ISLAMABAD: I have recently moved to Islamabad in relation to my job. And what I have noticed is the extensive network of madrassas in the federal capital, which then makes me wonder how many of these are even registered with the city authorities.
Given Lal Masjid and what happened as a result of it, I wonder if there is a mechanism whereby the education imparted to the madrassa students is monitored. Are the sermons given by the heads of the seminaries checked for content by the city authorities?
Furthermore, collection of funds and donations is also common and is undertaken by most of these madrassas. No doubt, donations for humanitarian causes, for helping the poor or for the renovation and maintenance of mosques and seminaries should be encouraged and welcomed. However, is there any way that the state can check whether these collected funds are diverted to banned outfits or anti-state activities?
In the vicinity of G-11 sector, where I reside, the cleric of a nearby mosque has occupied a plot of land supposedly meant to be a green belt. The plot of land taken over, now houses a large madrassa and has shops adjacent to it — seems to me to be a case of a land mafia.
These are very serious issues that must be addressed in a timely manner, that is, if the state does not want a repeat of the Lal Masjid episode. The question also is that will the state do anything to keep clerics in check, who are virtually running kingdoms of their own?
Fahad Rehman
Published in The Express Tribune, October 22nd, 2012.
