10 mmerc achievement

MMERC ACHIEVEMENT

Part-4

Spiritual and Scholarly Strivings:

Maulana Iftekhar Qasmi has compiled English course for Madrasa Students

By Muddassir Ahmad Qasmi

A well-known religious scholar, philanthropist and a household name, Maulana Badruddin Ajmal AlQasmi took a unique initiative in 1994. He got an inspiration from Almighty Allah to set up an institution to hone the skills of graduates of madrasas with English language and computer savviness.

Today this institution Markazul Ma’arif Education and Research Center (MMERC), has gained considerable acceptance in its

attempt to bridge the gap between ulama and mainstream Indian ethos.

In a short span of time, a raft of ten institutions of India adopted the DELL (Diploma in English language and literature) course promoted by MMERC, most notably, Darul Uloom Deoband and Aligarh Muslim University, although the latter has given it a different shape.

Beside the exclusivity of this course and sincerity of its founders, in fact, MMERC has won plaudits for the

knowledge ability of graduates, as it is said, “A tree is known by its fruits”.

It is heartening to note that everywhere, by the grace of Almighty Allah, MMERC alumni are doing their best for the sake of educational, social and cultural upliftment. Therefore, EC has been publishing a regular column on MMERC alumni’s achievements to set benchmarks for new graduates of Madrasas.

Islamic scholars have coined a sentence on the basis of reality that ‘Madrasas are the Islamic castles’. In fact it is the madrasa from where the action for protection of Islamic foundations is taken and peaceful propagation of Islamic teaching is presented for the welfare of human society. Consequently, it has been the tradition of Madrasa graduates that they play an effective role in protection and propagation of Islam.

The sole purpose of teaching Madrasa graduates English language and literature by MMERC is to widen the field of work and reaching to those who do not understand other languages except English.

Alhamdulillah, MMERC has achieved an encouraging success in this regard.

graduates who are selected by MMERC. Their argument is that the top-ranked Ulama are taught English in MMERC and after finishing their course there they don’t want to serve madrasas but earn money through English language skills. With due respect MMERC wants to inform them that 80 percent of DELL degree holders are in deeni work and a number of them are in madrasas.

Maulana Iftekhar Qasmi Bastavi is

34

EASTERN CRESCENT JANUARY 2014

Some sincere critics have shown their concern about those madrasa

MMERC ACHIEVEMENT

WOMEN ISSUES

one of them. This month we are pleased to introduce him to EC readers.

Maulana Iftekhar Qasmi Bastawi was born on 2 April, 1972; he is son of Mr. Roob Ali of Khalilabad, Dist.

Sant Kabir Nagar, UP. He was fortunate enough that he grabbed first position in the entrance test of Darul Uloom Deoband in 1991and later in the final year of Fazilat in 1992 owing to good marks got an opportunity to obtain Takmil-eAdab (Special Arabic Literature Course).

Maulana Bastavi has honour to be among the very first students of MMERC when it was established in 1994 in Delhi. His successful journey in MMERC lasted three years where he set a high standard of morality which was duly appreciated by management. In 1996 because of his quality English learnt in MMERC, was appointed head of the English Department in one of the biggest madrasas of India, Jamia Isha’tul Uloom, Akkalkuwwan, Maharashtra.

Years rolled by but his story of academic success is in progress. For learned people it is easy to write books on general topics but it is an accepted fact that to compile syllabus books is not an easy task.

Keeping madrasa students in mind Maulana Bastavi has compiled a comprehensive six year easy English course. This course has been included in the curriculum at Jamia Isha’tul Uloom, Akkalkuwwan and its about one hundred branches.

Maulana Bastavi is a motivated and dynamic Islamic scholar who thrives on producing work to a professional standard at all times. He enjoys learning and personal development

35

EASTERN CRESCENT JANUARY 2014

Maulana Iftekhar Qasmi is a shining example of those MMERC graduates who utilize their English language skills to devote their lives to teaching in madrasas. It is to his credit that he has devoted 17 years of his life to teaching with dedication and perseverance at the same madrasa.

in order to further enhance his abilities and knowledge as a teacher and writer. He has penned 25 books on different topics which displays his skills on writing. These include Phone Par Guftagu Key Islami Aadaab (The Islamic way of talking on phone) (Urdu), Ramadhan ka paigham Ummat-e Muslimah key Naam, (Urdu), Aik sachcha Musulman (Urdu and Hindi), Easy English course (English) and Kutubun Sahlah (Arabic). It is worth mentioning that he has been contributing articles on religious and other topics to various magazines and news papers.

He is a shining example of those MMERC graduates who utilize their English language skills to devote their lives to teaching in madrasas. It is to his credit that he has devoted 17 years of his life to teaching with dedication and perseverance at the same madrasa. Not only has he taught English but is also engaged in teaching Arabic literature to the students. He teaches them books such as “Muqamat-e-Hariri”, a book of Arabic literature and poetry, which

details the adventures of Abu Zaid Suroji. This shows his profound grasp of Arabic language and literature and his comprehensive knowledge.

In addition to his mentioned activities, he was given the responsibility to teach Madrasa students a comparative study of religions which he carried out for almost six years. It is noteworthy here that a comparative study of religions is a very important part of MMERC syllabus.

Maulana Bastavi is among them who have been the ambassadors of Islam by the virtue of their oratorical skills developed in MMERC. He has had the opportunity to address conferences, symposiums and public meetings. Once he was invited to address an educational workshop organized by Hamdard University Delhi.

He is also a spiritual personality and walks the talk by presenting an image of truly modern aalim who not only teaches by precept but also by example. His signal achievement is a telling reply to those who gripe that MMERC graduates want only to earn money after doing their DELL course but are mostly not engaged in Islamic teaching.

He has also imbibed spiritual teachings by being “baith” with a senior master, ex-Mufti-e Azam of India Hazrat Mufti Mahmoodul Hasan Gangohi (r) well-versed as a hierophant, and this has coloured his interactions with his students, teachers and the public and made him a more complete personality.

Maulana’s multi-functional educational and spiritual activities give hope to fresh graduates to achieve excellence in various fields.