Jamia Madi-Nul-Uloom, one of the most prominent madrasas in Haryana’s Meo Muslim-dominated Nuh district, stands majestically with its minarets, resembling a grand mosque.
Nestled on the outskirts of Jhimrawat village within the Ferozepur Jhirka subdivision, this institution features rows of rooms that serve dual purposes: living quarters and classrooms for its students, known as ‘talibidh’.
These students primarily hail from Nuh and surrounding areas in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, collectively forming the Mewat region. The district is home to approximately 135 madrasas, educating around 20,000 students.
Back in 2024, during a rally commemorating the 16th-century Mewat ruler Raja Hasan Khan Mewati, then Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal unveiled the government’s initiative. The plan aimed to register madrasas and gurukuls with the Haryana State Education Board (HSEB), thereby integrating them into the mainstream education system and offering financial assistance.
Despite the slow progress on this front, current Chief Minister Nayab Saini recently reiterated his government’s dedication to the plan during a Mewat Development Board meeting.
Furthering this objective, Nuh Deputy Commissioner Vishram Kumar Meena convened a meeting on July 7 with madrasa directors, faculty, and other officials.
Mukesh Vashisth, the Chief Minister’s media coordinator, who was present at the gathering, described it as an initial step to build trust among madrasa leaders and encourage them to seek affiliation with the HSEB. “This is just the beginning. About a dozen madrasa directors attended, and half of them showed willingness to explore the idea of affiliation,” he noted.
A Call for Stakeholder Engagement
Maulana Mohammad Ilyas, the 75-year-old director of Jamia Madi-Nul-Uloom, articulated that madrasas are not inherently opposed to formal education. However, he emphasized that certain concerns need to be addressed. “The religious instruction provided to our youth is the very foundation of these madrasas. We do not wish for the government to interfere with this aspect after affiliation,” he stated, urging the government to organize a comprehensive meeting with all stakeholders to deliberate and advance the matter.
Maulana Mohammad Hasan, the madrasa’s manager, reported a fivefold increase in student strength over the past two decades, with 750 students currently enrolled. “We challenge the notion that madrasas are against modern education,” he asserted.
He highlighted that the madrasa has progressively integrated modern subjects with its religious curriculum. This year, 150 students took the National Institute of Open Schooling’s (NIOS) matriculation exam.
“Alongside the three-year Hifz course (Koran memorization) and the six-year Maulana course, we also teach Hindi, English, Maths, and Science to ensure our students are well-equipped for the outside world. We’ve even introduced basic computer education and acquired a dozen desktops,” he explained.
He proudly showcased a room equipped with a TV, used for streaming classes for NIOS students, and mentioned that several madrasa alumni have successfully enrolled in prestigious universities across the country.
Avoiding Imposition, Seeking Choice
Mohammad Salim, a former madrasa student and a graduate of Jamia Millia Islamia, suggested that the government’s initiative should not be enforced. “Institutions should have the autonomy to choose which education board they wish to affiliate with,” he argued, noting that some might prefer the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), or NIOS.
Rajuddin Meo, convener of Mewat RTI Manch, revealed that his organization had submitted a memorandum to the Nuh administration last year. Their proposal advocated for the establishment of separate boards for madrasas, similar to the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education and the Rajasthan Madarsa Board.
Mufti Rafeeq Ahmad Qasmi, a trustee of Al-Jamiatul Islamia, a madrasa managed by Darul Uloom Husainia at Mandi Khera, shared that his trust has been pursuing HSEB affiliation for a year, but has encountered delays from state authorities. “Madrasas must embrace modern education, or they risk becoming obsolete. Parents are increasingly aware and desire their children to keep up with contemporary times. We are ready, but the government must deliver on its promises,” he urged.