NEW DELHI: Engineer Syed Mumtaz Mansoori, who serves as president of the Rifah Chamber of Commerce and Industries in Karnataka, has made a strong pitch for the economic revival of the global Muslim community.
He made this comment while delivering a Friday sermon at the Masjid-e-Isha’at-e-Islam, located at the national headquarters of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, New Delhi, on July 18.
Er. Mansoori emphasised that the Muslim Ummah cannot regain its dignity and independence without building economic strength rooted in Islamic values.
He called for the revival of Islamic trade ethics, interest-free investment models, and a renewed focus on entrepreneurship and scientific research aligned with Shariah principles. “The strength of the Ummah must be rebuilt on the foundations of faith, knowledge, and economic independence,” he said.
Presenting what he described as a strategic roadmap, Mansoori urged Muslim communities to support halal-certified small businesses, create alternatives to interest-based financial institutions, register Muslim-owned enterprises, and invest in trade infrastructure. He also called for the promotion of interest-free Islamic finance, development of Muslim multinational companies, and the creation of global trade networks to encourage skill-based migration and economic cooperation.
Tracing the rise and decline of the Islamic civilization over the past 1,400 years, the speaker noted that the Ummah flourished when connected to its divine mission. The decline, he argued, began when this spiritual and intellectual anchor was lost—leaving Muslim societies vulnerable to colonial domination and cultural fragmentation.
Speaking about the challenges of the modern era, Er. Mansoori described the legacy of colonialism by European powers such as Britain, France, Portugal, and Spain as a form of “mental slavery” that continues to hinder Muslim identity and development. He said that the challenges today are not only military or political but also ideological, marked by the influence of secularism, materialism, and unregulated capitalism—values that, he warned, run counter to the ethical framework of Islam.
“Islam is not just a set of rituals or beliefs,” he said. “It offers a complete and practical blueprint for life—spiritual, social, and economic. This comprehensive vision must be rediscovered and implemented if Muslims are to meet today’s challenges.”
Referring to the ideas of philosopher-poet Allama Iqbal, Mansoori stressed the need for visionary leadership grounded in faith and a commitment to high ideals. He urged Muslim scholars, entrepreneurs, youth, and institutions to come together and embrace their civilizational responsibilities with renewed confidence and clarity.
Quoting from the Qur’an, he reminded the audience that while falsehood may appear powerful, it is fleeting. “Truth, when tied to action and purpose, ultimately prevails,” he said.
Er. Mansoori underscored the transformative potential of the Friday pulpit, calling it a strategic platform for community guidance and mobilisation. He issued a call for collective awakening, insisting that a new Islamic renaissance is within reach.
“The dawn (Sahar) of a new awakening is possible,” he declared, “but only through unity, purpose, and steadfast adherence to the holistic teachings of Islam.”