The problem of Muslim slum dwellers is stupendous and it is clear that volunteers from Muslim communities are a critical piece of the rehabilitation process.

The recent slum demolition drive has given opportunities to politicians, activists and leftists to score political or ideological points. But both ways, it is people who suffer for no fault of theirs. Various surveys reveal that more than 50 % of the Muslims of Mumbai live in slums. Unfortunately, the community is oblivious of their needs and the day to day struggle for survival. Slum dwellers are denied their legitimate share of Zakat, and other funds as Muslim elite and rich are too pre-occupied concentrating on serving the middle- class. Hence a major chunk of finance resources and human efforts are directed towards the middle- class.

Islamic Voice spoke to nine Muslim social and welfare organisations and unfortunately none has any programme or planning for the Muslim slum dwellers. Even the Islamic organisations do not hold their weekly meetings in slums as they concentrate in the middle- class areas.

Thus the slum dweller’s agony of living in constant threat of demolition and resultant insecurity is taking heavy toll on their physical and mental health.

Almost all the slum dwellers are terrified by the demolition. But for many, the reactions are far worse. Says Dr Manoj Pai, eminent psychiatrist, “Shock, panic, bafflement are the first outcomes. Then either numbness or agitation takes over, followed by post-traumatic stress symptoms like nightmares, flashbacks, panic attacks, maybe blocking out the incident, insomnia, and finally depression.”

The latter symptoms can last for years, and it is easy to see why they can utterly destroy a person’s life, damaging self-esteem, creating behavioural problems and compromising effectiveness at work. Psychologist, Munira Baig, explains: “If untreated, people perform at a lower level, while their society tends to become less nurturing and productive.”

Psychiatrists and trained volunteers are needed to reach out to people who quite literally had their worlds turned upside down in a matter of minutes of the demolition.

Dr Manoj Pai said: “Many need professional treatment to recover from the psychological damage resulting from experiencing an overwhelmingly traumatic event.

This correspondent while visiting the demolition site saw acute stress and grief reactions, with people suffering nightmares and disturbed sleep. Many are experiencing stress reactions where they are haunted by demolition images and see vivid flashbacks of the moments when bulldozers struck and are experiencing psychosomatic aches and pains. They are restless; even normal sounds, like a train passing, scares them.

“Many of them are avoiding facing the loss. They don’t want to go back home or see their damaged house or go back to work,” says Munaf, a social worker who has been counselling slum dwellers in Mumbai.

Children present their own unique problems. Dr Manoj Pai says, “It is always more difficult for children to deal with such trauma. The foundation of security and unconditional love that their growth and development are based on is shattered, and so unexpectedly. But if corrected early, children can bounce back much quicker than adults.

As for adults, Dr Manoj Pai says, “There are seven basic techniques depending on the type of reactions from them. These are ventilation, active listening, empathising, rebuilding support systems, spirituality, externalising interests (that is if women know how to cook they should be involved in community kitchens) and relaxation and recreation.”

Unfortunately the Muslim community is not at all interested in taking up the issue of slum dwellers except the Muslim politicians, who just give press statements, but no constructive action is taken.

The problem of Muslim slum dwellers is stupendous and it is clear that volunteers from Muslim communities are a critical piece of the rehabilitation process. “Communities should be involved in relief and rehabilitation work because it is a powerful and empowering process for its members,” says Firoj Mithiborwala of Muslim Youth of India.

Harish Shetty, a psychiatrist who has worked with survivors of several disasters, says that local volunteers may sometimes be more valuable than professionals, particularly in days after the disaster. “Local volunteers with a little training can understand people and their problems better and they can stay with their problems for longer, which is very important.”

The issue of slums needs a more humane approach. Even a large section of Muslim intelligentsia views those living in slums as anti -social and encroachers. No doubt there are anti-social elements and dens of crime, but more than that it is a social -political issue which just cannot be left to the government to be solved.

Community efforts are equally essential for providing those living in slums with a dignified existence and a secure future. Muslims cannot afford to neglect a large section of society and hope to grow and prosper.

A beginning can be made by initiating a survey in the slums to identify their real issues and then highlight them and initiate a debate. At Islamic Voice, we have already launched a survey in Mumbai with the help of TRAC and we will raise their real issues. So just watch this page.

(The writer can be reached at mhl@rediffmail.com)

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