MADRASSAS

MYTHS AND REALITIES

MADRASSAS(Seminaries)

Def: A madrassa, in its most basic form, is a religious school that teaches Islam.

Madaris in pakistan: According to conservative estimates there are approximately 20,000 madrassas in Pakistan (USCIRF 2011).

Boards of madaris Dar-ul-Ulum Deoband,

(SUNNI)

 Wifaq-ul-Madaris al-Shi‘a, 

(AHL-E-TASHEEH)

Tanzim-ul-Madaris(BARELVI)

Wifaq-ul-Madaris al-Salfiya

(AHL-E-HADITH)

Rabita-al-Madaris(JAMMAT-E-ISLAMI)

Functions Madressahs provide free religious education,

boarding and lodging and are essentially schools for the poor.

A madressah student learns how to read, memorize and recite the Quran properly.

The graduating students are called Huffaz-i-Quran (those who memorize the Arabic text of the Quran) or Qaris (those who can recite Quranic verses with proper Arabic pronunciation)

Those with advanced theological training are known as Ulema (religious scholars).

(ICG Asia Report 2002, p.1)

?

Flaws and Faults Extremism: Hate towards other sects grows healthier in

madrassas.

Curriculum:   Unlike in public and private schools, the language of instruction in madrassas is Arabic and the syllabus focuses solely on Quranic teachings, interpretation of the Quran and Hadith, Islamic Jurisprudence, Arabic Literature, and Arabic Grammar.

There is no uniform curriculum or set of teachings across these five types of madrassa. each type of madrassa follows its own exclusive texts with their specific and sectarian interpretations of Islamic teachings (ICG Asia Report No. 130, 2007, p.14).

Flaws and Faults Terrorism: Jalaluddin Haqqani, Yunis Khalis Muhammad Nabi Muhammadi were products of the Darul Uloom Haqqania madressah, Mullah

umar was also product of the same madrassa.

Sectarianism: (a)The syllabus and methods of education used in the madrasas (b) Blind faith, personality worship (shaksiyat parasti) and the

resultant emotional extremism and (c) The quest for power and wealth, whether out of greed or

compulsion.

Sense of insecurity Child abuse: Qaris are reported

harassing pupils.(taalibs) A boy tells what he saw in a qaris office !

“[1]The Naib Nazim had made him turn around, and had placed his hand inside the boy’s underpants. He was sexually abusing him. The boy could easily have been me.

I was absolutely devastated. Shaking, I fled the scene, tears streaming down my shocked face. *(By Farhan Jaffri Published: December 10, 2011) http://blogs.tribune.com.pk/story/8983/what-really-happens-inside-a-madrassa/

MADRASSAS AND SOCIETY’s Role

Lack of opportunity Cultural lag is created Sense of alienation No higher education Lack of exposure Corporal punishment

SOCIOLOGICAL perspectives

Functionalists: The functionalists would always support

madrassas for they are performing a very important function for the survival of society ,ONLY 6% of madrassa students cite religious reasons for attending madrassas, while 89% cited economic reasons (SPDC 2003).

Conflict prespective The children of madrassas

and those enrolled in elite institutes are in a clear state of conflict.

Solutions

Compulsory education Exemplary punishment Registration of madrassa Stop patronage Hate speech Accountability De weaponize Societies' role

Bibliography