Mumbra-based residents are learning to solve their family problems amicably through the Happy Life Programme, which ensures respect and dignity to women.
Adding to the ongoing movements that aim to empower women around the world in various walks of life, a small change-of-lifestyle programme is brewing in Mumbra. Mumbra-based residents are learning to solve their family problems amicably through the Happy Life Programme, which ensures respect and dignity to women.
Started three months ago by professor Mohammed Jawed Shaikh, who teaches mechanical engineering in a Panvel-based college, the programme has managed to help over 70 couples to solve their issues. Shaikh says that being a member of the Sharia adalat (court) helped him understand the need for this programme. "Being on the adalat, I learned that many husband wife/family issues can be resolved positively if someone intervenes without being interfering," says Sheikh.
Thus, he collaborated with Jamaat-e-Islami-Hind (JIH) and started a counseling centre for Muslim couples in the vicinity. "We listen to couples and through workshops help them learn life skills on how to stay happy; conflict resolution; anger management, etc," he said. This has helped over 70 couples to either reconcile or separate amicably without any grudges.
"When couples come to us and we understand that they are eager on separation/divorce, we make them realise how going to court, police, etc., will waste their time and money. And at the end they have to sit across the table and find the solution. So why not sit now and resolve," he added.
Shaikh's wife, Fauziya, who is a home-maker, is an equal partner in this programme. "Women are shy to speak about their problems to men. Hence, my wife speaks to them and then we come together and counsel the couples," he says. This programme has not only helped couples reconcile but even get separated with dignity.
Shaikh says he has come across many cases were both the parties were not even ready to see each others faces. "But after they spoke to us, the issue was resolved in 48 hours and they went their separate ways in a dignified manner."
Encouraged by this he wants to start more such programmes and counseling centres in Mumbra. "We had a meeting on April 1 attended by various social workers, activists, etc., who said that we need 10 such centers in Mumbra, Kalwa. So we are ready to offer support to those who want to set up these centers," says Parvez Khan, media cell, JIH.
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