Nowhera Shaikh, CEO of Heera Group, says that eradicating the practice of levying interest and encouraging halal business are the objectives of her firm.

“I want to see an interest-free world and it is my dream,” Nowhera Sheikh, who has been active in business and social work for several years, told Arab News.

Heera Group, a company spread across different countries, has been known for their charitable activities. “We are ready to save people from interest (ribah),” she said.

The group will organize a Halal Tijaarat Exposition at India Trade Center in Sharjah from May 12-18.

“We will set up a women’s helpline at India Trade Center and our intention is to support needy women from any country. I consider it as our religious duty,” she added.

“We have plans to help people who are in financial difficulties. Of course, we are in business but our main objective is humanitarian activities. Our ultimate goal is to provide strong support and a common platform for all, especially for women by bringing about social upliftment and chartering a better lifestyle for them,” said Nowhera Sheikh.

Addressing a press conference in Dubai, she urged the media people to help the people in distress.

“The Sharjah event will be a parallel business movement which is trying to implement the new concept on interest-free trading,” she said.

Referring to her business activities, she said Heera group has a strong presence in the Gulf, Asia and Africa.

“Ours’ is a fast-growing gold trading firm. Headquartered in Hyderabad, India, the group has branches across India, UAE, China, Africa and Canada,” she said.

The group encompasses 19 operating companies in different sectors such as gold trading, investments, textiles, jewelry, mineral water, granite, tours and travels, property development, electronics, Haj and Umrah services etc.

“We have a strong presence in the food industry too,” she said.

“Heera Foodex has made its mark in the market as a strong firm — as the best exporter and importer of quality food items. Moreover, we are going to expand our food industry to Dubai, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain,” she told Arab News.