EDUCATION
SCRAPPING ARABIC AND PERSIAN LANGUAGES FROM UPSC EXAMINATION SHOCKS MUSLIMS IN INDIA
Delegations of All India Association of Arabic Teachers & Scholars, All India Persian Scholars Association, Darul Uloom Deoband, Nadwatul Ulama Lucknow, civil society, the heads of Muslim organizations and leaders of the Muslim community have protested against this decision and have written many letters to Prime Minister, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi and several concerned offices but they have received no positive response from any quarter. By: Md. Obaidullah (Mohiuddin) Qasmi
A
rabic language, due to its special features, stands out among all the languages spoken in the world. This language enjoys its highest status in both the worlds --- this world and the Hereafter. According to a report from the final messenger of Allah, it is Arabic only which will be spoken in Paradise. It is a language which Allah has chosen for this religion and has revealed the Great Qur’aan in it. Ibn Katheer, a famous Quran commentator, said that the Arabic language is the most eloquent, plain, deep and expressive of the meanings that might arise in one’s mind.
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Therefore, the most honorable Book was revealed in the most honorable language, to the most honorable Prophet and Messenger, delivered by the most honorable angel, in the most honorable land on earth, and its revelation started during the most honorable month of the year, Ramadan. Therefore, the Qur’an is perfect in every respect. The Caliph Umar, in one of his letters, said: He who becomes proficient in the Arabic language and Arabic grammar, the Quran and Hadith, is the most fortunate. (Baghawi) Due to its religious significance,
Muslims all over the world are closely associated with this language. India is not an exception in this regard. This country has
In spite of all the above-mentioned characteristics and significance, it has recently been scrapped from UPSC examination by the government, which is very shocking for the Muslim community.
EDUCATION
always been a very important seat of Islamic and Arabic learning. Thousands of Arabic madrasas have been busy imparting this beautiful language for many centuries. Hundreds of Arabic scholars appeared from this land and made a brilliant contribution to Arabic literature. Maulana Zulfiqar Ali Deobandi, Maulana Faizul Hasan Saharanpuri, Maulana Abdul Hai al Hasani, Maulana Abul Hasan Ali Nadvi are a just few examples that can be mentioned. Muslim identity is incomplete without Arabic as he needs to use it in several day-to-day religious practices. Apart from its religious importance, it is a language which is still thriving and is spoken in more than 20 countries of the world. According to linguists, it is one of the richest languages of the world. Based on its importance, it has been declared as one of the six languages of the United Nations. In spite of all the above-mentioned characteristics and significance, it has
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recently been scrapped from UPSC examination by the government, which is very shocking for the Muslim community. This unexpected decision by the government has sent a wave of anger and concern among the Muslim community, the largest minority of Indian citizens. Muslims regard the removal of both Arabic and Persian from UPSC examination as a conspiracy to worsen their socio-economic condition. They have already been declared by Sachar Committee report as the most backward community in the country. Delegations of All India Association of Arabic Teachers & Scholars, All India Persian Scholars Association, Darul Uloom Deoband, Nadwatul
According to linguists, arabic is one of the richest languages of the world. Based on its importance, it has been declared as one of the six languages of the United Nations.
Ulama Lucknow, civil society, the heads of Muslim organizations and leaders of the Muslim community
have protested against this decision and have written many letters to Prime Minister, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi and several concerned offices but they have received no positive response from any quarter. Some replies received say that these languages have been removed because they are not included among the 8th schedule of Constitution which has listed 22 languages. The fact is this that both the languages, apart from their being closely associated with the Muslim community, are among classical languages of India. And, therefore, on the Independence Day every year, eminent scholars of both the languages are awarded the Certificate of Honour and Reward by the Honourable President of India. It is irony that that, at a time when the UPA govt. has announced its decision to mainstream the Muslim community and Arabic madrasas in the country, the removing of even the already-existing status of Arabic and Persian and scrapping them from UPSC examination nullifies the claims of the government, besides being very insulting to the Muslim community. Muslim masses, Muslim MPs, educationists, community leaders, Muslim organizations, and intelligentsia need to further strengthen the movement of reinstating the status of both the languages for UPSC examination. It is also a duty of every Muslim to make efforts to regain and restore their status and make all efforts until the government withdraws this decision.