Al Jamia Al Islamiya Santhapuram (Kerala), under the guidance of Human Welfare Foundation, opened its branch at Marora village in Mewat on 20 May to uplift and empower the Muslims of the region socially, educationally and economically.
In 1955, Al Jamia Al Islamiya, was established at Santhapuram in Kerala. It has encouraged many other institutions to keep aside their traditional approach and move forward towards a new era of Islamisation of human knowledge. This unique model is leading by an example for an Islamic educational renaissance in Kerala. It has almost changed the existing narrative of Islamic education in the state. In 2003, this Jamia was upgraded to the status of an Islamic University at a grand function graced by Islamic scholars, including the world renowned Islamic scholar Sheikh Dr. Yusuf Al Qaradawi.
Speaking about the new centre, Shibli Arsalan Zaki, principal and administrator of Al Jamia Al Islamiya, Mewat told Radiance, “This is a branch of Al Jamia Al Islamiya, Santhapuram. It is a unique kind of Islamic University. It was the dream of this project to create its impact elsewhere in the country. Under Al Jamia Vision 2025 there is a plan to establish more branches in other parts of the country. This new centre is the first step forward towards the realisation of the extension plan as envisaged earlier. After successful experiment of this project we would like to further establish branches in West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh. The vision of Al Jamia is to mould people in order to make them thinkers, debaters and leaders. Creating leaders is the focus area of this vision.”
He also informed, “In the last 20-25 years, Al Jamia has enriched Kerala by helping students to become an asset of the Millat and they are rendering their service wherever they are. We know that no one can become a good leader of the Millat unless and until he has acquired Islamic knowledge and understanding. Therefore we focus here on Islamic Studies and Arabic including humanities and IT.”
About the newly built centre, he said, “This centre will only be for 10+2 students and after passing out they will be shifted to the old branch at Santhapuram. In Class 11 we will teach them Political Science, History, Sociology, IT, English along with Arabic and Islamic Studies. We will also focus on languages like English, Arabic, Urdu and Hindi.”
On the short and long term plans, Shibli Arsalan said after their 10+2 they would enrol students in Graduation in Islamic Studies at Santhapuram. “In the long term plan we will try to establish a school here up to 10 level. We will also establish various departments up to Graduation level. In the years to come we will be able to retain what we call a University with a difference. It is our dream to make this project a cultural and educational awareness centre of the people here. Socially and educationally people here are backward. We would like to raise their social, educational and political awareness from here.”
Maulana Mamooni, Chairman of the Management Committee of Al Jamia Al Islamiya, Mewat told Radiance, “We are trying to inculcate Islamic education in students in order to make them aware of how to live life along with technical qualities to progress and prosper. It will uplift them socially, educationally and economically. Islamic education is necessary to live life and technical knowledge and expertise is essential to prosper and progress. Therefore we have to focus on both these aspects simultaneously to bring about desired changes.
“Social, educational and economic upliftment will only be possible through education; and through education the gap in between the haves and the have-nots can be decreased. This will further help create a kind of balance in the society. The students, after completion of their education here, will not only become a valuable asset to the community but will also contribute meaningfully to the welfare of the people and the country.”
PK Noufal, Chief Executive Officer of the Human Welfare Foundation, informed the audience that the Foundation will look after the financial requirements for five years and Al Jamia will manage its academic and administrative affairs.
This centre is being established on a piece of land spread over 30 acres which is completely fenced. A two-storey building has come up for 10+2 students who will also be provided with food and hostel facilities.
Shahid Shamim, Managing Director of Nibras Construction Pvt. Ltd, who is the contractor of this project, told Radiance that initially it was very difficult for them to start the project because the local people objected to it, considering them to be Qadiani. “I personally persuaded and convinced them that this is the project of Jamaat-Islami Hind and we have come here to help you all and it will be purely selfless service for the sake of the people of Mewat. Now we have been able to make good rapport with the locals and they are now helping us and guiding us as and when required.”
Mohd Basheer, who lives in nearby place Marora, expressed his feelings saying, “Initially we were in some doubt but now we are happy that our children will get the benefit of it and it will help them to lead a good life through better education. It will further help them raise their social and educational standards.”
Zeeshan Ahmed of nearby village Sikrana, who was there to collect form to get him enrolled here, while talking to Radiance, said, “I am happy that I will study here. It will help me learn what is required today.”
The local people of Habitkay village looked happy and pleased during the foundation stone laying programme of a mosque at a few kilometres from the project site. The foundation stone was laid by Maulana Mamooni in the presence of the local people. The existing mosque is very small and hardly 10 to 15 people can offer Salat at a time. The condition of the structure is in very bad shape. It really requires urgent attention. It is a temporary old structure and not sufficient for the people there. Dua was also made for its successful completion.