Suja Sharif’s educational revolution creates ample new opportunities for the youth
Team Clarion
BARMER – In the heart of Rajasthan’s Barmer district, Suja Sharif has emerged as a beacon of educational progress, thanks to the vision of Peer Syed Ghulam Hussain Shah Jilani. What was once a modest village, known as Sujo ka Niwaan, has flourished into a centre for both academic and religious learning, all within just two decades.
Suja Sharif’s roots in education stretch back to 1870 when the Dars caste settled in the area and established a mosque and a madrasa. However, the true shift in the village’s educational landscape came when Peer Syed Ghulam Hussain Shah Jilani envisioned a space where students could receive a well-rounded education that combined the best of modern academics and Islamic teachings.
“I wanted to create an institution that could offer the highest quality education in both religious and worldly subjects,” says Shah Jilani, reflecting on his mission. His dream materialised with the establishment of Darul Uloom Faiz Siddiqia, a modern educational institution designed to cater to the physical, intellectual, and spiritual growth of its students.
Nestled in the desert, Darul Uloom Faiz Siddiqia has quickly risen to prominence as one of the region’s leading educational establishments. The school features a state-of-the-art three-storey hostel, where each hall accommodates 12 students, providing them with ample space, separate beds, wardrobes, and bathroom facilities to ensure a comfortable and supportive living experience.
The growth of the institution has been propelled by financial contributions from several key entities, including the Maulana Azad Education Foundation, the Minority Department of the Government of India, and local political leaders. The school’s infrastructure includes 10 spacious classrooms per floor, designed to maintain a clean and conducive learning environment. To cater to the needs of students, the facility also includes wuzu khanas, where students can perform ablution before prayers.
Since its foundation in 2008, Darul Uloom Faiz Siddiqia has expanded to include a guest house, a dining hall with a capacity for 1,000 students, and a roti-making machine capable of producing 2,500 rotis an hour. In 2013, the addition of the Siddiqia Jamia Masjid further enhanced the institution’s spiritual atmosphere, providing a dedicated space for prayer and reflection.
The school currently hosts 350 students, offering education from classes 1 to 12. The curriculum combines modern academic subjects with Islamic studies, providing students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in both their professional and spiritual lives. “At Darul Uloom Faiz Siddiqia, children gain knowledge that equips them for every aspect of life, both religious and worldly,” says Noor Mohammad, an Islamic education teacher at the institution.
Peer Syed Ghulam Hussain Shah Jilani’s transformative efforts in Suja Sharif are a testament to the power of vision and commitment. Darul Uloom Faiz Siddiqia stands today as a model of educational progress, not only for Rajasthan but for the entire nation, offering hope and opportunity to generations of students in the years to come.
