had worked for the welfare of women and children in her community.

Ummal’s achievements were recognized by the state government of Kerala, which had awarded her several accolades, including the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Children’s Literature in 1991 and the Kerala State Film Award for Best Story in 1985.

Her passing has been mourned by several political leaders and members of the literary community in Kerala. Many have paid tribute to her for her pioneering work in education and literature and for breaking several barriers as a Muslim woman in a conservative society..

RE-reported from the story originally published in The Indian Express