Islamic Affairs Minister Saleh Al-Asheikh has pledged to work closely with Darul Uloom Deoband, India’s oldest and most prestigious Islamic university. The minister is currently on a visit to India.
The pledge to extend support to Deoband was given by Al-Asheikh during a ceremony organized in the minister’s honor on Sunday by Deoband students and faculty members.
After landing in a special helicopter at a helipad in Deoband, Al-Asheikh went around the campus, where he was briefed about the achievements of the 159-year-old Islamic seminary.
The minister visited the King Khaled building on the campus. The minister was accompanied by a 12-member delegation, including Saudi Ambassador to India Saud Al-Saati.
“My visit underlines the keenness of Riyadh to communicate with Muslims in various parts of the world, as well as to boost interaction between Muslims in the Kingdom, represented by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, and India,” said Al-Asheikh.
He describing Darul Uloom as a “citadel” of Islam.
Ambassador Al-Saati said Darul Uloom made significant contribution in every sphere of life and its impact was visible in many parts of the world.
Speaking to Arab News from Deoband, Mufti Abul Qasim Nomani, the rector, said: “The visit has helped strengthen ties between the Kingdom and Deoband and between Saudi Arabia and India.”
Darul Uloom Deoband, which has over 4,000 students on its rolls, has always distanced itself from religious extremism, he said. “Al-Asheikh’s visit has also helped remove many misconceptions about the Darul Uloom,” he added.
There are around 200 million Muslims in India, and they are the largest minority in a country with a population of 1.2 billion. Deoband is a major Islamic institution, which has its affiliated schools in different parts of the world. It has produced a large number of renowned Islamic scholars.
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