Yesterday, after Maghrib, I had the opportunity to attend the inauguration of a new educational institution named **Darur Riyadah, Chattogram**.
Established through the initiative of Tazkiyah Trust, this entirely non-profit institution, according to its founders, will work towards the advancement of Islamic education, the pursuit of modern knowledge, and the development of dedicated individuals committed to serving Islam and the welfare of the Ummah.
From the very inception of the Trust, I was specifically requested to become involved as one of its members. However, I felt that, rather than assuming a formal institutional responsibility, it would be more appropriate for me to support its progress from outside as a well-wisher.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by numerous ʿulamāʾ, educationists, physicians, politicians, and lawyers. Against the backdrop of the existing challenges and limitations of madrasa education in Bangladesh, the plans and future vision of Darur Riyadah offer considerable grounds for optimism.
One of the institution’s principal objectives is to nurture capable, upright, and responsible ʿulamāʾ who will possess, on the one hand, profound mastery of Islamic knowledge and, on the other, the necessary competence and sound understanding of modern disciplines and the sciences. They are also expected to develop the wisdom, capabilities, and foresight required to address contemporary challenges, contribute to the welfare of society, and provide leadership suited to the demands of the modern age.
According to the founders, the institution will be operated as a private, entirely non-profit educational establishment, with a continuous academic programme extending up to the *Kāmil* level. Alongside developing a new syllabus and curriculum aligned with the national curriculum and educational framework, they also plan to ensure modern teaching resources, technological facilities, and an environment conducive to learning and research.
In addition, there are plans to establish a separate branch modelled on the Qawmi educational tradition, devoted to classical, text-based study of the Islamic disciplines. This branch is expected to operate either virtually free of charge or for a nominal fee. It is hoped that, through this initiative, the institution will make a significant contribution towards addressing the growing shortage of scholars with deep expertise in the traditional Islamic sciences.
The founders envision Darur Riyadah eventually developing into an internationally oriented educational centre that meets the demands of the modern age and offers extensive opportunities for learning and research. The sincerity, dedication, and determination I observed among them in pursuing this vision are undoubtedly encouraging.
However, the success of such an initiative depends on much more than an attractive plan or initial enthusiasm. It requires long-term commitment, institutional discipline, capable leadership, efficient management, financial transparency, and the sustained efforts of everyone involved. In particular, maintaining consistency between the institution’s declared objectives and its actual activities, while continually improving the quality of education, will remain a long-term challenge.
**This is where my particular concern lies.**
To what extent will we, as a scholarly community, demonstrate the dedication, sense of responsibility, and consistency needed to fulfil the objectives and ideals of such an initiative?
Establishing an institution is one thing; sustaining it over many years while preserving its founding ideals and maintaining educational quality is considerably more difficult. Our past experiences also remind us of the need for self-criticism and a realistic assessment of what such undertakings require.
Turning the vision of Darur Riyadah into reality will require not only the sincerity of its founders but also a competent and dedicated faculty, a carefully designed curriculum, effective institutional management, and the active cooperation and wise guidance of the wider scholarly community.
Above all, there must be a firm commitment to conducting this initiative for the broader welfare of Islam and the Ummah, placing those objectives above the recognition, interests, or identities of any individual, group, or political party.
May the formal journey of Darur Riyadah, Chattogram, prove successful. I sincerely hope that, through the realization of its declared aims and objectives, the institution will make a meaningful contribution to excellence in Islamic education, the advancement of classical scholarship, the development of capable ʿulamāʾ, and the promotion of learning and research.