THE CLAIM
In a yet another false claim, Canada-based controversial writer Tarek Fatah shared a morphed image on Tuesday, 6 November, berating a Madrassa teacher for teaching Islam as a superior religion as opposed to Hindu.
The tweet by Tarek Fatah showed a classroom, where a Madrassa teacher is drawing a cross against words under Hinduism and a tick mark against words under Islam.
Tarek tweeted the picture saying, “No, the Mullah is not playing knots and crosses”. He is teaching Muslim girls in an Indian Islamic school the comparative superiority of Islam over Hinduism.”
TRUTH BEHIND TAREK’S TWEET
The picture is originally from a modern Madrassa in Gorakhpur, shared earlier this year in April, shared by news agency ANI. However, contrary to Fatah’s claims, the students were taught Sanskrit in the classroom. The original picture below shows that the students are being taught Sanskrit.
The caption of the picture mentions clearly, “Sanskrit, among other subjects, being taught at Darul Uloom Husainia Madrassa. Principal of the Madrassa says 'It's a modern Madrassa under UP Education board and subjects like English, Hindi, Science, Maths & Sanskrit are taught here. They are also taught Arabic.”
The following tweets by ANI showed some more pictures where the students have expressed the joy of learning in the modern Madrassa. “'We feel good to learn Sanskrit. Our teachers teach and explain things very well. Even our parents help us in learning.' Sanskrit, among other subjects, is being taught at the Madrassa,” a student was quoted by ANI.
FATAH – A REPEAT OFFENDER
This is not the first time for Fatah, who has previously landed himself in a soup for sharing fake news, tried to falsely accuse a Madrassa teacher – through a morphed image – of teaching students that Islam is a “superior” religion.
Fatah had previously claimed that “at least 2,000 Rohingya Muslims joined ISIS with plans to attack Nagaland in India's northeast” – a claim that was later busted by AltNews.
In another episode, Fatah had falsely claimed that three young girls were beaten for not wearing a hijab.
“Man upset at seeing girls cycling without Hijab, slaps one on her head. Coming soon to a neighborhood near you,” Fatah had tweeted, a claim which was busted by AltNews.
(Not convinced of a story you came across on social media and want it verified? Send us the details at WebQoof@TheQuint.com and we'll fact-check it for you. You can also read all our fact-checked stories here and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)