DAR - UL- SHAFQAT

A Loving, Caring Home for Muslim Orphan & Destitute Children

Brief History

In the year 1887 A.D., Her Highness Nawab Shahjehan Begum, Ruler of Bhopal State, established Madarsa Bilqisi for the upbringing and education of orphan and destitute Muslim children of Bhopal State.
In 1912 A.D.,, Her Highness Nawab Sultan Jehan Begum, the then ruler of Bhopal, established Yateem Khana Bilqisi and merged the Madarsa Bilqisi with the new entity. Separate sections for boys and girls were established. After functioning in this manner for some time, a need was felt for a purpose built building. Hence, Her Highness ordered the construction of the present building, which was duly completed and handed over to the orphanage in 1916. Subsequent additions and modifications were carried out in the building as per the need.
Until 1930, the organization continued to function under the Government of Bhopal. However, in 1930, by a notification in the official Gazette, the orphanage was transformed into a Public Institution. In 1949, with the merger of the Bhopal State into the Indian Union, the Institution was put under the care of the Controller, Charitable Institutions. However, during the tumultuous and unsettling times of the third and fourth decades of this century, the Organization had lost its zeal and way and was, for all practical intents and purposes, a defunct body.
In 1957, a group of concerned citizens, the Founder Members, revived the organization and, on the 4th of August, 1957, office bearers of the DAR - UL - SHAFQAT SOCIETY were elected from among the Members. The Memorandum of Association and the Articles of Association were formulated and adopted and the Society was duly registered under the Firms and Societies Act. It was granted Registration No. 72 on the 23rd of March, 1959. The Society has continued to function since then and has grown to the present strength of 116 members. The Society has seen its share of ups and downs, but, with the Grace of Allah and the concerted efforts of the members, has survived and expanded.

Aims of the Society

The aims for which the Society has been established are enumerated in the Memorandum of Association. Briefly, they are

To admit Muslim orphan and destitute children under a set of rules, regulations and procedures framed for this purpose
To provide suitable accommodation, meals and clothing to the admitted children
To impart Islamic religious training and education as well as literary, scientific and technical education to the inmates to enable them to lead respectable lives as responsible adults and well adjusted members of society
To inculcate in the children a sense of belonging to the Muslim Ummah in particular and society in general and to enable them, through education and vocational guidance, to lead productive and dignified lives
To care for the health of the inmates and to provide full medical facilities

To achieve these ends, the Memorandum of Association further permits the Society to

Raise funds by levying fees on admission to the Membership of the Society
To accept any bequest, gift, donation, aid or grant from any private source or Government or Semi-Government body or another Society, Association, Company or Corporation and to pro-actively pursue the raising of funds from these or other sources.
To invest the raised funds in accordance with the decisions of the Society and to apply the income arising out of this investment or the capital amount itself for the achievement of the objectives of the Society
To construct buildings or other structures on the premises of the Society for the residential or educational requirements of the inmates or for commercial utilization

Administration

The Dar - Ul - Shafqat Society runs a home for boys under the name of

Dar - Ul - Shafqat Shahjehani

and a home for girls called

Bilqisia Nursing Home .

There are about 70 children between the ages of 8 -17 years in each of these homes.

As per the policies and decisions of the Executive Body of the Society, these homes are administered by a Superintendant who is assisted by Wardens, an Accountant, Storekeeper and other attendants, cooks, watchmen, etc.

Some Happy Occassions
The Society makes every effort to settle the inmates in a respectable life. A number of applications are received from prospective bridegrooms and their families for marriage to the girls of marriageable age in Bilqisia Nursing Home. The applicants are thoroughly screened and, if a candidate is found acceptable, consent is sought from the girl and her family members (if any). On settlement of all issues, the Society performs the marriages in Islamic traditions. Although the Society makes financial allowances for these occassions, members of the Society and the general public make generous donations to give a fitting start in life to the happy couples.

Sometimes, the occassion becomes really special! In this case, the groom, SAMEER, was also a former inmate of Dar-ul-Shafqat Shajehani who now holds a regular job in a Government Department. He was married to KAUSER, a girl raised in Bilqisia Nursing Home

Some Happy Occassions
The Society makes every effort to settle the inmates in a respectable life. A number of applications are received from prospective bridegrooms and their families for marriage to the girls of marriageable age in Bilqisia Nursing Home. The applicants are thoroughly screened and, if a candidate is found acceptable, consent is sought from the girl and her family members (if any). On settlement of all issues, the Society performs the marriages in Islamic traditions. Although the Society makes financial allowances for these occassions, members of the Society and the general public make generous donations to give a fitting start in life to the happy couples.
Sometimes, the occassion becomes really special! In this case, the groom, SAMEER, was also a former inmate of Dar-ul-Shafqat Shajehani who now holds a regular job in a Government Department. He was married to KAUSER, a girl raised in Bilqisia Nursing Home

Particular attention is paid to the health of the children. Regular check-ups are carried out on all the children and a complete record is kept for every child.

The AL SHIFA Clinic

A group of highly reputable doctors, together with some concerned citizens, have established the AL SHIFA Clinic within the premises of Dar-ul-Shafqat. Staffed by a qualified doctor, primary health care of all the children is taken care of by this clinic.
A major private hospital also provides full medical facilities free of cost.
However, the medicines precribed and the tests, etc. are paid for by Dar-ul-Shafqat Society.

Home Education Finances Future Plans An Appeal