KARACHI, Sept 14: Sindh minister for religious affairs, Maulana Wali Razi, has highlighted the importance of ‘Deeni Madaris’ and ruled out the impression that madaris are the main cause of increase in sectarian tension.

However, illiteracy and poor understanding of the religion are accounted for as the major causes of sectarianism, he said.

This, he said, while speaking at a discussion on “Consultation on Sectarianism and Religious Extremism in Karachi”, organized by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan at University Grants Commission.

He said Madressahs do a great service by educating several thousand students as the formal existing education system was almost secular and in absence of Deeni Madaris, it would have been impossible to educate people to be true Muslims.

The discussion was attended, among others, by IGP Sindh Syed Kamal Shah, Tasneem A. Siddiqui; Capt. Faheem-uz-Zaman; General Secretary, PMA, Dr. Habib-ur-Rehman Soomro and director, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, I. A. Rehman.—PPI