Hundreds of Muslims across the world have been contributing crores of rupees every year on one account or the other for the welfare of community. However, a major part of these contributions is being enjoyed by a few dozen people who also happen to be the rich and elite of the society.
The community has been witnessing similar kind of activities for the last several decades that are taken up in the name of Muslim welfare by different organisations. While old organisations have "expanded" their activities, several new organisations flourished in the recent past.
A few "philanthropists" first impressed the community with their work and then won the trust of hundreds of others who assigned them the job of distributing their contributions among beneficiaries. Now most of the reputed organisations are limited to one or two annual events which are organsied with much fanfare.
Religious or social meetings, seminars, Mushairas, award functions, scholarships, distribution of few Kgs of ration (during Ramzan) are the major activities being carried out by these organisations which are mutually connected in one way or the other. A few individuals are associated with multiple organisation and we see the same faces in many functions. "I pat your back, you pat mine," appears to be the strategy to remain afloat.
Hyderabadi Muslims spread across the world must have donated at least Rs 2,000 crore in the last 20 years by way of Zakat, donations or other contributions. The organisations neither disclose the actual donations that they receive every year nor do they ever go public with their spending patterns. A few organisations have spent the money on superficial activities and came out with "big figures" to show that they are bringing a revolution within the community.
We have often seen pictures of distribution of ration, clothes, scholarships and even awards. But have we ever seen the picture of a Muslim youth getting an award for entrepreneur skills? How many industries have been set up with the funds received from abroad? How many jobs were created from the hard-earned money the NRIs have donated to these organisations?
Only one or two companies listed with the Bombay Stock Exchange are owned by Hyderabadi Muslims. Of over 3,700 members of industrial-body FAPCCI, not even 100 companies, that too single-room/flat type, are owned by Muslims. The other bodies like CII, Assocham, FICCI have almost nil Muslims as members. Although a few companies registered with STPI are owned by Muslims, but they are so small that they can be simply ignored. In Andhra Pradesh, a total of 102 SEZs are formally approved while 72 have been notified and 21 have become operational. However, none of them is owned/operated by Muslims.
The social and intellectual leaders apparently want the Muslim youth to confine themselves to jobs. They will feel proud if you are employed with XYZ reputed company. However, if anyone attempts to do business, then he is completely left alone. With no collateral or surety, banks does not extend loan to the Muslim youth and the elders who are literally controlling the community's economy doesn't give them access to the huge funds that they have been managing since years.
The common Muslim youth is imparted training in activities like tailoring, driving, carpenter, lab technician, basic computer course, etc., which guarantees them a simple livelihood. While lakhs of rupees are spent on a single Mushaira or public meeting, similar amounts are not extended as business loans to youth as they are treated as suspects who will surely swindle the funds.
It is high time that the community start scanning the organisations and their office bearers on their activities. They must be asked to justify their spending and donors should judge whether their contributions are being utilised properly.
The economic affairs of entire community should not be left into the hands of a few individuals. Else, it will only widen the gap between the rich and poor creating imbalance in the entire society. The rich must learn to trust the deserving Muslim youth to turn them into good entrepreneurs. Of course, they should set some criteria to define "deserving". If you don't trust today's youth, then they won't trust their young in future and this practice will continue for generations as it has been going for over six decades.
Muslim youth should play an active role in the industrial and economic development of our country and the genuine organisation and individuals should act as facilitators.
