Intro: In his letter, Union minister Venkaiah Naidu said that given the significance of the Darul Uloom, and its spiritual and philosophical role in society, the government expected it to get Muslims involved in the campaign.
Famous Islamic educational centre Darul Uloom, Deoband has extended support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Swacch Bharat Abhiyaan.
Public relationship Officer of the university Arif Usmai said here yesterday that, Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu had written a letter to the vice chancellor of the varsity, soliciting seminary's support to the PM's cleanliness campaign.
Vice Chancellor Mufti Abul Kasim Nomani Banarsi of Darul Uloom assured the Prime Minister of giving him full support for the cause and even appealed to the Muslims living in the country to participate in the national cause. He even said that one should not depend on the workers for cleanliness.
In response to a letter from the Union minister of urban development seeking the support of the Darul Uloom, India's largest centre of Muslim education, in the “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan” (Clean India Campaign) of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the vice-chancellor of the institute, Mufti Abul Qasim Nomani, has vowed all support.
In his letter, Union minister Venkaiah Naidu said that given the significance of the Darul Uloom, and its spiritual and philosophical role in society, the government expected it to get Muslims involved in the campaign.
The vice chancellor said, “Lack of cleanliness has been a major issue in the country. It is a social curse; it affects negatively both human and environmental health. It is a pity that even after 67 years of freedom, we have been unable to free ourselves of filth.” Usmani also said it was the wish of the university also to make India clean and fulfill the dream of father of Nation Mahatma Gandhi.
Usmani even referred to the ayat of pious Quran, saying Allah loves cleanliness and it is partially equal to the faith done on him. Islam always taught that inner and outer cleanliness should be the mission in one's life.
Appreciating the efforts of the Modi government, Nomani said, “This is a step worth appreciating, though it comes a tad too late.”
Referring to the teachings of Islam in the matter of purity and cleanliness, the vice chancellor said, “Islam gives great importance to cleanliness and purity. The holy Quran says, 'And Allah loves those observing purity.' Prophet Muhammad said, 'Purity is the half of faith'.
Darul Uloom Deoband attaches great importance to purity and cleanliness, he said, adding that the education centre trains students in cleanliness. Students in Darul Uloom hostels are made to adopt cleanliness and purity, and its department of cleanliness with 50 to 60 employees busy themselves with cleaning work,” the vice chancellor said. In his letter, Venkaiah Naidu had said, “As a spiritual leader and philosopher guiding a large numbers of followers, your good self and your organisation can play a significant role in sensitising the followers as well as others to make them involved in the 'clean India' campaign.”
The vice chancellor said it would be good if the clean-up campaign found wide support, so the people of the country could breathe clean air and walk down clean streets.
—Surendra Singhal from Deoband
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