Amid growing misunderstanding and false claims, Indian Muslims explain the true purpose of mosques and madrasas, urging people not to judge Islamic institutions through the lens of fear and hate
NEW DELHI — Amid India’s crowded towns and quiet villages, the sound of the Azaan (call to prayer) still rises from minarets, and the soft rustle of Qur’an pages echoes within the walls of Madrassas. These two pillars of Islamic life — the Mosque and the Madrassa — which have guided the moral and spiritual lives of Muslims for over a thousand years, are now increasingly targeted and vilified in today’s political discourse.
While many Hindus are familiar with temples and priests, few understand what truly happens inside a Madrassa or a Mosque. As political voices grow louder and social media amplifies hate-filled rhetoric, many Indian Muslims feel they are being cornered, not for any crime, but for simply holding on to their faith.
“Mosques and madrassa are not places of hate. They are homes of prayer and learning,” said Maulana Mufti Irfan Qasmi, an Islamic scholar based in Lucknow. “It’s painful that our holy places are questioned while our loyalty to this country is doubted.”
The mosque, known in Arabic as Masjid, is where Muslims gather five times a day to offer prayers. The Friday sermon (Khutba) is a key event when a large number of men attend the mosque to listen to spiritual guidance from an Imam. It is not just a ritual but an occasion to encourage community unity, address social issues, and educate people about justice, kindness, and good behaviour.
“Our mosque teaches us to be better human beings,” said Mohammad Azhar, a 45-year-old shopkeeper from Hyderabad. “We are told to speak the truth, stay away from cheating and help the poor. What’s wrong with that?”
In some cities, these sacred spaces are seen as suspicious or “hotbeds of radicalisation.” But such accusations are based more on prejudice than proof.
“We keep hearing that mosques are breeding grounds for extremism. But where is the evidence?” asked Sadia Parveen, a social activist from Delhi. “My son goes to the mosque every day. He comes home with lessons on humility, not hate.”
The word Madrassa means ‘school’ in Arabic. It is a place where children and young people receive religious education, especially the Qur’an, Islamic law (Fiqh), the life of the Prophet (Hadith), and Arabic language. Today, many madrassas have begun including modern subjects such as Hindi, English and Mathematics in their curriculum.
“Madrassas are not terror factories as some TV anchors scream on prime time,” said Mohammad Faheem, principal of a madrassa in Bareilly. “We teach our students good manners, discipline, and respect for others. We also teach science and languages.”
Many children studying in madrasas come from poor backgrounds. Their parents cannot afford private or even government schools. Madrassas offer free education, food, and shelter, and give children a path out of poverty.
“If the madrassa didn’t exist, I would have been begging on the streets,” said 12-year-old Sameer, a student in Bihar. “Now I want to become a teacher and help others like me.”
Yet, despite playing such a noble role, madrassas are often questioned and even targeted by government agencies.
“Why is there no concern when thousands of unregistered gurukuls or ashrams function without checks? Why only madrassas?” asked Dr Arshad Alam, a scholar of Islamic education. “This is nothing but a biased attitude.”
In Hinduism, specific rituals require a priest, but Islam gives this responsibility to every believer. Anyone who knows how to pray can lead prayers or conduct religious duties. That’s why education in Islam is not a luxury, it’s a necessity.
“Our Prophet said seeking knowledge is a duty on every Muslim man and woman,” explained Fatima Bano, a teacher at a madrasa in Uttar Pradesh. “That’s why madrassas are so important for us. Without them, our children may lose touch with their religion.”
Mosques and madrassas are not just buildings. They represent the heart of Muslim identity. Attacks on them — whether through words or policies — are felt as personal attacks by the entire community.
“It’s not just about bricks and walls. These places shape who we are,” said Imam Abdul Latif from Kolkata. “When someone insults our madrasa, they insult our faith, our family, and our ancestors.”
The rise of Islamophobic narratives on TV news and social media platforms has created widespread misunderstanding about madrassas and mosques. Words like “radical,” “jihadi,” and “anti-national” are loosely thrown at Muslim spaces with little or no evidence.
In Uttar Pradesh, some madrasas were surveyed by the state government under the claim of “security concerns.” Many Muslims saw this as an insult.
“If there are doubts, ask us. We are citizens of this country, not outsiders,” said Shahbaz Ahmad, a madrassa administrator in Saharanpur. “We don’t mind the survey, but why the tone of suspicion? Why are only Muslim institutes being picked?”
Even some sections of the public are beginning to ask questions about this selective targeting.
“I’m not Muslim, but I have visited a mosque. I’ve never seen anything wrong there,” said Rakesh Jain, a retired schoolteacher from Bhopal. “I feel the media is trying to divide us. It’s dangerous.”
Many civil rights groups and secular voices have come forward to stand with Indian Muslims in defending the role of madrassas and mosques.
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board recently issued a statement saying, “Madrassas are the backbone of Islamic education in India. Any attempt to defame them is an attempt to destroy the future of our children.”
Several independent surveys have shown that less than 4% of Indian Muslim children go to madrassas. Most study in regular schools, yet they learn the basics of Islam through family or private tutors.
“This shows that Muslims don’t rely only on madrassas. We are moving with the times. But still, madrasas are needed to keep our spiritual roots alive,” said Dr Zeenat Rehman, an educationist from Aligarh.
India is home to many faiths, each with its own sacred places. Just as temples, churches and gurudwaras deserve respect, so do mosques and madrasas. The increasing hate against Muslim institutions is not just hurting Muslims — it is weakening the very idea of India.
“We don’t want special treatment. We just want to live with dignity and faith,” said Aslam Khan, a taxi driver from Mumbai. “Stop looking at our mosques and madrasas with fear. Come and visit. You’ll find peace, not poison.”
As the world becomes more divided, India’s strength lies in its unity and understanding. It is high time to stop judging Muslims through biased lenses and start building bridges of trust and respect.
