LAHORE: The Punjab government is making learning of the holy Quran and its complete translation a part of the syllabus up to the intermediate level from the next academic sessions.

The decision has been taken as per the new Scheme of Studies recently approved by the board of governors of the Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board.

This was announced at a meeting of a committee regarding the private Compulsory Teaching of the Holy Quran Bill, 2017 moved by Jamaat-i-Islami MPA Dr Waseem Akhtar in the Punjab Assembly.

The meeting was told that at present Nazra Quran was being taught to the students from class three to eight with translation of selective Surahs whereas in the introduced bill compulsory teaching of Nazra Quran for students had been proposed from class one to five and compulsory translation from class six to seven.

It was stated that according to the Scheme of Studies, Nazra Quran would be taught to the students of grade four to eight and translation from grade nine to 11 as part of Islamic Studies in addition to elective subjects.

It was decided to seek recommendations of the Muttahida Ulema Board for selecting the translation out of the many done by ulema of different schools of thought.

Officials said that the mover of the bill would be conveyed these steps in the provincial assembly.

Published in Dawn, February 10th, 2018