Notes & Nuggets

Tucked away in a little village called Malmal, the Madrasa Chashma-e-Faiz is imparting pure Islamic education to young Muslims. Despite facing ups and downs, the Madrasa is firm as rock in its service for Islam.


Madhubani District is one of the 37 districts of Bihar state, and Madhubani town is the administrative headquarters of this district. Madhubani district is part of Darbhanga Division. This is the centre of Mithila, a region where the main language is Maithili. The “Madhubani” style of paintings derives its name from this region as the style originated here, in the early 17th century. These paintings are made using vegetable dyes, and the canvas is usually cloth or paper. These days, several of the well-known “Madhubani” paintings are used as motifs on bags and kurtas.


Tucked away in a little village of Madhubani called Malmal, stands the historic Madrasa Chashma-e-Faiz. It is a famous and noted institution of North Bihar since 1823 and since then, the Madrasa has been involved in the service of Islam. The Madrasa has earned immense reputation in imparting training for memorization of Quran to students. Besides, the Madrasa gives golden opportunity to acquire pure Islamic education in well furnished Islamic ambience.


Madrasa Chashma-e-Faiz has today become popular in the country and abroad. Over 700 students are gaining Islamic knowledge here. In 1976, the burden of this Madrasa’s responsibility was handed over to me. Then, this Madrasa was only a Maktab (Primary School). After facing many ups and downs and a great struggle, I changed this Maktab into a Madrasa and affiliated it to Asia’s most reputed Islamic university, Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama, Lucknow in 1992. After affiliation with Nadwa, crowds of students from various parts of India and Nepal are thronging to this Madrasa to acquire education. Currently 300 students are in the hostel and the lodging and boarding is absolutely free of cost. Every year, a large number of students from here go to Nadwa to seek higher education. The numbers of students are growing and the Madrasa space is getting tighter. In 1998, the foundation stone of a new block was laid by the president of All India Muslim Personal Law Board, founder General Secretary, Islamic Fiqh Academy, chief Justice of Imarat-e-Sharia Bihar, Jharkhand and Orissa and Secretary General, All India Milli Council, Maulana Qazi Mujahidul Islam Qasmi.


The building work is in progress. Bihar is deep in poverty and the area where this Madrasa is located is impoverished. Fighting against all odds, the Madrasa is putting up a brave front to see that no matter what happens, young Muslims should get the best of Islamic education here.


(The writer is the Principal, Madrasa Chashma-e-Faiz and can be reached at wasiqasmi @rediffmail.com) (At & P.O. Malmal, Dist. Madhubani-847229
Bihar (India).Ph: 06276-257264.

The Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation organised a one-day “Shaheed-e-Azam” conference to acknowledge the towering sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA). Imam Hussain’s exemplary contribution to reunite the human race was par excellence. The conference was held on January 28, 2007 at Shaheen Bagh area of South Delhi. Personalities from varied walks of life joined this mission and elaborately advocated the multi-dimensional aspect of the life of Imam Hussain. “His courageous personality is a pathfinder for mankind. It would remain immortal until the Day of Judgement. His life depicts the true spirit of Islam and its teachings,” said Maulana Ejaz Urfi, General Secretary, All India Tanzeem-e-ulama-e-Haque in his presidential address.


Chairman Hajj Committee of Delhi, Dr. Pervez Mian , while speaking at the conference brought into fore the unexplained traits of the personality of Hazrat Imam Hussain in these words, “He preferred to sacrifice his life to save the esteem of Islam and denied to be let down before the arbitrators”. Convener of the Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation, Maulana Shoeb Qasmi welcomed the gathering.

Global Media Publications, a New Delhi based publisher on South Asian issues has launched www.khabrein.info, a dedicated online news paper for Indian Diaspora residing around the world. “Khabrein” that literally means news in Hindi and Urdu aims to objectively present news and views to Indian audience living not only within the confines of India, but also people of Indian origin living around the world. www.khabrein.info will bring news from across the country as well as of Diaspora living around the world, particularly in US, Gulf countries, European Union and Far East. With timely views, editorials, interviews and news, www.khabrein.info, promises to keep Indian Diaspora informed of all things important taking place in their part of the world.


For more details, contact: S. Ubaidur Rahman, Global Media Publications, New Delhi. Ph: 9818327757.

“Yesterday’s heritage, today’s enthusiasm and tomorrow’s dream for the Memon youth” was proudly drawn at Islamic Study Centre, Ajwa Road, Vadodara by the World Memon Organisation (India Chapter) on January 26th and 27th 2007. It was also the death anniversary of Sir Adamjee Haji Dawood, the community’s pioneer of education. It was his mission for education which has inspired many Memon youngsters to pursue education. At the workshop organised for the Std 10th, 11th, 12th students, along with post- graduates and under- graduates of the community of over 224 Jamaats of Gujarat to discuss the education opportunities and various job profiles, the speakers emphasised that educational problems of youth had to be addressed specifically and separately. Career guidance sessions and lectures by eminent experts from various fields was also part of the programme. Students of the Memon community in Gujarat participated in large numbers. “We will see our Memons in IITS and IIMs in the future”, said a boy from Rajkot who could not afford even conveyance to reach Vadodara. He was helped by one of the community leaders to attend the seminar.

Whopping Share for Minorities It is only the Government of Andhra Pradesh which has been very open minded towards the welfare of Minorities.


In the Budget presented for 2007-08, last fortnight by the Finance Minister of Andhra Pradesh, K. Rosaiah, under the leadership of the Chief Minister, Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, the following features pertaining to the welfare of Minorities are interesting.


The total allocation has increased from Rs. 19,000 crores in 2006-07 to Rs. 30,000 crores in 2007-08, viz., a massive increase of 53% in the Annual Plan outlay.


The Chief Minister has fulfilled the promises that, he would provide scholarships to all eligible students amongst Minorities. The allocation for the 8 new Hostels and scholarships for Minorities has been increased to Rs. 80 crores from Rs. 30 crores. This increase in allocation has come, primarily due to my constant persuasion and finally convincing the Chief Minister to provide money for education of Minorities in the absence of the 5% reservation for Muslims, which is held up in the Supreme Court.


The total allocation for Minority welfare has gone up from Rs. 69 crores to a whooping Rs. 123 crores, an increase of 79%. The increase in allocation for education is higher than even the increase given to SCs, STs and Backward Classes. The reimbursement of tuition fee now introduced for the first time would imply that all the eligible students amongst the Minorities would be able to pursue higher education, with the Government paying a substantial part of the tuition fee directly to the Institutions.


It is only the Government of Andhra Pradesh which has been very open minded towards the welfare of Minorities, compared to other governments in the whole country. I know this to be a fact from the data I have collected from other State governments where hardly any focus is there on the welfare of Minorities. Apart from these, the government proposes to start new Residential Coaching Centres for training Minority Students for competitive exams, including for the State and Central Government Services exams.


I request Muslims to demand from their respective State governments a similar allocation in the State Budget.

The fourth anthology of poems penned by child prodigy, Fousiya Yoonus, a 12th std student of St.Thomas Residential school here, was released by M.A. Baby, Minister of Education, government of Kerala, last fortnight. The first copies of the book were handed over by him to Dr.M.A.Karim, former Pro-vice Chancellor, and Achamma Zacharia, Principal. Fousiya’s website. www.fousiyayoonus.com was also inaugurated at the function. This child is better known as the Youngest English Poet of India and she has already three published anthologies of poems to her credit. She has won several awards, including appreciation from the President of India, Dr.A.P Abdul Kalam. The new book comprises 24 poems in English, with foreword by Jnanpith award winner, Dr.U.R.Anantamurthy.