ISLAMABAD: Worried over perceived threat posed by the national security policy to seminaries, the secretary general of Wifaq-ul-Madaris Al-Arabia, Maulana Hanif Jalandhari, has said no compromise will be made over the independence of madressahs.

He announced that rallies would be organised across the country to protect the independence of madressahs and spread awareness about the syllabus being taught there.

Speaking at a press conference here on Sunday, Maulana Jalandhari claimed that the syllabus met the requirements of modern age and had nothing to do with extremism and terrorism.

Announcing the schedule of the rallies, he said the first public meeting would be held in Multan on March 20, the second in Karachi on March 23, the third in Quetta on March 25 and the fourth in Peshawar on March 27.

These would be followed by rallies in Muzaffarabad and Gilgit whose dates would be announced later.

“The final public gathering will be held in Islamabad on April 24. Hundreds of thousands of people will participate in it to demonstrate that they cherish madressahs and education being imparted by them,” he said.

Replying to questions, Maulana Jalandhari said that hidden forces were propagating false notions against the institution of the madressah.

He warned that unjustified behaviour of the government towards the madressahs would not be tolerated. He asked the government not to think of closing madressahs because they were imparting education to millions of children.

“Secret hands are creating misunderstanding between the government and madressahs,” he said.

Maulana Jalandhari said it was time to realise that Islam and Muslim world were under threat.