In a Time of Boycotts, a WhatsApp Group is Powering Muslim Entrepreneurs in Kolkata
Amid rising Islamophobia and increasing calls to boycott Muslim-owned businesses, a Kolkata-based WhatsApp group called The Companion Barakah (TCB) is quietly creating a parallel ecosystem of trust and growth. With over 440 members across industries and more than ₹10 crore in internal transactions, TCB functions as a peer-referral platform that connects startups, professionals, and legacy brands alike. While rooted in the Muslim community, its founders insist the group is not exclusionary but a necessary response to survive, support each other, and thrive in a hostile economic climate
Kolkata: Green Entertainment Production, one of Kolkata’s leading event management firms and a long-time associate of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), recently chose Zaiqa Catering to serve guests when some KKR players visited its owner’s residence on May 5 this year. But the choice wasn’t random—it was made through a WhatsApp group.
Mohammed Mazhar, the company’s owner, had recently joined The Companion Barakah (TCB), a growing peer-referral platform connecting entrepreneurs from diverse sectors.
“Green Entertainment is now an established brand. We can work with or pay any company,” Mazhar told eNewsroom.
“But I prefer working with relatively new businesses that are good at what they do. Through TCB, I found several hidden gems we had no idea existed. I also came to know about Furqan Khan, the owner of Cake-O-Logy, through TCB,” he added.
Not Just a Group—A Movement: The Making of TCB
TCB is a community-based support network functioning as a peer-to-peer referral platform. In a short time, it has grown to over 440 members. The group meets almost every month and recently celebrated its first anniversary. Impressively, member-to-member transactions have already crossed Rs 10 crore.
Its members come from a wide range of sectors—Information Technology (IT), manufacturing, SaaS, fashion, events, entertainment, media, FMCG, traders, leather manufacturers, food & beverages, BFSI, malls, educational institutions, legal, tooling, and healthcare.
Some notable names in the group include Oh Kolkata, Teamology Media (PR), Alauddin Sweets, Naturoveda, Stocksjet, Bahamas Water, Ivory Hotel, Haji Saheb, Arsalan, and Azad College.
Rooted in Resilience
The idea for TCB took shape in the wake of rising Islamophobia and increasing calls for the boycott of Muslim-owned businesses last year. Entrepreneurs Israr Alam, Gulrez Alam, Aquib Hussain, and Taslim Ali decided to form a grassroots initiative to build mutual support.
“We wanted a space that would help each other grow and also provide technical support,” said Israr Alam, director of Carney Technologies Services.
The impact is already being felt. Zaiqa Caterer’s owner, Abrarul Haque, said, “I’ve received 3–4 orders through TCB since its inception. Considering that there are 6–7 caterers in the group, I see that as a positive.”
Huzaifa Alam, a hafiz and founder of Immunified Foods, shared that his business saw a nearly 20 percent boost thanks to TCB. “People loved our honey-based products. Plus, I got my website redesigned through another TCB member.”
Some organizations, like Arshia’s Kitchen, got the opportunity to collaborate with other TCB members. “During last Eid, Hamsafar collaborated with us. Our curated hampers—consisting of kurta sets and chocolates—were given to clients as gifts,” informed Arshia Ahmed.
Of the Community, by the Community — for the World
Community-based business support systems are not new to India. Many communities—Marwaris, Jains, Sikhs—have long built their economic resilience through internal collaboration.
TCB is following a similar path—but without excluding others.
“While we do promote Muslim-owned enterprises, there’s no hate here,” clarified Alam. “In fact, my business partner is Manish Kumar.”
Looking ahead, the group plans to expand its role beyond business connections. “So far, we’ve focused on trust-building and member referrals. But in the future, we aim to take up members’ concerns with government and administrative bodies too,” said Taslim Ali of Oh Kolkata.
