Mumbai:
The Darul Uloom Faizane Raza madrassa in Mumbai's Goregaon suburb is breaking away from stereotype. It is all set to become the first madrassa in Maharashtra to offer free coaching classes for civil services aspirants.
"Muslim students feel that they are not given higher posts or good jobs but we believe that it is because students don't pursue degrees. If they get the right degrees and if there are more guiding centres like this we are confident our students can shine," said Imran Amin, a former teacher at the UGC NET (University Grants Commission, National Eligibilty Tests) who will train aspirants at the madrassa.
According to a report by the Mahmoodur Rahman Committee appointed by the state to study the socio-economic condition of the Muslim Community, only 4.4 per cent of Muslims represent government services and police forces in the state.
The report also suggests that while the literacy rate among Muslims in the state is 78 per cent, only 3 per cent are college graduates.
30-year-old Imran Mansuri is however, taking his chances. After he failed the UPSC exam in 2014 only by 20 marks, he has approached the Madrassa for help.
"Madrassas are only involved in teaching religious scriptures but it is a new initiative by a madrasa and it is appreciable. I'm getting 100 per cent free study material, coaching and ofcourse moral support from them," Imran Mansuri told NDTV.
The training of the students will be sponsored by donations from members of the community, but the madrassa claims it is roping in the best to train these students.
"We are roping in IPS, IAS officers and professors and teachers who have taught in esteemed colleges", said Mufti Mohammad Ziyaee, founder of the Madrassa.
In 2013, not a single Muslim made it to the IAS cadre in Maharashtra. The madrassa hopes history won't repeat itself.