Blind student Azraa Ebrahim graduates cum laude, overcoming challenges

Azraa Ebrahim, a blind student, graduated cum laude with 14 distinctions, overcoming significant challenges. 

Ebrahim's university journey at UKZN commenced amidst the Covid-19 pandemic and culminated in her attaining a bachelor of social science, majoring in religion studies and industrial psychology, cum laude. 

Navigating this path online, coupled with being blind, made familiarising herself with virtual platforms significantly more challenging. 

Supported by her parents, peers, lecturers and the university’s Disability Support Unit, Ebrahim successfully transitioned from online to in-person learning by using a white cane and assistive technologies such as screen readers.

Her academic excellence shone beyond the classroom. 

She presented a paper at the ASRSA Conference 2024, winning Best Student Paper and subsequently was invited to publish her paper in the Journal of Islamic Studies. Ebrahim also delivered a sermon at TIP Eid-ul-Adha Eidgah, where she shared her experiences of discrimination growing up with blindness. 

In collaboration with Dr Cherry Muslim and Mr Chukwudera Nwodo, she presented at the AMS Colloquium 2024, winning Best Paper in her concurrent session.

"To ensure I was personally competent, I would begin exam and test preparation a month in advance to account for my slow reading pace. Despite my initial challenges, I am immensely grateful for the relationships I’ve built, the knowledge I’ve gained and the friends I’ve made along the way," said Ebrahim. 

As an NRF Honours Scholarship grantholder, Ebrahim is currently pursuing an honours degree in religion and social transformation under the supervision of her lecturer and mentor, Dr Cherry Muslim. Her research is rooted in activism and focuses on the liminal space of women-led khutbah (sermons) in Islam. 

"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.

During exam season, Ebrahim often struggled to balance academic and family commitments due to the additional effort required. She carefully planned her time, setting aside space for family events and visiting loved ones. 

Karate served as a healthy outlet to relieve stress and prevent burnout. She credits her family,  especially her parents, for reminding her to rest, eat, and protect her eyes from strain. 

Ebrahim offered this advice to students, especially those differently abled: "Wear your disability with a badge of pride. Do not look upon it with disgrace, nor attempt to conceal it from societal scrutiny.

"Disability is often painted as a societal afterthought, but it is important to remember that while our disabilities are integral to who we are, they do not define us entirely. In a world engulfed by discrimination, stigma and alienation, we must celebrate our uniqueness and challenge socially constructed ways of being."

She celebrates her graduation as a moment of triumph, noting that: "Within Muslim communities, it is an uncommon reality for a differently abled Muslim woman to attend university, let alone graduate cum laude. While three years of dedication and determination preceded this moment, I take equal joy in the journey that brought me here." 

Ebrahim expressed heartfelt gratitude to her parents, family and friends for their unwavering support.

"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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