Actor Kader Khan Designs Urdu, Arabic Courses to Remove Misconceptions About Islam

For over 40 years we have known Kader Khan for his humor and dialogues. But now this Kabul-born Bollywood actor is immersed in academics. He has designed courses for studies in Arabic and Urdu languages and says education can remove lot of misconceptions about religion.

The veteran actor is set to fly to Dubai to take forward his dream of educating as many people in Arabic and Urdu. Currently he is working on setting up the KK Institute of Arabic Language and Islamic Culture at Knowledge City in Dubai.

Khan is also planning to create an entire syllabus from nursery to post-graduation in Islamic studies. Apart from Dubai, Khan is also gearing up to open an institute in Toronto, Canada, where he will teach these languages. "When I come back to India next year, I shall take up similar activities and classes here also," he said.

Khan, while talking, often mentions his mother Iqbal Begum and credits her for inculcating the importance of education in him. His father, Abdul Rehman, who taught in madrassas, added to the inspiration.

Reminiscing about his early years, Khan said he was barely a year old when he came to Mumbai.

"I had been an academician and I feel now is the time to go back to it. When I open a full-fledged school of Islamic language studies, I will dedicate it to my parents who inspired me. I love my mother for making me who I am today. She was a lioness, who taught me how to read, to write, to live my life and be the best," he said with pride.

Khan, who intends to eradicate misconceptions about religion and communalism through his courses, said: "With education, a lot of misconceptions about religion can be eradicated. In my own small way, I am trying to further this cause."

"The ill name of Islam is something I want to wash off. Islam spreads peace and if I can do my small bit in spreading harmony, I don't want anything else," he added.

In his illustrious career, as an actor and dialogue writer, Khan has acted in 450 movies and written dialogues for over 250 films. He won the Filmfare Award for best comedian in 1991 for "Baap Numbri Beta Dus Numbri" and a Screen Award for best performance in a comic role in 1995 for "Taqdeerwala."

As a dialogue writer Kader Khan's work includes "Ganga Jamuna Saraswati," "Sharaabi," "Coolie," "Agneepath," "Himmatwala" and "Sarfarosh."