A Muslim trust that redefines charity

There is no dearth of generous people in society who want to do something for the less fortunate, but their help often does not reach the needy or gets misappropriated. To make charity a satisfying experience that brings the intended results to both benefactor and beneficiary, a Hyderabad-based group, Safa Baitul Maal, is showing the way by creating and using data to link the rich with the poor and needy.

Every month, this educational, welfare and charitable trust spends Rs 70-80 lakh on its charitable activities in different States. Set up by Moulana Gayas Ahmed Rashadi in 2006, the organisation has 70 branches in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Assam, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh.

Headed by a group of five ‘ulemas’ or religious scholars, Safa Baitul Maal has a 450-strong staff who are paid salaries. “We make sure that the aid by the rich reach those who are genuinely needy,” Moulana Rashadi told IANS.

Every day the organisation's call centre in Hyderabad receives 400-500 calls, both from those who are in need of help and those who want to donate. The organisation ensures transparency in such a way that every donor can get all the details of how his money is spent and the names and contact numbers of the beneficiaries.

“Whoever approaches us seeking help has to provide all the details and we send our people to cross-check the information provided by the applicant,” said M A Muqtadir Imran, in-charge of the Safa's branches.

In Hyderabad alone, the organisation is sponsoring the education of 150 orphans, spending Rs 2,000 on each child per month on school fees and food. A representative visits the schools to monitor their academic progress. The children are provided free uniforms and books.

In addition, Rs 1,000 is deposited every month for every student in a mutual fund to take care of their higher education. Half of this money is contributed by another organisation, the Saleha Rasheed Trust.

By Mohammed Shafeeq