Rajesh kumar Behera
Post News Network
Kendrapara, Dec 17: Mohmmed Abdur Rehman Katki, who was arrested Wednesday for his suspected links with international terrorist network al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), studied at Jamia Ashraful Uloom at Fakirabad near here, now shifted to Mehmudabad village, between 1994 and 1995.
His teacher at the time, Mohammad Farooque Qasmi, currently the principal of the institute, said Rehman was a “meritorious student and gentle in nature”. Qasmi also condemned Rehman’s alleged links with the global terrorist organisation.
“He (Rehman) was a meritorious student and gentle in nature. He did not have any issues while he was staying at the madrasa. He left the madrassa a couple of years later to pursue higher studies in Uttar Pradesh because this madrassa did not have facilities for higher studies at that time,” said Qasmi to Orissa POST.
Rehman was 12 years old when he came to the madrassa to study in Hifz for two years, said Qasmi. “We did not have any contact or relationship with Rehman after he left the madrasa. Nor did he communicate with us over the last two decades and a half. So we have no knowledge of his activities. Had I known he was involved in terrorist activities or that he developed links with the al-Qeada outfit, as a teacher I would have definitely restricted him,” added Qasmi.
“Neither our madrassa nor other madrasas encourage ideas of terrorism in students. We generally teach students about Islam and also teach them Urdu, Arabic, Parsi, English and computer science. Islam always teaches us to live in peace, cooperation and harmony. Madrasas generally restrict students from harbouring thoughts of bloodshed, terrorist activities and betraying the mother land.
“As a teacher and the head of Jamia Ashraful Uloom, I, on behalf of the madrasa, condemn Rehman for his alleged links with the terrorist organisation,” said Qasmi. “If Rehman is found involved in terrorist activities, the government should ensure stringent punishment for him, even capital punishment, so that it becomes a lesson for others who indulge in terrorist activities,” he added.
