Bohris hold 'rehab' camp for the youth

To ensure that the youth under their wing do not turn to substance abuse, the Dawoodi Bohra community recently organised a five-day de-addiction programme for them.  

Around 5,000 people participated in the programme, which was held at the Badri Mahal Masjid Complex at Fort.

Shaikh Abdeali Bhanpurwala, executive secretary to Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, the spiritual leader of the community, said, “There are two reasons for conducting this de-addiction drive: It is prohibited in Islam and is injurious to health and ruining our youth.”

Although very few from the community are into substance abuse, sources said this programme was being held to ensure that the figures don’t go up. “We wanted to guide the children and show them how harmful substance abuse. Through this, they will realise that there is only harm can come out of it,” Bhanpurwala said.

Dr Hozefa Bhinderwala, consulting psychiatrist with Saifee hospital who anchored the programme, said, “We are fortunate to have community leaders who are so forthcoming on such issues. The programme was a preventive as well as an awareness exercise.”

The sessions focused on how to approach a person who is addicted without scolding or abusing him or her, and motivating the person to seek help. Mental health professionals and doctors from various fields like orthopaedics, homeopathy and dental surgery spoke about how to modify one’s approach so as to minimise relapses in a patient.

Psychiatrists have lauded the initiative and feel that recognising mental health and issues related to de-addiction by religious and community leaders will help nip the problem in its bud.

@somitapal