Madrassa clerics unfurl National Flag in Noida

Clerics say they have been hoisting the flag every Independence Day since the establishment of the madrassa in 1999. The day is not celebrated only with students as residents also joined them on Independence Day.

Clerics at the city’s largest madrassa — Noor-e-Hidayat — in Sector 8 hoisted the National Flag with fervour and sang the national anthem and patriotic songs such as ‘Tiranga Zindabad’. The ceremony was attended by over 300 students wearing skull caps and carrying flags in their hands.

The madrassa is adjoining MET Public School, which is also run by the committee. Students in the school are from different religions and they had also gathered to celebrate the Independence Day with the students of the madrassa. (Virendra Singh Gosain/HT PHOTO)

Clerics say they have been hoisting the flag every Independence Day since the establishment of the madrassa in 1999. The day is not celebrated only with students as residents also joined them on Independence Day.

“There was no need for the state government to issue directions that Independence Day should be celebrated in madrassas. The political parties should consider the fact that madrassas have played a vital role in the freedom struggle. Many clerics were also hanged to death,” said Fazlul Rehman, manager of the madrassa.

He said that the atmosphere of the madrassas has changed in India. “Gone are the days when students were confined to only Arabic studies or reciting religious scriptures. At present, in every institute, students are being taught History, English, Hindi and computer courses. Diktats cannot generate patriotism among children,” he said.

“We have 200 students in the madrassa and 400 students in the school. The videography order was intolerable; it is ridiculous that the government is seeking proof of our bonding with the motherland,” Bilal Rizwi, an engineer who also teaches madrassa students, said.

The hour-long ceremony ended with congregational prayers that were held for peace and prosperity of the nation.

Tarunpal Singh, who works in an IT firm, said, “Independence Day has nothing to do with religion. In Sector 8, flags were hoisted in every lane. I did not go elsewhere but came here to join the flag hoisting ceremony at the madrassa. This helps us to understand each other and we stand united.”

The flag was unfurled by the Madarsa Committee’s head Mohammed Azad and Vipin Malhan, president of Noida Entrepreneurs Association (NEA).