In order to neutralize the perception of the world regarding...

In order to neutralize the perception of the world regarding the role of madrasahs, the Musharaf government took legal steps to monitor the activities of madrasahs and to reform their syllabi by introducing two ordinances. Such moves, however, proved counter productive as madrasahs became more and more violent with the passage of time.

The Madrasahs Reform Project (MRP) initiated for reforming the curriculum of din-i-madaris during the Musharraf regime failed to achieve its objectives, partly because of opposition from madaris but, mainly, because of the limited preparation for planning and implementation of appropriate measures in a positive manner and the insufficient will of the government to bring about changes in the overall system.

The registration drive started by the government to monitor the activities of madrasahs and to check increasing militancy and foreign funding was equally unsuccessful. Similarly, efforts undertaken by NGO’s for bringing madrasahs into the mainstream also received limited response during the past eight years. The shift in state policy after September 11th 2001 to discouraging militancy for the realization of religio-political objectives broke the traditional mullah -military alliance.

The polarization reached the highest level towards the end of the Musharaf regime as the ITDM refused to hold any negotiations with the government regarding any matter relating to madrasah reforms.The government’s inefficiency to handle the issue properly is largely responsible for such polarization. The ulema on their part cannot escape the responsibility for the failure of reform efforts during the Musharaf regime as well.

The ulema ’s response to reforms was mainly shaped by the apprehension that the government agenda of reform is being taken at the behest of foreign powers, especially, the USA. The ulema cite the increasing interests of the USA in the religious educational institution in the Muslim world and the earmarking of funds for reforming the religious education system in this regard. The ulema ’s doubts about the sincerity of the government may be partially true.

But their absolute resistance to reform their educational system cannot be called logical and their strict adherence to the status quo may not auger well for their own survival.