The probable correlation between madrassas and militancy is as old as the emergence of the latter
KARACHI: The probable correlation between madrassas and militancy is as old as the emergence of the latter. Owing to their own varying versions of Islam, madrassas are known to be sanctuaries for religiously-driven militants. More than the idea of the institution of the madrassa it is the interpretation of religious teachings that invoke violent sentiments. For instance, according to a report published in a leading national daily, Jihad is normally interpreted as a struggle not against the evils but against those who could be broadly categorised as non-Muslims or the non-believers.
The madrassas in Pakistan run alongside mainstream educational institutions with their own curriculum and degree awarding boards. Crackdown against religious seminaries or attempts to get rid of them through military operation is only going to exacerbate the problem. What could help would be a three-pronged approach to deweaponise, deradicalise and depoliticise institutions falling under both the categories — that is religious and non-religious. As controlling foreign funding to these madrassas and eliminating tribal militant factions might fan anti-national opinions, a practical approach should be to handle tactfully radical religious outlets or such literature, particularly in an age where cyberspace and cyber warfare have outdone the conventional methods of war and conflict.
Abdullah Masood
Published in The Express Tribune, September 11th, 2017.
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