A base of dedication, a design of creativity, a structure of positivism and a burnish of Islam – with all these together we have found our Superwoman for this edition of Fajr: Neela Manwar.
How can a woman practice Islam, wear the hijab and simultaneously do business and build her career? How can she keep pace with the neoteric era while maintaining an Islamic lifestyle? How can she be social while she is practicing Islam? How can she manage her career without compromising the Islamic Shariah in her life? So many questions but her reply was simple – “With the grace of Allah SWT and fervor of doing something innovative in an unalloyed way, Alhamdulillah.”
She was born in 1973 in Chittagong. She never thought about what she would do after completing her graduation. “I thought I will be a very good housewife.” Simplicity is another repercussion of hers, she believes. Beneath her simplicity, there is a very creative mind which is reflected in the work she does – Athena’s Furniture and Home décor.
Neela Manwar is the chief designer and owner of Athena’s furniture. It is a unique career she has chosen because her motto of life was not to be just opulent but to be gratified with her work. “I always wanted to do something different, something creative. I did some interior courses back then. I draw the ideas of designs on my own. Perhaps in Dhaka antique furniture is a rare thing, but Athena’s furniture holds up ethnicity blended with contemporary concepts.”
“I really like to furnish my home in versatile ways that vary with my mood. And I think most women do the same. I don’t like typical designs of furniture. The elegant and sophisticated interior is my weakness. From a sense of innovative interior, I came to this business. From my early age, I was really interested in decorating the home in different styles in a creative way. From that interest, Athena’s came to my mind – a different career that will give me true happiness and contentment. ”
Professionalism is more than art for her. Her creative mind always leads her designs to be presentable and get acceptability to meet the diverse taste range of people. Sophistication and aristocracy is another manifestation of her designs.
Athena’s furniture is something that is done by Neela Manwar’s own hand. She started her business with a different taste. She perceived many tough times as it is not easy for a woman to start and establish a furniture business – a sector where there is a male-monopolistic flow. But all the ups and downs seemed negligible, as her husband supported her in every step of her career. “Alhamdulillah, I got immense support from my husband. I’m really lucky Ma sha Allah that I passed those hard times in the glimpse of my eyes with my husband’s support. My mother-in-law was huge support for me as well.”
Athena’s Furniture and Home décor are one of the sister concerns of the century-old Anwar Group of Industries. Athena’s started its journey in 2004 with eye-catching, artistic Victorian and Italian designs, with a strong commitment to maintaining quality furniture and services with high ethical standards. Neela Manwar started Athena’s Furniture with very few assets. But with the grace of Almighty Allah and support from her family, it is now a truly worthy brand.
“I started Athena’s with an unbelievably small amount of assets but today Alhamdulillah it’s a brand. Everyone knows it with its one name.” Beating many competitors Athena’s Furniture has an own identity which is a choice of many posh-minded women for their home décor.
She really appreciates women taking up careers in different aspects. She always motivates women in many ways who want to start their own business or already run small businesses. Last summer Mrs. Neela arranged a summer carnival for women, which was a big successful event. Peoples’ feedback was really appreciable. With this kind of event, she wants to inspire and motivate women who prefer effectual careerism.
Abreast of being a corporate lady, she is a housewife, a mother, a wife – a typical Bengali woman. She doesn’t mix her personal and professional life together as she is a good manager. She prepares her to-do list prioritizing her tasks in ascending order. Her task array is precise and explicit.
She is a social person. Wearing a hijab and living an Islamic lifestyle never stops her from being a generous person. She always attends family programs and social events. She proved that practicing Islam never was a barrier rather it’s a blessing to her life and her success. Her dignity was her choice. She believes that pure intention and proper dedication can do miracles. And Allah SWT is with those who are righteous.
Practicing Islam and building up a career was not a big deal for her. Because in her life priority matters. Maintaining a busy corporate life, she always tries to remember Allah SWT and His mercy. “I try to thank Almighty Allah always in my heart. In this high-tech world, it is now easy to multitask. Whenever I’m in my car I open my Quran app and read. I love to read the Tafseers of Quranic verses and apply those in my practical life. I practice Islam because it is my priority, my way of life. Thanking Allah SWT is not enough even if I pray for my whole life. Without His mercy, I could not be where I am today.” With her busy schedule, Neela Manwar never misses an opportunity to read about Islam and make dua. She is proud to mention herself as an ambitious slave of Allah.
In an authentic hadith, it is reported by Imam Muslim and At-Tirmidhi that Rasulullah (PBUH) said, “One will not enter Paradise if one has an atom’s weight of arrogance in his/her heart.” Success is something beyond arrogance, egoism, and vanity in Islam. And we found a true example of such success in Neela Manwar. To her, creativity sprouts from the willingness to play with ideas and possibilities while staying within the bounds of Islam. Simplicity and determination made her more than a woman; they have turned her into what we may call a “Superwoman”!
