KARACHI, Feb 4: Interior Minister Moinuddin Haider said on Monday that efforts are on to bridge the gap between the government and the Madressahs (religious schools) operating in the country.

“It would be a misconception that the government by means of its policies is posing a harm to their working,” he said, adding, on the contrary, it is sincerely seeking measures to enhance and upgrade their performance through consultation with Ulema.

Speaking at the Jamia Binnori Town Madressah, SITE area, the minister referred to a number of reformative measures undertaken by the government to streamline the working of different government institutions and departments, including economic situation, education field and unprecedented police reforms, and said the measures announced by the government regarding madressahs were also a part of this whole package which would raise their overall standard.

“It would be unjustified to assumes that the present system of madressahs is flawless and that there is no room for reformation,” he added.

According to him, mosques and madressahs are always held in high esteem in an Islamic country, especially in our society.

“They are primarily responsible for harnessing Ulema and Khateebs to guide people as to how to pass life in accordance with the teachings of Islam and spread its message in every nook and corner of the world,” he stressed.

He said many ambassadors from different countries always lodge complaints with him that students from their countries in search of Islamic education come to Pakistan without acquiring proper visas.

“We must undertake steps to discourage those elements who are seeking to come to Pakistan in an improper manner as this is undermining country’s relations with other countries,” he said.

In the context of recent ban imposed by the government on arbitrary use of loudspeaker in the country, he said that a law was promulgated in 1965 which clearly restrains its utilization other than delivering Friday sermon and for five-time Azan.

“This law was squarely violated since then and no cognizance was taken by any government as its unnecessary and relentless use had posed severe problem for masses”.

While appreciating the establishment of Jamia Binnori Town some 20 years ago, the minister said it is serving sincerely for the cause of religious education in the country without any government help.

To dispense religious education to more than 5,000 students speaks volume of sincere devotion of its administration who have undertaken a gigantic responsibility.

“The government would extend all possible help to them for smooth running of their working” he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Mufti Atiq ur Rahman, Senior Hadith Teacher, said that religious schools are an integral part of our society as against all odds they are serving to dispense Islamic education to large number of students.

SSUET: Interior Minister Moinuddin Haider has asked the educational institutions to play due role in accordance with the Islamic education system that ensures provision of both religious as well as modern knowledge and education.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of Sir Syed Literary Forum and a reception in honour of the winners of PTV’s Quaid-i-Azam Quiz Programme at Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, he said the 700-year old curriculum of “Madaris” was being streamlined by inducting subjects of science and technology.

“We are asking Ulema as well as administrations of educational institutions imparting latest education of science and technology to come closer and jointly create a conducive environment for learning as promised by Islam”.

Lauding the services of SSUET for the promotion of Science, Technology and IT, he asked its administration to induct subjects of humanities, social sciences and literature in their curricula.

“Social Sciences, humanities and literature besides Islamic knowledge help in learning values, civilisation and morality,” he added.

Later, the Minister awarded mementos to winning team of Brain of Pakistan Trophy in PTV’s Quaid-i-Azam Quiz Competition.

Chancellor SSUET Z.A. Nizami, Vice Chancellor S. Nazeer Ahmed, director programmes PTV Ather Waqar Azeem, Member Sir Syed Literary Forum Mazhar Arif and secretary Sir Syed Literary Forum Farrukh Tariq also spoke.—PPI