Nayyar Fatmi Managing director of Al-khair co-op credit society receiving Maeeshat CSR Award 2014

By UZMA HAMID for Maeeshat.

Going beyond from the regular political discussions there was a new theme enrolled by the editor of “MAEESHAT” Magzine “Danish Reyaz” which focused on economic opportunities ,and specially on Minorities under New Business Environment : Developing Skills and Entrepreneurship’. The seminar was held at the India Islamic Culture Centre (IICC) on Friday , November 21, in Delhi under the aegis of multilingual Maeeshat  Magzine.

The seminar was further carried on by” editor of maeeshat he said, that the main aim of event is to provide a platform to let the community youth avail opportunities from different schemes and available resources.” He further placed some Questions, regarding the New Business Environment, such as  “What are the opportunities for minorities in the new environment? What kind of involvement of the minorities should be there in these new circumstances? How minority businessmen can benefit from different government schemes? How and what should be the participation of minority businessmen? This business summit is an attempt to find out such answers,”  “And, we  only want to play a bridge between the government and the public.”

Has “This is the sixth summit organized  by Maeeshat magazine and in the last five programmes, UPA government was in power and we had engaged with that government as well. Irrespective of which party is in power, the community cannot sit back, but is required to engage with the government.”

Inaugurating the seminar organised by Maeeshat  Magzine  Sohail  Lokhandwala, a social and political figure from Mumbai, himself a Memon said Muslims should give due focus on business activities.  In his speech, Lokhandwala said he comes from the Memon community that is known as a merchant community because its 90 per cent members are involved in mercantile activity. And  further  added that, the benefactor is always better than the beneficiary.

Industrialist Sirajuddin Quraishi, who is also president of India Islamic Culture Centre IICC, shared his experience in the meat industry and challenges he faced. HE encouraged the youths to take plunge into business field as it provides ample avenues for self-employment and self-respect.

President of BJP’s minorities cell and former Hajj Committee chairman Tanveer Ahmad focused on the importance of governance that played key role in shaping the future of the country, He mentioned that Muslims are absent from many sectors that would have given them financial benefits. One of them is co-operative sector which is a very lucrative segment of the business having government patronage, and added that Muslims should try to absorb themselves in the system

Khalid Ali, MD of Multigain Company, spoke about the opportunities for investment in compliance with the Shariah and gave details of how his group of companies works in India according to “Islam’s Dos and Don’ts”.

Later, a panel discussion was also held based on the theme, which provided New Innovative Ideas, Opinions,and a fresh thinking about emerging economic scenario.

Dr. Javed Jameel a columnist and scholar emphasised on Muslims to get into corporate world  without which over all development is not possible .

Ishtyaque Ali an expert of orbit law, Aun Safvi of Imamiah Chamber, Waqar Anwar of Jamat-e- Islami,  Mustaqeem Ahmad and Khursheed Alam were among the distinguished panelists.

Shariqe Nisar, founder of TASIS and former fellow of Harvard University moderated the discussion. Mahbubul Haque, an eminent educationalist and founder Chancellor of University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya, chaired the session. Giving his own example, he said, “Besides educating our children we should also invest in the education industry.”

On such an auspicious occasion, awards were presented for ‘Best Entrepreneur’, ‘Excellence in Investment’ and ‘Best Woman Entrepreneur…

Woman Entrepreneur Award 2014:  Shahina Khan, CMD, Espire Education; Entrepreneur Excellence Award 2014: Mohd. Mustaqeem Qureshi, Chairman, The Al- Nafees Group;
Edupreneur Award 2014: Mr Mahbubul Hoque, Chairman, ERD Foundation and Chancellor, University of Science & Technology, Meghalaya;
Best Entrepreneurs Award 2014: D J K Jain, chairman, Jain TV Group;
Social Responsibilities Award 2014: Al Khair Co-Operative Credit Societies Ltd.; Outstanding Innovation Award 2014: Irfan Alam, Sammaan Foundation, Patna.