Farhan Israeli/Jaipur

Thirty years ago, a dream was born in the mind of a young father while his family lived in a small room in Jaipur. The initiative triggered by the dream today enables thousands of girls to walk on the path of education. The dream was seen by Syed Anwar Shah, who is known as Master Anwar Shah.

He not only dreamt of sending his daughter to a school, but also visualized other girl children embarking on the path of enlightenment through modern education.

Today, his educational institution, Al-Jamiatul Aliya spreads knowledge and Islamic ethics not only in Jaipur, but also the rest of the country and abroad.

Syed Anwar Shah presenting an award to one of his staff members

Anwar Shah comes from a religious family where education was not limited to books, but a part of human character and social responsibility.

He completed his M.A. in Public Administration from Rajasthan University in 1980. Thereafter, he dedicated his entire life to social work, especially education.

When his daughter Aaliya was born in 1995, he decided to establish an institution for the education of girls, which would be a strong amalgamation of worldly and religious education in an Islamic environment.

When Al-Jamiatul Aaliya was started on 19 April 1995, it had only five girls, including his three daughters. A room in his house was turned into a classroom.

Syed Anwar Shah with leaders of different religions

In the initial phase, great scholars of Jaipur like Qari Noor Muhammad Sahib of Mewat, Mufti Ibrahim, Mufti Zakir Nomani, Mufti Khaleel Ahmed, Mufti Wajid ul Hasan, Mufti Amjad Ali, and Haji Abdul Qadeem supported him in furthering the cause.

Urdu books were compiled, and a syllabus to impart Islamic knowledge a well as a worldly education to girls.

Today, this institution is educating more than 1500 girls. The institution offers a five-year Alima course, a two-year Deeniyat Certificate Course (DCC), and a one-year Dars-e-Deen course.

The girls attending the institution range from young ones to married women. The students can also study for the 10th and 12th classes through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS). This ensures that girls do not have to give up their studies before the age of 18.

Students of Al-Jamiatul Aliya

Syed Anwar Shah has created a system that runs without his presence. He says, "A good administrator can distribute the work and believes in punctuality." His principle is that work should be completed before time, not on time. This is the reason everything runs in an organized manner in the institution.

Many successful women have emerged from this educational journey. Some have become engineers, some have pursued higher education, and some have achieved excellence in Quran and Arabic knowledge.

The pass outs of this institution have started about 150 small and big Makatbs and Madrasas all over India and abroad. A disciple of Syed Saheb lives in Madina and prays for the Prophet every day on his Roza and salutes this mission to educate.

Besides girls' education, Anwar Shah also served as secretary of Jaipur's Jama Masjid for a decade. During this time, the revenue of the mosque increased manifold, and he used this money for community works. His principle is, "We have to take from Allah and give to society." With this thinking, he spent every moment of his life in the service of humanity.

Syed Anwar Shah being felicitated

n 2006, he launched a women’s magazine, 'Islahul Mominat'. The magazine is circulated in 18 states and 23 districts of Rajasthan.

In this magazine, women's issues and Islamic instructions are presented in the light of the Quran and Hadith. This magazine gave Muslim women a new identity - to think, understand, and play a constructive role in society.

Al-Jamiatul Aaliya got the patronage of many great scholars like Maulana Qasim Neelkhedi, Mufti Kifayatullah Gujarati, Maulana Talha Majahiri, Mufti Farooq Meerathi, and Maulana Khalid Ghazipuri.

Anwar Shah says that "If you know even one thing from the Quran or Hadith, then spread it to others." He aims to spread knowledge and change society by following the path of Hazrat Ayesha. He wants daughters to get an education and become the leaders of society, and reform their families and the entire Ummah.

Syed Anwar Shah presiding over a function

oday, Al-Jamiatul Aaliya is not just a madrasa, but a movement and a mission that has strengthened the women’s education within the Islamic domain. It has also trained women in worldly affairs to make their position strong.

This journey of Syed Anwar Shah is an example for every person who wishes to enlighten society through education.

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This dream that started from a single room has now become the light of thousands of hearts and minds, and it will only continue to grow.