Asim Azhar's aunt Durdana Ansari becomes British Royal Navy's first Muslim female captain

Asim Azhar’s aunt, Durdana Ansari, has become the first Muslim woman and Pakistani to be appointed a captain of the British Royal Navy and Azhar couldn’t be happier.

Taking to his Twitter and Instagram stories to mark Ansari’s achievement, Azhar wrote, "Today is a proud moment for not just me or my family, but for the whole nation.”

The Ghalat Fehmi singer added, "Durdana Ansari OBE becomes the first Muslim and Pakistani female in the world to get ranked as a captain of the British Royal Navy approved by the Queen herself."

Azhar concluded by saying he is “so proud” of his khala jaan and so are we!

Ansari, who was previously a BBC current affairs producer, has also been awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) by the queen in 2012 for forming an economic development programme for Muslim women. She got promoted on July 8.

Upon acknowledging the congratulatory messages coming her way, Ansari took to her social media to thank her nephew. "I feel humbled beta Asim to receive this honour. I've been extremely blessed with the prayers of my parents, Allah Talaa, and the massive support by the Sea Lord, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 2nd and most importantly our nation, the real people who believe in us," she said. "I'm proud of you,” she wrote.

Born in Bahawalpur, Pakistan, Ansari grew up in Islamabad, following which she moved to London where she received her degree in media and journalism from Birkbeck University. She was appointed Hon Lt Cdr in 2018 and promoted in 2019 to Hon Cdr Royal Navy. She is sister of Azhar's mother Gul-e-Raana.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.