Uttarakhand Waqf Board to Include Lord Ram’s Story and Values in Madrasa Curriculum

The Uttarakhand Waqf Board has announced its decision to incorporate the story and values of Lord Ram into the curriculum of its madrasas, as part of its efforts to modernize the education system. The board’s chairman, Shadab Shams, stated that this initiative would be implemented in four madrasas initially, with plans to extend it to all 117 madrasas under the board.

Shams emphasized the importance of teaching the story of Lord Ram, citing a quote attributed to Allama Iqbal, a renowned poet and philosopher, who referred to Lord Ram as ‘Imam-e-Hind’ (Leader of India). He expressed the view that Indian Muslims should follow Lord Ram, as they are not Arabs but converted Muslims who changed their way of worship while retaining their ancestral roots.

The decision comes in the wake of the recent celebration of the consecration of Shri Ram in Ayodhya. Shams highlighted the universality of Lord Ram’s story, stating, “Shri Ram belongs to everyone. Who does not want a son like Ram who left everything to fulfill his father’s promise? Who does not want a brother like Laxman or a wife like Sita?”

The four modern madrasas, where the new curriculum will be implemented from March, will follow a schedule similar to regular schools, with classes running from 8 am to 2 pm. Shams emphasized that these madrasas would integrate Islamic studies with scientific learning, offering classes in Sanskrit, Arabic, and English languages. Uniform dress codes and a daily routine that includes five prayers, along with dedicated time for Quran studies, aim to create a more modern educational environment.

Shams also called on the Hindu seer community to support the initiative by adopting financially weaker madrasas, fostering collaboration between different religious communities. Last year, the Uttarakhand Waqf Board had announced plans to modernize madrasas by implementing the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) syllabus, introducing Sanskrit, and providing better infrastructure. The current move reflects ongoing efforts to bridge the gap between different religions and encourage a more inclusive and modern educational approach.