MAQSOOD ALAM passed Intermediate from Islamia College, Gorakhpur, in 1954, did his graduation in Commerce from Lucknow and then completed Chartered Accountancy, and emerged as the first Muslim Chartered Accountant from Kashmir to Kanpur. In his interview with DR. WAQUAR ANWAR, he reveals some very interesting aspects of his life. Excerpts:
Who else from Muslim community were in Delhi practising as a CA?
When I started my practice, I was the only Muslim in the field from Kashmir to Kanpur! There were other Muslim CAs in service, that too not stationed at Delhi owing to their transferable jobs.
Delhi was a new place for you and you did not belong to any business family here. How did you make a niche for you?
This is all because of the grace of Allah. However, one incident propelled me to exert my best. I belonged to a land owning family and there was no financial pressure in the family. I wrote my father to send me five thousand rupees so that I could purchase one typewriter and other necessary things for an office in Delhi. Prompt came the reply, “We have no spare money; if you cannot mange on your own, pack and come back.” It was very shocking to me as it had happened for the first time. Earlier in my student life I used to get money even for visiting a place like Nainital! This incident made my resolve firm to show the world that I can do it all myself!
How did you get the breakthrough?
I started with one Mr. Gupta who had a very big office in Kashmiri Gate area. The first time I met him he welcomed me and arranged my seating arrangement in his office. The arrangement was that I will not charge any amount for my work. He helped me a lot in introducing to business people in Delhi.
We would like to know about the traits of Muslim businessmen in Delhi. You have first hand experience and you know them pretty well because of your profession?
I do not know how these Muslim businessmen are managing their affairs, otherwise they do not deserve as they do not have the required abilities. The condition is horrible. I am particularly very sorry about their attitude towards the education of their children. They are themselves uneducated and do not want to get their next generation to be educated. Even those who have earned a lot and can afford to give quality education to their children do not think beyond a level, say school final. The children themselves are a rotten lot. They have abundant money for their extravagance and so there is no check, no bar.
How did you involve yourself in social and community work?
When I noticed that the basic cause of backwardness of the Muslim community is the lack of education, I decided to serve the community in this area. I became instrumental in forming a number of educational institutions, both religious and secular, madrasas, schools and colleges. Once I got offer as Chairman Banking Services Commission Board. I had come to know that Muslims were not selected consciously. At a meeting of the board I found no Muslim candidate! So we do not apply and we do not fulfil the basics and simply keep on complaining. So I decided to devote my time on educational betterment of the community to the best I could do. I approached Muslim organisations and leadership and associated with them in this area.
When I, the first Muslim practising chartered accountant from Kashmir to Kanpur, can succeed in my career, others can also be successful. If we make efforts in the right direction, Allah will surely be with us. I am trying to convey this message to other professional colleagues as well. Last week I organised a get-together of Muslim chartered accountants in practice – there are more than a hundred such persons in Delhi – in this regard. My message to my younger colleagues is to work for their success and for the success of the society. Do whatever positive work you can and come out of your shell!
You are an auditor of DAV schools?
I am their auditor and also a member of their managing committee.
Compare their educational institutions with those run by Muslims. Are these two comparable?
Yes, both are comparable. Both have good and bad points. The quality and quantum of educational work done by them is more or less same as done by Muslim organisations, say by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind. However, on publicity front they have an edge.
Who among the Muslim personalities impressed you and why?
Maulana Abul Hasan Ali Nadvi, Maulana Minnatullah Rahmani and Maulana Mohammad Yusuf. I found Ali Mian to be a person of high stature who always gave balanced reply to any question asked.
I remember the day I collapsed and was declared dead initially, but then Allah revived me. Many religious leaders came to see me in the hospital. Someone said that I got a new lease of life because of some good deed on my behalf. Maulana Minnatullah Rahmani had a different view. He said had it been on account of some past good deeds he should have been better in heavens instead of this world! May be Allah wants him to add good deeds to his account by doing some specific noble job. I was moved by his idea and resolved to act accordingly.
I got love and affection of Maulana Mohammad Yusuf, the then Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind. I recall one very personal event when he suggested to me to visit Makkah for Haj or Umrah. He not only suggested but got everything arranged; my passport, visa and tickets. Beginning with that holy reminder by a pious person, I visited Saudi Arabia 11 times, twice for Haj and the rest for Umrah. Such personal care and involvement with other persons’ spiritual uplift is a rare thing that men like those great souls only possessed.
What good work you have done that you are hopeful Allah will reward you?
I have devoted myself to educational institutions. For example I got one school named Imambara Girls Degree College established in Gorakhpur, my native town, which has the strength of about 7500 students. That area, adjacent to Nepal border, had no school or college for girls and the inhabitants are mostly below poverty line. That is a government aided institution. I am taking care of its financial needs arranging funds for it.
Tell us about your contact and involvement with Bacchon Ka Ghar, the orphanage.
I came in contact with this institution in 1964. When I heard about the orphanage, I went there to give donation of Rs.2 or Rs.5! My heart sank after finding pitiable condition of the orphans there despite its huge building. And I decided to get involved for its betterment. At that time it was under Wakf Board and its income was collected by the Board and it was getting very little owing to the prevalent corruption. It was mismanaged. I took it over and got it separated from the Wakf Board and formed a Society.
How you arrange funds for the orphanage?
We have FCRA but we have not depended on foreign sources. I am able to get donations from local businessmen. May be, I have the advantage of my profession! You can say I am able to extract from them!! That apart, everyone has some trait of goodness but they do not know what to do and how to do. If they have faith in you, they will provide you with the required resources.
So they have faith in you.
That faith, I have created. There is total accountability and transparency in its functioning. Stock register for every item is maintained and the work is done with responsibility. We are giving all possible services. Beginning with religious education to the orphans we are providing secular education and job-oriented vocational courses. For good and bright students we even arrange convent and public school education. These things have led to the faith reposed on us by the donors.
What about the battle for different posts that has ruined many organisations, particularly in North India?
That is bound to happen. I have two legs whereas there are 50 hands to pull down these my legs. Do not bother about these things as long as you are clear in your mind, you are honest and you are working.
What is your message to social workers and philanthropists?
My message to them is to keep their faith, commitment and integrity and not to bother about trials and tribulations in the field. They will face many problems that can be overcome only with strong faith in Allah and self confidence.