Amravati/Aurangabad: The central role of Islamic schools (maktabs) in nurturing the religious education and character of the new generation was underscored during a two-day training and orientation workshop organised by the Safa Islamic Makatib, Maharashtra. Operating under the auspices of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind’s Maharashtra chapter, Safa Islamic Makatib has been actively engaged in this mission, aiming to instil high standards through a structured curriculum, organised system, and effective implementation.
As part of its mission, Safa Islamic Makatib conducts annual training workshops for teachers of Islamic schools and local Jamaat representatives. This year, the first two-day workshop for North Maharashtra was held on October 19-20 at Masjid Tauheed, Wahdat Nagar, Amravati, followed by another session for South Maharashtra on October 27-28 at Markaz Islami, Yunus Colony, Aurangabad.
Led by Mohammad Ilyas Khan Falahi, Ameer-e-Halqa of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Maharashtra, the workshop featured a range of topics presented by scholars, educationists, and psychologists to guide teachers in multiple aspects of their role. Topics included Quranic and Hadith reminders, curriculum implementation, the character and qualities of a teacher, administrative requirements of maktabs, teaching skills, effective methods for teaching Quranic recitation, student-centered learning, modern teaching methods for religious education, establishing exemplary maktabs, and fostering Quranic understanding. Sessions also addressed the personal and intellectual growth of teachers, extracurricular activities aimed at achieving Safa Islamic Makatib’s goals, and the social role of educators.
To maximise engagement, the workshop featured interactive sessions, group discussions, presentations, Q&A, and open sessions where teachers shared experiences, ideas, and insights. Participants actively engaged in these sessions, displaying enthusiasm and a keen interest in learning.
During the workshop, emphasis was placed on the challenges faced by today’s youth, the increasing influence of secular ideologies in modern educational institutions, the impact of Western materialism, and the significance of Islamic schools in countering these influences. Participants acknowledged the need to uphold their responsibilities diligently in the face of such challenges.
In line with ongoing training efforts, an online educational and training lecture series titled Al-Muhadharat Al-Ta’limiyah wa Al-Tarbawiyah lil Mu’allimeen wa Al-Mu’allimat was inaugurated by Maulana Ilyas Khan Falahi, focusing on the prophetic mission of teaching with the theme “Innama Bu’ithtu Mu’alliman” (I have been sent as a teacher). The series aims to provide monthly online lectures to support teachers further.
The two-day workshop, successfully concluded with the efforts of Deputy Ameer-e-Halqa Zameeruddin Qadri, Qazi Laiq Ahmad (head of the Makatib department in Maharashtra), Maulana Abdul Majid Nadwi (Coordinator of Safa Islamic Makatib Maharashtra), along with the dedicated team and members of Safa Islamic Makatib.