A Rohingya politician from Akyab (now Sittwe), Arakan, who in the 1951–52 elections won the Maungdaw South seat in the Union Parliament with over 75% of the vote. She became one of only two women in the Union Parliament, alongside Khin Kyi, and the first female MP from Arakan, and is celebrated as a trailblazer for women's political participation in Arakan. Her Islamic name was Zohra Begum and her Burmese name Aye Nyunt.
Sources
Constantine, Greg. (2024). “They Did Not Deny Us.” In Ek Khaale: Once Upon A Time.Dhaka Tribune. (2017, September 15). The 17 Rohingya, including a woman, in the Burmese parliament.
A trailblazer for women in Arakan's politics
Daw Zohra Begum, also known as Daw Aye Nyunt, was a pioneering Rohingya politician from Akyab (now Sittwe), Arakan, Myanmar. Born on 10 April 1919 in Rupah Quarter, she was the daughter of U Po Khine, a prominent Rohingya community leader and President of the All Burma Muslim Congress, and Daw Ma Ma. She completed her early education at St. Anne’s Convent and Akyab Government High School, passing the university entrance exam in 1937. She initially pursued pre-medical studies before transferring to a teacher’s college.
In the 1951–52 parliamentary elections, Daw Zohra Begum was elected as Member of Parliament for Maungdaw South, winning over 75% of the vote. She became one of only two women in the Union Parliament—alongside Khin Kyi, and the first female MP from Arakan. Her father, U Po Khine, was elected as MP for Akyab North, and her husband, Sultan Ahmed, was elected from Maungdaw North and served as a parliamentary secretary.
She served in the Union Parliament until 1956, when she lost her seat to Rohingya police officer Abul Khair. Daw Zohra Begum remains celebrated as a trailblazer for women’s political participation in Arakan and a historic representative of the Rohingya community in national politics.
