Skip to content
National

The only way for the development of Muslim society is education, unity, and economic self-sufficiency.

Awaze Bihar6 min read

There are several personalities in Mumbai's political and social life who have established their own distinct identity through long-term public service, social activities, and political struggles. Advocate Yousuf Abrahani is one of these prominent and experienced personalities. He has been a former corporator of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation, has held important responsibilities as the chairman of the MahaDA in Maharashtra, and has been active in politics for nearly four decades.

In the beginning of his political career, he was associated with the Muslim League (Bhattewala group) and was elected as a corporator from the same party's platform. Over time, he has seen different stages of politics, and today he is active as the president of the Islamic Jamkhana Mumbai and the working president of the Samajwadi Party.

Advocate Yousuf Abrahani is known in Mumbai's social circles as a balanced, serious, and dignified leader who not only expresses his views on political matters but also on social issues. On the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan, a detailed conversation was held with him, in which he expressed his thoughts on the spiritual atmosphere of Ramadan, his daily routine, childhood memories, the current situation of Muslims, political challenges, and the future of the nation. The key points of this conversation are presented below in the form of a flowing interview.

According to Advocate Yousuf Abrahani, the month of Ramadan brings a special spiritual atmosphere to his life. During this time, there is a clear change in his daily routine. He says that since childhood, he has been in the habit of staying awake until Sehri. After Sehri, he performs the Fajr prayer and then rests for a while. Before Zuhr, he wakes up and starts his daily work and meetings.

He says that this routine has been going on for decades, and in the blessed environment of Ramadan, both worship and social service become prominent. "Ramadan is a month in which a person's lifestyle changes. Worship increases, there is an inclination towards good deeds, and a person starts to review his actions."

He says that in Ramadan, not only does worship increase, but social and welfare activities also gain momentum. Iftar invitations, meetings with people, and helping those in need are more common during this month.

When talking about Ramadan memories, Advocate Yousuf Abrahani goes back to the past. According to him, in his childhood, Ramadan was awaited with great joy and enthusiasm. He says that at that time, there was an interesting system in his native area for breaking the fast, locally known as "hari bati aur lal bati". When it was time for Iftar, people would be informed through a specific signal that it was time to break the fast.

In some places, the announcement of Iftar would be made through the sound of a cannon or a loud noise. "When we were young, waiting for Iftar time was very exciting. As soon as the signal was received that it was time to break the fast, the whole atmosphere would fill with joy."

Later, when he moved to Mumbai, he saw that people would break their fast with the Azan, and this tradition continues to this day. According to him, these memories of Ramadan are still fresh in his heart, and every year this month takes him back to the beautiful memories of the past.

Talking about the current situation of Muslims, Advocate Yousuf Abrahani says that there have been some positive changes in the last twenty-five years, especially in the field of education. According to him, today Muslims have more awareness about education, and the new generation is more serious about acquiring education.

However, he also expresses concern that Muslims are still weak economically and politically. "There has been an improvement in the field of education, but economically and politically, we are still weak. Until we achieve economic strength, our collective power cannot be strong."

He believes that the nation should also focus on economic self-sufficiency so that it can gain strength in social and political fields. According to Advocate Yousuf Abrahani, one of the main reasons for the political weakness of Muslims is their division. He says that Muslims are divided into different political parties and do not have a single unified leadership or platform.

"When a nation is divided, its political power also becomes divided. That's why we cannot effectively convey our message." He believes that if Muslims understand their collective power and move forward with a clear strategy, they can play a more effective role in solving their problems.

Talking about the current political environment of the country, Advocate Yousuf Abrahani says that the situation has become more complex in recent years. According to him, on some occasions, Muslims face injustice and oppression. "Today, Muslims face many challenges. We have to deal with these situations with patience, wisdom, and unity."

He also emphasizes that instead of just complaining, the nation should also review its weaknesses and try to reform. In response to a question about the nation's progress, Advocate Yousuf Abrahani clearly states that the most effective way for Muslims to progress is through education.

According to him, if the new generation is educated, they will not only be able to raise their voice for their rights but also bring positive change to society. "I always convey this message to the nation that they should acquire education. This is the path through which we can move forward and stand strong for our rights."

He believes that educated youth will be able to lead the nation in the future. Advocate Yousuf Abrahani also emphasizes that Muslims should fulfill their religious responsibilities with complete seriousness. According to him, adhering to prayer, paying Zakat correctly, and following Islamic teachings is the foundation of a strong society.

He says that if Zakat is distributed correctly to the deserving people, it can greatly benefit the weaker sections of society. During the conversation, Advocate Yousuf Abrahani also drew attention to an important social issue.

He said that the imams and muezzins of mosques often perform their services with limited resources, while their responsibilities are very important. "I have been raising this issue for many years that the salaries of imams and muezzins should be increased. This responsibility should be taken by the local people."

According to him, if the local people collectively help the imams during the month of Ramadan, they can collect enough money to support them for the entire year. At the end of the conversation, Advocate Yousuf Abrahani gave a message of unity and solidarity to Muslims.

He said that the nation should put aside its differences and unite for common interests. "My wish is that the entire nation should become one voice, gather under one flag, and move forward with a clear leadership. If we are united, our power will also increase."

The conversation with Advocate Yousuf Abrahani highlights that Ramadan is not just a month of worship but also an important opportunity for self-reflection, social service, and collective awareness. His thoughts not only identify the problems faced by Muslims but also show a clear path to their solution - education, unity, economic self-sufficiency, and adherence to religious values.

The message of this experienced personality, who has been active in Mumbai's political and social life for four decades, is that if the nation seriously reforms itself and moves forward unitedly, the future will certainly be brighter and stronger.

Also in: हिन्दी · اردو

Share:

Related News