NEW DELHI : The madrasas (Islamic seminaries) and the education imparted in them must be modernized to make it sustainable, US-based Muslim philanthropist Frank Islam said in New Delhi on Tuesday.
“The clergy that resists modern education has his own interests. (But) They must understand that the education being given there cannot provide any jobs to students,” he said during an interaction with media persons.
Known for funding higher education in India, Islam, however, said that he has no plans to fund ay madrasas here.
Asked if he has any plans to fund or establish a “model madrasa” where religious education can be gelled with contemporary learnings, he said: “As of now I have not thought about it. But I think a few people here in India including Lt Gen (retd) Zameeruddin Shah are working on this concept.”
He shared a few ideas regarding the educational empowerment of Muslims.
“Ensure a strong focus on literacy development in the rural areas and for females, develop technical and entrepreneurial skills, place an increased emphasis on higher education, make connections and build coalitions both here in India and with Muslims around the world,” he said.
He stressed on developing technical and entrepreneurial skills.
“Around the world, we are finding that technological advances are occurring so rapidly that basic education and literacy … are insufficient for success in life. This is true in India as well. To be fully empowered, Muslims must have the technical and entrepreneurial skills to compete and also to create their own opportunities in the 21st century workforce,” Islam said.
On building coalitions inside the country as well as with Muslims around the world, Islam said that no government can alone achieve the goal of educating all the people.
“No group can do it alone. But together we can. We need to reach out to others who share our cause. If they are brought together, we will be able to create the level and type of educational empowerment that we need,” he said.IANS
Very true, Aalim course needs to be bachelors or post-graduate professional course in English,Arabic and Urdu….also deriving from Cambridge and Oxford Islamic courses, which also have much good to offer.
Our Aalims should be post-graduate professionals and not just rote-learning brain-washed sub-graduates. Faazil/Muftis should definitely be Phd.
Muslims/AIMPLB should combine Waqf property and resources to pay —–a minimum monthly salary of 20,000 to a Haafiz and Qaari , who should be Imaam of small musjids; minimum 30,000 to an Aalim and should be Imaam for bigger musjids and cities; and Muftis/Faazils should be posted at District headquarters and metropolitan cities-with a minimum salary of 40,000,,,,,,and incresing based on experience and good moral character—–this may prevemt majority from falling into corruption, seeking bribes from ruqya, sham of treating witch-craft, spreading doubtful practices/bidaah, etc
These Islamic scholars once they build their character and popularity should also venture into social service-daawah and get into political leadership actively to uplift the community and society at large.
Any Muslim leaders wanting to sincerely revolutionalise our Islamic sciences like Moualana Sajjad Noumani sahab is trying to.
Madarsa students should be taught English, Hindi and local state language in addition to Arabic and Urdu….otherwise how can they give Daawah in today’s modern world?
Hence preferably students should stick around in own state to gain expertise in own state language like Telugu, Marathi, Kannada, Tamil, Assamese, Oriya, Bengali, etc.
They should be also given scientific, history, mathematics schooling, proper degree certificates and guaranteed minimum-wage employment near their hometown.
All Madarsas should have an “Open day” with small meals for non-Muslim neighbours for building bridges and clearing misconceptions…once a month regularly..
All Indian Madarsas should be strictly regulated, audited and also given educational and financial assistance from AIMPLB/ Jamiatul Ulema, Zakaat foundation and mainly billionaire Waqf board together….
Otherwise, hum nahi sudhrenge!
Good initiative