– Mohammed Atherulla Shariff
Bengaluru: Masjid Study Centre was launched in Masjid-e-Quba in Vasantnagar area of the city yesterday by Dr. Abdul Qadeer, Chairman Shaheen Group of Institutions Bidar.
The idea is to facilitate the students by providing infrastructure and neat ambience in the premises of Masjid to focus on their studies after school hours. Especially for poor students who lack basic facilities at their dwellings, Masjid Study Centre is like a God-sent opportunity.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Qadeer explained the Masjids which have a hall adjacent to the main prayer hall or on the first floor which usually are utilised only on Friday that too for an hour or so, can have the study centre. Foldable and movable furniture will initially be provided by Bidar Development Foundation which can easily be set aside during prayer times.
Further, Dr. Qadeer said children will get a spiritual ambience and can offer obligatory prayers too easily. The Masjid Committee has to take care of the centre as far as timings and providing internet facility, drinking water and any such requirements are concerned. One person can be appointed to help the students or some tutors can also be provided for additional help. He has coined ‘Academic Intensive Care Unit’ term for such a centre.
It is a new concept to promote and facilitate education in the society. Recently such a centre was established in a church premises in Bidar, later in Masjids in Mumbai and Aurangabad.
Dr. Qadeer intends to take this message to heads of other religious centres like Gurdwaras and Temples too. Irrespective of religious affiliations students can avail the facilities.
Initially, the Masjid Study Centre caters to boys only; however, if separate arrangement is made for girl students, it will be introduced for girls as well, he said.
Dr. Abdul Qadeer is keen to have such centres in all major towns and cities across the country. The management committee of Masjid-e-Quba is delighted with this arrangement. Dr. Qadeer has appealed to all Masjid authorities to create space in their premises to establish study centres and has offered all kinds of guidance and help for them. The supervisors, if appointed in the study centres, will be trained in Bidar at his cost, he said.
