Unlike the majority of Muslim youths from Assam who pass out from Darul Uloom Deoband, an Islamic university and seminary in Uttar Pradesh, who often end up joining mosques, madrassas, and other institutions to teach the holy Quran and other Islamic practices, Maulana Nurul Amin Qasimi choose a different path.

He launched a mission to remove misconceptions about Islam and the Muslim community.  He has been preaching Islam in the right form with exceptional and innovative thoughts across Assam.

Many videos of Maulana Nurul Amin Qasimi have already received widespread attention on social media. In these videos, Maulavi is seen explaining the importance of education to the Muslims, the essence of Islam, and translating various verses of the Quran into local Assamese languages for easy understanding of the people. He has been rendering his inspiring speeches at mosques, Edgars, madrassas, public functions, and other influential platforms.

  Maulana Nurul Amin Qasimi during a social campaign

Maulana Nurul Amin Qasimi has recently published the Assamese interpretation and translation of the Holy Quran for Assamese readers. He has also launched the Assamese translation of the Holy Quran in audio format with his voice-over as many people do not read books nowadays due to lack of time.

He has also founded the Islamic Research and Study Center in central Assam’s Tezpur town with a few young men who had received Islamic education with progressive thoughts for society.

Maulana Nurul Amin Qasimi received his primary education from Sootea Higher Secondary School in central Assam’s Sonitpur district and then enrolled himself in Khutaktia Dini Alia Madrasa in Lakhimpur district for Islamic education. After studying there for six years, he enrolled in HojaiJalalia Madrassa. He passed his high school leaving certificate examination or Class 10 final exam in general education while studying at a madrassa in Jalalia Madrasa in Hojai.

After four years of study, he received the rest of his Islamic education at Darul Uloom Deoband Madrasa in Uttar Pradesh. After completing his Islamic education, he started teaching at Markazul Ma-Arif in central Assam’s Hojai district.

While teaching, Qasimi successfully passed his higher secondary examination or Class 12 final exam in general education. He then graduated from Ruphi College and obtained his postgraduate degree from Gauhati University. He is now studying for his PhD at Gauhati University.

In an interview with Awaz-The Voice, Maulana Nurul Amin Qasimi said: "We are Assamese Muslims and we live as Assamese Muslims. There is sometimes confusion about Islam and it is because of some Muslim people that others develop misunderstandings about Islam. Some followers of Islam misinterpret the religion because of their lack of knowledge.

Maulana Nurul  Amin Qasmi recording Holy Quran in Assamese

"I felt the need to enlighten people about the Holy Quran and the true words of Prophet Mohammad. We must present Islam in its true form in our local language. That is why I am making this effort. The Holy Books are in Arabic so it is our responsibility to explain it to everyone in our language.”

When Muslims congregate for the mandatory Jumma Namaz (Friday prayers), the Imam (head priest) gives a sermon called khutbah. He speaks about the principles of Islam, one’s duty towards society, the call for good deeds, respect for other religions, etc. Since the khutbah is rendered in the Arabic language in many mosques, it is difficult for the locals to understand the true meaning of these verses.

"I thought that if the messages of peace, humanity, or statements in khutbah were explained in the simple local language that people could understand, they would benefit and the misconceptions about Islam removed. There are ideological differences over reciting khutbah in Arabic. Some say that it should be explained in the mother tongue. But, according to our Islamic law, since the tradition of reciting the khutbah in Arabic has been going on since the time of the Prophet, it has not changed in some places,” the imam said.

Maulana Nurul Amin Qasimi said it’s important to learn modern general education along with Islamic education. "Muslim society is quite backward in education. In Muslim society, Maulanas or Ulemas are respected and considered religious leaders. So, if Ulemas advise on education, I think everyone will follow them and derive benefits. Our religious leaders have a lot to do in this regard. These matters get less importance in religious congregations. It is compulsory to take the basic education of Islam, but we should also be educated to be good citizens and individuals ready for the future," he said.

Maulana Nurul Amin Qasimi Distributing blankets

Maulana Nurul Amin Qasimi has been consistently speaking along the same lines in all the religious gatherings he is invited to. "Our Prophet Mohammad commanded us to go up to China for education. The first word of the Holy Quran is Ikra (read). Since our Prophet has allowed us to go to China for education, but, there is no scope for Islamic education in China. So our Prophet has, at the same time, laid special emphasis on IT and modern education besides Islamic education. Now only 4% of Muslim children study in madrassa.

"Not all Muslim children study in madrassa and not all need to study. The 4% must become Maulanas or Hafizs because they will have to uphold the religion in the future. We must educate the remaining 96% of the students' modern education and establish them as good members of society,” he said.

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Apart from the children studying in madrassas or receiving modern education, the Maulana said it is also necessary to think about school dropouts. He said the Muslim community could be rescued from its present condition only through education.