By Fazal Shahab, Muslim Mirror,
Lucknow, April 11: Thursday was not an ordinary day for the girl students of Madrasa Darul Uloom Deen-e-Niswan, Lucknow, when Ms Adele E. Ruppe, deputy counselor in the Indian embassy of USA, visited the institution and interacted with them. Madrasa Deen-e-Niswas was established in Narhi area of the city in the year 1962 by one Shaikh Mustansirullah, to impart religious education to Muslim girls.
Ms Ruppe spent about an hour in the institution. She encouraged the girls to dream big and achieve something worthy in life. Girls students presented her handicraft gifts knitted by them.
The visit was organised by Center for Objective Research and Development (CORD). A discussion was also held on the occasion.
“I personally do not agree with each and every policy of US government” Ruppe said, when some of the guests criticized policies of America toward Muslim countries across the globe.
Begum Naseem Iqtedar Ali, a lady member of All India Muslim Personnel Law Board said that America may be a dream destination for so many people but foreign policies of this country have crushed the dreams of many innocents. “Muslims are at the receiving end” she said.
“Lack of motivation towards quality education is a big problem among Muslim women” said Principal of Karamat Husain Muslim Girls PG College Dr. Rukhsana Lari while narrating her experience with Muslim girl students.
Ruppe did not directly address foreign policy issues raised by participants of the discussion. Her purpose of the visit is to deliberate on the issues of education and empowerment of women, she explained.
Before this, Ruppe visited American Corner in famous Isabella Thoburn (IT) college and conversed with students.
She lauded the initiatives taken by the government to promote girls’ education. She told the students about US India Education Foundation and encouraged them to become entrepreneurs after completing their studies. American Corner was established in the college library by the American embassy last year. The Corner remains open for common public on weekdays between 4 pm and 8 pm.