Two Islamic college students from Kerala have won a Ramayana quiz competition conducted by DC Books as part of the Ramayana month celebrations.
Winning the Ramayana quiz
Two Muslim youths who are students of Islamic Studies in Kerala participated in the Ramayana competition and achieved a remarkable conquest. Mohammed Jabir P.K. and Mohammed Basith M., fifth and final year students respectively of the eight-year Wafy program at KKSM Islamic and Arts College, Markaz, Valanchery, were among the five winners of the online Ramayana quiz held between July 23 and 25. The other winners were Abhiram M.P., Geethu Krishnan, and Navneeth Gopan.
According to the reports, the two young men’s favorite poem from the Ramayana is Ayodhya Kanda, which refers to Lakshmana’s anger and Lord Sri Rama’s consolation to his brother. In it, Lord Rama is speaking about the futility of power and power. Both these young men recite the verses of the Malayalam version of the epic ‘Adhyatma Ramayanam’ by Thunchathu Ramanujan Izhuthachan, well and melodiously, but also elaborate on its meaning. Muhammad Jabir PK and Muhammad Basit M have studied this epic in depth. This is the reason why both have captured this competition. Both are college friends.
Jabir was unaware of his junior Basith’s participation in the quiz. Both were shocked to find their names on the winners’ list. They were soon flooded with congratulations from their family, friends, and teachers. Their Principal, Abdul Hakeem Faizy, was at the forefront in cheering them.
The syllabus
Both were confident because the Ramayana was one of the subjects they studied at college. “Our syllabus has teachings of all major religions, particularly Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism as Indian religions. We also learn religions such as Christianity, Judaism, and Taoism,” they said while speaking to The Hindu.
Winning the Ramayana quiz has inspired Jabir and Basith to study the epic thoroughly. “All Indians must read the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, the two epics of our land. They are part of our culture,” Jabir told The Hindu. He joined the college campus in 2015 after passing SSLC and is preparing for the final examinations.
Jabir further said all religions were promoting peace and people’s well-being. “Look at the Ramayana. It tells the story of Rama, the embodiment of virtue. It teaches forbearance, patience, peace, fraternal love, and so many things,” he said.
The eight-year-long Wafy course is offered in 97 campuses under the Coordination of Islamic Colleges (CIC) combining religious and temporal education for students after passing the SSLC examination.
