Nazida Syed (born August 24, 1988, as Syeda Nazida Binte Salem) is a Bangladeshi-American beauty queen, activist, artist, entrepreneur, and advocate for victims of domestic violence. She was crowned Ms. India New York 2021 and Miss Bangladesh New York 2015. Nazida Syed is known for her relentless advocacy for women's rights, her work with the Domestic Harmony Foundation, and her contributions to the South Asian community both in the United States and abroad. She is a direct descendant of Syed Nasiruddin Sipahsalar[1], a prominent historical figure in the history of Bengal and Sylhet1.
Early Life and Education
editNazida Syed was born on August 24, 1988, in Gulshan, Dhaka, Bangladesh, to Syed Abu Saleh Salem Sajjad and Nasima Akhter. She is a descendant of Syed Nasiruddin Sipahsalar. Nazida moved to the United States in 2001 at the age of 12. She attended Newburgh Free Academy in New York, where she was actively involved in the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) program. Syed continued her education, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Sciences and Mathematics at Thomas Edison State University.
Pageantry
editNazida Syed's journey in pageantry began when she was crowned Miss Bangladesh New York 2015, where she also won the Talent Segment and Most Photogenic Segment. Following this success, she represented Bangladesh in the Miss Bangladesh United Continent 2015, advocating for cultural heritage and social justice on an international stage.
In 2021, Nazida was crowned Ms. India New York 2021. Her participation in this pageant was driven by her desire to use the platform to raise awareness about domestic violence and to advocate for women's rights within the South Asian community. She also participated in the Mrs. India USA 2021 contest, further showcasing her talents and advocacy on a national level.
Activism and Advocacy
editNazida Syed is a passionate advocate for victims of domestic violence, drawing from her own experiences as a survivor. Since 2014, she has been actively volunteering with the Domestic Harmony Foundation, where she has made significant contributions, including:
- Donating her paintings to raise funds for the foundation.
- Performing at events to support victims of domestic violence.
- Handling marketing and promotional activities for the foundation.
- Participating in community drives, walks, and picnics with victims, offering emotional and logistical support.
She is also the founder and leader of two Facebook support groups:
- La Bella Mafia: A support group for victims of domestic violence in NYC, providing a safe space for women to connect and seek help.
- Bengali Ladies Club: A community platform for Bengali women to share experiences, offer support, and empower one another.
Additionally, Nazida serves as the Director of Operations for SAFEST (South Asian Funding for Education, Scholarship, and Training), working closely with Mazeda Uddin to provide educational scholarships and training opportunities for the South Asian community.
Professional Career
editNazida Syed is a licensed real estate agent based in New York City, where she successfully manages real estate transactions and provides expert guidance to her clients.
She is also a licensed cosmetologist and the owner of Nazida’s Glam Bar, a hair salon located in Westbury, NY. The salon offers a wide range of beauty services, and Nazida is known for providing her clients with high-quality experiences.
As an accomplished artist, Nazida regularly donates her paintings to charitable causes, particularly to support the Domestic Harmony Foundation. Her art has gained a strong following on Instagram under the handle @Nazartarian.
Media and Public Appearances
editNazida has been featured in various media outlets and has made numerous public appearances, including:
- A YouTube video from Miss Bangladesh New York 2015, where she shared her journey and the reasons for participating in the pageant.
- A Time Television interview discussing her life, achievements, and activism.
- A Facebook video that was reposted by Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, bringing her advocacy work to a wider audience.
- Articles in Prothom Alo where she modeled for numerous articles, and Canvas Magazine, where she was featured as “Elachi Begum” of the drama "Oyomoy."
- Acting roles in films such as "Greencard" directed by Kazi Hayat and Kazi Maruf, "Highway 905" directed by Pawan Kumar, and a movie by Pakistani Actor/Director/Producer Yasir Akhtar where she played an imaginary girlfriend for an upcoming movie titled "
Cultural Heritage and Family Background
editNazida Syed's deep connection to her cultural heritage is rooted in her lineage as a descendant of Syed Nasiruddin Sipahsalar1. This historical connection has instilled in her a profound respect for history, culture, and the importance of upholding family traditions.
Her father, Syed Abu Saleh Salem Sajjad, passed away on October 10, 2023, from colorectal cancer. His last words to his wife were, “Mukta, you know I love you, and Rashed, Nazida, and Saaim like I loved nobody else in my life.” He was buried in Amlitola, Bangladesh, in the family graveyard.
Personal Life
editNazida was born in Bangladesh but moved to the United States in 2001. She has a daughter, born in 2012 from her only marriage. Nazida has been divorced since November 2020.
She is multilingual, fluent in Bangla, Hindi, Urdu, and English, and has traveled to several countries, including China, Bangladesh, India, USA, and Thailand, which has broadened her cultural understanding and global perspective.
In July 2022, Nazida became a homeowner, symbolizing her personal growth and stability.
Awards and Recognitions
editNazida has received numerous awards throughout her life, both in academics and her professional and advocacy work. Some notable recognitions include:
Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC):
edit- Multiple awards for excellence in academics, leadership, and character.
- 10th Place Medal out of 4000 cadets in the Florida Drill Team Championship for Knockout Drill Competition.
Media and Publications:
edit- Featured in Mid Hudson Times (May 19, 2004), advocating for the defense of Newburgh Free Academy.
- Modeled for Prothom Alo articles in 2011.
- Featured in Canvas Magazine as “Elachi Begum” of "Oyomoy."
Legacy and Impact
editNazida Syed’s life story is one of resilience, advocacy, and a relentless pursuit of justice. Her journey from being a beauty queen to becoming a prominent activist and entrepreneur serves as an inspiration to many, particularly within the South Asian diaspora. Her work in advocating for domestic violence victims, her contributions to the South Asian community, and her cultural and historical legacy as a descendant of Syed Nasiruddin Sipahsalar have left a lasting impact.
External Links
edit- LinkedIn: Nazida Syed
- Instagram: @Nazida.Syed
- Nazida’s Glam Bar: Nazida’s Glam Bar
- Nazartarian (Art): @Nazartarian
- Domestic Harmony Foundation: Domestic Harmony Foundation
- SAFEST: SAFEST
- La Bella Mafia (Facebook Group): La Bella Mafia
- Bengali Ladies Club (Facebook Group): Bengali Ladies Club
- Miss Bangladesh New York 2015 YouTube Video: Watch here
- Time Television Interview: Watch here
- Article by Mala National: Nazida Syed - Starting Over, Fighting for Change
- Facebook Video Reposted by Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach: Watch here
Footnotes
edit- Dr. S. M. Ilyas, Sipahsalar Syed Nasiruddin (RAH) - Sylhet and Taraf Kingdom Conquest (1303), 6th Edition, Ramon Publishers, Dhaka, November 2022, Chapter 7, Section 84 - Amlitola, Netrokona, pp. 1133-1145. ↩ ↩2
SyedFamilyBangladesh (talk) 22:22, 13 August 2024 (UTC)
- ^ Dr. S. M. Ilyas, Sipahsalar Syed Nasiruddin (RAH) - Sylhet and Taraf Kingdom Conquest (1303), 6th Edition, Ramon Publishers, Dhaka, November 2022, Chapter 7, Section 84 - Amlitola, Netrokona, pp. 1133-1145.