PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Textbook Board has incorporated some verses of the holy Quran, Hadith and wise sayings on the inner titles of the school books to discourage corruption and promote harmony in the society.

The move is aimed at scaling up awareness about the evil of corruption in society.

The verse number 10 of the Surah Al-Hujrat stressing unity among Muslims has also been included on the inner titles of the books which states: “Muslims are brothers, therefore make peace between the two brothers and fear Allah so that the mercy may be shown to you.”

Textbook board takes decision with NAB’s consultation

By including this verse the authorities intend to discourage sectarianism in the society. Such verses and holy sayings would be part of books from grade-1 to grade-12 to discourage corruption and sectarianism, sources said, adding that the books had been published and would be distributed among students from the academic year starting from coming April.

They said that the board had taken the decision to include verses and sayings of the holy Prophet with the consultation of the National Accountability Bureau and Directorate of Curricula and Teachers Education. They said that these verses, Hadith, etc would replace earlier such material against militancy and in favour of peace incorporated in textbooks by the previous government.

Over 100 messages against corruption from the holy Quran, Hadith and wise sayings have been mentioned on the titles of the books.

Included in the textbooks verse number 172 from the Surah Al-Baqara states: “O you who believe! eat of the good things that We have provided you with----.”

A hadith included in the books says: “The holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) cursed the one who gives bribe and the one who takes it.”

The inscription of the anti-corruption materials was the brainchild of the NAB, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the sources said. They said that when the students would read the anti-corruption messages in their books it would create awareness among them and help them to differentiate between the right and wrong.

The sources said that corruption had become an evil severely affecting every aspect of life and with incorporation of such messages in textbooks the students would be sensitised about the evil of corruption in their early age.

The sources said that the verses of the holy Quran about unity among Muslims would help reduce the gap between different schools of thought in the society. It would also help in reducing hatred among different sects, which was one of the reasons of unrest in the country, they said.

Published in Dawn, February 23rd, 2015

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