“We need to create logical, rational and scientific attitude in our children. This is also called Islamic attitude as Islām invites people to think and research,” said Engineer Muhammad Salīm, Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Rajasthan, while addressing a gathering at the inaugural function of The Scholar School, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi, launched as part of VISION 2016 of Human Welfare Foundation on April 18.
He said in today’s world we cannot qualify the parameters of what the Holy Qur’ān calls Khair-e-Ummah if we do not excel in Education and Research.
He informed the audience that a recent survey conducted by various organisations reveals that the number of Muslim scholars is increasing worldwide, but lamented that Indian Muslims have no part therein; hence a need of better performance. He said that we should not distinguish Deen and Duniya. We should lead our life under the Divine guidance following the path shown by Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him). “This School will insha Allāh prove a milestone in our noble endeavour. This school has once again come into existence at a time when education has been privatised and become a fabulous business.” He hoped that the school will yield the desired result.
Speaking as Chief Guest, Prof. Mohammad Akhtar Sddiqui, Chairman National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), praised the initiative of the Foundation to reopen The Scholar School as part of its VISION 2016 plan, under which 100 schools will be opened countrywide to ensure quality education for Muslims.
He said that to ensure quality education in and smooth functioning of the school there should be proper understanding between the principal and the teachers. He emphasised that principal should be given adequate authority to recruit competent teachers.
Dr. S.Q.R. Ilyas, Editor Ifkar-e-Milli thanked God as the light of knowledge once again came to the school premises. He said that the 100 schools the Foundation has planned countrywide to shape the next generation will be model schools where students will be provided quality education, which one can feel looking at a glance at their personality. “But this dream cannot be turned into reality unless the locals, parents, teachers and all the well-wishers lend their cooperation,” he said.
He also announced that the School management is trying to fulfil all the criteria to get the school affiliated very soon.
Mr. H. Abdur Raquib, General Secretary Indian Centre for Islamic Finance (ICIF), stressed that teenage is very critical. If it is shaped in a good way, it will definitely yield some positive results. He recalled the example of Hazrat Abdul Qadir Jeelani and Sir Isaac Newton. The earlier did not tell a lie at the time when some bandits looted the caravan and the latter pondered over the falling of an apple from a tree that led to the discovery of law of gravity. He requested parents not to scold children but to answer their queries patiently even when they are unusual.
Prof. K.A. Siddique Hasan, Vice President JIH and General Secretary of the Foundation, said that merely teachers and school cannot mould the career of children but the parents also need to pay adequate attention, as the children spend more time with them than with their teachers.
Mr. Khalid Saifullah, Director of the School said teenage is the critical period which plays a very pivotal role in moulding the career of children. So both the school and parents should pay attention to their children especially at this stage.
Speakers also remembered former Principal of the School, Late Mrs. Safiya Iqbal, under whose able guidance the School did fairly well during its first stint.
Maulana Muhammad Shafi Moonis, former Deputy Ameer JIH, presided over the programme while Mr. Muhammad Tarique, Manager of the School, extended his vote of thanks to the guests.