Madrasas across the world and especially in south Asia have come under the scanner recently. There are several assumptions and misconceptions about the structure and functioning of the Madrasa system in India, leading to considerable social strife and unfair targeting of the Madrasa system. As Park, J., & Niyozov, S. (2008) put it, “since 11 September 2001 there has been a global upsurge in studies in madaris (plural of madrasa) across the Muslim world. This literature has contributed more to confusion than clarity about the number of madaris, their rationale, purpose, pedagogy, curricula, funding, administration, relations with the state, and global violence, particularly in madaris in South Asia and Southeast Asia.” This short article seeks to demystify the Madrasa system of education for the uninitiated so that there is a better understanding and appreciation of the system and its objectives.

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