Mohammad Akram/New Delhi
"It is important for us to acquire new technology and mainstream education. There are many madrassas where subjects like science and technology subjects are not introduced to the students. Our campaign is to bridge the gap between Madarsa and mainstream education’ and we are receiving support from the public for it. We have connected Hafiz-e-Quran (Learners of the Quran) from many madrasas across the country with mainstream education.”
Dr. Abdul Qadir, Chairman of the Shaheen Group of Institutes, said at the inauguration of the newest branch of the Group in the Muslim-dominated Okhla area of Delhi.
Madarsa Plus is an 18-month program specifically designed for school dropouts or those who have never been to school, he said. Under it, the deprived students get a chance to clear the 10th class examination.
The program offers bridge courses and personal tuition classes for imparting basic education and for clearing the examinations that they left the education for.
Dr. Abdul Qadir said that in Shaheen Sanstha, an effort is made to open the possibilities of education for the dropouts or the Madrasa-educated youth. “Our effort is to guide those children who cannot bear the expense of education, or those who have failed, and connect them with new technologies. Till now, we have dozens of branches across the country in which students are coached for clearing the medical college entrance test.”
He said the Shaheen Group is also working on including girls in the educational journey and making them self-reliant.
Former Rajya Sabha member Shahid Siddiqui praised the efforts of the Shaheen Group for providing the best education in places like the Bidar (Karnataka) campus.
Shahid Siddiqui said that if Muslims want to be successful the most important is to focus on mainstream education. “If you speak good English then you can get a good job abroad. Therefore, there is a need to pay more attention to modern education,” he said.
All India Muslim Personal Law Board spokesperson Qasim Rasool Ilyas also emphasized the need to connect Madrasa with modern education. “This will ensure both the religious and worldly education to the children and they will also not face problems in getting modern jobs.”
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Dr. Abdul Qadir said that the Delhi campus is only for girls. “After the basic education, they will be provided education in new technology; preparation for NEET, etc.