LEHMAN BROTHERS

In this very troubled and taxing times, I have managed to keep my promise, made in the earlier post, of making readers, aware of Lehman Brothers. My earlier post had tried to expose the underbelly of our community, although I had been very cautious, but still I seem to have offended many, hurt their feelings, for which I am real sorry. (one recognized mailing list, returned back by post, stating ‘in appropriate content’ and I got the hint)

But there are no regrets ,as far as that I have been able to convey the truth, and pray who would have heard me, if not for the economic meltdown.

Had it not been for Lehman Brothers, who in the community would have heard me, if I had suggested on obtaining very tangible barakat products, that would have benefited mumineen in both Deen and Duniya. The products obtained by investing in the general community good and in its people, who are in need of financial support to live a better life, to succeed in their trade callings.

The ‘Upliftment Product’ of investing surplus funds in the education of mumineen students, who would like to pursue higher education, who have obtained admission on merit in good colleges, but lack of funds, are forcing them to back out, and seek employment in firms offering meager pay. A case in point is the life of thousands of our mumineen eking out an existence in the Gulf.

I have interacted with many, know their talents and aspirations, but there are unable to realize their dreams, because of a particular mindset. I know of a very big Industrialist, saying to his mumin employee in the Gulf ‘ Saleh, tane je salary aapu chu, etla ma 2 mallu rakhi saku -samjo !!!

The tangible returns on the Upliftment Produtcs is ‘sawab’ and I need not stress the fact, that if your are true believing mumineen, you will disagree with me, on this point. The smile and joy you bring on the face of the child, whose education, you agree to sponsor, the emotions of ‘shukr’ readily seen on the haggard face, who you have just helped, by giving medical aid, the housing colony, you manage to construct and provide to those, who are living in squalor and dirty neighborhood, and manage to get back your investments, in not 1 year, as they will surely default, but in ten years period. Please do try out this long haul 10 year product, and you will never fail.

The tangible benefit will be, that you will have helped in changing the ‘life style’ of many, and Allah Willing and with doa mubarak of our beloved Aqa Moula (TUS) with the change in ‘life style 'and better living conditions, the subdued talents of those, whom you have helped, may flower and they may be able to pay off their KH much faster.

I am not talking ‘out of the hat’ I have real examples to prove my point.


Pray why have I coined this word – Upliftment Products, the reason is simple. Many have invested in dubious financial products, and are silently regretting. I really pity them. But now when I talk of an Upliftment Product, they will readily understand, and as for the returns accrued also, they will be willing to listen. The recent News Report from Singapore 29th Oct: is a case in point.

‘ About 10,000 retail investors in Singapore bought more than 500 million Singapore dollars (333 million US Dollars) of the products linked to Lehman, with about 1400 of them pumping 103 million Singapore dollars in the DBS HIGH NOTES FIVE.

The redemption value of the Notes due to mature on Nov: 08 is ZERO.

This is just one financial product, there are many like this biting the dust. Products that people were lured to buy. Had it not been for Lehman Brothers and its undoing, no one, I am sure would have even the time, to read my post and about our community centric ‘Upliftment Products’

It is precisely to thank my friend Richard Fuld CEO - Lehman Brothers,. that I sought an appointment with him, which he readily accepted, under the changed circumstances. Over cups of frappuccino at Starbucks New York outlet, I first regretted that he had been punched in the face by an angry American, who lost all his retirement benefits. He chuckled and confided in me, that was nothing compared to the estimated $ 450 million in compensation, that he was taking home !!!

The reasons behind this economic meltdown are many, if you are interested in the subject, reams and reams of print and electronic material is available. Srikumar Bondhyopadhya has written an insight providing article in The Telegraph – Calcutta 27 Oct: 2008., as to the reasons behind this meltdown.

I will not go into the details, as I have managed to make my point. GREED is the tectonic force, which had been building up, in the faults of the apparently sound appearing economic edifice.

As one mumimeen bhai rightly commented on my earlier post, it is a matter of time, before the Sensex shoots upward, the real estate market overcomes the jitters, and every one will be back to making money.

So thank you Lehman Brothers for giving me a window of opportunity to convey the tenets of my faith and Deen to my community members, in the language, which they readily understand.

If any good comes out of it, and I am confident it will, I offer it as a hadiyah to my beloved Aqa Moula (TUS) and if there is any error of judgment on my part, or I have hurt the feelings , or have failed to convey my thoughts correctly, the entire onus is on me.

If you are convinced by this post that the UPLIFTMENT PRODUCT that I have managed to bring into focus, has intrinsic and long term benefits, do start investing in it please.