NCTB-approved Biology book features verse of Quran

Students and academicians reacted over the attachment of a holy Quran verse at the Biology textbook of intermediate level. The inclusion without any context sparked criticism on the social media platforms.

The book is authored by a teacher of Dhaka University Dr. Mohammed Abul Hasan and published by Hasan book house. The August edition 2021 included a verse of Surah Bani Israel.

A chapter on ‘life’ on the third page of the book was added in the new edition. It reads, “A body is live when there is soul, life or Ruh, if not, the body is dead. So, soul, life, or Ruh is the life.”

A verse of the holy Quran was included in support of the definition of life. It reads, Ruh is an order of God. “Ruh is a matter of my God’s order,” (Surah Bani Israel 85).

The book was first published in 1974. In 1998, the book got the authorization of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB). The revised edition got the NCTB nod in 2013. Eleventh ad twelfth graders read this book for decades.

However, the inclusion of a verse of holy Quran surprised and frustrated the students. Many people who read this book in their student life also became surprised seeing the fresh edition. Many of them can’t believe that a book of Abul Hasan could contain any such thing. The matter also exclaimed science teachers and students.

Talking to TheReport.live NCTB chairman Professor Narayan Chandra Saha said, “We have a copy of the manuscript of every book. Academicians evaluate every book before approval is given. We consciously avoid any matter regarding state, society, and religion.”

NCTB sources said, the 703rd general meeting of the board was held on June 29 this year. According to the decisions taken in the meeting, 18 books were approved for publication in 10 subjects. Chancellor publication got the approval of publishing the Biology book. NCTB also declared to take legal action if any book is published without authorization. The Hasan Book had no approval.  

Hasan book house owner Dr. Bhaktimoy Sarkar said, this is an additional edition of the NCTB. He said, the writer asked to remove the verse of holy Quran and we will do that.

An NCTB official seeking anonymity said, many publishers publish books without approval. Very often they send an alternative copy to NCTB but publish a commercial copy in the market. They even change the price of the book. If legal action is taken, they threaten to stop publishing.

Author Dr. Mohammed Abul Hossain said, “A verse of the holy Quran was included in this edition. I think people should know about the Quran. I am not an orthodox man but liberal.”

Asked on logic to add Quranic verse in science he said, “Quran is the science, science is Quran. Everything in Quran is scientific. Without Quran life can’t be imagined. However, if everyone demands I will exclude. This was not written for religious purpose.”

Dhaka University physics department professor Dr. Kamrul Hasan Mamun said, “A verse of holy Quran never goes with a book of science. Religion is a matter of faith, while science is more reasonable. If we discuss holy Quran in the explanation of physics it will not go well. We will lag behind.”