A day after the Maharashtra government declared that madrassas that do not teach primary subjects such as English, Maths and Science will not be recognised as formal schools, many in the Muslim community said thousands of madrassas have incorporated basic subjects along with management studies, skill-based courses such as refrigeration, mobile repairing, ayurveda and computer education.
Zafeeruddin, a Delhi University professor, teaches at a madrassa in Batla House in the evening. Islamic Da’wah Centre may confuse many for a centre for Islamic studies as teenaged boys in white kurta-pyjama can be seen streaming in. Inside the institute, these boys aren’t reciting the Quran verses or listening to a lecture on religion. Instead, they are given various subjects’ textbooks and imparted computer training to prepare them for the world outside the madrassas. A Ph.D. student himself, he shuttles between college, his studies and the institute. “It is important for these boys to be prepared otherwise how will they survive.” Teaching Arabic language and Arab Civilization to M.Phil students in North Campus for five years, he himself was a student at a madrassa. He teaches Arabic and basic English for free. “The boys can also choose Political Science and Computer training.” Once they complete the course, they receive a diploma certificate.
Another madrassa in Okhla imparts classes online in case the teacher is on leave. “People think madrassas are institutes teaching only about Islam and its teachings. But it isn’t true. I have studied in a madrassa in Deoband and now pursuing Political Science (Hons) from Jamia Millia Islamia University,” said Mohd Adil, native of Azamgarh.
Usually notices in the madrassas are put up and boys are then briefed about various courses, which is mostly free of cost. “In our madrassas, we teach basics as well as graduation level studies. We have also tied up with many English coaching centres and special classes are held for our students,” said Obaidullah, teaching at a madrassa in Babarpur.
Once the course is completed, some of the madrassas also take care of the placement if students don’t want to go for higher studies. With lots of patients flying in from Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and other gulf countries for medical treatment, most of the students work as translators in big hospitals like Max, Fortis, Apollo and Medanta Medi City.
“A lot more community mobilisation is needed to bring more Muslims in the formal job sector. Modernisation of madrassas is very much needed by strengthening it through scientific education. But it cannot be done the way Maharashtra government did as the sense of insecurity among the community has increased. Rather than taking these madrassas or any other religious institutes in confidence, the Maharashtra government has done a shoddy job,” said Amitabh Kundu, chairman, Post Sachar Evaluation Committee.
Every year, the government allocates funds for ‘modernisation of madrassas’. However, the fund lapses as most of these madrassas don’t take the grants from the government and depend on community funding.
“A majority of Muslims in India belongs to a lower income group. Fearing discrimination and high school fees, many parents opt for madrassas over regular schools. The government will have to bring all religious institutes, be it madrassas or Shishu Mandir, under the education board,” said Ashok Aggarwal, a lawyer and activist.
“Modernisation of madrassas is needed by strengthening it through scientific education,” said Amitabh Kundu, chairman, Post Sachar Evaluation Committee
