Shahnawaz Hussain, BJP's prominent Muslim face

Syed Shahnawaz Hussain is a senior BJP leader and a prominent Muslim face of the party. He started off his political career while he was in college. Even though he faced immense struggle initially, Shahnawaz with his mild temperament was able to climb the ladder of success.In the past he has held several important posts within the party manifold and also in the Centre.At the age of 32 under Atal Behari Vajpayee's government, Shahnawaz Hussain was given a post in the Union Cabinet. Being the Muslim face of a party that is known to have right-wing orientations, he has proved to be been quite an asset for the party.Shahnawaz comes from Bihar and is trying his best to convince Muslims of the state to join BJP in large numbers.Let us know more about Shahnawaz Hussain :Shahnawaz Hussain was born on 12th December, 1968 in Supaul, Bihar to Late Syed Nasir Hussain and Late Nasima Khatoon. His home town was Buzrug Dwar Warisnagar, a small village of Samastipur.Even as a child, Hussain displayed leadership qualities. He had organizational and oratory skills. These attributes helped him rise quickly to position himself as a youth leader.Hussain pursued Diploma in Engineering (Electronics) from Patna and Delhi. While still in college, Hussain was love struck with a young Hindu girl he'd seen on the bus. Her name was Renu Sharma. She was completing her Higher Secondary Education by then. He fell for her innocent eyes and decided that he wanted to marry her. After managing to convince her, a more tedious task lay ahead for them to persuade their families.Eventually with their family's blessings, they were married against all odds on December 12, 1994. The couple has been blessed with two sons, Arbaaz and Adeep.As Shahnawaz Hussain and Renu began their married life, they faced immense struggle. Renu was the bread winner of the family as she taught in a government school nd Hussain worked with the BJP Yuva Morcha.Syed Shahnawaz Hussain contested Lok Sabha Elections on BJP ticket from Kishanganj constituency in Bihar.He won the elections. By then Hussain was only 30 years old.He was appointed Minister of State and held various portfolios such as food processing industries, youth affairs and sports and human resource development at different times.Under the NDA Government headed by Atal Behari Vajpayee, Hussain was sworn in as Union Minister of State (MOS) for Food Processing and Industries in October, 1999. Subsequently, he also held portfolios of MOS, Youth Affairs and Sports; MOS, Human Resource Development and MOS (Independent Charge) Coal.He was given independent charge of the Ministry of Coal in 2001 and was elevated to the rank of a Cabinet Minister with Civil Aviation portfolio in September 2001, thereby becoming the youngest Cabinet Minister ever in the Government of India.Later he held the Textiles portfolio as Cabinet Minister from 2003 to 2004. He is often referred to as 'The Original Youth leader'.In 2004 he lost the 2004 General elections but made a come back to the Lok Sabha Sabha in November 2006 in a by-election when he won the Lok Sabha by-poll from Bhagalpur in Bihar. He entered the 15th Lok Sabha again from Bhagalpur in 2009. He contested the Lok Sabha election in 2014 from Bhagalpur again but lost with a small margin.Syed Shahnawaz Hussain is the General Secretary of Rashtriya Shakti Foundation and Chairman of Indo Saudi Parliamentary Friendship Group.Syed Shahnawaz Hussain keen interests lie in social service, youth empowerment, promotion of sports, Conservation of Gangetic Dolphins, etc.Hussain has visited several countries like Abu Dhabi, Australia, Bahrain, Bangkok, Canada, Dubai, Egypt, France, Japan, Netherlands, Nepal, Oman, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States of America, Germany, China, Tajikistan, Holland and Morocco.He led Indian Haj Goodwill Delegation in March 2000 and 2003 and Indian official delegation to Sydney Olympics 2000.Shahnawaz Hussain is known for his liberal approach. He is calm and composed and keeps his head cool even under times of crisis.