Kashmiri Teen Empowers Girls with Self-Defense through Kickboxing

In Indian-occupied Kashmir, where inequality and gender discrimination have been the norm for decades, a young talent has emerged as a beacon of hope. Tajamul Islam, a two-time kickboxing world champion from the Kashmir valley, is defying all odds to train and empower girls in self-defense. Despite facing numerous challenges in her war-torn homeland, Islam’s determination knows no bounds.

Hailing from the Muslimabad locality in the Bandipora district of North Kashmir, Islam’s journey began at just 5 years old; while most children were engrossed in playing games on their parents’ phones, Islam found herself captivated by kickboxing.

“I started kickboxing when I was just 5 years old, after seeing many young fighters practicing in a stadium near my village when I was walking with my father to the market,” Islam told the FBomb. “With my parents’ support, I joined a local academy and soon won state-level championships. Representing India in the international championship in Italy was a dream that came true, and I was proud to bring the gold medal home.”

Inspired by the intensity and discipline of the sport, she vowed to pursue it no matter the obstacles in her path — and she did face obstacles. Community members pressured Islam’s parents to discourage her from participating in sports based on the cultural belief that “girls should confine themselves to household chores and, eventually, marriage,” as Islam put it. But with unwavering support from her mother, who convinced her father to allow her to train, Islam found the strength to persevere and won her first gold medal in the sub-junior level kickboxing championship of under-8 players in 2016 at 7 years old.

After winning gold, Islam found solace in evening practice sessions with her friends in her hometown. They, too, faced parental restrictions, hindering their dreams. Determined to help, Islam, who was then only 11 years old, decided to start her own academy called Haider Sports Academy and passionately persuaded her friends’ parents to allow their daughters to join.

“It was not easy for me to set up an academy here for girls in a male-dominated zone,” Islam told the FBomb, adding that only her family initially supported her. “I have faced a lot of hurdles, but I do not care if someone supports me or not.”

In the last three years, Islam’s students have won several medals in state and national level championships, and “after seeing the success of the academy, the local [governmental] administration supports me in terms of providing sports kits and some other important materials,” Islam said.

“Seeing nearly 720 students in my academy made me realize the power of breaking stereotypes and encouraging others,” Islam said.

Islam didn’t only aim to train champions, however, but also to train young women in self-defense “so that they can move freely without hesitation on streets,” she added.

And this self-defense is needed. According to a report published by the local news outlet Daily Excelsior, 278 cases of child sexual abuse were reported in Jammu, Kashmir, in 2022, with only 72 culprits in these cases being convicted.

Sumaira Altaf, one of the students at the academy, told the FBomb that they were “happy” to be training with Islam because she “practices with us” and “apart from giving us training of self-defense, motivates us to think positive[ly] and be ready to face any situation outside,” the 16-year-old said.

Islam noted that her students have not only won “several silver and bronze medals” but are also trying to promote gender equality by training boys and girls together.

Islam has big hopes for the future beyond kickboxing, too. “I want to become a renowned orthopedic surgeon specializing in healing and mending bones,” she told the FBomb. “As a doctor, my mission [will be] to serve and care for people, offering my expertise to bring relief and comfort to my patients.”

“In addition to my medical career,” she continued, “I am committed to empowering young girls in my community with valuable life skills. I will teach them self-defense techniques, instilling in them the confidence and resilience needed to tackle any challenges life may throw their way.”