Feroz Khan / Deoband

India’s main Islamic Univesity, Darul Uloom at Deoband in Uttar Pradesh, also teaches Hindu philosophy to students as part of its course on comparative religions.

This is contrary to the common perception among people about this seminary that had come in the eye of the storm because of some controversial edicts (fatwas) issued by its scholars like the ban on Salman Rushdie’s book and against men and women as co-workers had introduced the teaching of Hinduism about 20 years ago.

Maulana Mufti Abul Qasim Nomani Banarsi, superintendent of Darul Uloom, Deoband, told Awaz-the Voice that two decades ago, the Majlis-e-Shura had passed a proposal in the university for the understanding of Hinduism among its students. Thereafter, he said, lectures on Hindu philosophy and Christianity became part of the syllabus along with the Qur'an and Hadith.

Mufti Nomani said that it is important to the students of Darul Uloom to understand the difference between public information and useful knowledge.

The University has some 5,000 students on its rolls and besides regular graduation and post-graduation courses, it also offers post-graduation certificates courses in Hadith, Literature,  Ifta ', Tafsir etc.

Besides teaching computer sciences, English literature, the students at the seminary are also given a detailed understanding of the Hindu texts like the Bhagwad Gita and Ramayana.

Mufti Nomani said that students are also prepared for the comparative curriculum of religions. He said though it’s the Darul Uloom’s mission to promote the supremacy of Islamic teachings and religious values, it also does its best to educate its students on social harmony and the spirit of Islamic brotherhood.

He said the library of Darul Uloom is one of the most well-stocked libraries in the country with  more than two lakh books and 15,000 manuscripts.

The Islamic university was established by Hazrat Maulana Qasim Nanotavi on May 30, 1866.