In the landscape of Indian Islam, the figures of maulanas (clerics) and dargahs (religious shrines) are prominent, especially in the towns and cities where Muslims live. For many, these symbols represent the cultural and religious heart of the community, with maulanas delivering sermons and devotees flocking to dargahs for spiritual solace. However, these institutions are often associated with the backwardness of the Muslim community, particularly in terms of education and socio-economic progress.
In contrast, the world of successful Indian youth, particularly those entering prestigious fields like the Indian Administrative Services (IAS), the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), and medical colleges, paints a very different picture. These successful individuals often emerge from competitive, modern educational environments, and their accomplishments seem worlds apart from the more traditional roles of maulanas and dargahs.
However, recent developments have shown a promising convergence of these two worlds. A few maulanas and dargahs have begun to bridge this gap, providing modern education and competitive opportunities to Muslim youth. Here are some notable examples:
1. Maulana Mohammad Fazlur Rahim Mujaddidi’s Crescent Civil Service Academy, New Delhi
Founded by Maulana Mujaddidi over ten years ago, the Crescent Civil Service Academy offers coaching and guidance to Muslim aspirants aiming to join India’s prestigious civil services. Despite the historical underrepresentation of Muslims in services like IAS, IPS, and IFS, the academy has produced impressive results. In 2013, 13 candidates from Crescent Academy successfully passed the rigorous civil services exam, and 30 candidates cleared the preliminary round. To date, more than 100 students from the academy have joined top positions in the Indian government, including IAS and IPS officers, judges, and civil servants, significantly impacting policy-making in the country.
2. Maulana Wali Rahmani’s Rahmani-30 IIT Entrance Coaching Center, Patna
In 2008, Maulana Wali Rahmani founded the Rahmani-30 coaching center in Patna with the goal of helping Muslim youth gain admission to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), India’s top engineering institutions. Historically, Muslim students have had limited representation in the IITs. In 2013, 24 out of 30 students from the Rahmani-30 center successfully passed the IIT Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), a remarkable achievement for the center. The center has now become a beacon of hope for Muslim students aspiring to enter the IITs, with graduates going on to prestigious careers in top corporations and research institutions.
“By focusing on quality education and collaboration, India’s Muslim community has the opportunity to change its socio-economic trajectory and create a future where success is not limited by religious or educational background.”
3. Khaja Bandanawaz Gaisudaraz Dargah’s Engineering College and Institute of Medical Sciences, Gulbarga
The Khaja Bandanawaz Gaisudaraz Dargah in Gulbarga, Karnataka, established the Khaja Education Society in 1966 to promote education in the Muslim community. The Dargah Trust, in particular, has focused on providing modern education through its 15 institutions, including the Khaja Bandanawaz College of Engineering (established in 1980) and the Khaja Bandanawaz Institute of Medical Sciences (established in 2000). These institutions have played a transformative role in uplifting Muslim youth from educationally backward backgrounds, helping them become engineers and doctors who contribute significantly to the development of both the Muslim community and the nation.
4. Collaborative Success: The Role of Religious Leaders and Educated Muslims
A key factor behind these successes is the collaboration between religious leaders (maulanas) and educated Muslim professionals. Instead of competing, these leaders have worked together to combine the widespread influence of religious figures with the knowledge of modern education held by educated Muslims. This partnership has created a powerful model for uplifting the community through education and competitive success.
The Path Forward: Investing in Youth Development
These success stories, though rare, highlight the enormous potential for socio-economic development within the Muslim community if more maulanas and dargahs focus on imparting modern education and preparing youth for competitive exams. If the energy spent on political and publicity activities were redirected towards empowering the youth, the Muslim community could see a drastic transformation within a generation.
Through such initiatives, Muslims in India can break free from the cycles of poverty and underrepresentation, ensuring a brighter future for their youth in fields ranging from government services to engineering, medicine, and beyond. . (Extract from https://www.milligazette.com/news)
COMMENTS