Bangalore, May 09: Vice President Hamid Ansari strongly advocated that madarasas should imbibe “modern education”, while imparting religious preachings and “move along with the changing world” retaining the ‘very essence’ in guiding the studies.
He was speaking at the valedictory programme of the three-day golden jubilee celebrations of the Dar-ul-Uloom Sabeelur Rashad, a premier Arabic college in the country, on Sunday.
Stating that education was a key tool in empowering people, the vice president said: “It should not be restricted only to teach religion.”
Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha K Rahman Khan who also spoke on the occasion lauded the services of the Dar-ul-Uloom Sabeelur Rashad, where many Huffaz and Ulemas graduate with Islamic values of religious tolerance, love, affection, self discipline deeply imbibed in them every year.
Moulana Mufti Mohammed Ashraf Ali Baqavi, the head of Dar-ur-Uloom Sabeelur Rashad, said over the years the institution has emerged as the epicente of the Islamic education in the subcontinent, especially in South India, and students from different parts of the world, including Trinidad, West Indies, Srilanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Spain, New Zealand, Yugoslavia, Maldives, USA, UK and other nations arrive here.
Leaders of various political parties hailing from different faiths visit the institution to discuss several issues related to the Muslims in the state, he said.
Maulana Masjid Massoud Saleem Rahamatullah, Madrasae, Saulajlia Mecca, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Maulana Rabia Hasani, president of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board and Mufti Asaraf Ali, president Sabeel and Mufti Karnataka, were present on the occasion.
Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda did not participate.
–Agencies