Chhipa is a biradari or a community of Muslims of Gujarat. I don’t have an estimate of how many people identify themselves as Chhipa but what impress me most is that a section of them are very concerned about community issues and have set up organizations to help people of their biradari.
Chhipa Samast Jamaat Committee was established in 1938 and continue to function, which shows that tradition of helping community is very strong and continues to this day. Just look at the activities that Chhippa Jamaat is involved in – from night coaching for school students to group marriages to running a health clinic.
Chhipas get their name for their work of chhapa or dyeing that they used to do in Gujarat. Community has since moved on to other businesses and jobs but the they continue to identify themselves as Chhipa.
The tradition of social work and connection to the community is thankfully being passed on to the new generation as well. Look at this movie, Starting With Three In Chhipawad, made by and for Chhipas to raise awareness about some of the social problems that need constant reminding and some new issues like encouraging education for girls.
The movie is an amateur attempt but the story line and some of the acting is pretty good and this attempt of trying to tell their own story and engaging the community should be encouraged.
I am one of the Chhipa resided in the Northern Virginia area and i want to thank you deeply for publishing this article on your website.
Jazak Allah Khair!
Imran.
Job Well done!
May Allah(s) bless you all for this production.
I must admit, although I am not a Chhipa (Gujarati, of course, who did not require sub-titles), it is neither your story nor mine, but it’s our story.
This one action that needs to be appreciated and promoted to inspire others to act/implement.
Very powerful message!
Thank you.
Hmm where would the chippas burn the hindus again?
Gujarat is already 50% muslims or more. With U.P./BANGLADESHI/PAKISTANI/BIHARI MUSLIMS COMING in by truckloads.
Gujarat is in imminent danger so is West bengal.
Asslamoalaikum. The Excellant idea and an excellant presentation. I wish icould circulate this movie in evry home of Muslims in Indian subcontinent. The community is know as Khatri in Saurashtra and Kutch region of Gurat. They are very enterprising and hardworking. May Allaah give them moreprosparity and community feelings. Ameen
I appreciate your effort and thank you
You sound defensive & Apologetic you understand after any violence terrorism criminality a muslimmsy be from Indonesia to Usa Muslims are just as a wrong slander target as the victims of violent terrorism.
We dont need to profess our innocence by pointing to sects of Muslims or Nationalities .While nothing wrong with that or those communities but the idea is skewed With due respect it is again mistake to upfront community sects like Aga Khan Bohra etc as Surrogate apologetic defensive Muslims .There all sort of ethnicity sects within each religion disciples .No Hindu goes on defensive professing Gandhian as hindu and jat rajput bihari RSS BjP as not being true hindu
Excellent!
May Allah(s) bless you all for this production.
This is not just Chippawad or Gujrath problem this social decease inhereted from Indian Hindu culture. If you look in the middle east boy has to give money to get married.
Very powerful message! I recommend we should reproduce in Hindi/Urdu and spread across India.
Thank you.
Wajahat Abdulla
IMRC
The social concern of the Chippas is not limited to their community only. In Karachi free food is served by this commuity on a daily basis at nukkads to all who need. No questions asked. Plus giving medical aid and performing last rites on those who have nobody.
About ten years ago in Washington DC I met a few Indian-American Muslims from the America-Chhipa community who live in US. They impressed me as sincere, down to earth, hard working people with strong family values and ethics. I felt an immediate attraction to them because of their strong value system, despite living in the fast lane American society. A couple of years later I attended one of their community meetings in northern Virginia. Their friendliness and desire to help anyone and everyone regardless of race or religion or ethnic origin is their tremendous core strengh. I wish more people in America and India get to know this community from a close distance.
Their US born next generation is now taking off into various professional arenas in US. They will be a core assett to America in years to come.