MMERC’s Establishment and 25 Years of
Path Breaking Journey
By: Khursheed Alam Dawood Qasmi*
Markazul
Ma’arif as an NGO:
Inspired by his father’s charitable work, then a young graduate
of Darul Uloom Deoband, Mualana Badrudding Ajmal Qasmi, founded Markazul
Ma’arif (NGO) in 1983 to work for the needy people. It’s a social-welfare
Non-Government Organization with the sole aim and motto of striving for the upliftment
of economically and educationally backward section of the society, with its
headquarter located in Hojai town of Assam. From its inception, the
NGO laid special emphasis on Education by establishing dozens of schools and
colleges. It also works in several important fields by establishing, hospitals,
orphanages, providing houses to homeless people, distributing reliefs at the
time of natural disasters and extending financial assistance for marriage. The
NGO is not only serving in Assam vicinity, but it also works in different parts
of India through its branch offices located in Assam, Manipur, New Delhi,
Deoband and Mumbai. One of its noteworthy works is to equip fresh Ulama with
English language under Markazul Ma’arf Education and Research Center (MMERC).
Need
of English Language for Ulama (Islamic Scholar):
No doubt, English language is an international language in our age.
If one wants to communicate with international community or just wants to use a
commonly understood language to convey his messages at large, he must learn
English language. Ulama being the suitable people to represent Islam and convey
the peace messages of Islam, throughout the world, were not aware of the ABC of
English language. It was difficult for them to present their thoughts at global
level to reach international community, where much misunderstanding has been
spread against Islam due to biased media houses. The English language has
become essential and crying need of the hour; but Ulama were not able to
understand, speak and write English language properly. Need of English language
for Ulama (Islamic Scholars) was felt by many individuals; but no one knew how
to materialize this dream.
Markazul
Ma’arif Education & Research Center Establishment:
Comprehending the importance of English language and apprehending
the need of the hour, Markazul Ma’arif Education and Research Center (MMERC)
was established in 1994 by a Darul Uloom Deoband graduate and a successful businessman,
Muhsin-e-Millat Maulana Badruddin Ajmal Qasmi. Maulana Qasmi is a member of
Darul Uloom Deoband’s governing body, President of a political party: AIUDF and
Lok Sabha MP for Dhubri constituency of Assam. The mission of this institution
was to equip the young promising Ulama with English language, computer science
etc. so that they can face the current challenges and play a pivotal role in
preaching Islam and serve the nation and international community at large. Thus,
MMERC became the first institution of its kind in India, which started training
Ulama in accordance with the need of hour.
Initially the MMERC was established in New Delhi. Mr. Mohammad Umar
Gautam, ex-Lecturer of Jamia Millia Islamia and famous Da’aee was given
the charge to work on the MMERC project and to run it as its first director. A
two-year course was designed and named, “Diploma in English Language &
Literature (DELL)”. Under Mr. Gautam stalwart directorship, this course started
its journey. The newly graduated Ulama were selected after entrance exams. It
was first time in the history that more than a dozen Ulama gathered under one
roof to learn English language and computer science. It functioned well. Following
some years, it was shifted to Mumbai. Maulana M. Burhanuddin Qasmi, an alumnus
of MMERC’s first batch, was assigned to take the charge of its daily affairs as
its second director. Under the dynamic leadership of Mr. Qasmi, some more
activities were added to this programme. Each year, a good number of Ulama are
benefiting and graduating since more than two decades and the MMERC is moving
ahead.
MMERC
Silver Jubilee Celebration:
The MMERC has completed 25 years. Now it’s going to celebrate
its “Silver Jubilee Celebration and a 3-Day International Seminar on Muslim
Youth, Ulama and Contemporary Challenges with Special Reference to DELL Course
and Post-Madrasa Education” on 4th-6th October, 2019, in
New Delhi. The period of 25 years is not a small one; but to get a tremendous
success, this period is not too long as well. Anyway, within 25 years of its commencement,
the MMERC got tremendous success and big achievement in its mission of
equipping fresh Ulama with English language and computer science. A just and
fair historian will surely endorse and record the services of the MMERC for
equipping the Ulama with modern tools and removing the hindrance from their
paths to face any challenge of this age.
MMERC
Products:
MMERC has produced almost 450 graduates armed with modern tools
like English language, computer science etc. By completing two-year Diploma in
English language & Literature, Ulama, in moving forward, find no obstacles which
stop them. They find themselves fully equipped to choose whichever field they intend
to serve the Ummah and the nation. The MMERC Alumni chose different fields and have
played important role in their chosen fields be it teaching, research, Dawah,
social work, journalism or administration, etc. Whichever field they stepped
in, their success is remarkable. Due to their talent, quality and outstanding performance,
they have been respected and embraced by their administration and colleagues with
enthusiasm.
For instance, I mention here few names of the MMERC products. Maulana
M. Burhanuddin Qasmi is the present serving director of the MMERC, a freelance
writer and Editor of the Eastern Crescent, a Mumbai based monthly English
magazine. Maulana Mohammad Atiqur Rahman Qasmi is the Coordinator: DIPR of
Markazul Ma’arif and Environmentalist Awardee from UNEP. Maulana Dr. Ansar Azmi
Qasmi, professor Malik Saud University, Riyadh, KSA. Maulana Iftikhar Ahmad
Qasmi is the bilingual English and Arabic writer and teacher of Hadith at Jamia
Akkalkuwa. Maulana Dr. Md. Rafiq Qasmi is a research associate at MANNU,
Hyderabad. Mufti Dr. Md. Obaidullah Qasmi is Assistant Professor and Head of
Arabic Department in Zakir Husain College, University of Delhi and ex-Head of
English Department, Darul Uloom Deoband. Maulana Mohammad Afzal Qasmi is Teacher
of Hadith at Aljamiatul Islamiyyah, Bolton, Lecturer at Blackburn College, UK
and ex-teacher of Darul Uloom Deoband’s English Department. Mufti Abdur Rasheed
Qasmi is a teacher of Hadeeth and V-Chairman of Haq Education & Research Foundation,
Kanpur. Mufti Dr. Muhammadullah Khalili Qasmi, freelance writer, is Head:
Internet Department and Coordinator: Online DarulIfta, Darul Uloom, Deoband.
Mualana Shamsul Huda Qasmi is the Head of English Department and Editor of The
Light, an English magazine published form Jamia Islamia, Akkalkuwa. Late
Maulana Ismail Moosa Makrod (May Allah grant him Jannah!), the founder of
Markaze Islami Education & Research Center, Ankleshwar, Gujarat. Maulana
Manzar Imam Qasmi (PhD) is a bilingual freelance journalist, research scholar
on International Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi and Contending
Modernities from University of Notre Dame, USA. Maulana Dr. Rafiqul Islam Qasmi
is Assistant Professor at UG, GS: AIUDF and an ex-MLA of Assam. Maulana Dr. Gufran
Najeeb (BUMS) is a medical practitioner. Maulana Dr. Abdur Rahman Qasmi is
currently on post-doctoral fellowship and had worked as News Reader in All
India Radio. Maulana Dr. Rahmat Ali Qasmi is Assist-Editor of Hajj Magazine in
Hajj Committee, Gov. of India. Maulana Ghufran Sajid Qasmi is the Founder and Chief
Editor of Baseeratonline and Milli Baseerat Weekly. Maulana Mohammad Sajid
Qasmi (M Ed. From American College of Education, USA) is administrator of Darul
Uloom, Atlanta, USA. Maulana Mohammad Khalid Qasmi is teacher of Hadith at
Jamia Abdullah bin Masood and ex-Head-Imam Al-farooq Masjid, Atlanta, USA. Maulana
Muddissir Ahmad Qasmi is the Assistant Editor of the Eastern Crescent, a
columnist of Urdu leading daily Inquilab and director of Al-Ghazali
International School, Araria, Bihar. Maulana Tauqeer Ahmad Qasmi is a gifted speaker
and Head of English Department, Darul Uloom Deoband. Maulana Dr. Hifzur Rahman
Qasmi is a research scholar at JNU, New Delhi and translator of several books.
These individuals have performed tremendously in different
fields as it’s understood from their designations. They have also authored and
translated several books. It’s truth that the English language, which they
learned in the MMERC under the patronage of Maulana Badruddin Ajmal Qasmi and
the directorship of Mr. Gautam and Mualana M Burhanuddin Qasmi, played a key role
in their successes and achievements.
Launching
of the Eastern Crescent:
In 2006, MMERC launched its monthly magazine, in English
language, with beautiful name “Eastern Crescent” (EC) with the motto of “Alternative
Media, People’s Choice”. The first issue was published in May 2006. It’s
published under able editorship of MMERC director, Maulana M. Burhanuddin Qasmi
from the day one. As it publishes the articles and stories of the MMERC alumni,
it gives spaces to the modern educated scholars, without any discrimination, as
well. It’s a good platform for the MMERC alumni to share their ideas, views and
opinions with the English knowing people. Keeping focus on Indian issues and
Islamic topics, the magazine covers current affairs and issues related to Indian
Muslim community mostly. Because of its opining making articles, stories and
beautiful printing, the magazine has been appreciated by several learned people
and research scholars. This magazine is being published since last 14 years
without fail. It’s a big achievement for the MMERC in the field of journalism.
Maktab
Markazul Ma’arif:
The importance of Makaatib for Muslim children is acknowledged
by one and all. As it imparts basic Islamic teachings to young children, it inculcates
moral values in their minds. The pupils who go to the Makaatib in the early age
of their lives are able to understand the significance of their faith and
religion. They learn how to make Wudhu and how to perform five times daily
Salaah etc. Bearing the aforesaid points, it’s necessary to establish Makaatib.
It must be appreciated that the MMERC authorities are running a successful
Maktab namely “Maktab Markazul Ma’arif” for the children under the supervision
of the eligible teachers. Currently, about 170 children are enrolled in the
Maktab. The success of the children of this Maktab is distinguished. The
authorities must be thanked for this service to the community.
Workshop
for School Pupils:
It’s very necessary to be informed of essentials of Deen.
When one is aware of essentials of Deen, it provides spiritual strength
and it gives confidence in the life to practice it. Currently our pupils who go
to the schools are hardly taught adequately about Islamic teachings and values.
Most of them don’t know the articles of faith. Markazul Ma’arif Education and
Research Center holds workshops on the occasion of school’s vacations. It’s held
completely in an Islamic environment to promote the values of Islamic teachings
and inculcate them in the minds of young learners coming from different
schools. This workshop assists and encourages the pupils to practice Islamic
teachings in their day-to-day lives.
MMERC’s
DELL Embracement:
In the initial stage, when this MMERC’s Diploma in English
Language and Literature (DELL) course was introduced, two and a half decades
ago, none would have thought that this course would be as successful as it’s
observed today. But the hard work, sincerity, dedication, devotion, commitment
and enthusiasm of the management, teachers and learners bore fruits and paid
fully. Today, it’s a model successful course to enhance the ability of the newly
graduates of Madaaris. Following the success, this course has been widely embraced
and introduced not only in the campus of some celebrated Islamic seminary or Madrasas
in India, but also in a certain university like Aligarh Muslim University. This
programme is known as “Bridge Course” in the university.
Conclusion:
Really the MMERC has played a significant role in shaping the
young Madrasa graduates for the service of the nation and the Ummah at national
and international levels. As an institution, the MMERC is a role model to be
followed. Currently, almost a dozen of such institutions are found in India
following the footsteps of the MMERC. For a country like India where thousands
of Ulama are produced from several Madaaris, it’s need of the time to introduce
the DELL programme in a big number as the existing institutions do not seem to
be enough comparing to the number of the graduating Ulama annually. In these
institutions, along with the DELL programme, one special lecture in a moth, on an
important topic, should be also arranged as it will be much beneficial for the
learners, as I think. ***
*Head:
Islamic Department, Moon Rays Trust School, Zambia, Africa
Email:
qasmikhursheed@yahoo.co.in
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