The JI analysed the content of textbooks of social and Pakistan studies, Urdu and Islamiat and pointed out that even after revisions, according to the Textbook Policy of 2006, they still contain elements which are detrimental to promoting tolerance and continue distorting children’s understanding of the world at large. For instance, the JI report points out that the Urdu textbook for Class VIII, instead of teaching students about the language and its poets and authors, places undue emphasis on the importance of Islamic ideology and nationalism combined with anti-Indian sentiments. Moreover, the Urdu textbooks for Class IX and X fail to mention literary giants such as Ismat Chughtai, Qurratulain Haider or any other female writers for that matter. Such gross neglect will further reinforce gender biases and fuel increased gender discrimination within our society.
The JI report is also correct in pointing out that information which students receive is largely influenced by how teachers interpret it and transmit to the students.
The National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP) has also highlighted how the curriculum printed by the Punjab Textbook Board disregards constitutional provisions for the protection of minorities, given the presence of what it describes to be “inflammatory” and “discriminatory” content. It pointed out that the social studies books for Class V published in May 2009, claims (on page two) that Hindus divide human beings into different castes and give women no dignity. We should be more concerned with disparities and injustices against women within our own country rather than worrying about how the Hindus treat their women.
Other provincial textbook boards also need to undertake serious revisions. Unfortunately, hopes for a revision in religious and history textbooks in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa have recently suffered a serious setback after the provincial government retracted its plan to introduce educational reforms following scathing criticism from religious parties.
The JI and other entities concerned and educationists have repeatedly been demanding that the government set up and ensure implementation of guidelines for mosque leaders, as well as the media, concerning issues relating to religion so as to prevent propagation of violence and intolerance.
A more serious effort to reform the madrassa curriculum (the Dars-e-Nizami) is also vital given that it was set in the 18th century under a very different sociopolitical reality. Attempts to financially or administratively regulate madrassas can bear limited results. Even without secularisation of madrassa education, surely the Islamic world has produced ample knowledge to help promote peace and tolerance instead of hatred and sectarianism.
Unless these multi-pronged measures are pursued with all earnestness, it will become increasingly difficult to remove myopia and extremism from Pakistan.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 23rd, 2012.
COMMENTS (40)
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To address Pakistans-xenophobia,
They should look at Indonesia as a great example.They follow islam but keep their hindu cultural identity. Islamic republic of Indonesia has Garuda airline, Ganesh image in their currency notes,Ramayana is the national folklore. Sita, laxman are common muslim names in Indonesia. Pakistan syllabus should give proper emphasis to Harappa, Mohenjodaro,Taxila etc. A study on pre Islamic heritage of India, like that of Chandragupta Maurya, Ashoka the great, Gupta Dynasty etc would be a great help.@Mzhr: "I feel that, Islam and Hinduism are great religions and can definitely co-exist peacefully without any issues. They do so in Malaysia, Indonesia, USA, Singapore, etc."
You forgot to mention India...
Truthbebold, yes, but did you read the Quran with an open heart, recognizing that it is God's pure words and your job is to understand those pure words from God Himself?
@Mzhr
A voice of sanity and reason. Thanks a million.May your tribe increase.
@faraz:
"@Truthbetold: If you are not a Muslim, I invite you to read Quran (if you can) or translation instead of commenting on the words of an earthly being. Peace!"
I am not sure of the intent of you comment. Anyways, I have indeed spent considerable effort reading and understanding the Quran, Bible and other scriptures in great detail.
Anti-Hindu and Anti-Indian focus must be dropped from school curricula across Pakistan for a simple reason. Children when caught in a proxy war grow up to perpetuate the same! I feel that, Islam and Hinduism are great religions and can definitely co-exist peacefully without any issues. They do so in Malaysia, Indonesia, USA, Singapore, etc. And when we differentiate ourselves based on a religion, we tend to exclude minorities. And when we exclude minorities, we forget that alternative opinions exist. When we forget alternative opinions exist, we act irrationally. If we are irrational, our nation, our pakistani brothers and sisters suffer. Why? Religious extremism in Pakistan won't target only the non-Muslims! Bombs/missiles cannot selectively decide whom to kill! Hopefully, we will get a political ruler who will see through this mistake and correct it, for the sake of our children, for the sake of Pakistan, for the sake of the World!
There is something obviously wrong when one continually reads reasonably intellectual, but back-biting comments on the inward looking aspects of Pakistan society and how it compares to Indian society. Both societies have problems, as do Western societies, but I think the West improved when it became secular, and in particular when it stopped treating women like second class citizens. Females make up half Pakistan's population, and any country which fails to use huge amounts of its resources to their best advantage will not do well. Additionally, there does appear to be some compelling evidence that the female intellect is somewhat higher than that of the male. It is my understanding that this is due to the female physiology being more adaptive to sitting at a desk and absorbing academic studies, which somehow help in expanding and improving the brains abilities.
Elementary bhai
Well said. Even the so-called Jihadis are purifying their selves, and perusing an intensely personal relationship with our Maker. Because of their bigotry, non-Muslims are unable to see that.
@faraz @Indian: Yes, we know how beautiful it is (in the form of bollywood actresses, right?), but keep it to yourself!
If by secularism, all you can think of are bollywood actresses, then your statement speaks more about you than about secularism
@Truthbetold: I agree with rest of your statement BTW.
@Truthbetold
Truth is simple and need very little explaining. Your example of 'cult' vs. 'religion' is as lucid as it can get.Thanks and regards.
@Truthbetold:You wrote: Abrahamic religions, unlike eastern religious philosophies, are not based on the principle of personal purification and self-enlightenment
This comment smacks of bigotry ,ignorance and the very sense of superiority and absolute correctness that you are accusing muslims of. Nothing can be farther from the truth however.
I have to say you are completely ignorant of Islamic philosphy and Sufism. There is a complete system of self purification and enlightenment in islam; it is not reported in newspapers and curentaffairs programmes ,which seem to be your only source of knowledge about Islam.
It would hav been prudent to do some serious study before making such idiotic sweeping statement about three major religions of the world.or not.If you are a bigot.
@Ahmed HM: His problem with 'Islam' in Pakistan is that it is not actually Islam!
@faraz: Ya right. We Indians want people like you in Pakistan. One country less in global competition. Come on keep up the good work!
@faraz:
Compared to medieval bigotry, any system is beautiful.
@akash: As things are going at this time, we could only wish for it :(
@ Riaz Khan
Thank you for a fitting reply to seeds of fundamentalism
@Indian: Yes, we know how beautiful it is (in the form of bollywood actresses, right?), but keep it to yourself!
@Ahmed HM:
It is time we stop looking at every thing as an attack to our religion & in turn focus on our weaknesses & try to promote peace in the mind of our younger generations.
Too much of treating every thing as an attack to our religion .. try to get some peace...the basis of Islam. I request people in Pakistan to please allow this country to grow.. with peaceful minds all set to take Pakistan away from the hate & violence it is suffering from our extremists.
@Syed Mohammad Ali : The text book in pakistan will never change because it will create identity crisis in pakistan. As it is already informed that it is not national interest of pakistan. So please continue with "crush India and bash hindus" lesson. We just laugh at you. You will never understnad how beatiful secularism is.
.............the problem with teaching the selective version of truth to people, espicially when it is taught in childhood, is that the ideas so taught in such tender age become innate ideas of the children, which literally shape their outlook (values) about the world! from that oulook the child does not not much effort to be covinced to become a suicide bomber - because the child has already lost his ability to question the veracity of his decision, or his ability to question and counter question whatever has been taught to him, because the ideas taught to him in his childhood have later become his values!
@Truthbetold: If you are not a Muslim, I invite you to read Quran (if you can) or translation instead of commenting on the words of an earthly being. Peace!
The Aga Khan Education Board of Examination devised curricula should be implemented in the whole country for the betterment of the country as a whole.
@ True Muslim Paki
Please tell me how teaching intolerance against Hindus will make Pakistani children more pious? Further, it is factually incorrect that more children study in madressas than schools in Pakistan. The converse is true.
And if the US influences its population or 'manufactures consent', does that make it correct?
In my school we have prayers/hymns sung/recited from all the the major religions that we have in India. The quotes from Geeta, Quoran(proper Aazan not just translation), Bible, Guru Granth Sahib and other sacred text are read alound in common prayer hall for all to hear. It is wonderful.
Let me add, it is a catholic missionary school with majority students being Hindus.
Yes the same hindus who divide the society. This kind upbringing and education fills me with pride and tolerance. I wonder anything like that will ever happen in Pakistan.
…We should be more concerned with disparities and injustices against women within our own country rather than worrying about how the Hindus treat their women
In Hinduism women have very high place. We have more goddesses than Gods. Majority of epic Indian battles were fought for the honor of women. What to talk of women, we treat even a cow, Earth, nation (Bharat Mata) and river as mothers. Religion can not be blamed as far as treating women is concerned. Its the beast in man what is responsible for bad behavior. Indian moto is, " Hindu Muslim Sikh Isaayee, Apas me sab bhai bhai". Our text books don't teach hatred against any religion.
@Ahmed HM: I dont think the author has any problems with Islam, its the "Pakistani" interpretation of Islam that bothers him. Why should Islam be compared with Hinduism, and existence of Pakistan with India?
It took concerted efforts from Pakistani government over 30 years (since late 70s) to change the curriculum and as an extension change the mindset of its population. It will now take equal efforts & time (if not more) to reverse the process.... Question is: Who or what government will take this step when faced with mentality of opponents equating history and culture of our sub-continent with Islam? Past 3 decades of preaching intolerance and bigotry have created a monster of such unequal proportion that it suffocates all logic from any progressive dialogue.
@Krishen: I don't think the author meant what you think. I don't think he meant any disrespect to Pakistani Hindus. Read what he said in the context of the article.
@everyone My unsolicited advise to everyone to read as many times , what truthbetold wrote, until they understand it. I think he has defined in a way the difference between a cult and a personal religion.
India should encourage this negative thoughts in Pakistan.
These same negative thoughts which are responsible for Pakistan's wretched state today, will implode the country one day. That day, India will have minor troubles, but pakistan as a threat will be weakened.
@Ahmed HM: @True Muslim Paki: You two are the fruits of the seed of hate planted in our curriculum..
I know that every country changes its history,but in ours,they replaced history with fiction at many places.....
Pious Muslims will not try to harm Ahmadis,Shias,Hindus and Christians..Sadly,thats what is happening here
The author has no problem with Islam,rather its you people who are maligning our religion and giving everyone a bad name
"...We should be more concerned with disparities and injustices against women within our own country rather than worrying about how the Hindus treat their women..."
And are Hindus not part of "your own country"? Are Pakistani Hindus not "yours", and are Pakistani Hindu women not "your" women? The fact that a supposedly liberal and reformist Pakistani like the author does this, totally excluding Pakistani Hindus from any stake at all in their country, is sick. How do you think a Pakistani Hindu boy feels reading this anti-Hindu hatred in the textbooks? Should that not be the most important question of all to answer?
May be Pakistan is xenophobic, but as X famously told Y: just because you are psychotic, don't mean very bad people are not out to get you.
@author,
"We should be more concerned with disparities and injustices against women within our own country rather than worrying about how the Hindus treat their women."
Good point.
Abrahamic religions, unlike eastern religious philosophies, are not based on the principle of personal purification and self-enlightenment. Instead, they are "community" oriented, organized and institutionalized to teach that they alone know the truth and the non-believers are sinners and their belief are uncivilized and bad compared to the Abrahamic religions which are the only ones privy to the absolute truth. It is this institutionalized "worry" over non-believers and the sense of absolutism that drives their intolerant, myopic and extremist views.
The writer point out a good aspect that have to change.But the thing is how they can changed who hold this system.My point is toward the Ministry of Education and its member that have not learnt much to change the present system.
What is your problem with Islam sir?
Every country distorts history a little based on How it wants citizen to be moulded. Even US influences it's citizens. Being an Islamic country, teaching children to be pious is no wrong. By the way, there are more children in madrassas studying Islam than children studying state curriculum. So why bother?
Unless syllabi of madrassahs are radically reformed and continuously monitored, any effort to counter extremism is doomed to failure.