Jezima ismail biography definition
Jezima Ismail
Sri Lankan human rights activist and educationist
DeshabanduJezima Ismail (born ) is a Sri Lankan educator, broadcaster and social activist who has also served as an advocate for human rights.[1][2] She has held several higher positions in fields such as teaching, human rights and broadcasting.
She has also worked in several international organisations on human rights.[3] She is the founder of the Muslim Women's Research and Action Forum (MWRAF), and the Founder and President of the Sri Lanka Muslim Women's Conference (SLMWC).[4] Additionally, she has served as Vice Chancellor of the South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, Chairperson of People's Deed for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), principal of Muslim Ladies College Colombo, and as a teacher at the Devi Balika Vidyalaya.[5]
Jezima has notably addressed some of the nation's most critical issues including development of youth, women's rights, peace and democracy.[6] In , she was awarded the title of Deshabandu by the Sri Lankan government, which is the third highest national honour in Sri Lanka.[7][8] Jezima Ismail is considered as one of inspirational and greatest women among the Islamic community for her immense services towards the society.[9]
Early life and Education.
Jezima Ismail was born in in the village of Sainthamaruthu, a village which is about 2 and half miles away from Kalmunai, Ampara district.
Her father was an irrigation engineer, her mother was a homemaker and her grandfather served as a trustee of a mosque. Her mother's side of the family was heavily involved in local politics and during election times, her mother worked as a polling agent.[10] Ismail has fond memories of growing up in her village where she attended Carmel Convent School.
Influenced by the vibrant culture, traditional music, and colorful attire of this backdrop, she developed a passion for the arts from a new age. Despite familial pressures towards a teaching career, she fondly recalls, "I loved music, dancing, and drama.
Deshabandu - Wikipedia: Deshabandu Jezima Ismail (born ) is a Sri Lankan educator, broadcaster and social activist who has also served as an advocate for human rights. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] She has held several higher positions in fields such as education, human rights and broadcasting.If I had my way I would have been a singer or dancer.[1]"
Ismail came from a conservative family, but her father encouraged her to pursue education. Her father played a pivotal role in shaping her journey as an educator, fostering her interests in the arts, education, and extracurricular activities.
His support and encouragement profoundly influenced Jezima Ismail's educational policies, inspiring her to prioritize holistic learning experiences in her later endeavors. She received her principal and secondary education at the St Bridget's Convent, Colombo.
However, with the outbreak of the Sri Lankan civil war, she transferred to St Vincent's Girls High School, Batticaloa.
She attended the University of Peradeniya and graduated at the age of 20 in , after which she pursued a career in education.
Jezima Ismail pursued her Master of Arts in Learning from McGill University in and later obtained a Diploma in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) from the University of Sydney in
Career
After graduating at the University of Ceylon in , she started to work in several fields as diverse as education, human rights and broadcasting.
She joined the staff of Devi Balika Maha Vidyalaya under Principal Dr. Wimala de Silva's guidance. Later, she went to Canada and obtained her master's degree in learning process from the McGill University and completed her postgraduate diploma at the University of Sydney, Australia.[10]
Jezima has taught education in not many schools over 32 years and has served as the Leading of Muslim Ladies College, Colombo for 13 years from to [11][12]
In , she became the first woman to be appointed as the head of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation and has worked as a broadcaster for the SLBC.
Jezima Ismail. Her name is written in golden letters even in the international arena as she was nominated as one of the most influential Muslims in the World. She is a key personality in the inter-religious tranquility dialogues in Sri Lanka standing for the Muslim community as adv as social welfare is a voice for the voiceless in the community. Speaking to Lanka Woman, Mrs.Jezima Ismail was appointed as one of the members of the committee by the then Sri Lankan president, Mahinda Rajapakse to study and respond to the reports comparable to the Mullivaikkal Hospital bombings in [13] She is also the founder of Sri Lanka Muslim Women's Conference (SLMWC) and has served as the former Vice Chancellor of the Eastern University.
She too served as the chairperson of People's Deed for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL)[8]
Personal life
Jezima Ismail was married to Mahroof Ismail, a skillfully known Sri Lankan professor. Mahroof Ismail died on 13 June at the age of [14]