A group of students from West Asian Studies Department, Jawaharlal Nehru University recently visited the Masjid located in the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind campus as part of their academic syllabus. The visit, aimed at fostering interfaith understanding and educational enrichment, provided a rare and open opportunity for dialogue between young learners and senior members of the Islamic Centre. Students were also accompanied with some Professors. Around 40 students visited the Masjid.
According to Waris Husain, Assistant Secretary of JIH, the session lasted for over an hour and was marked by lively curiosity, candid questioning, and constructive discussion. The students came prepared with a range of questions that reflected both a deep interest and a desire to clear common misconceptions about Islam and its followers.
The interactive session was primarily led by Prof. Salim Engineer, Vice President of JIH, who addressed most of the questions. He was supported by Er. S. Ameenul Hasan, Vice President of JIH, while ShaistaRafat, National Secretary of JIH and some representatives from the Masjid were also present. Husain noted that the queries covered a wide range of topics from the daily functioning and role of the Masjid to broader social and theological issues surrounding Islam, Muslims, and the religion’s portrayal in wider society.
The questions were met with thoughtful and respectful responses, aiming to foster clarity and dispel the stereotypes often encountered in mainstream discourse. “The students were deeply engaged and eager to understand Islam from an authentic source rather than second-hand information,” Husain remarked.
The visit concluded at around 4:15 PM, after which the students left the premises. Husain was careful to clarify that the visit was not organised on the invitation of the Masjid or the centre. Instead, it was a school-initiated educational exercise, with the institution reaching out to the Masjid to arrange the visit. “We welcomed them without any hesitation,” he said, noting that such visits are always encouraged by the centre.
Interestingly, this was not the first such visit. A group of students from the same school had visited earlier in May, although there had been some uncertainty from school authorities at that time about whether future visits would be feasible. Husain and his colleagues reassured the school of their full cooperation and took steps to make this second visit even more structured and welcoming.
A notable highlight of the visit came toward its conclusion, when students were shown a small display of Islamic literature. The collection included several books in English on various aspects of Islam, along with multiple copies of the Qur’an. Husain recounted that the students were particularly drawn to the Qur’an, expressing a strong desire to take copies with them.
Unfortunately, as the centre was officially closed that day, they were unable to provide enough copies to meet the demand. Nevertheless, Husain expressed optimism, saying, “Their eagerness to read the Qur’an and other material shows a genuine desire to understand. I hope they come back with more questions next time.”
Reflecting on the broader significance of the visit, Husain emphasised the importance of such exchanges in building mutual understanding and breaking down societal barriers. “These are the kinds of interactions that lead to real learning and mutual respect. When students come here, see our Masjid, ask their questions, and leave with answers and literature, we know we are contributing to a more informed and tolerant society,” he said.
He stressed that the centre places no restrictions on educational visits and is committed to ensuring that future sessions are equally, if not more, impactful. With improved arrangements and open-hearted hospitality, Husain believes these experiences can be pivotal in shaping young minds and challenging ingrained stereotypes.
“The interest they showed, particularly in wanting to read and understand Islam through our books, was heartening,” he concluded. “If even a few of them read what they took and reflect on it, this visit will have served its purpose.”
As communities across India continue to seek greater interfaith harmony and understanding, such educational interactions represent small but significant steps toward a more cohesive and empathetic society.