INTRODUCTION OF GAYA MUSLIM ORPHANAGE GAYA
It was the crusader and social reformer in the person of Enayeth Khan -- the native of a small village Kolowna in the district of Gaya, Bihar who established ''The Gaya Muslim Orphanage'', with the sole and firm hope in Allah, the Almighty amidst stern opposition and difficulties at that time where resources were limited or negligible and problems numerou
s. Thus seeking divine graces, benevolence and munificence Enayeth Khan ultimately laid the foundation of ''The Gaya Muslim Orphanage'' in October 1917 with the assistance of a teacher (Late) Janab Syed Mohd. Nazir Hussain and two orphan boys named (i) Mohd. Kausar of Kolowna, Cherki, Gaya and (ii) Syed Mohd. Ismail of Jharha, Cherki, Gaya in a cottage hired at a monthly rent of Eight annas (50 paise) and with only a meagre sum of Rupees Thirty(30/-) in hand and lit a small light for spreading literacy. In fact, the seed had been sown for a big tree. This plant (The Gaya Muslim Orphanage) which has grown into a big tree today has a long history of struggle for its survival. This history can be had from two books (1) ''Yateemkhana Ki Kehani'' Bani-e-Yateenkhana Ki Zabani'' and (2) Ek Budhai Ki Sarguzasht . According to its short history, for a complete thirtyfour (34) years from 1917 to 1951, the institution withstood the struggle for its existence a long battle indeed. It was only in the year 1952 that the institution got a fresh and new lease of life. In the words of a renowned poet.
''Bawaquar rahne ko, Barqarar rehne ko
Jung bhi zaroori hai, sulah bhi munasib hai<
(To exist with dignity and in stability battle is compulsory, so is compromise too). At that time, to completely wipe out the very existence of this educational institution, the rich, the Zamindars (landlords) and the other brethren of the area joined hands in stoutly opposing its establishment and left no stone unturned in this respect. In the year 1933, a time also came when the Orphanage had to be locked and closed down. At last the founder Enayeth Khan had to ultimately take a decision in the year 1941 after the opposition and conspiracies and subsequently after losing tolerance, to shift the Orphanage from cherki to village Bhadeya (in Gaya District) or Gaya town itself. Not only this, in continued opposition to the orphanage a Muslim Zamindar (Landlord) also took a decision to build a temple alongside the Mosque of the orphanage. Some of the Lanlords felt and said that if the Orphanage's founder Enayeth Khan is bent upon everyone with education and get them wear pyjama then who will work in the fields and do their household works. According to them ''You (Enayeth Khan) are young and want to establish the Institution in enthusiasm. You will not be able to do it. No light of education will spread. The people will laugh on the Muslim community''. But Enayeth Khan remained unmoved and put at stake his whole being property, prestige and mind for the sake of the Orphanage. According to a famous poet.
''Unhe ye zid hai key chhai rahe chaman pe khazan
Aur mujhe ye zid key baharen hi la ke chhoroonga. (They are adamant that the garden be always in autumn, and I am adamant that the garden be in full bloom). Since 1938, Enayeth Khan was very much desirous to spread education amongst the girls too. The letter written by him in this respect in the year 1938 became the source of inspiration for the establishment of ''The Gaya Muslim Girls' Orphanage'' in his native village Kolowna. It is owing to the large-heartedness, will power and intense struggle of the founder and the munificence of Almighty Allah that ''The Gaya Muslim Orphanage'' has proved its existence after 96 years while, the U.S.S.R. (Communist republic based on atheism) which was also established in 1917 has withered away just 70 years of its establishment. At present, this institution is housed in a complex spread into two (2) acres of land. A large, big and beautiful two storeyed building, an eye-catching hexagonal building, housing Maulana Mohd. Ali Jauhar Academy (Library), with Allama Syed Sulaiman Nadvi Reading Room, a wonderful, magnificent Mosque and two lush green, colourful sprawling gardens are located within the Orphanage's campus. To say, a beautiful example of an ''Oasis in the desert''. The dream which the founder of ''The Gaya Muslim Orphanage'' had seen ninety six (96) years ago to establish an institution to spread the light of literacy in the backward village of Cherki in the equally backward yet historical district of Gaya, later on also proved to be a source of inspiration for the establishment of ''The Gaya Muslim Girls' Orphanage'' , Pathshalas, Madarsas, Deeni Makatibs and Schools for both the Hindus and the Muslims of the area far and wide. Today the land of ''Cherki'' is emitting the radiant rays of education through which the entire area is benefiting from this glow in abundance and it is from this small place ''Cherki'' that a number of institution are functioning simultaneously for the welfare of the community. Thus a single light house of knowledge has made way for numerous store houses of knowledge. The institution has now become a prime and acknowledged centre of both modern and religious education for area spread in every nook and corner in the state of Bihar undoubtedly. Note:- ''The Gaya Muslim Orphanage'' is registered under the Societies Registration Act of 1860 with the Govt.
