Deoband head has MBA, is pro-modern education

SURAT: Maulana Gulam Mohammad Vastanvi, a cleric who holds an MBA from Maharashtra and has been feted for introducing modern education at a madrassa in Akkalkuwa in Nandurbar, has been elected vice-chancellor of Darul Uloom Deoband.

Vastanvi was selected on January 10 after the death of Maulana Marghoob Rahman, who was Mohtamim (vice-chancellor) of the institution for 30 years.

For the first time in the 200 years of Darul Uloom Deoband, a Gujarati has taken the top post. Vastanvi belongs to Vastan village in Surat district and studied at a seminary at Tadkeshwar near Kim. He got his Aalim and Faazil degrees from the Tadkeshwar seminary itself.

Born and brought up in the tribal-dominated and economically backward area of the state, Vastanvi chose to work in tribal areas of Maharashtra. After completing his studies, the cleric taught at Kantharia for nearly a decade before setting up the reputed Jamia Islamia Ishaatul Uloom at Akkalkuwa in Maharashtras Nandurbar district.

The Jamia in Akkalkuwa offers various courses in engineering, medicine, pharmacy and education apart from other regular and short-term courses. The introduction of modern education was Vastanvi's initiative.

The model has been replicated in other parts of Maharashtra. The science stream has recently been introduced in Jamia's associated centre in Kosamba in south Gujarat. For these efforts, Vastanvi was also given "Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad" Award by the Maharashtra government.

Having bagged one of the most respected posts among Islamic clerics, Vastanvi said: "It's a great opportunity for me to work for a most respected institution. It is a proud moment for a Gujarati too as for the first time a Gujarati has become vice-chancellor of Dar-ul-Uloom. Maulana Marghoob Rahman had worked for the Dar-ul-Uloom for 30 long years and keeping his contributions in mind, I will work for the institute," he added.

Vastanvi's election was celebrated in Tadkeshwar during his recent visit to the village where he studied. Several Islamic clerics from the region and villagers of all faiths attended his felicitation.