His proposals included the need to widen the madrasah...

His proposals included the need to widen the madrasah curricula and bring them within the mainstream of education and instructed madrasahs not to take students from other countries.[^214] The press is currently full of discussion and press releases related to madrasah reforms. Views are, however, divided on the actual role of madrasahs. Some people argue that these are the hub of evil activities occurring in the world while some consider them the cradles of peace and harmony.

The responsibilities of these institutions increased many fold in the backdrop of the present worldwide criticism about their role as far as peace and harmony is concerned. It is difficult to identify the exact time when madrasahs became violent. A major contribution to the militancy rampant in madrasahs today was made in the 1980s.

A study conducted by Patrick Belton shows how textbooks developed at the University of Nebraska-Omaha and published by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) were used to encourage and justify the holy war against the Soviets. These books were so radical that they were used by the Taliban in the madrasahs under their rule.

What is obvious now is that madrasahs faced interference from many external forces ranging from the Pakistani government to the US government and al-Qaeda , which wanted them to serve their respective political interests.[^215] As a part of the madrasah reform program of the government, the National Education Policy 1999-2010 had envisaged the following objectives in the context of the din-i-madaris . To bridge the existing gulf between formal education and the din-i-madaris.

To equate their degrees with the formal education system. To recognise them and provide valuable and related books for research and reforms. To evolve an integrated system of national education by bringing Din-i-madaris and modern schools closer in the curriculum and the contents of education.[^216] In line with these objectives the government initiated certain revolutionary steps for improvement of the working conditions of madaris across the country.