Mumbai: Academic twist to Andheri landscape

Sunlight illuminates the interiors

The Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah Arabic Academy (also known as Jamea) family just got a new addition. After Surat, which got a Jamea in 1810, Karachi and Nairobi, the educational institute solely for the Dawoodi Bohra community, opened in Mumbai. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the community at its mint-new building, in Marol, Andheri East on Friday evening.

The first thing that stands out looking at the Academy building at Bori Colony in Marol is the ornate architecture. It is apparent that the decoration resonates for the community whether it is the lace on the ridas (apparel) that the women wear, or the embellishments on the façade of buildings, it is one of the ways the community seems to express itself.

Huzefa Tawawala, Aliasger Najam and Alefiya Shakir at the walk through. Shakir is alumnus of the Arabic Academy. Pics/Shadab Khan

"That is because we believe God is beautiful, He loves beauty," said both Aliasger Najam, senior administrator and Huzefa Tawawala, faculty.
The Jamea has a boarding concept with students staying at the academy. The Mumbai campus can house around 700 students, both men and women. The students are admitted when they are between the ages of 12 and 14, after eight years of regular schooling. The programme goes from secondary to undergraduate and postgraduate studies. The study is free with the sole benefactor, the 53rd al-Da'i al-Mutlaq and head of the global Dawoodi Bohra community, His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin. There is a rigorous admission process in which on an average, one student is chosen out of four that apply. Aliasger and Tawawala said, "The Mumbai building houses approximately 300 boys, 220 girls and 160 faculty and staff. Earlier, these students were studying at a temporary space for years, so it is exciting to see that they have shifted to the new building. This is fruition of the 47th Da'i Syedna Abdulqadir Najmuddin's (d. 1885) dream who said he wished to see a Jamea campus in the city, 150 years ago."

Also Read: Mumbai: Did not come here as Prime Minister but as family member, says PM Modi during Dawoodi Bohra community event

Spiritual

On a walkthrough a few days earlier, passing through its auditorium and then the magnificent prayer hall, one understood there is a modern aspect, but a laser sharp focus on spiritual studies. As light illuminated the interiors of the edifice, Aliasger explained, "The prayer area is inspired by the al-Jāmi'-al-Azhar in Cairo, which was the original location of the Al Azhar University." The curriculum is in line with education boards like IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) or SSC (Secondary School Certificate) and HSC (Higher Secondary Certificate). Alongside, the Jamea confers students with its own theological degrees over the 11-year programme.

Inquiry

Community-specific academic institutions are often insular, where students do not have a worldview as they may not engage with those outside, or be intellectually challenged, it is thought. Aliasger though said that perspective does not apply here. He explained, "We have several overseas students here, so there is already a mix. Our students also go out for initiatives like beach clean-ups, participating in projects with other students, so they have started and will continue to engage with the larger student community. We also, as a rule, encourage questions, for it is when you ask that you learn. Students will be taught to think for themselves."

Facets

The 850,000 sq ft campus, Aliasger and Tawawala added, "is self-contained with faculty residences, a multi-storey admin and classroom building, library, dining hall, prayer hall, courtyard and a building dedicated to teaching the Holy Quran." As one stepped out of the campus, sunbeams glanced off the glass windows. The building is clearly testament to the overarching aim, an acknowledgement and preservation of the past, living in the contemporary present and shaping community leaders of the future.