First batch of female students receive diploma in Arabic language at Hidayah-Mesco Academy

The ceremony was held in Indian Medical Association hall, near Milagres Church in the city. On the occasion, 23 female students received their diploma certificates in the 6-month course.

The city-based Hidayah Foundation had launched the academy in association with Hyderabad-based Muslim Educational Social and Cultural Organization (MESCO) in Mangalore a year ago.

Delivering the keynote address, founder of Hidayah Foundation Khasim Ahmed H K briefed about the mission, objectives and activities of the foundation such as its focus on Arabic language, empowerment of women and providing career guidance for young girls.

Speaking on the role of language in seeking knowledge, chairman of Unity Academy of Education, Mangalore, Dr C P Habeeb Rahman said that Muslims were depicted as backward, terrorist, fundamentalists and uncivilised, and had been on the receiving end.

“They are the deep victims of events and it is a borderless transnational role. The greatest tragedy was that it is being portrayed as if Islamic faith contributes towards this perception. In fact, Islam means peace, and leads to harmony. It does not mean backwardness, hatred or violence. Muslims moved away from the original message of the Quran and Sunnah, thereby resulting in the backwardness of the community,” he said.

He said that in the field of education, Muslims were the products of madrasa education, with traditional Islamic education and minimal or no Arabic education, leading them to develop an inferiority complex. This product, combined with lack of Arabic language, leads to Muslim neurosis. And the only solution to counter this is to follow the path taught by Prophet Mohammed, he said.

Talking historically, he also observed that when Muslims were religious, they were advanced, whereas they became backward when they moved away from religion. Stressing on the significance of Arabic language, he said that not knowing Arabic was the greatest lapse in understanding Quran.

Former vice-chancellor of Calicut and Kannur Universities Prof M Abdul Rahiman delivered the presidential address. Joint secretary of MESCO, Hyderabad Dr Wajahath Ali also spoke on the occasion.

Passages from the Quran were recited and translated by students who had completed the course in Arabic language. Few also gave their opinion and insight on the course.

Prizes were also distributed to those students excelling in Arabic grammar, pronunciation (Thajweed), Quran translation, Islamic knowledge, English, Psychology, cooking and overall performance.