By Danish Reyaz,
Mumbai: ‘A D Bawla’ – an orphanage for girls, run under the very old and famous Muslim organization of Maharashtra, Anjuman e Islam Mumbai. It provides them food, shelter and education, including professional courses, like beautician, tailoring, embroidery, fashion designing and computer along with necessary religious teachings.
The orphanage also has a unique distinction of arranging suitable souls (for its girls) with utmost care. They conduct all kinds of tests, such as HIV, VDRL and semen test of the bridegroom. Superintendent of the orphanage Susan Fazal said, “After the girls are considered fit to be married, suitable matches are sought for them. We call them as house-girls as they have been taught lessons in daily household affairs. After my arrival, more than 25 such marriages have taken place in the orphanage,” Susan Fazal added.
L-R: Shaikh Afsar, Dr. Zaheer Qazi and Shaikh Afsari
Sana shaikh, 20, who has stayed here since her childhood and has got her education for 12 years said, “I am learning tailoring, embroidery and also practicing in Judo Crate.” She had participated in some competitions and now her passion is to be a good fighter.
Shaikh Afsari was admitted in the orphanage at the age of 6 and now after completing 20 years she is going to her new home in Hyderabad. She was married to Shaikh Afsar, owner of a motor garage in Hyderabad. After the nikah ceremony was solemnized, Dr Zaheer Qazi, President of Anjuman e Islam, gifted a ring to the groom and handed over the dowry to the bride. Congratulating the couple he said to Afsar, “The orphanage is your family now which gives you 200 sisters-in-law.”
The orphanage not only arranges marriages, but whenever any dispute or domestic scuffle occurs between the spouses, social workers from the Orphanage go there and try to solve the problem amicably.
Robina Syed, who has been staying at the orphanage from the age of 5, shares her experience, “I have spent 18 years of my life here and completed graduation and GMM from Parsi General Hospital. I am looking forward to do my post-graduation in nursing from Kokilaben College, though relationships are being sought for me. But first of all I want to complete my education”. She also reveals that after being mature all decisions are made by the girls themselves.