The Noor Mehr Charitable Trust in Mumbai celebrated a significant milestone this week, marking 25 years of its pioneering educational mission. The silver jubilee function for its Jamia Tajwidul Quran and Noor Meher Urdu High School was held in Malvani, Malad West, bringing together a proud community of alumni, dignitaries, and the visionary behind it all.
A Unique Model of Dual Education
The event saw twenty-five alumni, who have passed through the institution over the last quarter-century, gather to share their journeys. These individuals are products of a distinctive system where students complete the hafiz course—memorizing the entire Quran—while simultaneously preparing for and clearing their SSC or 10th Board exams. This dual-track model, blending deep religious learning with modern secular education, has empowered hundreds of students from economically challenged backgrounds.
The brainchild of businessman Syed Ali Hussain, fondly known as Ali Bhai, the institution was born from a clear philosophy. "I felt the need for such an institution because I believe there should be no barriers between deen (religion) and duniya (world)," Ali Bhai explained. He noted that since the government is mandated to provide only secular education or support madrassas, he stepped in to create a space where both could thrive together, asserting that "every child has a right to education."
Pathway from Poverty to Prosperity
Annually, a batch of hafizs from the trust sits for the SSC examinations. Upon passing, they seamlessly enter colleges for higher education or enroll in professional courses. The teaching is conducted at the same campus but by separate faculties: maulvis for the Quranic memorization and trained teachers for modern subjects like Mathematics, English, and Science.
The results speak volumes. The alumni, often sons of daily wage workers, rickshaw and taxi drivers, tailors, and factory employees, have broken the cycle of poverty. Today, they stand as engineers, medical professionals, professors, and pharmacists, financially supporting their families and charting paths toward prosperity.
Dignitaries Laud Transformative Impact
Several dignitaries attended the jubilee, praising the trust's work. Former IAS officer Zafar Iqbal congratulated Ali Bhai and his wife for their dedication. "The Quran carries words of wisdom, and here they educate children who are not just hafizs but also qualified enough to pursue further education, improving their employability," he said. Iqbal also emphasized the importance of understanding the Quran's meaning alongside its recitation.
The success of this model has not gone unnoticed; it is now being replicated in other locations. The celebration was a testament to the transformative power of education and the sincerity and selfless efforts of Syed Ali Hussain, proving that with the right opportunity, students from any background can achieve remarkable success in both spiritual and worldly realms.
