Islam-based CSR can ensure human welfare and justice

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FE Report Corporate social responsibility with the true spirit of Islam could ensure human welfare and justice, said businesspersons at a roundtable in the capital Thursday. They said entrepreneurs could play a significant role in this regard as there was no alternative to Islam in bringing about qualitative changes in the CSR (corporate social responsibility). The lessons of Islam have clearly defined how to ensure human justice and equality, they added. "The tenets of Islam are crystal clear and complete, which are fully relevant to human nature, conscience, institutional activities and social and state life," said president of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) Asif Ibrahim at the roundtable at the auditorium of the chamber body. The DCC Foundation and the Mercy Mission World jointly organised the roundtable titled "Role of Business and CSR in the light of Islam." Chairman and chief executive officer of Mercy Mission World Dr Tawfique Chowdhury presented a documentary slide show on the activities of the Mission. The DCCI president said the business community in the country should intensify its CSR programmes to upgrade the standard of human life. He suggested the government to form a CSR fund with the provision of participation of all business organisations for poverty alleviation. He proposed the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to offer tax rebate and incentives to the business community with a view to encouraging it to execute more social welfare responsibilities. "Islam does not permit selfishness. Our business people should accomplish their CSR goals in the light of Islam which will ensure human welfare and economic development of the country," Asif Ibrahim mentioned. Dr Tawfique said his organisaiton would establish Islamic schools, vocational training centres, women's resource centres, arrange training for Imams (Islamic clerics) and launch a television channel for education based on Islamic values within the next five years in Bangladesh. President of Academy of Science Prof M Shamsher Ali suggested human resource development as per the guidelines of Islam. He laid emphasis on using science and technology in the light of Islam for human development. He called upon the entrepreneurs to come forward to engage in productive businesses maintaining ethical standards. He also stressed changing the mindset regarding Islam and its real benefits to society. Chairman of DCCI Foundation Anwar Hossain put emphasis on learning Islam properly. He called upon the businesses to carry out their activities with honesty which is mandatory in Islam. He assured Mercy Mission World of all-out cooperation from DCCI and DCCI Foundation in the future programmes. Mercy Mission is a global non-profit Muslim community development movement spread across the globe. The Mission conducts its activities in 20 cities in the world and launched three programmes in Bangladesh in 2011. President of International Chamber of Commerce, Bangladesh (ICC,B) and former DCCI president Mahbubur Rahman attended. Former presidents of DCCI ASM Quasem, Benajir Ahmed, MA Momen, Hossain Khaled, former senior vice-president M Shahjahan Khan, present directors Hossain A Sikder, Mahabub Anam, Osman Gani, Khairul Majid Mahmud, Md Nasiruddin Khan, M Anwarul Haque, Absar Karim Chowdhury, M Abu Horaira and former director Haider Ahmed Khan, and FBCCI adviser Manjur Ahmed, among others, were present.