As you talk about the darul ulooms in Kashmir, the first image you create in your mind of young boys wearing long and loose Kurta Pajama, skull caps on their heads and reciting all time verses of Quran. If it is about the women seminaries, the image you create in your minds takes you to the next level. A burqa wielding women totally isolated from the society just reading and writing the religious scriptures inside the four walls of seminary.

But if you pass on through the narrow road of Bhagat Chowk towards the sadder inside, the locality is functioning as an all women Islamic seminary. In this two story rented seminary nearly 90 girls are undergoing various Islamic courses. All the students have one aim to make society better for women.

“This is not a traditional seminary where you find women inside four walls just learning the Quran and doing nothing else. When they join here, we teach them science and other languages as well initially,” says Mubeena Ramzan, the founder of Jamia Islamia Mahadul Muslimat.

Mubeena, who pursued her research in Islamiyat from Kashmir University, set up the institution first in North Kashmir’s Sopore town somewhere in early 2000.  Given the positive response of society she opened another branch at Bhagat, several years back after she got married in Srinagar.

What has been more peculiar about this institution, she says, is that we offer them skill training as well alongside the Islamic studies.”

You have no idea, Shahaeen Farooq, a designer by profession justifies, where they (students) will land up after leaving the madrassa. We ensure they won’t suffer economically in bad times. If they are skilled and educated they can survive”

Shaheen joined the seminary as a designer to train the girls a few years ago and is taking two classes every day.

“As of now I am unsure if I will set up any business of stitching after leaving the seminary. I want to pursue further studies and become one Islamic research scholar,” says Shaista Manzoor

“But this training of designing will help me if I ever come across bad times financially. So I just learn it.”

JIMM is no way matching to the traditional seminaries. It has a well decorated office, good chairs, tables for its staff and visitors, maps and a good library for its students.

The visitors have an inquiry counter at the ground floor where they can seek an appointment of the principal or any staffer. Once the guest is confirmed, he will be guided to the office of principal.

The set protocol of the institution doesn’t only ensure the safety of the students but brings it at par to the modern educational institutes.

“I have studied at Army goodwill school till my class 10. I joined this madrassa now because I want to study Islam and propagate its positive message,” says one girl who is about to complete the course of Aalima.

The founder of JIMM, however, is convinced that students at her institution must learn tolerance, management and respect the local ethos and culture.

“They must learn Islam and respect all sects. So our literature and scriptures are based on same understanding and all they are taught which is accepted and endorsed by all sects of Islam,” Mubeena says.

These odd 100 girls are taught stories of women who have played progressive and positive role in Islam. The first wife of Prophet, Hazrat  Khadija (ra), who was also one of the richest women of Arab world during her times, Hazrat Aisha(ra), who was one of the top women scholars in Islam and daughter of Prophet Muhammad PBUH Hazrat Fatima (ra) are the centre of syllabus.

“When we teach them about their life, their struggle and contribution in economic, political and social sectors, it is emancipating them mentally and they feel they are not restricted to grow. There are equal opportunities for both men and women in Islam,” Mubeena Says.

Asked if they face challenges in diverse society after leaving the seminary, Mubeena says they teach girls in a way they can manage in every situation.

“We don’t live in Arab culture where after marriage, the families are separated. Our culture is composite and here joint families are preferred.  So they are taught how to behave and accommodate the viewpoints at their in-laws house once married.”

See, she adds, Islam is not about seclusion. If that has been the case, all Muslims should have gone to the woods. But we have to live in this world along with people from other caste, creed and religion. And we train them to live in that set up without breaching guidance under Islam.”