IDENTITY. Over the past three years, all over the world, the key questions now appear to be : Who you are? What is your name? If you are wearing a hijab or are a sporting a full-flowing beard or if your name happens to be Sakina or Abdulla, the chances are that life will not be very easy for you in the years to come. From the dawn of civilization to this modern age of information and technology, the deep rooted inner urge to belong to a distinctive, identifiable, ethnic or religious group is nothing new. But in present times, related to their identity, Muslims all over are being “targeted” just for being Muslims. Recently, on a leading television channel, that in fact was the title of the debate: Are Muslims being targeted?

EXTRA-ORDINARY EFFORTS. While we are not in a position to provide any definitive answers to these crucial questions, what we can say is that Muslims must make extra-ordinary efforts to change the way the world looks at them today. In the time to come, Muslims must find a new direction. And this direction can only be the direction that leads them to schools, colleges, universities and to centers of learning and education. They must acquire liberal and secular education of the highest standards which will lead them out of the abject poverty and backwardness in which they are now living. In India, they are at the bottom of the heap by all social indicators. In India only about 5% Muslim children reach secondary school levels. But simply acquiring this education will not be enough, what the Muslim youth need is a reaffirmation of Islamic values. Their personality but must be embedded in the Islamic character. And then at some time in the near future, in an age of enlightenment, the name Abdullah and Sakina will become synonymous with scholarship and learning; with reliability and trustworthiness; with honesty and integrity; with forgiveness and compassion; with piety and righteousness; and with forbearance and fortitude. This is the only way to live with honour and dignity. Inshallah, all else will follow.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION. But for this to happen, we need to launch a mass-movement of affirmative action in which tens of thousands will have to be involved. Thousands of organizations, trusts, societies and NGOs will have to be established to achieve this task. We will have to focus on a single-point agenda: To impart education of the highest standards to our children, particularly, the poor the needy and the orphan child. All of us must get involved in this mass educational movement.

Total Support. Rahat Welfare Trust, a registered Trust based in Mumbai is one such organization working in Mumbai primarily to promote the welfare of Muslim women and children, particularly that of widows and orphans. In September 2006, Rahat has over 1500 active applications from such needy and deserving families. Rahat is helping 300 students an ongoing basis under its Total Educational Support Scheme (TESS), under which a child once sponsored receives almost everything required to go to school. School, bus, computer fees, uniforms, books, shoes, socks, bags, raincoats, stationery – almost everything is provided by Rahat. The focus area of Rahat is educate the orphan child. Rahat provides total support to the family to ensure that the child goes to the school properly. Educating these children is now Rahat’s responsibility. Rahat also gives a small monthly allowance for food and ration to several families. Rahat provides nearly five hundred uniforms to poor students, going mainly to Municipal schools at the beginning of every academic year. And now after thirteen years of work at the grassroots, in the slums and the chawls, scores of Rahat scholars are now self-reliant, earning a decent livelihood, supporting their families and volunteering to help others. These are the role models who have shown that a better world is possible. These are the shining stars who have enriched our efforts and have given a meaning to our work. (A list of Rahat scholars can be seen on www.rahatwelfaretrust.org)

Zakat Collection. Rahat activities are funded mainly through the Zakat collection in Ramzan every year. And Rahat does need funds on a consistent and larger level if it is to change into a mass movement. We therefore request you to send Rahat a part of your Zakat this Ramzan. (Donations are also welcome). No amount is too small not to be of help. Please ask at least two other persons to do the same. Zakat/Donations may be sent by a payee’s account cheque/draft in favor of Rahat Welfare Trust to our registered office address at 6, Fatima Manor, St. Monica Road, Bandra (West), Mumbai 400050. Donors in Mumbai may contact us on mobile 98923 09785, we will collect the Zakat from their home, office or shop. Donations of Zakat to Rahat are eligible for deductions as per rules under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Thank You. May God Bless you.

IRFAN MERCHANT
President