BIFT Initiates Da’wah Through Auto Rickshaws In The City 

Bangalore: Have you ever thought what wonders can auto rickshaws do in promoting the message of Islam? The Bangalore Islamic Foundation Trust (BIFT) has launched a unique initiative to promote the teachings of Islam to one and all through autos plying in the city. “The auto rickshaws which ply daily in every nook and corner of the city from morning to night are indeed an effective media to communicate to a variety of people” feels Mr. Abdur Rahim Khan, Incharge, BIFT Books and Media Shop who is one of the men behind the initiative.

The project backed by Mr. Mustafa Kamaal, CEO, Toyama Electricals, Bangalore, and also a trustee of the BIFT, has gained wide acceptability among the Muslim auto drivers in and around D.J. Halli. Mr. V. Nisar Ahmed, an auto driver from the locality, who has already made a reputation as an honest person when he returned valuables of his passengers earlier, readily accepted the idea of placing a packet for folders and booklets on Islam in English and Kannada on the backside of the driver’s seat. Earlier Ahmed has returned a laptop, a mobile phone worth Rs. 32000 and similar other valuables that were left behind in his auto to its rightful owners. When Ahmed was impressed by the idea of promoting the message of Islam through autos, he managed to make an application form titled ‘Peace Promotion Programme’ and ensured several auto drivers join the campaign.

The application seems to bring a healthy change in the auto drivers as it includes a pledge of doing their job sincerely, behaving well with their customers, not charging extra, not cheating and returning any valuable left behind. Till now 15 auto drivers have displayed the da’wah material in their autos, which include introductory folders in English, Tappu Kalpanegalu (Misconceptions), a booklet in Kannada and copies of Qur’an in English and Kannada. For their astonishment, the passengers’ response is over whelming. ‘This should have been done years ago’, said a passenger to one of the auto drivers. ‘Are these available for non-Muslims too?’ questioned another. ‘Can we get a copy of the Qur’an?’ asked another. It is three months since the project was launched and already around 30 copies of the Qur’an have been gifted to the passengers on their requests.

‘We gather every day after fajr, share our experiences and ensure our autos have dawah material for the day’ informs Nisar Ahmed. Demand for this project has increased when these auto drivers came in contact with drivers of other localities. ‘I receive several calls from auto drivers who are eager to display the same in their autos. Right now there is a demand from auto drivers of Kalasi Palya, Gori Palya, Aazaad Nagar and Bismillah Nagar’ said Nisar Ahmed.

‘This project will not only facilitate promotion of Islam but will also bring changes in auto drivers’ attitude. Insha Allah’ He feels. Imagine what would be the scene if more than one and a half lakh autos, belonging to Muslims alone, in Bangalore carry the message of Islam for their passengers and how great it would be if other cities too imitate the project! For further details you can get in touch with Mr. Abdur Rahmeem Khan at 9964496591.