Hyderabad, TELANGANA :
Ghiasuddin Babukhan, one of Hyderabad’s most respected builders, philanthropists, and educationists, died Monday at 83. He is survived by his wife, three sons, and a daughter.
Known for his compassion, Babukhan leaves behind a legacy that bridged stone and society — architectural heritage inherited from his father and a philanthropic network of his own making.
He was the son of Khan Bahadur Abdul Karim Babukhan, a legendary builder who left an indelible mark on India’s architectural history. Abdul Karim Babukhan’s construction empire produced some of the most celebrated structures of the 20th century, including the Arts College at Osmania University, the Hyderabad House in New Delhi, and the Kadam Dam in Nirmal, then in Adilabad district.
Ghiasuddin inherited not just this construction legacy, but also the conviction that enterprise must serve society. In the early 1990s, he shifted decisively from business to social service. In 1992–93, he founded the Hyderabad Zakat and Charitable Trust (HZCT), creating a structured and transparent system of charitable giving. For him, philanthropy was not about token donations but about building institutions that could sustain dignity and hope for generations.
The trust focused primarily on education, which Babukhan believed to be the most powerful tool for empowerment. Its annual scholarship program for orphans became one of its most impactful initiatives. For more than a decade, over 10,000 orphaned students across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana pursued education with dignity through these scholarships. Many went on to become doctors, engineers, teachers, and entrepreneurs — living proof of Babukhan’s belief that charity must enable, not merely provide.
Unlike many who confined themselves to charity within their community, Babukhan’s work cut across religious and social lines. He was committed to humanitarian relief, healthcare support, and the preservation of Hyderabad’s plural cultural ethos. His schools, social programs, and charitable initiatives reflected an inclusive philosophy rooted in compassion, justice, and service.
“The passing of Ghiasuddin Babukhan is a great loss for Hyderabad. He was a dedicated philanthropist whose efforts in educating the poor will be remembered. My condolences to his family and friends. May Allah grant him maghfirah and patience to his loved ones,” Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi said in an X post.
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind president Syed Sadatullah Husaini called him a “true champion of education and a benefactor to the Muslim community.” In a post on X, Husaini said Babukhan’s contributions through the Hyderabad Zakat and Charitable Trust transformed the lives of thousands and would be remembered for generations.
“He was a true champion of education, a liberator of the marginalised, and a benefactor of the Muslim community — an embodiment of the noble spirit of zakat and compassion. Through his philanthropic initiatives, he played a pivotal role in the educational upliftment of the Ummah, poverty alleviation, relief work, and community development,” Husaini wrote.
source: http://www.maktoobmedia.com / Maktoob Media / Home> India / by Maktoob Staff / August 26th, 2025
