Madressahs, good and bad

Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan’s recent statement regarding the alleged role of seminaries in fomenting terrorism should be a real eye-opener. It is time to streamline and modernise seminaries in the country. We should clearly demarcate between regular religious schools or seminaries (madressahs) and the ones that serve as recruiting and training ground for the would-be terrorists and militants. Their syllabus should be made compatible with the needs and aspirations of these modern times. No one can deny the importance and contribution of madressahs to educating young boys and girls. We cannot leave these impressionable young children in the wrong hands. Obviously, when we ask about taking action against religious educational institutions, we do not include all of them. Only those found to be recruiting and training terrorists are being talked about.

Moreover, the government should come up with a clear-cut policy on madressahs. Its plan to register madressahs cannot serve our purpose and objectives. Recently, the counterterrorism task force has captured educated and professional terrorists who were involved in recruiting and training the would-be terrorists. This is happening right under the nose of the government without any checks. This is an intelligence failure as well. It is good that the interior minister is working in the right direction.

Javaid Bashir

Lahore