Pakistan - Madrassa reforms

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/

Debate on the National Action Plan is in full swing nowadays. One of the major points of this plan concerns madrassa (seminary) reforms, an effort to bring some sort of checks on the mushrooming growth of these religious schools. As can be expected, the right wing religious parties such as the Jamaat-e-Islami and Jamiat-i-Ulema-e-Islam-F have shown their opposition to any hint of madrassa reforms. What cannot be resisted is the need for action that is long overdue. Religious seminaries have popped up all over the country and it is vital that there be some sort of registration process so as to keep tabs on the exact number of these ‘schools’. That is just the start of any proposed reforms. Next, we must dig deeper to find out exactly where the funding and sponsoring of these madrassas is coming from. We cannot ignore that many of these seminaries are up and running because of the ‘generosity’ of Saudi and Gulf petrodollars. When we find the sources of funding we must ensure that they are cut off if found to be aiding in terrorism/extremism promotion. Reforms also mean bringing the curriculum of these seminaries under some kind of check and modification. The only kind of education most of these madrassas provide is enabling the students that attend to become maulvis in mosques. This is a level of employment that is insufficient and many seminary graduates turn to jihadi outfits for a perceived better future and, in the event of being killed, a seat in heaven. So, registration, funding, curriculum and developing a system in which seminary students have options other than the above two — the government has its job cut out for it.

After the tragedy in Peshawar, the national narrative needs to change and that will not happen through military operations and military courts alone. A change in mindset is needed. One of the root causes behind rising extremism in Pakistan is the unchecked proliferation of the seminary business. The fact that education and gainful employment have not been on the priority list of successive governments has allowed the spread of madrassa education, leaving many young men with no other option than to join militant organisations. This cannot be allowed to go on. All those madrassas found supporting terrorism financially or training jihadis must be closed down and those that are allowed to still exist must be made to impart general education. We have too many young people with limited future options and too many jihadists waiting to recruit disillusioned youth. Now the time has come to change this long-standing trend.