ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Madrasahs in Pakistan [untill: 2005] Final Assessment The institution of the madrasah is about a thousand years old. As a system of Muslim education it has always played an important role in the preservation and transmission of Islamic traditions all over the world. It continued to play this role in the lives of millions of Muslims after the arrival of Muslims in the Subcontinent in the eighth century, A.D.

However, with the establishment of colonial rule in the Subcontinent, a system of education was introduced which best suited the interests of the rulers. The new system became a rival of traditional madrasahs in the Subcontinent. The polarization between the two systems increased subsequently which was observed on every aspect of Muslim life and shaped the politically opposed ideologies of the Muslims who studied in the respective educational systems.

The same bi-polar system of education was inherited by Pakistan from colonial India after its independence in 1947. Though playing an important role in the social and religious lives of Muslims in Pakistan, madrasahs always feel isolation at the state level. Therefore, their assertion for a greater role and their relevance in the modern world has long been an issue of debate. Being a predominantly Muslim country, Pakistan cannot simply wish away nor ignore this important educational sector.

The first attempt to integrate the mutually opposed systems and reform centuries old madrasah education was made in the early 1960’s, during Ayub Khan’s regime. The attempt, however, failed miserably. The main reasons behind this failure were the lack of understanding between the government and the religious elites and bureaucratic red-tapism. This move caused greater estrangement between the two sides throughout Ayub Khan’s regime.

Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, however, tried to appease the clergy by giving them certain concessions through the 1973 constitution. The clergy, however, soon rebelled against Bhutto, too, and most religious parties representing madrasah leaders actively supported PNA movement which led to the imposition of military rule in 1977. General Zia-ul-Haq, came to power in July 1977.

He enjoyed better relationship with religious circles, partly, because of political expediency and, partly, because of the fast changing international priorities of the super powers in South Asia.