By Admin 
Foreign Minister of Taliban regime in Afghanistan, Amir Khan Muttaki is on a visit to India for the first time. During this visit, Muttaki will also visit Deoband town of Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh. On October 11, he will visit the world famous Islamic educational institution Darul Uloom, Deoband and meet its management and prominent clerics.
Deoband and Taliban connection
The name of Deoband is known not only for a madrassa but also as the birthplace of an ideology. Darul Uloom, Deoband, established during the British rule in 1866, aimed to protect Islamic education from outside influences and teach the Quran-Hadith in their original form. It was from here that the Deobandi movement started, which gradually spread from India to Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. In this way Deoband emerged as a world class Islamic education centre.
What is the relation between Taliban and Deoband?
Darul Uloom Haqqania located in Pakistan, which people call the school of Taliban, was built on the lines of Darul Uloom Deoband. Taliban founder Mullah Omar and other leaders studied from this madrassa. Haqqania’s founder Maulana Abdul Haq himself was a student of Deoband and the world calls his son Sami-ul-Haq the father of Taliban. Its meaning is clear – the religious and ideological roots of Taliban are linked to the soil of Deoband. Both Deoband and Taliban are based on Hanafi Fiqh.
It is one of the four major schools of Sunni Islam, established by Imam Abu Hanifa in the 8th century. Hanafi fiqh emphasizes logic and reason and is most commonly accepted in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Deoband made Hanafi Fiqh the foundation of its teachings and the Taliban based their laws and regulations on it.
Now that Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has come to India, his Deoband visit is not only of religious but also political importance. This is an indication that Taliban wants to improve relations with countries like India apart from Pakistan. Tension has increased recently in the relations between Pakistan and Taliban. Due to border disputes, terrorist incidents and lack of trust. In such a situation, Muttaki’s visit to India and Deoband is being considered a part of “Spiritual Diplomacy”.
Muttaki’s visit and preparations
Foreign Minister Muttaki will be at Darul Uloom Deoband on October 11 from 11 am to 5 pm. During this, he will be taken on a tour of the institute campus and will be made to meet prominent Maulanas. To welcome him, Darul Uloom management has started the work of cleaning and renovation. The reception will be organized in the huge circular library located on the campus.
Maulana Arshad Madani will also be present during the meeting. Muttaqi’s address will be in Urdu language and other prominent Maulans of Darul Uloom have also been invited to this program. The police administration has made strict arrangements regarding security arrangements and the intelligence department is also on high alert.
When was Darul Uloom established?
Darul Uloom, Deoband is not just a madrasa, but it is a center of global Islamic education and religious ideology. Not only is religious education imparted here, but it is also the birthplace of the Deobandi ideology, which deeply influenced the religious, social and political thinking of the Muslim society in the Indian subcontinent.
It was founded on 31 May 1866 by Maulana Muhammad Qasim Nanotvi, Haji Abid Hussain and other scholars. The organization started from an old mosque, Masjid Chatta.
Deoband is not only a center of Islamic education but also an ancient city. It is believed that its old name was ‘Dwaitavan’, which is mentioned in the texts of Mahabharata period. This city presents an example of religious diversity. Maa Bala Sundari Devi Temple is also located here, which is an important pilgrimage site for the Hindu community. This visit of Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is considered important from educational, religious and historical point of view.
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