Meet Ayesha Islam a homemaker who broke the political barrier

Ayesha Islam | SP candidate from Bareilly: Born in a conservative Muslim family of Bareilly, she grew up in Sharia governed Saudi Arabia. After obtaining commerce degree in Jeddah, she returned to her roots in 2003 to become a homemaker. She is Ayesha Islam, Samajwadi Party candidate from Bareilly.
Ayesha's transition from a housewife to a politician has been sudden but smooth. "My husband and father-in-law were already into politics.So it was never anything new, especially when the situation came for me take the responsibility after nine years of marriage," says Ayesha, adding that initially it was difficult to balance time since she has two sons, Ridan and Sharf.
Speaking about the change politics has brought in her life, Ayesha says, "Now there is no life of my own. You never know when you are needed in your constituency." But that is what politics is all about and I have no complaints, she adds.
Initially her parents were not sure of her decision to turn a full-time politician. "They were a bit unsure how would the community, relatives and social contacts in Saudi Arabia respond to it. But eventually they stood by me," she says.
She doesn't see herself as a role model for Muslim women. "I am not doing some which a Muslim girl has not done before. There are likes of Mohsina Qidwai from UP who has been in politics since decades," she says.
With her husband and father-in-law by her side for any political advice, Ayesha is still getting familiar with the art of speaking the right words at the right time. This is perhaps the reason why she is always accompanied by husband Shehzil Islam. This interview was no exception. Shehzil chipped in whenever Ayesha was hesitant. In fact, photographers complain they are yet to click Ayesha Islam alone. But she is not complaining. "I am thankful that he is with me. He understands politics much better than how I would have had if I were in his place," Ayesha says.