Major Change in Madrasa Verification System, Shahar Qazi Office Prepares New Form

Shahar Qazi’s new initiative comes amid questions raised by Advocate Ashraf Zaheer Hashmi; document scrutiny, on-site verification and proper records of every madrasa proposed.

Dehradun: Amid questions over people coming from outside the city to collect donations in the name of madrasas and the verification certificates issued to them, the Shahar Qazi Office, Dehradun, has announced major changes in the madrasa verification system.

According to a press note issued by the Shahar Qazi Office, a new “Form for Verification Certificate” has been prepared to make the verification process more transparent, systematic and reliable. The new form is expected to be made public soon.

The issue came into focus after Advocate Ashraf Zaheer Hashmi, Vice President of Progressive Community Trust, Dehradun, wrote to Shahar Qazi Dehradun Mufti Hashim Ahmad Qasmi, raising several questions regarding the process of issuing verification certificates to representatives of madrasas coming from outside the city to collect donations.

In his letter, Advocate Hashmi asked on what basis verification certificates are issued to representatives of madrasas from outside Dehradun. He also sought to know whether the actual status of the madrasa, number of students, financial condition and genuine requirements are checked before issuing a verification certificate.

He further questioned whether any fee, payment, donation or other amount is taken for issuing such verification certificates. He also sought clarification on whether any person, organisation or institution other than the Shahar Qazi has the authority to issue such certificates.

Hashmi also expressed concern that a large number of people seeking donations from outside may affect the assistance available to local poor people, orphans, needy families and deserving local institutions.

According to Advocate Hashmi, his first letter to the Shahar Qazi did not receive a response. He subsequently addressed an open letter to Mufti Saleem Ahmad Qasmi, Qazi-e-Shariat, Dehradun, and other Ulema, seeking their guidance on the matter.

In the open letter, Hashmi clarified that his intention was not to target or defame any individual, madrasa or organisation. His objective, he said, was to promote transparency in the donation system, protect the rights of local needy people and maintain public trust in madrasas and religious institutions.

Meanwhile, the Shahar Qazi Office has stated that work on improving the madrasa verification system has been underway since Eid.

According to the office, verification procedures and formats followed by various certification authorities were studied, following which a new form was prepared keeping the requirements of madrasas in mind.

Under the proposed system, the existing verification process will be changed, and submission of the prescribed form along with all required documents will be mandatory.

The new form will require important details about the madrasa, including its name and complete address, details of the Muhtamim/Nazim, information about the Majlis-e-Shura or Trust, registration and recognition details, land and building documents, total number of students, details of local and outstation students, educational system, and the number of teachers and other staff.

In addition, audit reports, annual expenditure, annual examination results, receipt book/series and the latest receipt will also have to be submitted.

The new system will also require GPS-camera photographs of the madrasa building and signboard, videos of educational activities, verification from a reputed institution and details of respected local persons.

According to the Shahar Qazi Office, all documents and information will be thoroughly examined. If necessary, officials will visit the madrasa to verify its actual condition and educational activities.

The press note states that the verification certificate will be issued by Shahar Qazi Mufti Hashim Ahmad Qasmi only after the documents and verification process are found satisfactory.

Under the new system, a proper and organised record of every madrasa will be maintained at the Shahar Qazi Office.

At the time of annual renewal, the previous year’s verification certificate and audit report/balance sheet will be required. However, if there is any change in the madrasa’s address, management, land and building, registration, educational system or other basic information, relevant documents will have to be submitted.

The Shahar Qazi Office said the purpose of the new system is not to create difficulties for madrasas, but to bring transparency and public confidence into the verification process, facilitate assistance to genuine and needy madrasas, and ensure that donations reach the right place.

The announcement has come against the backdrop of questions raised by Advocate Ashraf Zaheer Hashmi and his subsequent open appeal to senior religious scholars.

However, questions raised by Hashmi regarding whether any fee or payment is taken for verification, who has the authority to issue verification certificates, and how the rights of local needy people can be protected still await clear clarification.

The coming days will show how the new verification form is implemented and whether it provides clear answers to these concerns while making the madrasa donation and verification process more transparent and accountable.