Graduating cum laude with 14 distinctions, this UKZN student is challenging ableism, gender norms, and religious convention—one paper at a time.
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Azraa Ebrahim’s story is not simply one of academic excellence—it is a powerful testament to resilience, faith, and the pursuit of equity in spaces where disabled Muslim women are rarely seen, let alone celebrated. This week, she graduated cum laude from the University of KwaZulu-Natal with a Bachelor of Social Science degree, securing an extraordinary 14 distinctions. But her achievement stretches far beyond the classroom.
Overcoming barriers in a digital world
Ebrahim, who is blind, began her studies in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many students, she was thrust into the world of online learning. But for her, the challenges were compounded by inaccessibility. “Navigating this path online, coupled with being blind, made familiarising myself with virtual platforms significantly more challenging,” she told IOL. She credits her success to unwavering support from her family, lecturers, peers, and the university’s Disability Support Unit.
Despite the steep learning curve, she adapted to remote learning using screen-reading technologies, and transitioned to in-person lectures with the aid of a white cane. Her academic discipline was extraordinary—she began exam preparations a month in advance to accommodate her slower reading pace, balancing her studies with family responsibilities and using karate to help manage stress.
Redefining leadership in academic and religious spaces
Ebrahim’s ambition extends far beyond personal achievement. She has emerged as a bold voice in both academic and religious spheres. In 2024, she presented a paper at the Association for the Study of Religion in Southern Africa (ASRSA) Conference, where she won Best Student Paper and received an invitation to publish in the Journal of Islamic Studies. At the TIP Eid-ul-Adha Eidgah, she delivered a sermon on disability and discrimination—an especially significant moment in a community where female-led sermons remain uncommon.
Her work continued to receive recognition at the AMS Colloquium 2024, where she co-presented with her mentor, Dr Cherry Muslim, and academic colleague Mr Chukwudera Nwodo, earning the Best Paper award in their session.
Currently funded by an NRF scholarship, Ebrahim is pursuing her Honours in Religion and Social Transformation. Her research centres on women-led khutbahs (sermons) in Islam, a subject that places her at the intersection of gender, faith, and disability activism. “I aspire to be a scholar of Islam and endeavour to eventually enter academia, in order to pedestalise research on disability from a differently abled positionality,” she said.
A message of radical pride
Her academic mission reflects the growing call for inclusive and representative scholarship—one that acknowledges lived experience, not just theoretical frameworks. Ebrahim joins a new generation of Muslim women scholars who are challenging rigid norms around gender, leadership, and ability in religious settings, a movement gaining momentum from Malaysia to Morocco.
“Within Muslim communities, it is an uncommon reality for a differently abled Muslim woman to attend university, let alone graduate cum laude,” she reflected. “While three years of dedication and determination preceded this moment, I take equal joy in the journey that brought me here.”
Azraa’s achievements mark a seismic shift in visibility for disabled Muslim women in academia. Her message to fellow students is one of radical pride and empowerment: “Wear your disability with a badge of pride. Do not look upon it with disgrace, nor attempt to conceal it from societal scrutiny—we must celebrate our uniqueness and challenge socially constructed ways of being.”
She closed her reflection by honouring those who supported her journey: “To my grandfather, who passed away in 2022, I let your wisdom and memories guide me always. I am immensely appreciative of my supervisor and mentor, Dr Cherry Muslim, whose immense belief in me warrants more recognition and admiration than I could ever express.”
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Featured Image: UKZN
