Tag Archives: New Delhi Muslims

Zakat Center India disburses Rs. 6 lakh to empower over a dozen beneficiaries in Delhi

Community Involvement / Social Issues, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

NEW DELHI :

New Delhi :

Zakat Center India (ZCI) disbursed Rs. 6 lakh among 14 deserving beneficiaries in Delhi during a Skill Development Fund Distribution Programme held at the Scholar School Conference Hall, Jamia Nagar, for the financial year 2025–26.

The programme was attended by several prominent dignitaries, including Okhla MLA Amanatullah Khan, who graced the event as chief guest. Representatives from social, religious, and community organizations were also present.

ZCI, a pan India non-profit organization dedicated to poverty alleviation and social welfare, focuses on the transparent and efficient utilization of Zakat. The initiative aims to help beneficiaries establish micro-businesses and sustainable livelihoods, enabling them to transition from Zakat recipients to self-reliant earners within a short period.

Addressing the gathering, MLA Amanatullah Khan appreciated ZCI’s organized and institutional approach to Zakat management and assured his continued support for such welfare initiatives. He noted that structured and transparent Zakat systems can significantly contribute to social upliftment and economic justice.

In his keynote address, ZCI Chairman and Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) Vice President S. Ameenul Hasan emphasized the importance of channeling Zakat into productive sectors such as livelihood generation, education, and skill development. He said that when managed strategically, Zakat becomes a powerful tool for long-term economic empowerment rather than temporary relief.

JIH Secretary Dr. Mohiuddin Ghazi highlighted Qur’anic guidance on economic justice and social responsibility, stressing Islam’s emphasis on equitable distribution of wealth. Human Welfare Foundation (HWF) CEO P.K. Noufal acknowledged the collaborative spirit behind the programme.

Delivering the welcome address, ZCI’s National Operations Director Shoaib Islam underscored the need for a technology-driven, transparent, and impact-oriented Zakat ecosystem that ensures scalability and lasting socio-economic transformation.

“This initiative reflects ZCI’s commitment to transforming Zakat from seasonal charity into a structured, dignity-based economic intervention,” he said.

Rs. 6 Lakh Distributed to 14 Beneficiaries

Providing details, Shoaib Islam said that 14 beneficiaries including six women, received financial assistance totalling Rs. 6 lakh. According to him, most beneficiaries were given Rs. 50,000 each while some received Rs. 20,000, and others were granted up to Rs. 60,000 based on their specific business needs. The funds are intended to help establish or strengthen micro-enterprises and promote financial stability, he added.

When asked about the nature of businesses supported, Shoaib Islam said the ventures include battery rickshaw services, electrical shops, tailoring units, grocery stores, resin art businesses, painting workshops, and other self-employment initiatives.

“The objective is not merely financial relief but sustainable livelihood creation, enabling families to move from dependency to self-reliance,” the ZCI official said.

He confirmed that all beneficiaries are residents of Delhi, including areas such as Kanchankunj, Jamia Nagar, Seelampur, and Old Delhi.

Thorough Scrutiny Before Assistance

Responding to a query about the selection and identification of deserving persons, the ZCI official said ZCI follows a rigorous and transparent mechanism. Beneficiaries are identified through social media outreach, public advertisements, recommendations from local Unit Advisory Committees, and coordination with local NGOs. Applications are verified through field visits and background checks are done before final approval. Once assistance is provided, beneficiaries typically begin earning daily income and, in most cases, achieve self-sufficiency within months, he added.

Awarded Shariah Compliance Certificate

 The ZCI Operations Director also shared ZCI’s Shariah Audit Certificate. The Shariah Council of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind awarded ZCI the Shariah Compliance Certificate for the financial year 2024–25. The certificate, signed by Shariah Council President Dr. M. Iqbal Masood Nadvi and Secretary Dr. Mohammad Raziul Islam Nadvi, confirms that ZCI’s operations and accounts comply with Shariah principles. The certification remains valid until the next Shariah audit for the financial year 2025–26.

Clarifying common doubts and misconceptions prevalent in society regarding transparency and Shariah compliance of such institutions, Shoaib Islam stated that ZCI conducts regular audits and presents its financial statements and balances in its annual report before the public.

He said this practice shows a high level of transparency and strict adherence to Shariah principles, further strengthening ZCI’s credibility and reaffirming its commitment to accountability and Shariah-based ethical operations.

From 5 Pilot Units to 37 Units Across 11 States

The ZCI official further stated that since its inception in 2022, ZCI has expanded from five pilot units to 37 units across 11 states over the past four years, covering both North and South India, supported by a network of over 600 dedicated volunteers. He described the growth as evidence of increasing community trust and the effectiveness of a collective, transparent, and Shariah-compliant Zakat management system.

Across India, ZCI, with the generous support of its donors, has served over 3,525 beneficiaries in 2025. ZCI has reached numerous distressed families, with nearly 60 percent of Zakat funds allocated to livelihood support and 20 percent to education. The organization prioritizes productive, empowerment-focused spending over purely consumptive relief.

“This expansion reflects the trust of the community and the dedicated efforts of our teams and partners,” he added.

Comprehensive Welfare Model

According to Shoaib, ZCI operates under three major categories: Livelihood Projects, Education Schemes, and Mawasat (Food Ration & Pension Schemes).

Under Livelihood Projects, ZCI supports the poor in establishing businesses, shops, carts, cattle farming units, and other self-employment ventures to generate sustainable income.

Under Education Schemes, the Centre provides scholarships, fee assistance, mentoring, and training to deserving students from economically weaker sections.

Under Mawasat (Food Ration & Pension Schemes), ZCI offers monthly support to widows, persons with disabilities, elderly women, and orphans in the form of rations, food supplies, pensions, and medical assistance.

The organization currently supports nearly 5,000 needy individuals through its livelihood initiatives. ZCI typically disburses amounts ranging from Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 50,000, with nearly all collected Zakat distributed among beneficiaries and only minimal funds used for essential administrative expenses.

ZCI’s core objectives include mobilizing and managing Zakat and Ushr in accordance with Qur’anic guidance, promoting awareness about the social and spiritual benefits of organized Zakat, providing livelihood and welfare support, establishing institutions for Zakat recipients, and conducting research to strengthen and modernize Zakat management systems.

source: http://www.indiatomorrow.net / India Tomorrow / Home> Economy / by India Tomorrow / February 20th, 2026

Heritage walks uncover new angles of Indian history

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Travel & Tourism, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

DELHI:

Historians and enthusiasts are taking public education into their own hands to tell the story of the country’s Muslim communities.

The Chronicles of Mehrauli heritage walk. Sonia Sarkar for The National
The Chronicles of Mehrauli heritage walk. Sonia Sarkar for The National
The walk takes visitors through Mehrauli Archaeological Park. Sonia Sarkar for The National
The walk takes visitors through Mehrauli Archaeological Park. Sonia Sarkar for The National
it is led by Purani Dilli Walo Ki Baatein. Sonia Sarkar for The National
it is led by Purani Dilli Walo Ki Baatein. Sonia Sarkar for The National
It is one of the oldest inhabited places in the subcontinent. Sonia Sarkar for The National
It is one of the oldest inhabited places in the subcontinent. Sonia Sarkar for The National
Mehrauli is rich in historical ruins, tombs and monuments from many eras of Delhi's past. Sonia Sarkar for The National
Mehrauli is rich in historical ruins, tombs and monuments from many eras of Delhi’s past. Sonia Sarkar for The National
The Qutb Minar heritage tour. Sonia Sarkar for The National
The Qutb Minar heritage tour. Sonia Sarkar for The National
Pigeon-watching on a tour. Photo: Purani Dilli Walon Ki Baatein
Pigeon-watching on a tour. Photo: Purani Dilli Walon Ki Baatein
A kotha, now a private property, in old Delhi taken during the walk titled 'Tawaifs and Kothas: Exploring Chawri Bazaar' by Enroute Indian History. Sonia Sarkar for The National
A kotha, now a private property, in old Delhi taken during the walk titled ‘Tawaifs and Kothas: Exploring Chawri Bazaar’ by Enroute Indian History. Sonia Sarkar for The National
The road leading to Jama Masjid in old Delhi, with guide Anoushka Jain showing an old picture of the same road in the 19th century. Sonia Sarkar for The National
The road leading to Jama Masjid in old Delhi, with guide Anoushka Jain showing an old picture of the same road in the 19th century. Sonia Sarkar for The National
A tour group on the steps of Jama Masjid. Photo: Enroute Indian History
A tour group on the steps of Jama Masjid. Photo: Enroute Indian History

Chaotic narrow lanes lined with opulent old mansions, shops selling spices, dried fruits and kebabs, all overhung by dangling power cables – any trip to Old Delhi, a bustling Muslim hub built by Mughal ruler Shah Jahan, is a full sensory experience.

Abu Sufyan weaves through the crowd with about 20 people in tow, making his way through streets smelling of flatbread soaked in ghee, the call to prayer at a nearby mosque mingling with the bells of a Hindu temple.

He is on a mission to change negative perceptions of Muslims by showing visitors more of their history in the capital.

“People in old Delhi were labelled as ‘terrorists’ and ‘pickpockets’ because they were predominantly Muslims from the lower economic background, and Mughal rulers were vilified as cruel invaders, as they were considered the ancestors to Indian Muslims,” Abu Sufyan, 29, says.

“My walks involve the local community members including calligraphers, pigeon racers, cooks and weavers with ancestral links in the Mughal era to showcase old Delhi’s heritage beyond these stereotypes.”

Abu Sufyan is one of a growing crop of enterprising men and women using the medium of heritage walks to educate the Indian public and tourists on the nation’s lesser-known history.

He started his walks in 2016, when hatred against Muslim communities was on the rise after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party introduced several anti-Muslim policies.

People walk on a road earlier named Aurangzeb Road, after the Mughal emperor, now renamed to Dr. A. P. J Abdul Kalam, India’s former president, in New Delhi, Thursday, June 2, 2022. / AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

In 2015, a BJP politician urged the local civic body in Delhi to change the name of Aurangzeb Road to APJ Abdul Kalam Road. The civic body immediately obliged, removing the reference to the Mughal ruler from the road by naming it after the former president of India, who was always considered a “patriotic” Muslim.

Later, the 2019 Citizenship (Amendment) Act caused further division, as critics said it could be weaponised against Muslims, who are designated as “foreigners” under the National Register of Citizens.

Occasionally, divisions lead to violence: Thirty-six Muslims were killed in Hindu mob attacks for allegedly trading cattle or consuming beef between May 2015 and December 2018, according to Human Rights Watch.

‘A sense of belonging and togetherness’

Chennai city is also a major cultural site, offering many things to do and sights to see. Frederic Soltan / Corbis

Over 2,000 kilometres away in Chennai, documentary filmmaker Kombai S Anwar hosts walks in Triplicane to tell stories of Tamil Muslim history, Tamil Nadu’s pre-Islamic maritime trade links with West Asia, the arrival of Arab traders, Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s rule, the appointment of a Mughal minister’s son Zulfikhar Ali Khan as the first Nawab of Arcot, and the lives of the subsequent nawab’s descendants.

“Predominantly, non-Muslims participate in these walks because they are ‘curious’ about local Muslims and their heritage. During [Ramadan], they are invited to the historic Nawab Walaja mosque, where they experience the breaking of fast and partake in the iftar meal,” Mr Anwar says.

Tickets for heritage walks across India range between 200 and 5,000 Indian rupees ($2-60).

Historian Narayani Gupta, who conducted heritage walks in Delhi between 1984-1997, said any controversy related to history generates more interest.

“Whether history is right or wrong or good or bad, it has to be backed by research findings,” she says.

17th-century Jami Masjid, India’s largest mosque. Unsplash
17th-century Jami Masjid, India’s largest mosque. Unsplash

Saima Jafari, 28, a project manager at an IT firm, who has attended more than 30 heritage walks in the past five years, says it is hard to ignore the historical monuments in the city since they are almost everywhere.

Delhi-based Ms Jafari recalled one of her best experiences was a walk, in 2021, trailing the path of “Phool Waalon Ki Sair”, an annual procession of Delhi florists, who provide sheets of flowers and floral fans at the shrine of Sufi saint Qutubuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki and floral fans and a canopy at the ancient Hindu temple of Devi Yogmaya in Mehrauli.

“When I walked along with others in that heritage walk, I realised that heritage enthusiasts across religion walk together in harmony,” Ms Jafari says.

“One of the best parts of heritage walks is the storytelling that connects places with lives of people of a certain period. Plus, it always gives a sense of belonging and togetherness.”

Anoushka Jain, 28, a postgraduate in history and founder of heritage and research organisation Enroute Indian History, which holds walks to explore the erstwhile “kothas (brothels),” and “attariyas (terraces)” of old Delhi, said during pandemic lockdowns, posts on Instagram helped sparked interest.

“Before the pandemic, barely 40 people participated in two weekly walks as opposed to 50 in each of the four weekly walks which we conduct now,” she says.

But it is not all smooth sailing.

Ms Jain says some people feel uncomfortable when they are given historical facts and research that show Hindu and Jain temples constructed by Rajput rulers were repurposed during the rule of Delhi Sultanate, Qutb ud-Din Aibak.

Iftekhar Ahsan, 41, chief executive of Calcutta Walks and Calcutta Bungalow, adds that sometimes, participants come with preconceived notions that Muslims “destroyed” India for more 1,000 years – but walk leaders hold open conversations to “cut through the clutter” with authentic information.

For some, heritage walks often change perceptions.

“Until I visited mosques in old Delhi during a walk, I didn’t know that women were allowed inside mosques,” law student Sandhya Jain told The National.

But history enthusiast Sohail Hashmi, who started leading heritage walks in Delhi 16 years ago, cautions that some walk leaders present popular tales as historical fact.

A mansion called Khazanchi ki Haveli in old Delhi’s Dariba Kalan is presented as the Palace of the Treasurer of the Mughals by some walk leaders, Mr Hashmi says. The Mughals, however, were virtual pensioners of the Marathas – Marathi-speaking warrior group mostly from what is now the western state of Maharashtra – and later the British and had no treasures left by the time the mansion was built in the late 18th or early 19th century.

Another walk leader had photo-copied an 1850 map of Shahjahanabad, now old Delhi, passing it off as his own research, he adds.

“The walk leaders must be well-read and responsible enough to ensure that the myths are debunked,” Mr Hashmi says.

source: http://www.thenationalnews.com / The National / Home> World> Asia / by Sonia Sarkar / June 01st, 2023

Super Featherweight boxer Md Azahar crowned WBC India champion

Amazing Feats, Sports, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

NEW DELHI :

pix: asianboxingcouncil.com

Delhi boxer Md Azahar was crowned the WBC India champion in the super featherweight division after registering a unanimous win over Dharamvir Singh.

The judges scored the fight 79-72, 76-75 and 79-72 in Azahar’s favour after 32 minutes of boxing on Sunday night.

The 25-year-old Azahar lost the first round on all three judges’ cards but went on to win the next seven rounds convincingly.

Azhar, proved to be the better technical fighter before a partisan crowd. He now has a record of five wins and as many losses with four knockouts to his name.

“I was comfortable, just sticking to doing what I do best,” Azahar said.

“The game plan was to hit and not get hit. I fought a good smart fight. He couldn’t hit me with any of his best shots.” Dharamvir, on the other hand, has a record of seven wins and four losses. His previous loss had come over three years ago before the COVID-19 pandemic.

WBC India Champion - Md Azahar
pix: indianboxingcouncil.com

The Indian Boxing Council-sanctioned fight night witnessed seven other fights.

In an exciting four round cruiserweight contest, Jaskaran Singh from Punjab won a points decision over debutante compatriot Harsamardeep Singh.

Middleweight Shiva won a close six round bout against Karanjeet Singh.

Shiva was making a comeback after two years and looked rusty in the early rounds. Karanjeet, despite his record of four losses, looked comfortable and even took the second and third rounds. But Shiva, hung on. The final scores were 58-56, 58-56, 58-56.

source: http://www.sportstar.thehindu.com / SportStar / Home> Boxing / by PTI text) / pix: sources as credited above / August 29th, 2022

Jamia Millia Islamia MSc Student Awarded Scholarships by 6 US Universities

Amazing Feats, Education, Science & Technology, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), World Opinion, , , , ,

NEW DELHI :

Uzma has chosen Lehigh University and will be joining in August 2022. She has also been awarded a one-time relocation allowance by the university.

Jamia Millia Islamia student Uzma has been offered 100 per cent tuition fee waiver
Jamia Millia Islamia student Uzma has been offered 100 per cent tuition fee waiver

Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) alumna Uzma Khan, who completed her MSc electronics course from the Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Jamia in 2021 has received offers to do a fully-funded PhD from six prestigious American universities. She applied for 100 per cent scholarship in nine US Universities and received offers from six, said the varsity. Her area of research will be ‘underwater wireless communication and signal processing.’

Uzma has been offered 100 per cent tuition fee waiver along with a monthly stipend for an on-campus job of research and teaching assistant in six US universities — Lehigh University, University of Cincinnati, University of Maryland at Baltimore County, SUNY (State University of New York) Buffalo, SUNY Albany and University of New Hampshire.

Uzma has chosen Lehigh University and will be joining in August 2022. She has also been awarded a one-time relocation allowance by the university. “I am joining Lehigh University because my educational qualifications and research interest is in complete coherence with my potential supervisor there,” said she.

The wireless and signal processing lab she is going to join is doing cutting edge research on current and future technologies and will be best suited for her research area which is underwater wireless communication and signal processing, she explained.

After scoring good scores in IELTS and GRE she became eligible to apply to US universities. After sending e-mails to professors with whom her research interest coincides, she subsequently cleared technical interviews with a committee composed of members of the lab/department she wanted to get admitted to.

Uzma has also secured topped in her class during master’s studies at Jamia and for that she will get awarded with a gold medal in upcoming convocation.

She has also received a provisional offer for INSPIRE fellowship by DST, Ministry of Science and Technology.

Earlier, she got placed as system engineer in TCS and Infosys but she chose not to join as her interest lies in research.

source: http://www.news18.com / News18 / Home> News> Education-Career / by Education & Career Desk, News18.com / June 09th, 2022