The energising rays of a new dawn were visible on the horizons of Mira Road on 7 June as the Islamic Centre was thrown open to its citizens by the Vice President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Mr. Sadatullah Husaini. It would not be an exaggeration if it is claimed that this Centre is the answer to the prayers of the overwhelming Muslim population here who was in dire need of a well-equipped community hub that could effectively help them discharge all their religious and social obligations.
This centre has been equipped with a state-of-the-art air-conditioned audio-visual hall which would serve as an auditorium for lectures on various social and religious topics. Besides, it would accommodate within its premises a well-equipped Islamic Library, Reading Room and Maktab (basic Islamic class) for small children. Activities intended specifically for and by women – like Ladies Training Courses and Family Counselling – are also expected to receive a tremendous boost through this centre. Worth mentioning in this regard is a Widows Rehabilitation Centre that would be run at this premises.
To help the deprived class, arrangements for Free Ration Schemes for the poor are also in place. Those in need can also avail of Interest-free Loans in the near future, which would be provided for personal and commercial requirements. This centre would also host an Education and Career Guidance Centre and a Free Medical Guidance and Referral Centre inshaAllah.
A unique feature of the Islamic Centre would be a special ‘Dawah Call Centre’ devoted exclusively to answering questions posed by fellow citizens of Mumbai and surrounding suburbs on Islam and would help in quelling their misunderstandings and clearing their doubts about the Islamic faith and practice.
On the occasion of the Inauguration Ceremony, Mr. Sadatullah Husaini and President of the Maharashtra Chapter of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Mr. Taufeeq Aslam Khan addressed the enthusiastic audience on the need to commit themselves to the cause of Islam and encouraged them to bring about a renaissance in themselves and the society at large by adhering to the teachings of Islam, countering negative propaganda against Islam and coming together as a united front.
It would be beneficial to quickly add here that Jamaat has been active in Mira Road for the last 15 years now and strives to continue with all possible aspects of the prophetic mission like Dawah, social service, community initiatives, social reformation and civil awareness, and the Islamic Centre is seen as yet another stepping stone towards the realisation of an ideal society in Mira Road.
For more information on the modules of the Islamic Centre, readers can log on to icmumbai.org and view its Facebook page www.facebook.com/ICMiraroad.
[The writer is Sec., Dept. of Islami Ma’ashra and Media Relations, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Mira Road. [email protected]]