Dr Muhammad Amjad Saqib – One man countless lives changed. An article titled “The Man Behind Akhuwat Exemplifies the Beauty of Following Islamic Teachings” published in propakistani. Read the article here: https://bit.ly/2ImRt5p
With Ramazan approaching soon, people of Pakistan will, as always, come forward and help others in any way they can. But there are some people who have dedicated their entire lives to this cause. And one such person is Dr. Muhammad Amjad Saqib, founder of the non-profit organization Akhuwat.
‘Akhuwat’ meaning brotherhood in Arabic, is the world’s largest Islamic Microfinance Organization and aims to eradicate poverty by providing interest-free loans. Dr. Amjad Saqib, a development practitioner, philanthropist, writer and a former civil servant shares that, “We set up operations in 2001 when I presented Akhuwat as an idea to a group of friends. We borrowed the concept from the tradition of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), who said that the best way to end poverty is not through charity but through sacrifice and adoption. He (PBUH) suggested that a wealthy person should enter into a relationship of brotherhood with a poor person and then help that person through a bond of association instead of giving dissociated charity.”
This seemingly simple ideology is what gives Akhuwat its direction with its vision being to facilitate ‘a poverty free society built on the principles of compassion and equity.’
Dr. Amjad Saqibis a medical graduate from the King Edward Medical College (Pakistan) and after serving at several high-level public service positions, he resigned as the General Manager of Punjab Rural Support Program in 2003 to dedicate himself completely to Akhuwat as a social entrepreneur and the mission of creating a poverty-free society.
He proudly shares that, “Since 2001, Akhuwathas disbursed PKR 58 Billion to 2.5 Million families with a recovery rate of 99.93%. We currently have a branch network of 800+ units across Pakistan. Our nationwide presence speaks highly of its sustainable growth model, viable operations and overwhelming impact.”
He continues, adding, “Our model of microcredit has received validation by the academia (Harper, M; Harvard Kennedy School) and practitioners in the form of replication (for example, Al-Khidmat Foundation, Kaawish Trust). In my view, Islamic microfinance is one true vehicle that can impact poverty alleviation like nothing else in this world. Its base is Mawakhat, the philosophy of sharing and of compassion.”
Dr. Amjad Saqib along with Akhuwat’s team is working towards the social inclusion of the marginalized and disadvantaged through provision of convenient solutions such as interest-free microfinance, fee-free quality education, and subsidized health services.
With his passion and dedication to the cause, Dr. Saqib sets an admirable example for the world to see how one man and his noble intentions can put true Islamic principles into practice and in doing so,help make the world a better place.