An ideal neighbourhood is the foundation of an ideal society, says JIH
Panjim, 19th Nov 2025: Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) Goa announced the launch of the 10-day nationwide campaign “Ideal Neighbourhood, Ideal Society”, to be held from 21st to 30th November, as part of JIH’s all-India initiative to revive India’s fading culture of neighbourliness, social trust, and community cooperation.
Addressing the press conference today were:
Asif Hussain (President, JIH Goa), Bashir Shaikh (President, All Goa Muslim Association),
and Samiulla Belwadi (Secretary, JIH Goa), Aavez Ahmed (President, SIO Goa), Sharmin Khan (GIO Goa Secretary) and Shaheen Khan (Secretary, Women Wing, JIH Goa).
Why the Campaign?
In a time marked by polarisation, social tensions, and emotional distances—even among neighbours living just a few steps apart—JIH highlighted that nation-building begins with neighbourhood-building. Referring to PEW 2019 data cited by HelpAge India, which shows that only 31% of urban residents regularly interact with their neighbours, JIH Goa stressed the need to urgently rebuild human connections. In a statement to the media, Mr Asif Hussain, President JIH, Goa explained that Islam places great emphasis on the rights of neighbours. The Qur’an commands kindness to “near and distant neighbours” (al-Nisa: 36), while Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught that true faith is reflected in ensuring one’s neighbour feels safe and respected (Hadith Sahi Muslim and Sahi Bukhari). Good neighbourly conduct is not only a moral duty but also a path to Paradise
Erosion of Social Bonds – A National Concern
Modern living, digital overload, and stressful work routines have weakened community ties. Conflicts over parking, pets, noise, property lines, and shared spaces are rising, while road users face aggression instead of courtesy, workplaces struggle with gossip and unhealthy competition and schools and colleges witness growing hostility among students. JIH stated that trust and empathy are being replaced by indifference and isolation—posing a serious threat to social harmony.
The Goa Chapter’s Mission
Launching the Goa leg of the nationwide campaign, JIH Goa outlined key objectives:
- Identifying behaviours that disturb or harm neighbours
- Encouraging corrective actions and resolving neighbourhood disputes
- Promoting compassion, respect, and mutual cooperation
- Highlighting positive examples of neighbourly harmony
- Strengthening interpersonal bonds across communities
- Fostering discipline, cleanliness, and community responsibility
Importantly, the campaign is addressed to all—irrespective of caste, religion, or region.
Programs Planned Across Goa
A wide variety of community-oriented activities will be conducted across the state, including public awareness programs, cleanliness drives in collaboration with Goa-based NGOs, neighbourhood meets conducted by JIH cadre, meetings with local administration to resolve neighbourhood-level concerns, multilingual Kavi Sammelan promoting harmony through poetry, community get-togethers and street meets, traffic awareness and safe-driving campaigns, drawing competitions for children, helpdesks addressing neighbour-related issues, skits, cultural presentations, and street plays and lectures at schools, colleges, and religious institutions.
JIH Goa affirmed that these efforts aim to rekindle values of care, justice, respect, and peaceful coexistence—virtues deeply rooted in Goa’s and India’s social heritage.
A Humble Appeal to the People of Goa
JIH Goa appeals to all residents of the state to wholeheartedly support this initiative and cooperate in rebuilding healthy, compassionate, and peaceful neighbourly relations.
“An ideal neighbourhood,” JIH stated, “is the foundation of an ideal society—and ultimately, a stronger nation.”
