Overall versus outstanding contribution: Analysing the contribution of a religious minority in the building of a nation may not be a popular topic for the mainstream media in our country, given the complete turnaround that the Indian media has undergone in the recent past, influenced by the upsurge in majoritarianism and hyper-nationalism in all domains of public life. However, this exercise must be undertaken periodically not only to assess the role played by various groups (one could categorise them under religion, region, language, age, education etc. depending on one’s field of interest) in the development of our nation but this information may also corroborate the overall socio-economic status of the group that is generally assumed based on earlier reports, empirical data and anecdotal evidence.
There is a propensity within the media to pick a few outstanding individuals who appear in the Top 100 wealthiest Indians and completely avoid the overall contribution made by the larger community in various streams of the economy. This tendency does not do justice to the magnificent share of millions of individuals who have also played a stellar role in the making of India.
Industries dominated by Muslims
Although it cannot be said that a particular industry is the sole preserve of a specific religious community, there are many factors which lead to certain trades, skills and crafts becoming associated with certain groups that further crystallises into their identity and creates a strong stereotype.
A large section of Indian Muslims has historically been artisans and skilled labours under the Mughal rule in India with skills that translated into different industries some of which have survived till date. For example, the brass industry, the leather industry, the meat and beef industry, the handloom industry, the hand-embroidery industry, the lock industry and the bakery and confectioneries industry are to a large extent dominated by Muslims. There are certain trades and skills which have become synonymous with Muslims in urban India like vehicle mechanic, gents-hairdresser, etc.
Outstanding Muslim businessmen of India
It is widely acknowledged that Indian Muslims witnessed a “brain drain” or exodus of its top intellectual, influential and prosperous class to Pakistan during India’s independence and subsequent partition and so those who made it to the elite group of super successful businessmen today have done so by their sheer grit, hard work and perseverance. Some of the well-known names in the business world and often listed in the Forbes and Fortune list of Indian billionaires are: Azeem Premji (Wipro), Yusuf Hamid (Cipla), Habil Khorakiwala (Wockhardt), Yusuf Ali (Lulu /Emke Group) and Irfan Razack (Prestige Group).
There are many others who have carved a niche for themselves and are the legends in their own right. For instance, a few select names are: Sirajuddin Qureshi (Hind Industries), Meraj Manal (Himalaya Herbal Healthcare), Hakeem Hafiz Abdul Majeed’s family (Hamdard Laboratories), Shahnaz Husain (Shahnaz Husain Group), Parvez Kader (Liberty Group), Abdul Razzak Allana (Allana Group), B.S. Abdur Rahman’s family (ETA Star Group and Buhari Group), Osman Talab (Talab Group), Dr Abdul Qadir (Shaheen Group) and Badruddin Ajmal (Ajmal Perfumes).
Muslim expatriates
The Indian diaspora sends a whopping $80 billion back home and India is second to none in terms of remittances received. This Rs 5.6 lakh crore bonanza comes mainly from United Arab Emirates (26.9%), United States (22.9%), Saudi Arabia (11.6%), Qatar (6.5%), Kuwait (5.5%) and Oman (3.0%). Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu together receive 58.7 per cent of total remittances. While there is no specific data that separates the Muslim contribution towards this remittance, it can be safely assumed that Muslims hold a lion’s share of this amount. This is not only a valuable channel of earning foreign exchange that helps the economy but also provides employment to millions of Indians in search of better opportunities and quality of life.
Challenge to the community
Undoubtedly, the Muslim contribution to India’s economy is nothing short of outstanding. Making up nearly 15% of its population, the Muslim community can be found in almost all sectors of industry and mercantile activity rendering yeoman service to the nation. From the construction sector to IT and BPO industry and from the garment and textile factories to the film, TV media and entertainment industry one can find Muslims achieving excellence in their respective domains.
Despite all this there still remains a formidable challenge for Muslims and which pertains to their image and stature in terms of ethics and morality. Every Muslim is an ambassador for Islam and so his / her daily behaviour and transactions with fellow countrymen go a long way in their perception regarding Islam and Muslims in general. It is a well-known fact that Islam spread in the coastal areas of India and the various countries of the Far East and Africa because of the honest way of transacting business by the Arab and Muslim traders and businessmen.
It is now the responsibility of the Muslim community to practise Islamic teachings and principles in the way they do business and commerce. This will not only create a favourable image of Muslims as being honest and trustworthy in their business practices but also earn them a distinct position in their respective domains for being vanguards of quality and strong business ethics. It is time to heed the verses of Sura Mutaffefeen of the Holy Quran: Woe to those that deal in fraud. Those who, when they have to receive by measure from men, exact full measure. But when they have to give by measure or weight to men, give less than due. Do they not think that they will be called to account? On a Mighty Day. A Day when (all) mankind will stand before the Lord of the Worlds?