An Islamic madrasa that teaches Sanskrit and Hindu Scriptures

suchandra · July 24, 2008

An Islamic madrasa that teaches Sanskrit and Hindu Scriptures

Submitted by Tarique on Wed, 07/23/2008 - 17:23.

By Mumtaz Alam Falahi, TwoCircles.net,

Amidst allegations in India that Islamic madrasas are teaching ‘terror’ and talk of much-hyped ‘clash of civilizations’ discourse globally, there is a madrasa with a difference in New Delhi. A madrasa that is confronting both fronts in its own way.

Not to talk of teaching terror, the madrasa, Islami Academy, somewhat modern in its name also, is teaching Sanskrit, much to the surprise of saffronites, both in government and media, who have of late pulled out all the stops to tarnish the image of madrasas.

Not only this, the madrasa’s focus is on comparative studies of religions in India that is abode of oldest civilizations in the world. Purpose is to make students aware of commonalities and differences in religions found in the country. This may also help in defusing so-called civilizational clash.

Twenty-something Fahimuddin has come from Shimoga, Karnataka to study at the madrasa. What inspired a science graduate to learn Sanskrit so that he could study Hindu Scriptures? “I wanted to study about religions in India, their origin and factors behind creation of so many religions,” says Fahimuddin talking to TwoCircles.net in the rich library room of the Academy.

He took admission in a 3-year course called Researchers & Thinkers in 2006. Take a look at the subjects Fahimuddin and other students seeking admission in this course are supposed to study: Old Hindu Religion, Modern Hinduism and Christianity. In Old Hindu Religion, students study religious Scriptures like Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, Smiriti Gita and Ramayana.

Besides, they study Sanskrit Language and Arabic Language and Literature. As they are doing comparative studies of religions, they study Fundamentals of Islam, Islamic History, Quran and Hadith.

The Sanskrit Language course is being sponsored by Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, a deemed university that is fully financed by the Government of India.

Students are coming from several states including Kerala, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Bihar. The madrasa bears all expenses of the students. Tuition is free, as also lodging. For food and other expenses, the madrasa gives each student a monthly stipend of Rs 2,000.

What is the main purpose of the Academy? It wants to produce scholars and writers who are well versed in all religions, civilization and traditions so that they could present Islam well in Indian perspective. The academy’s introductory booklet reads: “Islamic Academy wants to produce a literature which addresses the Indian community at large, studies Indian religions, history and tradition, expounds on Islamic ideas, values and systems primarily in their context.”