Overcoming Adversity: The Inspirational Journey of Dr. Shafi Shihabdeen's Daughter

 

In 2019, during the political turmoil, the government created a controversial media narrative around the 'forced sterilization' accusations, with Dr. Shafi Shihabdeen at the centre of the storm. Due to the challenges faced by Dr. Shihabdeen personally, his daughter had to leave school temporarily. She later continued her education at home and took private exams.

Despite the social pressures, Mohamed Shafi Fathima, the daughter of Dr. Shihabdeen, appeared for her Advanced Level exams this year and achieved exceptional results, earning three A grades. She ranked 12th in the Anuradhapura district and 357th in the country, with an impressive score of 2.2780. This has opened the possibility for her to enter medical school.

In 2019, due to certain political needs, the government spread false accusations of sterilization, targeting Dr. Shihabdeen, and his daughter responded by excelling academically, becoming an example of courage and perseverance.

Throughout this turbulent period, the family faced immense hardship and mental stress. Though she had to leave school, her determination to continue as a private candidate demonstrated exceptional resilience and strength of character. She had previously achieved 9 A grades in the Ordinary Level exams, showing remarkable academic success, and had expressed her ambition to follow in her father's footsteps and pursue a career in medicine to serve the people.

The media narrative, constructed by several outlets with the government's backing, aimed to stir ethnic divisions, particularly accusing Muslim doctors of forcibly sterilising Sinhala children. However, no substantial evidence was ever presented to back these claims in court, and the case against Dr. Shihabdeen was eventually dropped. The unfounded division and mistrust created were regrettable.

Despite the background of social pressure and attacks against her father, the success of this young woman stands out as a beacon of strength. As a result, the number of admissions for childbirth services at Kurunegala Hospital, where Dr. Shihabdeen worked, has remained limited