Govt seeks Wafaqul Madaris’ input for teaching Quran in schools

Two million students study in madressahs under the WMA.

ISLAMABAD: The federal education and professional training ministry has approached the Wafaqul Madaris alArabia (WMA) – the largest grouping of seminaries in the country  – seeking their input over the teaching of Quran as a compulsory subject from primary to higher secondary level in the public sector.



Last week, Minister of State for Education Balighur Rehman finalised a proposal, requiring teaching of Quran as a compulsory subject from grade 1 to 12. The final draft of recommendations was submitted before the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) for review.

In order to get the Wafaq’s input, the ministry approached its general secretary Qari Muhammad Hanif Jalandhari, to implement the draft with consensus, explained a ministry’s official, close to the development.



Currently, the draft, comprising over seven books and a translation of Quran, is pending before the CII. The council  would review it and send it back to the ministry so it could be presented in Parliament.



The official said that the ministry would require teachers who could teach Quran in schools. “Wafaqul Madaris’ input will play an important role in implementing the law as many students completed their religious education from seminaries falling under the Wafaq,” said the official.

“Wafaq has received the draft and it would provide input after thoroughly reviewing the document,” Qari Muhammad Hanif Jalandhari said, adding it was a positive initiative. According to him, two million students studied in madressahs under the Wafaqul Madaris alArabia and over 150,000 students became hufaz (of Quran) every year. Therefore, he said, this law will help those who could teach in schools.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 17^th, 2016.