Monday, March 30, 2009

Madrassas don't preach jihad, says Pakistani official

PESHAWAR: Almost 1,405 foreign students of 56 different countries studying in Madaris of Pakistan would be deported to their countries of origin shortly.Among those students 42 belonged to America, four to Canada, 23 to England, 81 to Afghanistan, over 20 to France and an unaccounted number to Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand, Federal Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao said on Sunday. Sherpao explained that 2,500 refugee students were exempted from this decision. Many foreign students are either without visas or their visas have expired. "A list of these students is already being prepared and will be provided to 12,400 Madaris in the country," he added.ExemptionThe Minister said this decision would not apply to those foreign students "studying in our regular educational institutions," under bilateral agreements. Answering a question, the Interior Minister said, so far no country has contacted officially regarding the decision to send back these students to their countries."We are doing this to preserve our national solidarity as we want to finish terrorism, extremism and sectarianism from our land," he added.Sherpao said to register all the Madaris, "we are consulting the Wafaq-ul-Madaris Board". Afghan RefugesSherpao said that 3.2 million Afghan refuges are still residing in different camps and cities, including sensitive areas like Waziristan, Bajaur and Kurram agencies.After South and North Waziristan, "we want that refugees in Bajaur and Kurram agencies should voluntarily repatriate to Afghanistan". The interior minister admired the decision of Supreme Court regarding the Hasba Bill.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

madris in the light of "Ahadees" n Quran


Islamic institutes in Pakistan concentrate a lot on teaching their students the religious book called Quran and that is all they emphasize on. However, what they forget in teaching only Quran is that in Quran itself it is stated that one should have all required knowledge to walk in line with the other entire nation. Prophet Muhammad (S.W) said:

“People are mines, like mines of gold and silver; the more excellent of them in the days of Ignorance are the more excellent of them in Islam when they attain knowledge."[10] (M-Msh. 2:l.).


Mostly Quran is being taught in these institutes and because of which a stereotypical image of Islamic institutes have been made by the outsiders that they produce terrorists. Quran or Islam does not state anywhere that non-Muslims should be killed in the name of Islam. Hadith are any authentic statements given by the last messenger of Allah; however the authenticity has to be confirmed therefore one hadith which states:
"If anyone insults me, then any Muslim who hears this must kill him immediately."
Some terrorists believe that based on this hadith they have the right to kill anyone. However what the Holy Prophet actually said was:

"Religion is very easy and whoever overburdens himself in his religion will not be able to continue in that way. So you should not be extremists, but try to be near to perfection and receive the good tidings that you will be rewarded." Sahih Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 2, Number 38

Therefore blaming the fact that madrassas produce terrorists would be wrong however there has been a general perception that madrassas are responsible for producing extremists. Media has played a vital role in creating this image.