By Andalib Akhter, TwoCircles.net,
New Delhi: India’s largest Islamic seminary, Darul Uloom Deoband, has decided to tighten the admission rules in a bid to save its reputation and academic excellence. The decision has been taken following reports that students from some of madrasas which are under cloud of suspicion want to enter the renowned madrasa for ulterior motives.
The latest guidelines for the admission proposes to make it mandatory for every entrant to submit his identity proof, including birth certificate, a copy of the ration card, details about family and certificate of conduct from the previous school or madrasa in case the candidate had enrolled himself in one. From now separate files for each student would also be maintained.
More specifically those students who come from the border areas of West Bengal and Assam will have to produce attested copies of identification documents, which include transfer certificate of any government school, ration card or passport, at the time of admission.
The students from Kerala have to submit the testimonies of Maulana Nooh Sahib, Maulana Hussain Mazahiri or Maulana Muhammad Koya Qasmi.
Students from Bangladesh must carry educational visa and a letter certified by Maulana Qari Abdul Khaliq, Jamia Hussainiya, Arzabad, Mirpur, Dhaka.
The candidates will also have to present certificates on their character and educational record from the previous madrasa they studied in, along with the mark sheet.
Other foreign students wishing to get admission in Darul Uloom have to take education visa from Indian embassy in their country. Now Darul Uloom would not admit student on the basis of tourist visa.
According to a senior member of the seminary the medium of instruction is Urdu therefore if the foreign students learn a little bit Urdu that would be better for them. “Darul Uloom shall provide free education, accommodation and food,” he said.
The Darul Uloom has also modernised its curriculum. Now courses in English language, computer and journalism are also available. However, norms that emphasize the religious character of the seminary are being enforced strictly.
On distance education Darul Uloom says it aims at providing education with Tarbiyah (Islamic atmosphere) that is not easy in the case of distance education. “Darul Uloom has no plan for any such education system”, confirm authorities at Deoband.