Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Pakistani senate passed the compulsory teaching of Holy Quran bill 2017, no alternative programme has been announced for non-Muslim students


By  C.S Chand


On Friday 25th August the Pakistani senate passed the compulsory teaching of Holy Quran Bill 2017. The education minister tabled the bill which was collectively affirmed.

According to statement of Senator Maulana Attaur Rehman: Being a Muslim it is necessary for us to convey Islamic teachings to our children.
The National Assembly had just passed this bill on April nineteenth, making it mandatory for Muslim students from class 1 to 12 in every educational institutions to be taught the Holy Quran.
As indicated by the goals of the bills, it will make the divine message understood, guarantee the response of society, energize peace and tranquility, promote the preeminent human values of truth, honesty, integrity, character building, tolerance, understanding others’ point of view and way of life.

Additionally, the bill will help the state to discharge its constitutional responsibility as article 31(2) of the Constitution states that the “State shall endeavor to make the teachings of the Holy Quran and Islamiyat compulsory”.
Nasir Saeed Director CLAAS-UK said that although this is compulsory for Muslim students, no alternative programme has been announced for non-Muslim students.
He added: “Also, it will have a negative impact on the non-Muslim students and many will be forced to take it as subject, if there is no other choice.
“It will promote bigotry and hatred against non-Muslims in Pakistani society, something which is already on the rise.”
He said it is sad that instead of promoting freedom of religion and belief, the government is forcing children to study religion.

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