Patriotism to be taught in some Madrasas

HYDERABAD: Madrasas, long seen by somesections as anti-nationalist indoctrination camps for young and impressionableminds, are now addressing such criticism head on: The Deeni Madarsas (Islamicschools) in Hyderabad are planning to introduce patriotism as a subject ofstudy. "Madrasas played a major role in the freedom struggle and some studentseven laid down their lives for the country. Instead of highlighting ourachievements, we have spent our time reacting to the allegations againstmadrasas. Now we want to put an end to such criticism by showing to all what wereally teach in the madarsas," the chairman of the Deeni Madrasas, MoulanaMohammed Hameeduddin Aqil Hussami told The Times of India. The proposal tointroduce lessons on patriotism is still at an early stage. It is slated fordiscussion at the forthcoming (June 21-23) meeting of the Muslim Personal LawBoard in Hyderabad, at which clerics and scholars will present their views onthe matter. If a decision is ratified a month thereafter, about 800 madarsas inand around Hyderabad will include patriotism in their curriculum — eitheras a separate subject or at least as a chapter in a related field of study.Students will be taught what Islam says about the concept of motherland, therole of madrasas in the freedom movement, the contribution of Muslims in variousfields since Independence, etc. These lessons will be written by prominentIslamic scholars and historians. As it is, some heads of prominent madrasassaid, there already are several chapters related to patriotism in the existingsyllabus. "It was due to some misunderstanding that we are being accused ofteaching anti-nationalism. There is a need to show to society what really istaught at madrasas," Moulana Mohammed Rizwanul Qasmi, head of Darul UloomSabeel-us-Salaam said. More than 20,000 students study in madarsas in the city,including nearly 5,000 in residential schools. The Jamia Islamia Darul Uloom atShivarampally on the city outskirts with about 5,000 students, the 125-year-oldJamia Nizamia at Shibligunj with over 2,000 students and the Darul UloomSabeel-us-Salaam near Barkas with 800 students are among the 10 leading madarsasin the country. "Patriotism is an inseparable part of our imaan (faith), whichwe inculcate in all our students. We have been teaching the subject albeit in asporadic manner. But to counter the propaganda against us, we need to adopt anew approach," said Moulana Mohammed Rahimuddin Ansari, secretary of the JamiaIslamia Darul Uloom.