The contribution of Muslims to educational advancements in India has often been misunderstood. Against this backdrop, a comprehensive study examining the role of Muslims in establishing private educational institutionsbetween 1986 and 2016, brings into focus the diversity of their involvement. At the heart of this educational journey lies the institution of madrasas.
Important findings of the study, Educational Institutions Established by Muslims in India authored by NaazKhairlay emphasis on the role of madrasas and their evolving place in India’s educational landscape.
By mapping out institutions established from 1986 to 2016, the study constructs a nuanced picture of how grassroots mobilisation, religious inspiration, and societal need coalesced to shape a parallel, community-driven educational infrastructure.
The Bedrock of Muslim Educational Culture
Among the most prominent features of this landscape are madrasas. Historically, madrasas have been religious institutions providing Islamic education, often combining instruction in Qur’anic studies, Arabic, theology, jurisprudence (fiqh), and more. In India, they have long served as centres of learning, moral development, and cultural preservation.
During the period studied, madrasas continued to flourish across urban and rural regions alike. Their significance is multifaceted:
- Access to Education: For many poor families, especially in rural and marginalised areas, madrasas offer free education, boarding, and meals. This is a vital lifeline where state-run schools are absent or under-resourced.
- Religious and Moral Training: Madrasas preserve Islamic identity through scriptural instruction, offering students a grounding in faith and ethics.
- Alternative Pedagogical Spaces: At a time when formal schooling is becoming increasingly commodified, madrasas provide alternative models of learning rooted in community values.
- Inclusiveness and Charity: Operated largely through community donations and waqf endowments, madrasas reflect the Islamic principles of charity (zakat) and public welfare.
Modern Madrasas in New Era
In response to societal changes, many madrasas have undergone reforms to include modern subjects such as mathematics, science, English, and computer literacy. This process – often described as madrasa modernisation – seeks to equip students with tools for broader engagement with society and the job market.
Examples of such integration include:
State-affiliated Madrasas: Several states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal run madrasa boards that oversee curriculum updates and grant formal recognition to these institutions.
Dual Curriculum Models: Some institutions have adopted a hybrid model where Islamic and secular education run parallel, preparing students for competitive exams and higher education.
Women’s Madrasas: The rise of madrasas catering specifically to girls marks a positive trend toward gender equity in religious education.
However, madrasas are frequently subjected to scrutiny, political vilification, or stereotyping as backward or even radicalised. The study urges society and policymakers to view them instead as potential allies in nation-building, particularly in addressing educational inequality.
The Way Forward
The study concludes by making a case for greater recognition of Muslim-run educational initiatives, particularly madrasas, in India’s national educational framework.
Key recommendations include:
Policy Support: Extend financial and administrative support to madrasas willing to modernise while respecting their religious autonomy.
Accreditation and Curriculum Reform: Encourage boards that can standardise madrasa education, allowing for easier transition to mainstream higher education.
Combating Prejudice: Public narratives must shift from suspicion to support – madrasas are not antithetical to progress, but part of it.
Gender Inclusion: More focus should be placed on supporting madrasas and schools that promote girls’ education.
Madrasas, rooted in Islamic tradition yet evolving in response to modern needs, remain central to the advancement of education in India. By acknowledging their contribution and potential, India can take a significant step toward inclusive development, social justice, and national unity.