Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind and Educational Movement
Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind has a long history of playing pivotal role in protection of Muslims’ religious rights. In the face of Shudhi movement led by Swami Vivekananda in 1922, the leaders of the organization went pillar to post and worked hard to protect Muslim Ummah from this apostasy wave. During the course, JUH deputed preachers and established religious schools in the affected areas too.
During the tumultuous period after the partition which triggered hate and fire everywhere, dedicated leaders and cadres of Jamiat became active on the ground for saving the life and honour of the Indian Muslims. While on the one hand, there was glaring challenge of protecting kidnapped Muslim women and children, on the other hand there was important task of carrying forward Islamic education and saving Muslim religious values and traditions etc.
To this end, Jamiat convened a meeting of its Working Committee on March 20-21, 1948 at Delhi to discuss the importance of religious education. The meeting attended by various luminaries including Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, decided to work with commitment for protection of Islam, its tradition and culture etc. (Presidential address, Deeni Taalimi Conference pp. 17, by Qari Mohammad Tayyab, Rector Darul Uloom Deoband. held on June 3-4, 1961 at Distt. Saharanpur.)
Establishment of Markazi Deeni Taalimi Board
In the wake of initial efforts, it was felt to institutionalize educational movement. Thus under the Presidentship of Maulana Hussain Ahmad Madani a grand educational conference was convened at Qaisar Bagh Mumbai, in December 1954 (Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, document, pp. 406, 295, 520, 599, Razi Ahmad Kamal). Prominent Islamic scholars from different schools of thought, leaders of Muslim community and scholars of universities etc. participated in the conference. After due deliberation “Markazi Deeni Taalimi Board” was established by Jamiat and in the same session, Maulana Hifzu Rehman Seoharwi, Ex-General Secretary of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind was elected General Secretary of the same. (Mujahide Millat Maulana Hifzur Rahman Seoharwi, ek siyasi mutalaa pp. 261, Dr. Abu Salman Shahjahanpuri).
A syllabus of five years course was prepared for “Markazi Deeni Taalimi Board”. The syllabus consists of “Qaeda Huruf Shanashi (word recognition) Urdu Arabi Qaeda” “Deeni Taalim ka risala” (12 parts). The syllabus was prepared by Maulana Mohammad Miyan Sahab. Maulana Maqbool Ahmad Seoharwi prepared a course for Muslim girl children i.e Ladkiyon Ka Islami Course, part 1-5. Taalimul Islam complete 4 vol. written by Mufti Kifayatullah Sahab was taught as a syllabus.
While taking into consideration the psychology of the children, syllabus was made comprehensible and easy-learners. In order to train the teachers about how to impart education to the children, Maulana Mohammad Miyan, Former General Secretary of JUH had written down “Taalimi Card” “Tasweeri Chart” Vol. 1-2 and 28 different booklets like “ Deeni Taalimi tahrik awr dasture amal” and “maslae taalim awr tariqae taalim” etc. He had also edited academic calendar of “Deeni Taalimi Board” and fixed semester wise examination at the interval of three months. He also prepared an action plan for how to run morning and evening classes.
While preparing syllabus for Markazi Deeni Taalimi Board” it was intended to teach and train the students how to recite the holy Quran correctly and few chapters of the holy Quran. Children were also taught about prayers, Islamic beliefs, culture and tradition, Life of Prophet Mohammad ? and four caliphs etc. It was intended to instil Islamic culture and tradition in the young and impregnable minds so that they could become staunch and devoted Muslims.
State level units of “Markazi Deeni Taalimi Board” were also established and similarly district committees were constituted.
Maulana Sayed Asa’d MadaniRA during his stint as president paid special attention towards establishing makatib in remote areas to meet the challenge of growing apostasy due to ignorance. He used to personally visit these areas and got constructed masajid and makatib over there. Due to his especial attention and dedication “Markazi Deeni Taalimi Board” was made an active platform.
Revival
On the occasion of 29th General Session of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind held at Hyderabad in 2009, under the presidentship of Maulana Qari Mohammad Usman Mansurpoori “Markazi Deeni Taalimi Board found its new phase of life. It was decided to overhaul the central body in order to infuse new blood in the Board. Mufti Abul Qasim Nomani was appointed president of “Markazi Deeni Taalimi Board” and Maulana Mohammad Salman Mansurpoori was appointed as General Secretary. Praise be to Allah Almighty that Deeni Taalim Board is rendering valuable educational services among the Indian Muslims under the stewardship of Maulana Mahmood As’ad Madani, General Secretary of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind.
