A Muslim self-defense instructor from Blackburn has completed a grueling Everest mountain trek despite ankle injury.
This remarkable achievement comes as part of her mission to empower and improve the lives of vulnerable.
Zaynab Jogi, known as Zee for short, joined a group of eleven others from all around the world to take part in the 12 day trek hoping to walk up to 5,364 meters. Yet, an ankle injury seemed to put her plans in jeopardy.
“I have never occurred an ankle injury in my last 12 years of mountaineering and was extremely disappointed with myself for missing a step,” Zee told Lancashire Telegraph.
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“I felt agony and severe pain but did not want to give up as I wanted to complete the trek. I elevated my foot every day including the night and felt shooting pain all over my body but was determined to do this.
“The guide, Tirtha Thapa Maski allowed me to carry on trekking and supported me along the journey.”
Success Story
Zee successfully summited Everest basecamp and reached the altitude of 5,364 meters on the 5 December 2022 with a sprained ankle.
“If I have any advice then I would say it is mind over matter and you should always have the strength within yourself to continue. Make a decision and stick to it and never give up. Life will throw issues, problems, illness and you must find the solution to help you,” she said.
“A huge thank you to the full team including the porters and guides for supporting me journey.”
Zee is already the first British Muslim woman to have a Guinness World Record for completing an obstacle course on top of Mount Kilimanjaro in September 2021.
As the only female Civilian Self-Defence Instructor in the Northwest, she said she aims to teach women personal protection through the charity called Z’s Defence Academy.
Though Zee is the first British Muslim woman to make the achievement, a British Muslim man and other non-British Muslim women have made the achievement.
Earlier this year, Mountaineer Akke Rahman became the first British Muslim to climb Mount Everest, completing the dream journey he started while observing Ramadan to raise funds for orphans’ shelter.
Manal Rostom, a Muslim mountaineer and marathon runner, also made the achievement by reaching the summit of Mount Everest. Rostom has been planning for this ambition since 2018.
Jarah al-Hawamdeh, a Palestinian refugee, who lost his leg to bone cancer, also made the journey to Everest summit in 2020 to save a cash-strapped UNRWA school.