Madresha Mahmoodiya Baitul Atfaal
Madresha Mahmoodiya Baitul Atfaal is a humble yet dedicated educational institution located in the small village of Shankartalavdi, Post Mahuva, District Surat, Gujarat. Established with the vision of nurturing young minds, the Madresha provides a blend of religious and modern education completely free of cost to underprivileged children, especially those coming from slum areas and economically weaker families.
Our curriculum includes modern education up to Class 8 under GSEB Gujarati medium, along with strong foundations in Islamic and moral teachings. By combining both religious knowledge and modern academics, we aim to create a balanced environment where children grow not only in literacy and learning but also in values, discipline, and character.
At Madresha Mahmoodiya Baitul Atfaal, we firmly believe that education is the right of every child, not a privilege. Our mission is to uplift poor children who otherwise lack access to proper schooling, and to provide them with opportunities to shape a brighter future for themselves, their families, and society at large.
With the blessings of Allah and the support of our well-wishers, we continue to strive towards building a generation that is both knowledgeable and responsible, grounded in faith and equipped for the modern world.
Our Services
Empowering young minds with free education, strong values, and holistic growth for a brighter future.
Pre-School
The program focuses on building confidence, curiosity, and good habits, laying a strong foundation for future academic and Islamic education.
Urdu Class
The Urdu Class aims to build strong reading, writing, and comprehension skills in the Urdu language.
Tahaffuze Shariah
The Tahaffuze Shariah Department is dedicated to preserving Islamic values by guiding students in correct beliefs, moral conduct, and daily religious practices, ensuring they remain firm upon the teachings of Shariah.
Together, We Make a Difference
With your support, our Madresha continues to educate, nourish, and uplift underprivileged children.
Life at Madresha
Discover how we nurture young minds through education, values, and community in a caring environment.
Establishment of Madresha Mahmoodiya Baitul Atfaal
Life in Shankar Talavadi before 1980s
Madresha Mahmoodiya Baitul Atfaal is located in Shankar Talavadi, a small village under Taluka Mahuva, District Surat, Gujarat. Today (2025), this village has around 18–20 houses, but back in the 1980s it had only 8–10 homes. At that time, the village had no basic facilities, no infrastructure, and most importantly, no school. Children had to travel nearly 6 kilometers to Mahudi village for their primary education, either by walking, cycling, or sometimes on a bullock cart, as no transportation facility existed.
The women of the village used to walk daily to the river to wash clothes and dishes. Religious needs of the village were served by a small Ibaadat Khanna (place of worship) where one Imam would call the Adhan, lead the prayers, and also teach Qur’an to children. His only support was the daily meals provided by villagers as salary.
A Turning Point
During those years, a respected villager, late Mohammad Musa Patel, was a close friend of Maulana Hashim Rawat (the founder of Madresha Mahmoodiya Baitul Atfaal). A tragedy struck when Mohammad Patel’s son, late Ahmad Mohammad Patel, was assassinated by robbers. Fear spread among the villagers, and many families decided to migrate to Vankaner village.
This worried Maulana Hashim Rawat deeply. He feared that if families left, the Masjid of the village would remain abandoned forever. He shared this concern with his friend Mohammad Musa Patel and suggested a vision: “If we establish a Madresha here, students will come, families will settle, and gradually the village will gain life, population, and facilities.”
Inspired by this noble vision, late Mohammad Musa Patel donated his land for the establishment of the Madresha.
Inauguration and Early Days
In 1988, the Madresha was inaugurated with the presence of great scholars such as Hazrat Maulana Mufti Mahmood Gangohi (RA), Maulana Raza Ajmeri (RA), Mufti Ahmed Khanpuri, Mufti Faruq Meerut (RA), and many more Ulama. The journey began with just one room and eight children.
By 1990, the Madresha was officially registered with the Charity Commission of India under the name Madresha Mahmoodiya Baitul Atfaal, inspired by Maulana Hashim’s beloved Sheikh, Hazrat Mufti Mahmood Gangohi (RA).
Struggles and Dedication
The progress of the Madresha came through immense sacrifices and tireless efforts. Maulana Hashim Rawat personally supervised every detail, from staying awake the whole night during borewell drilling to even cleaning safety tanks of toilets by himself. He encouraged others to join in this noble service.
Maulana Hashim also travelled to England for support. Despite his leg problem and the harsh winters of the UK, he travelled tirelessly across London, Birmingham, Leicester, Coventry, Leeds, Bradford, Dewsbury, Batley, Bolton, Preston, Blackburn, Walsall, and even Scotland. In his struggle for donations, sometimes he had to lay down just a handkerchief at the mosque doors, like a beggar, humbly requesting support for the Madresha. His sincerity and dedication inspired many.
Growth and Present Day
Today, Alhamdulillah, Madresha Mahmoodiya Baitul Atfaal provides free education from Standard 1 to Standard 8 in Gujarati Medium (GSEB Board) along with Maktab education of Qur’an up to Hifz. Around 25 staff members are employed here, benefiting both the village and the surrounding areas.
The Madresha has become the heart of Shankar Talavadi village. Villagers love the Madresha children dearly and treat the staff as their own family. With Allah’s grace, what began with one room and eight children in 1988 is today a flourishing center of Islamic and academic education, changing lives and shaping futures.