July 13, 2024 – Hyderabad
In the Akbarnagar area of Hyderabad’s Old City, a quiet transformation is taking place. Mosques, traditionally centers for religious activities and Arabic studies, are now doubling as part-time schools, or maktabs, offering free education in subjects like mathematics, science, English, and Telugu to local students.
This innovative initiative, launched by a group of tech enthusiasts, aims to empower children from government and budget schools by providing them with additional educational support.
At Masjid-e-Moti Khan in Yakutpura, volunteers, many of whom are university students, gather to teach these subjects. As the Asr (evening) prayers conclude, the mosque’s first floor turns into a bustling classroom. Students, having left their footwear outside, settle in with their books at small study tables set on prayer carpets. Here, they receive lessons from three dedicated young men, eager to impart knowledge.
The program is making a significant impact in the community, offering much-needed educational resources to children who otherwise might not have access to such opportunities. This blending of religious spaces with educational functions highlights a progressive approach to community development and education in Hyderabad.
