By Manzar Imam
The vibrant city of New Delhi became a focal point for discussions on the integration of religious and mainstream education in Indian madrasas during a two-day International Seminar-cum-Workshop held on May 1st and 2nd, 2024. Organized by the Centre for Research on Madrasa Education, Department of Islamic Studies at Jamia Hamdard (JH) in collaboration with the Hyderabad-based Everest Educational and Welfare Society, the event brought together experts, scholars, and delegates from various madrasas across India and abroad.
The workshop kicked off with a series of insightful questions, with each discussant receiving a list of 12 questions to guide the discussions. Dr. Waris Mateen Mazhari, Assistant Professor of Islamic Studies and Director of the Centre for Research on Madrasa Education at JH, set the stage with an introductory note. The first question, presented by moderator Dr. Muhiuddin Ghazi, delved into the feasibility of integrating religious and contemporary education within madrasas.
Participants, representing a diverse array of madrasas and schools of thought from different regions, as well as foreign delegates, emphasized the importance of introducing a blend of subjects and skills training in madrasas. This approach aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of both religious sciences (deeni ‘ulūm) and worldly knowledge. Contrary to misconceptions propagated by some media outlets, many subjects are already part of madrasa curricula or have been integrated over time.
The discussions highlighted the dual role of madrasas in meeting the needs of the Muslim community and contributing to the nation’s educational landscape. Suggestions emerged to broaden the madrasa syllabus, especially in the early years, to attract non-Muslim students—an approach reminiscent of historical practices in some madrasas. However, as students progress, there was consensus on focusing on specialized courses, particularly in religious studies, to nurture well-informed scholars capable of guiding Muslims comprehensively.
Participants advocated for the inclusion of essential subjects like mathematics, English, and Hindi to facilitate effective communication and dispel language barriers. Additionally, proposals were made to offer online courses and short-term skills training programs to enhance employability for madrasa graduates, provided these initiatives do not interfere with their core academic pursuits.
Distinguished attendees included Maulana Tahir Madani from Jamiatul Falah, Azamgarh; Prof. Obaidullah Fahad from Aligarh Muslim University (AMU); Maulana Mohammad Afzal Kaimuri Qasmi; Prof. Fahim Akhtar Nadwi from Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU); Dr. Abdul Qadeer from Shaheen Group; Dr. Junaid Haris from Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI); Dr. Mohammad Ajmal from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU); Dr. Manzar Imam from MJ Achievers Academy; and Maulana Naushad Noori from Darul Uloom Waqf, Deoband, among others.
Addressing concerns about the economic role of ‘ulamā, Maulana Mohammed Fazlurrahim Mujaddidi, general secretary of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board and rector of Jamea-Tul-Hidaya, Jaipur, emphasized the importance of maintaining economic relevance alongside educational endeavors. His concluding remarks resonated with the workshop’s overarching themes of modernization and adaptation within traditional educational frameworks.
The workshop concluded with a commitment to share its deliberations with major madrasas across different theological perspectives, reflecting a collaborative effort towards enhancing educational practices within the madrasa system.