Ziya Us Salam: Journalist/ Author

Ziya Us Salam (born in 1970) is a distinguished Indian author, literary critic, journalist, and social commentator. With a career spanning nearly three decades, Salam has become a prominent voice on sociocultural issues, literature, and the challenges faced by India's Muslim community.

Born into a family with an Islamic scholarly lineage, Salam’s father, Mufti Abdul Dayem Sahab, was a renowned Islamic scholar and hadith translator. After his father’s demise in 1983, Salam, his mother, and his sister moved to Delhi, where he pursued his education. He studied at Bluebells School International and later attended a convent school. Salam’s intellectual journey continued at St. Stephen's College, University of Delhi, where he earned a degree in History.

From an early age, Salam exhibited a passion for writing and journalism. By grade seven, his first article was published, and his early initiative of compiling and distributing handwritten notes foreshadowed his future career. In 1995, he officially began his journey as a journalist, working with leading publications such as The Statesman, The Times of India, and The Pioneer. Before joining The Hindu he  was  Associate Editor of Frontline 

Salam is also a prolific author. His book Till Talaq Do Us Part: Understanding Talaq, Triple Talaq and Khula (2018) received acclaim for its clarity and depth in addressing misconceptions about Islamic marital laws. In the same year, he authored Of Saffron Flags and Skullcaps: Hindutva, Muslim Identity and the Idea of India, critically exploring discrimination against Muslims in India.

Salam's latest book Being Muslim in Hindu India   is painstakingly researched, that  talks of the constant 'othering' of Muslims, using tactics of both peace and violence.