UP madrassa starts course on "Islam and terrorism"

A over 100-year-old madrassa in UP has tread into challenging territory by starting a course on "Islam and terrorism" for its 'Faazil' (graduation) students. The Jamia Rajvia Manzar-e-Islam madrassa, managed by the world renowned Ala Hazrat 'dargah' of Bareilly, has about 1,200 students, and is regarded as a prominent institution of the Barelvi sect.

The move has been hailed by the UP Madrassa Shiksha Parishad or the state madrassa board which conducts examinations for the students of madrassas in UP, but there are apprehensions that it might not appeal equally to the Deobandi sect which has been traditionally opposed to the Barelvi school of thought.

"The young Muslims of today need to be well informed in this area so that they are not misled by extremist elements claiming to be crusading for Islam," says Maulana Shahabuddin, spokesperson for the madrassa. "There is no place for terrorism or mindless violence in Islam," he said, speaking with mediapersons on Friday.

The chairman of the UP madrassa board, Qazi Zainul Sazideen Mufti, has hailed the madrassa's move as "revolutionary". He said: "The Holy Quran and the Hadith (interpretation of the sacred book) preach peace and brotherhood. So, the madrassa has taken a step in the right direction. It is the need of the hour to educate our youth so that they don't get carried away by terrorist outfits misusing Islam for their unholy designs."

The Barelvi sect of Islam was started towards the end of the 19th century by the much-revered Imam Ahmed Raza Khan, a Muslim scholar famous the world over as 'Ala Hazrat'. This school of thought is known for its benevolent teachings regarding spreading peace and brotherhood throughout the world. It totally prohibits any kind of use of force or coercion to spread Islam. Its overly generous principles are often disputed by the Deobandi sect which holds more austere and stern views about the basic tenets of Islam.

The Barelvi sect had recently made an equally path-breaking gambit when it declared that its imams would not perform the 'namaz-e-janaaza' (prayer at the time of death) for those killed due to their involvement in terrorist activities. The decision had created quite a storm in Mohammedan circles and sparked off a controversy over what detractors said was a denial of a basic religious right to a Muslim after his death.

There are apprehensions that the latest move by this sect could also draw equally severe criticism from other quarters, especially the Deobandi sect.

"Though this decision (of teaching Islam and terrorism) should not be faulted by anyone who swears by Islam, I am sure there will be severe opposition by some clerics for their vested interests and due to lack of a complete and wholesome understanding of the religion," said a well-known Muslim cleric in Lucknow, insisting on anonymity.

Path-breaking act
The Barelvi sect had recently made an equally path-breaking gambit when it declared that its imams would not perform the 'namaz-e-janaaza' (prayer at the time of death) for those killed due to their involvement in terrorist activities. The decision had created quite a storm in Mohammedan circles and sparked off a controversy over what detractors said was a denial of a basic religious right to a Muslim after his death.