Kerala: A Muslim educational institute in Thrissur is teaching Sanskrit, Upanishads, and Hindu epics in order to familiarise its students with other religions. Experts in Hinduism are in charge of instructing slokas and mantras.
Onampilly Muhammad Faizy, the principal of the Academy of Sharia and Advanced Studies (ASAS) run by Malik Deenar Islamic Complex (MIC), told PTI the objective is to inculcate in students knowledge and awareness about other religions. Faizy himself was a student of Shankara philosophy which encouraged him to educate children about the customs and practices of other religions.
He added that the idea is to provide basic knowledge because an in-depth study will not be possible in eight years. Selected parts of the Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, Mahabharata, and Ramayana will be taught by the time children graduate from class 10.
Some students say Sanskrit is tough to learn like Arabic. Regular practice, tests, and classes help children make it easier. The only challenge was to find good teachers and there was no objection from parents. Professor K K Yatheendran said he had reservations about teaching in an Arabic institution but now he has no such concerns. "There is no Hindu or Muslim issue here."
Hafiz Aboobacker, one of the coordinators at the institute, said the initiative is important at a time when political parties are fighting over the "alleged saffronisation" of higher education institutes. "It would help students to learn about and understand another religion through their history and Puranas. It would also help to sync our religious views with that theirs. It would help to create a new beginning for a new India. That is the goal behind including Sanskrit in the syllabus."