ISLAMABAD, Dec 13: The law ministry is vetting a draft law on a code of conduct for religious schools to discourage fanaticism.
“Our ministry has formulated a draft law, that has been agreed to by the ministry of interior, to shortly have this much needed code of conduct for Madaris to promote harmony and discourage bigotry and religious intolerance,” said Religious Affairs Minister Dr Mahmood A. Ghazi here on Thursday.
Talking to Dawn, he said the law ministry was vetting the draft law, which was expected to return to his ministry soon for implementation. “This code of conduct has been prepared with the active support of religious scholars and prominent Ulema and we plan to implement it very seriously,” Dr Ghazi said.
The next step, he pointed out, was the registration of about 10,000 Madaris. The purpose, the minister said, was to regulate their functioning and ensure peace and harmony in the society.
Currently, he said, the Madaris had been registered under various acts, including the Joint Companies Act and the Society Act. “But now their registration will be carried out very systematically,” he said and expressed the hope that the exercise would also be financially beneficial to religious schools.
In reply to a question Dr Ghazi said his ministry had decided to set up three model schools at Karachi, Sukkur and Islamabad for teaching modern subjects, like computer, science and English. He said the government had allocated substantial funds to establish the schools, which will later also be set up in other cities.
“Then we have set up various committees to create unity among religious sects and factions for ensuring non-violence and curbing sectarianism,” the minister said.
He said the government had decided to get tough against those who preached sectarianism and terrorism.
However, he said most of the Madaris were doing great service by imparting religious education to the students. “With the introduction of modern education, their performance will be improved to produce enlightened and responsible citizens,” he said.
The minister for religious affairs said that after having completed their education in religious and worldly subjects, students of Madaris would be provided equal opportunities to seek jobs in the government and the private sectors.
Responding to a question, he said the federal cabinet and the National Security Council had approved various measures to streamline the Madaris and bring them in the mainstream.
“When you bring them in the mainstream it will certainly contribute to ensuring religious harmony and spreading of worldly knowledge in these schools,” Dr Ghazi said.
ULEMA COMMISSION: Talking to newsmen after a seminar on ‘Current situation and our responsibilities’ at the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Press Club on Thursday, Dr Ghazi said the government planned to form a 20-member commission of Ulema to prepare a code of conduct for religious scholars, our staff reporter in Rawalpindi adds.
He, however, dispelled the impression that the government would launch a crackdown on seminaries and Ulema.
He said that those religious leaders who had issued edicts during their protests against the government’s cooperation with the coalition forces would be considered extremists and held accountable. Islam opposes extremism, he said.
The minister said he had convened a meeting of Ulema at the end of this month to prepare a system for the registration of seminaries.
He said the government was satisfied with the role of the madaris and the demand for registration had come from Ulema themselves.