A new debate has erupted among social media users after the leading Pakistani scholar Maulana Tariq Jameel, who stays away from sectarian discourse and prejudice, has recently launched the MTJ fashion brand to support seminaries in the financial crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Main propose to launching MTJ Brand
According to Tariq Jameel, the purpose of this business pursuit is to have a commercial income for his many charities. He wants to run his business to fund seminaries so that they are no longer dependent on Zakat. This operational model provides a steady source of income for charities rather than dependence on donations.
The religious scholar also mentioned that some of the prosperous friends took the responsibility to run these religious schools. In the year 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic caused huge losses to the business and it turned worse for Madrasa-tul-Hasnain branches as the administration have to shut down the operations due to lack of finances.
Criticism from Netizens is not coming in slow some users opined that as a religious scholar this type of business is not suitable for Maulana Tariq Jameel while others said the prices of fashion products sold under the MTJ brand are very high.
MTJ brand
A statement read by the brand of LinkedIn page described itself as a fashion retail brand that strives to learn and exhibit the principles taught by Maulana and break the eroding stereotype.
MTJ being supervised directly by Maulana is dedicated to weaving people’s beliefs and convictions into reality. Provides a garment shopping platform to discover and re-associate with that lost identity that is ingrained in all of us, it added.
The brand works to holistically combine diverse heritage and values in producing garments for people to feel empowered and proud when they wear them to offices, in homes, functions, traveling, etc., and respectfully become the ambassadors of those inherited values by owning them, read the page.
The store features a complete collection of eastern wear, ranging from formal to casual, from wedding attire to breezy lawn pret. The products are priced in the range of Rs2, 000 to Rs5, 000, competitive with the general market. Following suit with the other religio-fashion brands in the country, MTJ also features faceless mannequins.
The opinion of the religious scholar
Maulana Jameel explained that he did not create a business to only earn money. His entire life, he hasn’t made money. The scholar said Allah has blessed him with whatever he has. Instead, the profits will be used on the MTJ Foundation, which they envision can establish a great hospital and school.
He said in the Subcontinent, religious scholars involved in businesses are looked down upon and criticized, though he doesn’t know where this is coming from. Maulana Jameel citing the example of Imam Abu Hanifa who was a huge trader and cloth merchant of his time.
He said in this era, a maulvi is only looked upon as a beggar. Someone who begs in front of people, he said. He desires that his business and institutions continue to grow and serve even after he departs from this world.
People should avoid make noble cause controversial
The main reason behind the controversy is that Maulana Tariq Jameel preached against fashion throughout his life, the launch of the MTJ brand seems to be the opposite. On the other hand, Maulana’s position is very clear that he wants to help religious schools for the sake of Allah.
The aim of this business pursuit is to have a commercial income for religious schools dependable on charities. Tariq Jameel wants to run his business to assist seminaries financially so that they are no longer dependent on Zakat.
This operational model provides a steady source of income for charities rather than dependence on donations. Several people are praising the business venture by Maulana Jameel, others should also encourage him for the noble cause.
