Islamic institute in Kerala set an example by teaching Sanskrit

Thrissur (Kerala):

Students in long white robes and white-headed robes in an Islamic institution recite unbroken ‘stanza‘ And ‘mantrain Sanskrit under the watchful eyes of its Hindu gurus, which distinguishes a Muslim educational organization in central Kerala’s Thrissur district.

,Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu, Gurur Devo Maheshwara, Gurur Sakshat Param Brahm, Tasmai Sri Gurve Namah“One such student recites in Sanskrit when asked to do so by his professor.

,Uttamam (excellent), “the professor replies in Sanskrit, as another student finishes a different lesson’verse‘ Asked him.

All the conversation between the student and the professor in the class takes place in Sanskrit.

Onampilli Muhammad Faizi, principal of the Academy of Sharia and Advanced Studies (ASAS), run by the Malik Deenar Islamic Complex (MIC), said the aim of teaching Sanskrit, Upanishads, Puranas etc. is to create knowledge and awareness about other religions among the students. ), Told.

Another reason, and the main one, for teaching Sanskrit to the students at MIC ASAS was Faizi’s own educational background as he had studied Sankara Darshana.

“Therefore, I felt that the students should know about other religions and their customs and practices. But during eight years a thorough study of Sanskrit as well as ‘Upanishads’, ‘Shastras’, ‘Vedantam’ would not be possible duration of the study,” he told PTI.

“Instead, the idea is to provide basic knowledge about these and to create awareness of the other religion,” Faizi said.

He said that important portions of Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, Mahabharata, Ramayana are selectively taught in Sanskrit to the students over a period of eight years after they pass class 10th.

The selective teaching of these texts is because the institution is primarily a Sharia college where other languages, such as Urdu and English, are also taught, in addition to a degree course in arts as it is affiliated to the University of Calicut.

He said, “The academic workload is huge. Hence, we take students who can handle it and also maintain strict standards. There is an entrance test to admit the students.”

Some students recently told the media that Sanskrit was initially difficult to learn, just like Arabic, but with constant study and practice it becomes easier with time.

“It is a difficult task in the beginning. Just like Arabic. But if we study it continuously, practice it again and again, like Arabic, it becomes easier with time. Regular classes and tests also help us to master it. help you learn.” ‘ said one of the students.

Another student said that he is excited to learn Sanskrit and listen to ‘shlokas’.

Like his classmate, he too was of the view that, like Arabic, “if you put in the effort, it becomes easier to learn”.

While there have been no objections from the students’ parents or anyone else, a major challenge has been finding good faculty to properly teach Sanskrit, Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads etc. to the students.

Principal Faizi said, “That is why we were able to start teaching Sanskrit seven years ago and that is why it is being taught only in this branch – one of the seven.”

He said that we have an excellent faculty who have designed a good curriculum for the students.

The Principal said that there has been an encouraging response from the students as they have shown interest in learning Sanskrit.

Professor KK Yathindran, one of the faculty, told the media that when he was invited to teach there, Faizi “was worried whether I would have reservations about teaching in an Arabic institution because I was a Hindu”.

He told the media, “I said there is no Hindu or Muslim issue here. I am getting ready to teach there. So, I have no such objection.”

He also said that when people see him walking towards the institute with a sandalwood tilak on his forehead, they ask why I am going there.

According to Yathindran, “I tell them that I am going to teach Sanskrit there and they say it is a good job I am doing.”

Faizi also said that he has not heard any negative or discouraging remarks from any side.

“Anyone who heard about it only praised it and encouraged us,” he said.

Dr. Ramesh, who teaches Sanskrit at MIC Asas, said that the students there had never heard of Sanskrit before coming there.

“They haven’t even learned it in school. But as we move from one stage to another, students are able to speak a little in Sanskrit, learn ‘padams’ and are able to understand some ‘shlokas’ as well ,” According to him .

According to the Facebook page of MIC ASAS, other faculty members include Dr CM Neelakandan, retired professor of Sanskrit literature from Sri Shankaracharya Sanskrit University and Dr Shamseer PC, assistant professor, Department of Sanskrit, University of Kerala.

Visuals of Sanskrit classes are also posted on the Facebook page of the institute.

At a time when political parties in Kerala are at loggerheads over the alleged saffronization of higher education institutions or becoming centers of communism, this Islamic institution is setting an example by teaching its students Sanskrit and Bhagavad Gita along with Arabic and Quran.

Hafiz Abubakar, one of the coordinators of the institute, told a media channel that learning about Islam was important, but knowledge about other religions was also important and this is also one of the reasons for including Sanskrit in the curriculum.

“It will help the students to know and understand about other religions through their history and Puranas. It will also help in syncing our religious thoughts with theirs. It will help in making a fresh start for a new India. That is the goal behind including Sanskrit in the curriculum,” according to him. PTI HMP HDA HDA