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‘Moved by Islamophobia’, Rajasthan youth applied for Islamic Studies MA in Kashmir, made history

Shubham Yadav, 21, is the first non-Muslim and non-Kashmir resident to top the all-India entrance exam for a Master’s course in Islamic Studies at Central University of Kashmir.

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Srinagar: Shubham Yadav, a 21-year-old from Alwar, Rajasthan, is not oblivious to his achievement. On 29 October, he bested 93 candidates to become the first non-Muslim and non-Kashmir resident to top the all-India entrance exam for a Master’s course in Islamic Studies at Central University of Kashmir (CUK). But he doesn’t think it’s a big deal either. 

“I have been getting several calls, including from journalists, who thought it was a big deal to crack the entrance exams. It really isn’t. It’s like any other subject dealing with law, culture and behaviour,” said Yadav.

An aspiring civil servant, Yadav told ThePrint that he got curious about Islam after seeing the “growing Islamophobia and religious polarisation across the world”.

“Growing Islamophobia and polarisation have made me think that understanding each other’s religion is extremely important in this day and age. Unfortunately, there is a lot of stereotyping of Islam and Islamic studies as well,” Yadav said. “Islamic Studies is not just about the study of Muslims but an exploration of Islamic law and culture.” 

“I believe that, in the future, the administration will need conciliatory mechanisms between Hindus and Muslims and, for that, the administration will require people with greater understanding of religion. I would like to be there if that happens,” he added.


Also Read: 5 reasons for the crisis in global Islam


‘A welcome step’

Soon after the list of students — just over 40 — who had cleared the exam was released, Prof. Hamidullah Marazi, the head of the CUK religious Studies Department, which oversees the course, called up Yadav to congratulate him.

“It was a delight to see Shubham’s name at the top of the list. I started the department in 2015. Since then, many non-Muslims from across the country have come to study here. Students from all religions have joined the two disciplines we offer — Islamic Studies and Comparative Religion,” he said. 

“But it is the first time that someone from outside Kashmir has topped the list. Not that identity should matter, but students taking interest in studies to explore different cultures is a welcome step,” said Marazi, adding that he is hoping Yadav decides to study in Kashmir.

Yadav, who completed his graduation in philosophy and is awaiting the results of many other entrance exams, may not take up the Islamic Studies course. His first preference is to pursue law at the prestigious Delhi University. Results for Delhi University’s law programme entrance will be declared on 18 November.

“My first preference is to study law but I also want to prepare for UPSC exams in the future. Being at Delhi University is just the right thing to do if one wants to study for civil services,” he said. 

Yadav, whose father owns a small business in Rajasthan and mother is a history teacher, said his parents “are very liberal when it comes to my education”. 

“They have been happy with my results and have clearly told me to pursue whatever field I like. If I am not able to crack DU exams, Central University of Kashmir will likely be my go-to place. Religious and study of Islam is something that I will pursue irrespective of the field I am in,” he added.


Also Read: Macron doesn’t need to insult Islam to defend free speech


 

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42 COMMENTS

  1. Rajasthan is the land of maharana pratap we know what you did to us Muslims so don’t play the victim card we don’t need you in Rajasthan this is the land of Hindu resistance to Muslim colonialism get out.

    • You madrassachap jaahil moron,where the hell in the entire article he said,he has any desire to convert to islam,he is not going to even go further with the studies,forget abt converting,its better to know your enemies better,& all the al-taqiya they do in the name of fake secularism to further islamofascism

  2. A student rightfully took chance at all entrance exams he could. Being a good student he topped in one of them. Now he has to come up with a justification since it happened to be religious studies. Nevertheless, a good outcome for India’s pluralism. Although he has made it clear he will addend DU if admitted there.

  3. Islamic fundamentalism is a real threat to world peace and history of islamic invasions, plunder, mass conversions, barbarism, destruction of thousands of temples, butchering driving out Zorastrians from Persia who were accepted by india and flourished, and Kashmiri pandits from kashmir are proof enough that islam is real threat to world peace.

    • @ Nathan , You are a liar take a look at this stats.

      You missionaries have always an agenda against Islam and Muslims.

      You’re writing about fundamentalism and then shifting to Islam inorder to malign Islam.

      Thanks for your contribution to islamophobia.

      ☪️ *Why is Islam said to be the cause of violence?*

      *10 Countries with the highest rates of prostitution in the world.*

      Thailand (Buddhist)
      2. Denmark (Christian)
      Italian (Christian)
      4. German (Christian)
      5. French (Christian)
      6. Norway (Christian)
      7. Belgium (Christian)
      8. Spanish (Christian)
      9. United Kingdom (Christian)
      10. Finland (Christian)

      *10 countries with the highest robbery rate in the world.*

      10. Denmark and Finland (Christian)
      9. Zimbabwe (Christian)
      8. Australia (Christian)
      7. Canada (Christian)
      6. New Zealand (Christian)
      5. India (Hindu)
      4. England and Wales (Christian)
      3. United States (Christian)
      2. Sweden (christian)
      1. South Africa (Christian)

      *10 countries with the highest alcohol addiction in the world.*

      1) Moldova (Christian)
      2) Belarusian (Christian)
      3) Lethuania (Christian)
      4) Russia (Christian)
      5) Czech Republic (Christian)
      6) Ukrainian (Christian)
      7) Andorra (Christian)
      8) Romanian (Christian)
      9) Serbian (Christian)
      10) Australia (Christian)

      *Countries with the highest homicide rate in the world.*

      1. Honduras (Christian)
      2. Venezuela (Christian)
      3 Belize (Christian)
      4 El Savador (Christian)
      5 Guetamala (Christian)

      *Names of the most dangerous gangsterism in the world.*

      1 Yakuza (Non Muslim)
      2 Agberos (Christian)
      3 Wah Cing (Christian)
      4 Jamaican Posse (Christian)
      5 Primeiro (Christian)
      6 Aryan Brotherhood (Christen)
      7 Bloods (Christen)
      8 18th Street Gang (Christen)
      9 The Mungiki (Christian)
      10 Mara Salvarutcha (Christian)

      *The big names of drug cartels in the world:* –

      1 Pablo Escobar-Columbia (Christian)
      2 Amado carello-Columbia (Christen)
      3 Carlos Lehder-German (Christian)
      4 Griselda Blanco-Columbia (Christian)
      5 Joaquin Guzman-Mexico (Christen)
      6 Rafael caro- Mexico (Christen)

      ☪️ *Why is Islam said to be the cause of violence?**10 Countries with the highest rates of prostitution in the world.*

      Thailand (Buddhist)
      2. Denmark (Christian)
      Italian (Christian)
      4. German (Christian)
      5. French (Christian)
      6. Norway (Christian)
      7. Belgium (Christian)
      8. Spanish (Christian)
      9. United Kingdom (Christian)
      10. Finland (Christian)

      *10 countries with the highest robbery rate in the world.*

      10. Denmark and Finland (Christian)
      9. Zimbabwe (Christian)
      8. Australia (Christian)
      7. Canada (Christian)
      6. New Zealand (Christian)
      5. India (Hindu)
      4. England and Wales (Christian)
      3. United States (Christian)
      2. Sweden (christian)
      1. South Africa (Christian)

      *10 countries with the highest alcohol addiction in the world.*

      1) Moldova (Christian)
      2) Belarusian (Christian)
      3) Lethuania (Christian)
      4) Russia (Christian)
      5) Czech Republic (Christian)
      6) Ukrainian (Christian)
      7) Andorra (Christian)
      8) Romanian (Christian)
      9) Serbian (Christian)
      10) Australia (Christian)

      *Countries with the highest homicide rate in the world.*

      1. Honduras (Christian)
      2. Venezuela (Christian)
      3 Belize (Christian)
      4 El Savador (Christian)
      5 Guetamala (Christian)

      *Names of the most dangerous gangsterism in the world.*

      1 Yakuza (Non Muslim)
      2 Agberos (Christian)
      3 Wah Cing (Christian)
      4 Jamaican Posse (Christian)
      5 Primeiro (Christian)
      6 Aryan Brotherhood (Christen)
      7 Bloods (Christen)
      8 18th Street Gang (Christen)
      9 The Mungiki (Christian)
      10 Mara Salvarutcha (Christian)

      *The big names of drug cartels in the world:* –

      1 Pablo Escobar-Columbia (Christian)
      2 Amado carello-Columbia (Christen)
      3 Carlos Lehder-German (Christian)
      4 Griselda Blanco-Columbia (Christian)
      5 Joaquin Guzman-Mexico (Christen)
      6 Rafael caro- Mexico (Christen)

  4. Topping in 93 is written as if topping in 90000.. He learns about Islam is okay, but then is he going to change their approach for Kaffirs..

  5. This is quite normal that somebody goes out of box to study that masses usually do not. But I am sure he will do wonders, which is the need of the hour.
    Instead of blowing himself he definitely will convey the actual message the religions give us. Don’t worry he doesn’t need to convert .

  6. Why there is Islaaamic study not Hiiindus study or sicck study etc.? Why majority Muuuslim countries became Islaaamic republic not hiiindu majority India stay secular? Why only musliiims wanted Islaaamic republic countries not any other religions? Why only muuuslims allowed to have 4 wives in Secular Indiia while not other religions allowed ?

  7. Why beheeeading is allowed for negative comments on Maaaahammad, while joking Raaam is ignored. Why there is Islaaamic study not Hiiindus study or sick study etc.? Why majority Muuuslim countries became Islaaamic republic not hiiindu majority India stay secular? Why only musliiims wanted Islaaamic republic countries not any other religions? Why only muuuslims allowed to have 4 wives in Secular Indiia while not other religions allowed ?

  8. The Print is pro jihadist disguised as liberal , fact based news channel…screwing up their own country and it’s rich traditions by Covering such news…just think why is this news even important to find it’s way to a news media…unless it is running a hidden propaganda..

  9. He is not only Hindu who study about Islam. Rana Bagwan Dass ex Chief Justice of Pakistan Supreme Court was also Master in Islamic Studies

  10. Yes, Islam Dharma like Hindu Dharma, and Christ Dharma sll teaches humanisam how to respect others. After all this is only small planet human being exists. Unfortunately we are all made to suspect others. Such study will give chance to clear misunderstanding. How nice if other Dharmic students study Hinduism, christianity and understand life ethics

  11. Please make sure that this news is NOT BROUGHT to attention of Arnab Goberswammy. He will start crying , fomenting at the and may drop dead of activitated communal virus!

  12. No RELIGION TEACHES TERROR OR TO HARM OTHERS.
    But ? Misunderstood or Wrongly Guided People Do The Mischief Of Erupting UNREST IN THE WORLD,UNDER THE GUISE OF RELIGIOUS COLOURS.
    It is Really A Good Venture By An Younster to go DEEP INTO THE STUDY & UNDERSTANDING OF ISLAMIC RELIGIOUS STUDIES , TO BUILD HARMONY IN THE SOCIETY.
    Let us PRAY GOD TO BESTOW ENOUGH STRENGTH TO ALL his ENDEAVOURS TO BRING GLORY TO OUR MOTHER LAND.
    Good Luck Chi.SHUBHAM YADAV . ! May God bless you always .
    Yours elderly ,
    SHIVA KUMAR.T.N.

  13. This naive should have checked with Kashmiri Hindus first while he was studying there.

    Oh I forgot, the Kashmiri Hindus, descendants of kashyap rishi, were raped plundered murdered and driven away from their homes.

    The wahabis jihadis and fundamentalist mawali/maskins over there told this naïveté how beautiful the tribal ideology is.

    Once this nincompoop becomes a scholar in Islamic studies, he will be the one blowing people up across India.

  14. In an all India entrance exam there were just 93 candidates in total out of whom 40 qualified. This single piece of statistic tells us everything we need to know regarding the quality of the “study” and the “courses” being offered.
    Nevertheless, congratulations to Mr. Yadav and hope he is able to crack the civil services exam.

    • He is another Pranesh Pillai. May be he is looking for Ishrat Jahan before converting and joining with Pakistani to carry out ISI operation.

  15. Much ado about nothing. He is going to join this course. It is not as though he has already become a scholar in Islamic studies.

    Be that as it may. I find the term “Islamophopia” objectionable. Phobia is a psychiatric abnormal condition, indicative of some disorder. On account of exclusive link of religious extremism and terrorism with Islam, if someone is afraid of Islam and its followers, are you saying that all such people are suffering from psychiatric disorder? Instead of affixing the badge of phobia on others, look within and distance yourself from the extremism and terrorism prevalent amongst Muslims.

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