MADRASSAHS have once again become a topic of heated debate across Pakistan. From the corridors of power to religious circles, this issue has sparked widespread discussions. The controversy took a sharp turn when Maulana Fazlur Rehman intensified the discourse, issuing a fiery statement during a public gathering, where he criticized the government and hinted at mounting pressure through protests. This comes at a time when the nation is still recovering from the upheaval caused by PTI’s protests.
Adding to the complexity, prominent scholars and representatives of religious seminaries with opposing views to Maulana Fazlur Rehman recently convened in Islamabad. They not only expressed their support for the existing system but also distanced themselves from any planned religious protests. Historically, the establishment of madrassahs in the subcontinent was driven by a vision to preserve Islamic identity and knowledge. Before 1857, under the guidance of Mullah Nizamuddin Sahalvi, the “Dars-e-Nizami” curriculum encompassed not only religious teachings but also contemporary sciences.
However, after the 1857 War of Independence, as Muslim political power declined, their intellectual and cultural fabric began to fray. To counter this, institutions like Darul Uloom Deoband, Darul Uloom Bhira Sharif, Jamia Manzar-ul-Islam Bareilly, Aligarh School and College, Islamia College Lahore and Peshawar were established to safeguard Muslim identity.
Post-independence, the tradition of founding religious institutions continued under the Societies Registration Act of 1860. However, the global landscape shifted dramatically post-9/11. The madrassahs came under scrutiny, with growing demands to bring them under a unified regulatory framework. Efforts made in 2005 to formalize this structure fell short. Over time, religious institutions themselves organized into five federations, representing various sects, ensuring their autonomy while maintaining their educational missions.
Despite local and international pressures, successive governments have struggled to bring madrassahs under administrative control. It wasn’t until 2019, during PTI’s tenure that a breakthrough occurred. Following extensive negotiations, an agreement was reached between the government and the Ittehad Tanzimat Madaris. As per this agreement, madrassahs would be registered under the Ministry of Education instead of the Societies Act of 1860. A separate directorate was established, with branches nationwide, to oversee this process. The government also set up ten new federations. Despite these reforms, most madrassahs remained affiliated with their original organizations, while some independent institutions, like Darul Uloom Muhammadiyah Ghausiyah Bhira Sharif, Minhaj-ul-Quran, and Jamia Al-Rashid Karachi, maintained their unique identities.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman, maintaining his opposition to PTI, rejected the government’s registration system. During the PDM government, efforts to amend this agreement faced hurdles. While Maulana managed to pass the 26th Constitutional Amendment related to madrassahs, the President returned the bill with objections, opening a new front in the ongoing political struggle. According to official data, Pakistan currently houses 59,000 madrassahs, with over 5 million students enrolled. Of these, 18,000 are registered under the government system, while the rest continue to operate independently. This fragmented structure demands clarity from the government.
—The writer is contributing columnist, based in Turbat, Balochistan.
