AGRA: Aligarh Muslim University AMU ) has decided to start a one-year post-graduate diploma course in "Islamic Chaplaincy" from July this year to help Madrassa students apply for the post of Muslim chaplains in the Indian Army, jails or hospitals.Talking to TOI, vice chancellor of the university, Dr Tariq Mansoor said that 10 seats have been approved for the course. “Madrassa students who have religious knowledge can apply for the bridge course in the university. They can apply for it after graduation. The course will help them get hired in the Army, prisons or hospitals.” “Spiritual teachers play a very important role in keeping morale of the soldiers high during conflict through motivational speeches and also act as counsellors, helping them to deal with combat stress,” said AMU spokesperson Shafey Kidwai.In Army, candidates are taken in as junior commissioned officers (JCOs) with designations like maulavis, pundits, priests, monks or granthis. A senior army official said that religion provides great strength to soldiers in difficult times.Each unit has a mandir, masjid, gurdwara and a church. Any person who is conversant with scriptures of a religion and can carry out the ceremonies related to it is eligible for the job of a chaplain.Professor AR Kidwai, director of Professor KA Nizami Centre for Studies told TOI that this course has been designed with the help of psychology and sociology departments, as religious knowledge alone is not sufficient. The spiritual teacher should know how to tackle psychological and emotional stress.The syllabus of the course includes English, information technology, personality development and a course on contemporary Islam.

Stay updated with all the Agra Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.