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Like Al Aamir, a new generation of Muslim content creators is emerging in old Bhopal, nonchalant about their appearance and their faith. Maryam Zia, a psychology graduate who proudly wears her hijab and has over 5,000 followers on Instagram, reviews cafes and restaurants and supports women-owned businesses.
Their aim is to highlight local businesses run by Muslim women and help them reach a wider audience. “I believe in giving wings to the businesses of Muslim women. It is a way to empower them and tell the world about their hidden talents,” she says.
Some of Maryam’s videos became very popular in Bhopal, like this one, which has now been viewed 7.8 lakh times.
The efforts of such content creators are in line with residents like Anant Soni, who says, “Their presence does not matter to me. I follow Al Amir because he keeps me updated about the old city. His beard and hat are his personal choices—who am I to judge?”
The content creation industry in India, valued at $1.5 billion in 2023, is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20% over the next five years, according to the FICCI-EY Media & Entertainment Report of March 2023.
“Content creators can earn good revenue through social media. From affiliate marketing and sponsored collaborations to selling digital products, creators now have multiple avenues to turn their passion into a sustainable livelihood,” says
Saim Khan, known as Bawra Saim on Instagram, has over 14,000 followers on Instagram.
But there are also influencers who do not believe in making money through social media.
For instance, another Bhopal-based content creator, Rameez Mohammad Khan or Rameez Bhopali, says:
With a growing following of over 98,000 followers on Instagram, he has made a name for himself in real estate and automobile content creation.
Rameez’s warmth is reflected through his “Salaam” greetings to his followers in his Instagram Reels, which he says has helped build trust among his followers. He says, ‘People make assumptions after seeing my beard and shalwar-kameez, but my faith does not interfere in my work. This ‘culture’ is a part of our Bhopal city.
