Jamiyyatul Falah

Once upon a time, the Muslim community was largely unaware of the importance of Women’s education, and empowerment was a distant dream. Rolling Beedis was the only option to earn money.

Today, the same hands that once rolled beedis are now involved in various noble professions, high-ranking positions and securing ranks at the state and national levels, indicating rapid growth towards literacy.

There was a time, when a large number of Muslim youth dropped out of school and worked as daily wage laborers, small business owners, and went to The Gulf. The same Muslim youth today have become competitors in the modern world, along with pursuing professional education and securing government jobs as well.

Merely a few decades ago, a vast majority of the coastal Muslim community lived in abject poverty and hunger. Today, this scenario has changed. Jamiyathul Falah adopted families, once living in such deplorable conditions now has basic facilities and enough food.

The last 3 decades witnessed a massive transformation, and one organization that has contributed immensely is Jamiyyatul Falah.

Jamiyyatul Falah – Dakshina Kannada and Udupi Dist. This NGO has been an inspiration to numerous individuals and to various new organizations in the coastal belt. As a result, the education revolution and charity work has been successfully extended to the masses in the coastal region. Jamiyyatul Falah is popularly and precisely known as the “Mother of All Organizations”.

In the year 1988 – with the intention to bring about a revolutionary change in the education and social scenario of the coastal Muslim community, Janab Mohammed Yousuf Iqbal founded Jamiyyatul Falah. Uniting a group of like-minded people, with the motto “Education is Key to Success”, the organization commenced its functioning in coastal Karnataka.

In its early days, in the absence of mainstream social media, Jamiyyatul Falah faced a number of challenges and setbacks. Using masjids, ulamas, and jamaath committees as a means of awareness, Jamiyyatul Falah successfully sparked off their campaign in the region.

Having spread the awareness, Jamiyyatul Falah’s next objective was to ensure that every individual must receive education. To achieve this, they began extending financial support by distributing scholarships and assistance to needy and deserving students.

Jamiyyatul Falah now set its eyes on the increasing number of dropouts and planted the seed to the “Back to School” campaign and implemented this in almost every town, city, and village. The mission was a grand success and was applauded by the media throughout the nation. It was for this venture that Jamiyyatul Falah was awarded with the prestigious Karnataka Rajyotsava Award by the Govt. of Karnataka in the year 2007.

Where poverty, hunger, and social evils prevailed, education failed to become a priority. It was Jamiythaul Falah who decided to organize and unite NGOs throughout the region. This was achieved through an in-depth analysis of the scenario of the Muslim Community and a Documentary called “Munnade” “Akrandana” & “Parivartane” depicting the harsh reality was released. In response, hundreds of NGOs came together for the overall development of the community.

The ideas, unique concepts, and campaigns proved highly valuable for the development of the community. The ventures initiated by Jamiyyatul Falah have become an inspiration for many others and motivated them to fulfil the expectations of the community.

Here are few among the hundreds of success stories scripted by this NGO.

• Taking Mahatma Gandhi’s words to heed, “the development of a nation lies in the empowerment of its villages”, Jamiyyatul Falah started educational institutions in numerous villages. One among them is this institute located in Adkarepadpu, a remote village situated in Konaje. This institution is currently giving education from primary to PUC for hundreds of students, absolutely free of cost. The first student to enroll in this school, Tabassum, today has established herself nationwide as a renowned social activist. She established “Sneha Deepa”, a shelter for HIV affected children and is serving as a mother to these children. With the right education, a village girl like herself, Tabassum has utilized the opportunity given to her to wipe the tears of the society. It is examples like hers that fulfils and satisfies the ultimate purpose of Jamiyyatul Falah.
• While the state and central governments allocate funds and facilities for the minority communities, it was Jamiyyatul Falah who truly spread awareness about these and ensured that these benefits reached the needy and deserving. This dedicated effort by Jamiyyatul Falah towards utilizing allotted funds in the right purpose has been appreciated by government officials.
• Apart from government funds, Jamiyyatul Falah is channeling resources needed for higher education and professional courses through various generous donors as well. Hundreds of doctors, engineers, Govt. employees, journalists, teachers, and lawyers have been bred by this organization.

           Annually, lakhs of rupees is spent by Jamiyyatul Falah for the benefit of students               from all over Dakshina Kannada and Udupi Districts.

• The noble efforts of Jamiyyatul Falah are remembered to date by beneficiaries who have achieved high posts in the government.
• Mangalore is a leading education hub and is host to numerous students from various parts of the nation. Among them are Muslim men and women. Recognizing the need for proper accommodation for these Muslim students, Jamiyyatul Falah also established a number of hostels providing effective facilities with Islamic values.
• In the face of distractions and diversions in the modern world, Jamiyyatul Falah established these hostels to prevent the Muslim youth from falling prey and help them choose the right path.It is normal for Muslim parents to grow anxious about their daughters. Jamiyyatul Falah has also established Women’s hostels to ensure the safety and security of Muslim women.In the heart of Mangalore city, adjacent to the Organization’s head-office, Jamiyyatul Falah has established a community center with a capacity of 400 for various social purposes.Succeeding in its efforts in education, development of basic facilities and infrastructure, Jamiyyatul Falah has also performed exemplary service in the field of healthcare. In an attempt to extend better healthcare to the society, Jamiyyatul Falah has installed 8 Dialysis machines in hospitals located in Mangalore and Udupi for the welfare of kidney patients. Recognizing the troubles of kidney patients hailing from poor families, Jamiyyatul Falah through the help of a generous donor has been able to provide a touch of solace to hundreds of grieving families. While 2 dialysis machines have been donated to Lombard Memorial Hospital, Udupi, another generous 6 dialysis machines courtesy of Jamiyyatul Falah are situated at Fr. Muller Hospital, Mangalore. These efforts have fulfilled the emergency requirements of hundreds of needy and poor people in the society.
  Expressing concern to the healthcare needs of the general masses, Jamiyyatul Falah took the initiative of establishing Mobile Clinics in Udupi Dist.Taking rural development to a practical level, Jamiyyatul Falah has also established a Community center at one of Dakshina Kannada District’s remote areas – Belthangady for the overall development of the society. The functioning of Karnataka Minority Development Corporation in this establishment has made the lives of people easier. Information campaigns, career guidance, social and religious education for women etc. act as a support for the people of the region.Having conducted an in-depth analysis of the socio-economic status of the coastal Muslim community, Jamiyyatul Falah in the year 2006 released a documentary “Akhrandana” depicting the same especially anti-dowry campaign. In an attempt to uplift the status of the depicted families, a vision of “Community Development Colony” was conceived and hundreds of families have secured a better future by means of this initiative.During the holy month of Ramzan, in order to spread awareness about Zakaath, Jamiyyatul Falah initiated Ramzan Kit Distribution in the year 2008 to ensure a wholesome and fruitful Ramzan to more than 2500 poor families. As a result, numerous individuals and NGOs continued this noble deed and have been providing rations to hundreds of needy families till date, bearing a huge positive impact on the community.
• There was an individual who was born visually impaired. He lived with his 3 children in this hut. During the monsoon, when it rained and seeped and the roof leaked, it was only this hut that gave shelter to him and his family. Recognizing his need for better living facilities, by means of a donor, Jamiyyatul Falah provided him with a furnished house and monthly rations, bringing happiness and satisfaction to this family.Similarly, the lives of hundreds of differently abled and their families have been brightened up by Jamiyyatul Falah and its valuable service.
• A beautiful house was donated by Jamiyyatul Falah to yet another visually impaired beneficiary and his family. This house, designed beautifully, with ample space, ensures the comfort and security of the entire family. This shows the promise and dedication of Jamiyyatul Falah towards the community’s well-being.
• This story is indeed a touching one. Rafiq Vitla, from the last 13 years has been bedridden due to a fracture suffered in a lorry accident. From eating, bathing, to passing waste, he is confined to his bed. Before he could fully enjoy marital bliss, within just 2 years of his marriage, and a father to an 8 month old infant, Rafiq Vitla suffered this inescapable fate. Subhanallah, from the last 13 years, it has been his caring wife and dutiful son who have been tending to him. In spite of all his challenges, if there ever is a smile on his face and hope in his heart, it is solely due to his wife and son. The cleanliness and well maintained surroundings stand as a testimony to the bond this closely knit family share. Jamiyyatul Falah for the last few years has been providing medical aid and responding to every call in times of need.

It is due to the generous nature and selfless contributions of patrons working abroad and support of NRI organizations along with DK and Udupi Dist. committee and various Taluq committee workers that Jamiyyatul Falah has grown into the outstanding social welfare organization it is today.

Jamiyyatul Falah along with effective programs and by release of a souvenir commemorating 25 years of relentless service to the society celebrated its Silver Jubilee in a grand and pompous manner in the year 2013. Various scholars, entrepreneurs, social leaders, ministers, and Govt. officials proudly declaimed that Jamiyyatul Falah has rendered exemplary service to the society selflessly, and effectively.

Jamiyyatul Falah acquired a sprawling 6.3 acres plot amidst serenity and greenery, situated in Moodabidri, Dakshina Kannada. A skill development training center for the masses along with a residential colony for orphans and disadvantaged members of the society has been proposed.

With research, analysis, initiative, effective execution, and collaborative effort, Jamiyyatul Falah brought about a paradigm shift and social revolution on a massive scale in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi Dist. Unique ideas, foresight, and long term planning have made it possible for Jamiyyatul Falah to become a one of a kind, exemplary organization, setting a model to all. It is with this that Jamiyyatul Falah rightly has the identity and crown of being the Mother of All Organizations.