Srinagar: Umar Masoodi, a young lawyer and civic leader from Kashmir, has been selected as one of the final 40 leaders in the All India Muslim Development Council’s (AIMDC) prestigious “40 Under 40 Muslim Leaders” program, a highly competitive initiative to identify and nurture transformative leadership in India.
The year-long selection process, one of the most rigorous of its kind, drew 950 applicants from diverse fields including law, politics, medicine, education, journalism, entrepreneurship, and activism. Following written applications, interviews, and a four-day leadership camp in Bengaluru, 70 finalists were shortlisted. The final 40 were chosen based on qualities such as sincerity, teamwork, vision, and commitment to social impact. These leaders now form AIMDC’s National Executive, tasked with leading strategic community and national initiatives, while 30 others join the National 40u40 Team.
Masoodi, currently a Research Assistant at the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, brings a robust legal and academic background to the program. “This recognition is about responsibility, not just leadership,” Masoodi said. “My focus will be on empowering communities through education, sustainability, and awareness of rights and responsibilities.”
AIMDC General Secretary Mohammed Imthiyaz described the initiative as “the foundation of change,” emphasizing the program’s goal to foster leaders who blend intellect, sincerity, and vision to serve both community and nation.
Masoodi’s selection adds to his growing accolades. Earlier this year, he was chosen for the beVisioneers Fellowship, a global Mercedes-Benz-backed program supporting youth-led sustainability projects. He is also slated to attend an Intensive Human Rights Training Course at the University of Oslo’s Norwegian Centre for Human Rights in September 2025, following his completion of advanced training in Business and Human Rights at Switzerland’s Lucerne Academy last year.
As part of AIMDC’s network, Masoodi joins emerging leaders across India addressing critical issues like education, justice, healthcare, and sustainability.
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