ALIGARH, October 23: A condolence meeting was held at the Administrative Block of Women’s College, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), to mourn the demise of Ms. Shahla Haider (3 February 1936 – 14 October 2026), a distinguished alumna of the university and a respected member of the Aligarh community.
The meeting was attended by members of the Female Education Association (FEA) and representatives of the college fraternity, who paid tribute to her life and extended condolences to the bereaved family.
Reading out the condolence message, Women’s College Principal Prof. Shagufta Imtiaz recalled Ms. Haider’s commitment to women’s education, public service and social welfare. The daughter of Prof. Haider Khan and Mumtaz Jahan Haider, the first Principal of Women’s College, she was the granddaughter of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, popularly known as Papa Mian, and Wahid Jahan Begum, known as Ala Bi, the pioneers of women’s education at AMU. She was also the sister of diplomat and scholar Salman Haider.
Remembered for her association with journalism, her service as Director of the Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP), and her philanthropic work supporting underprivileged girls and children from marginalised communities, Ms. Haider remained closely connected with AMU and Women’s College. Her life reflected a lasting commitment to education, compassion and social responsibility.