On a day with a crisp and clear sky with peaceful breezes, the Shaagird Foundation decided to meet Khadija (name changed), a student at Kalan Mahal Learning Center. It is 700 year old Madrassa, holds beauty and a reminder of a bygone era.
We began our journey in the wee hours of the day; the rays of the sun were peering through the clouds, falling on our car’s window, providing warmth to our hearts.
On reaching Kalan Mahal, we were welcomed by the chirping of birds and peaceful silence. We entered the dormitory of Khadija, a 14-year-old girl who harbours dreams of becoming an Aalimah. She was sitting on a bunk bed with vibrant curtains perfectly drawn to both sides of the frame of the bed. Everything was impeccable but Khadija seemed lost.
On being asked about her mood, she said, “I’m missing my Abbu today.” She lost him in an accident when she was eight years old. Controlling her tears, she said, “He used to teach me the Quran.”
Khadija’s father was a driver, and on an unfortunate day when he was on his way to fetch Khadija’s uncle, he met with a fatal accident and bid farewell to his life. Ever since then, she has been encountering academic constraints, which have taken a toll on her mental health.
Khadija further said that after her father’s demise, she shifted to her maternal grandfather’s house, who is a retired police officer. He earns a pension that barely makes ends meet. Khadija revealed that in the sombre days, she found the Almighty and decided to hold onto his ropes.
Pursuing Alimah is an attempt to learn and teach the love of the Almighty. She told the Shaagird Foundation with hope in her eyes that she wants to teach people her religion. “I want to become an Aalimah and teach people my religion,” she said.
On continuing her conversation about the Quran and Aamliah, she talked about her favourite Surah, i.e., Duha. With melodious Qirat, she recited the Surah. Suddenly, the worry on her face was gone, tranquility clung to it and in the air of her dormitory.
Khadija further revealed that she is a hafizah of two ajaz (para) and wishes to continue her hafizah journey in the future. However, she frets over the Aalimah fee currently; her grandfather is poor and is unable to manage it.
She adores her learning center and is dedicated to completing Alimah, but the thought of fee often does not allow her to sleep. The Shaagird Foundation sponsored her education.
It deposited her fee and provided her respite; now, she studies her degree with a carefree mind. Alongside her Aalimah studies, learning center teaches her English language, Hindi language, mathematics, computer studies, and other elementary subjects.