JEDDAH, 13 January 2007 — Raising a new generation of Muslims with high moral values and a deep knowledge of science and technology is the need of the hour, said Sheikh Abubacker Ahmad, secretary-general of the Calicut-based Sunni Cultural Center (Markaz), during an interview with Arab News.
Sheikh Abubacker, who was here to perform Haj, lauded the Saudi government for the elaborate arrangements that culminated in the successful conduct of the Haj without any untoward incident.
According to Sheikh Abubacker, looking after orphans and destitute children is the responsibility of the society. The Markaz, which was established in 1978, aims to impart religious and modern education to Muslims in India, protect orphans and destitute children and foster good relationship between different religious communities in the country.
The Markaz will be celebrating its 29th anniversary on Feb. 9 this year. The three-day event, marking the founding of the Markaz, is likely to be attended by well-known personalities from within India and abroad. According to Abubacker, 750 students will graduate this year from the institution, obtaining Saqafi degrees. Some 50 students who have memorized the Holy Qur’an will also graduate during the event. So far, the sheikh said, about 5,000 scholars have graduated from his institution. “Currently, it is the largest socio-cultural organization in south India,” he said.
This is the first batch of scholars to graduate from the Markaz after its affiliation last year with the prestigious Al-Azhar University in Cairo. A total of 8,000 students are studying at the Markaz including 1,500 orphans. “They come from different parts of India, including Kashmir and Hariyana. The institution does not charge a penny either from orphans or poor students for their food, clothes, accommodation and medical expenses. Abubacker put the institution’s daily budget at about SR25,000 which is raised through donations by philanthropists.
The Markaz runs 25 institutions including Shariat College that teaches Qur’an, Hadith and Fiqh, English-medium schools, orphanages (for both girls and boys), arts and commerce college, college of technology and Tahfeezul Qur’an College. Preparations are under way to launch professional courses such as MBA, BBA and D. Pharm, he said. The institution also runs a number of polyclinics and hospitals aimed at helping the poor.
Markaz’s website www.markazonline.com can be accessed for more information. Donations may be sent to Account No. 10622323294, State Bank of India, Calicut, Kerala.
