In the past, the NIDs of those who passed from Qawmi madrasa stated: ‘self-educated’ but now Dawra-e-Hadith
has been made academic equivalent to Masters and most students feel that this is their only achievement.
Reportedly, in 2017, 40,000 students passed Dawra-e-Hadith and of them, only a few got employment at the Islamic Foundation, Bangladesh. Others remained in their own professions.
Some work in private firms and others have gone to India, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and other countries to pursue higher studies.
Teachers at the Qawmi madrasa say that since a short time has passed after the academic recognition of degrees, comments cannot be made.
They feel that to assess the extent of the benefit of the recognition, another seven to eight years will be needed.
Others say that after the recognition the students now experience social and mental peace plus social respect which was absent in the past.
Gopalganj’s Jamia Islamia Darul Ulum Khademul Islam Gowhardanga Madrasa teacher Mufti Mohammad Tasnim says: “We have not received the expected recognition as yet; whenever we want to apply for an online job, the degree is not shown and there aren’t research possibilities at the public universities as yet.”
But we hope, this will change, he said.
Director General of Al Islamia Madrasa in Brahmanbaria Mowlana Sajidur Rahman says that the benefits of recognition will come gradually.
Dhaka University Urdu Department Mowlana Golam Rabbani observes: “We have not seen the impact as yet; the result may be seen after some time.”
Many scholars of the Qawmi madrasa opined that the government recognition is important and does not necessarily mean that a student has to join government service.
However, it’s believed that following the doctrine of Darul Uloom Deobandi, government assistance is not taken which has exacerbated the accommodation crisis at the madrasas.
University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) teacher Dr Salimullah Khan, observes: “The rationale for rejecting government help was when the Qawmi madrasas came into existence, the government were the British colonial administration.”
On Nov 4, 2018, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was conferred with the ‘Qawmi Mother’ title for the recognition.
The demand for recognition of the degree was made in 1997. Later, the then chairman of Islami Oikya Jote, Shaikhul Hadis Allama Azizul Huq, observed a hunger strike. Based on the persistent demands raised by others, the then prime minister Khaleda Zia declared Daorae Hadis equivalent to Masters.
However, without a gazette, the process stalled. Eventually, in 2017, with consensus from all religious clerics and scholars, the current PM Sheikh Hasina declared Dawra-e-Hadith as similar to Masters.