By Mudassir Rizwan, TwoCircles.net,
Patna: Madrasa Madinat-ul Islam is just like any other Madarsa in India. But a few students make this Madarsa different and very special. These students are Ashish Vidyarthi and Hemlata. They are the children of Mr. Dilip Kumar Chaudhury, an Indian Railway employee.
Ashish is 6-years-old and Hemlata is 9-years-old. They are studying the Holy Quran and the Urdu language at Madarsa Madinat-ul-Islam. It is situated in Khagaul, near Danapur Railway Station, Patna, Bihar. They are also studying in a local English medium School. Hemlata is studying in class IV and Ashish in class I. Their hectic schedule begins in the early hours of the morning. They return from school by 1 pm and after short break they head to the Madarsa immediately. They complete their studies in Madarsa by 4 pm. Their school teachers have pointed out to Mr. Chadhuri that the Madarsa education will put extra burden on Hemlata and Ashish. Mr. Chaudhri’s reply to the teachers was that any suffering in search of knowledge should be appreciated.
Ashish Vidyarthi and Hemlata
In an Interview with TwoCircles.net, Hemlata said “I was learning The Holy Quran to understand Islam and striving to be a Hafiza (female who memorize whole Quran) because I wanted to get enriched with all kinds of knowledge. She added that acquiring knowledge of any religion is a good practice.”
She also mentioned that some of the neighbors had objected and remarked about studying in a Madarsa. They are continuing at the Madarsa due to their parents’s strong motivation and support. Initially school friends used to ask Hemlata, why are you studying the Quran? In her elegant response she asked, why you are studying Hindi or English in school? Now school friends are very co-operative and understanding. Neighboring Muslims have empathy with them and are happy that they being Hindu are learning the Quran.
Presently she is reciting Aampara (30th Part of the Quran) and has completed Urdu Quaida, Yasarnal Quran. Younger brother, Ashish has started with Urdu Qaida.
Madarsa teacher Hafiz Mohammed Azmat Hussain appreciated the fact that Hemlata and Ashish are intelligent and able to memorize whatever they are taught in the Madarsa with ease, so they do not have to spend much time revising at home. He added she has a strong will to acquire knowledge. Other students of Madarsa are also supportive of Hemlata and Ashish.
Ashish Vidyarthi and Hemlata with parents
When father Dilip Kumar Chaudhry was asked about his motive behind enrolling his children in the Madarsa, he replied, “I was always attracted to the Quran from childhood as I had seen my father’s close friend teaching the Quran”. He added, I want my children to do well in life by gaining knowledge of different kinds of education especially from the Quran.
When reminded about media reports of terrorism and extremism being taught in Madarsa. He rejected this allegation and added this is not true, “Madarsas provide education like any other educational institution, they teach about Islam, justice, truth, service to humanity and love, not terrorism”. He added, “Madarsas are being wrongly projected by the Media.”
This Madarsa is supervised by Maulana Mohammed Amanullah Qadri and it is run with the help of donations given by local people. There are 11 teachers and about 130 students presently studying here and the management has plans to provide modern education to its student in future.
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