KARACHI, Sept 11: Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Dr Amir Liaquat Hussain has said that the chapters related to Jihad could not be eliminated at any cost from curricula being taught at educational institutes and madressahs.

While addressing a press conference at Karachi Press Club on Saturday, the minister said that Jihad was a part of Islam and that could not be abandoned. However, he made it clear that Jihad was practically not possible, as for that purpose armed forces were fully prepared.

Amir Liaquat said that he would start visiting madressahs all over the country from next week in order to bring religious harmony and convince religious scholars to impart formal education to their students.

"Madressahs will remain sovereign and there will be no pressure on them, but, we will urge them to impart modern education to their students," he said, and added that computers would be provided to madressahs for imparting IT education to their students.

Regarding Haj policy, he said that it would be reviewed from the next year and there would be no balloting to facilitate people. "The ministry will also provide training to pilgrims for which we are preparing a video," he said.

On his request, he said, President Musharraf allocated Rs10 million for those who died or injured in blasts in two mosques a few months back.

He said that the heirs of those who died in the blasts would be given Rs0.2 million and the injured would be given Rs0.1 million. Besides, he said, the expenses would be reimbursed to those who spent money on their medical treatment.

The minister said that distribution of Zakat and income of shrines would be monitored

and special measures would soon be taken to improve the system.

He further said that astronomers would be included in central Ruet-i-Hilal committee for unanimous decision regarding sighting of moon.

Regarding raids on madressahs, he said that the alliance of madressahs' organizations would be taken into confidence before taking any such action. -PPI