Muslim scholar teaches Hindu scriptures

KOLKATA: A silent revolution has beenachieved by Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandir at Belur. For the first time inRKM’s 105-year history, Muslim teachers have been appointed to teach Hinduscriptures.Shamim Ahmed, a former Presidency college scholar, and FaridurRahman have been appointed to teach Shad Darshana--Sankhya, Yoga, Nyaya,Vaisheshika, Mimamsa and Vedanta. For some monks of RKM, the appointment is inkeeping with the spirit of what Swami Vivekananda had once said: “ForIndia, a Vedantic brain with an Islamic body is the onlyhope.�“Shamim and Rahman are very popular teacher and ourstudents like their method of teaching,� said Swami Atmapriyananda,Vidyamandir principal. He said that a meeting of the college’steachers and monks was held after the College Service Commission recommendedShamim’s name in mid-January,2000. The decision to appoint them wasunanimous.Ahmed who became a graduate with a first class degree in 1992,did his post graduation from the Calcutta University. He finds his assignment“a pleasant experience�. “The teachers and monks are friendlyand I face no problem teaching the students,� he says.His love forIndian philosophy grew since his undergraduate days. He has studied some of theoriginal books like Nayakusumanjali, Sarvadarshansamghraya and Vedantasara inSanskrit. Rahman wants to continue with higher studies in Vedanta and Nyaya.His association with the monks and the scope of using the collegelibrary’s varied range of books and commentaries on Indian philosophywould help him immensely, he felt.Asked whether he is facing anyopposition, Ahmed said, “I was brought up in a liberal atmosphere and myparents in Murshidabad are very happy that I am teachingVedanta.�Professor Nirod Baran Chakraborty, former head ofPhilosophy department, Presidency College and a well known scholar in Vedantasaid the Vidyamandir had done a bold job in appointing the teachers.