Religious groups belonging to the Deobandi school of thought want the Information Minister Pervaiz Rasheed removed for his anti-seminary remarks. He described the seminaries as ‘centres of ignorance and illiteracy.’ In response the Wafaqul Madaris Al Arabia, the board representing the seminaries belonging to the Deobandi school of thought wants FIR’s registered against him. Addressing the protest rally, Deputy General Secretary Wafaqul Madaris Maulana Qazi Abdul Rasheed said the remarks by the federal minister had upset the whole nation. He is very much mistaken. Additionally, the office-bearers of Wafaqul Madaris al-Arabia said they would initiate a campaign against the minister, even if they have to delay the exams at the seminaries, proving the minister correct in suggesting that conservative hate comes before meeting any educational standards.
Pervaiz Rasheed should now fear for his life because there are many religious fanatics out there who would take this very seriously. That is the unfortunate thing in Pakistan and we have seen that many have already become victims, including Salman Taseer and Sabeen Mehmud. Rather than talking about apprehending those like Mufti Naeem of Jamia Binoria, who has openly threatened a state official saying he is a blasphemer and a non-Muslim, the narrative is fixated on Rasheed’s remarks, that can only be described as mild, considering the history of hate and crime associated with Pakistani madrassas and their alumni. Pakistan is a free country, and people are allowed to speak their mind, even if it hurts the feelings of Mufti’s and Sheikhs. Remember that under the post-Peshawar massacre National Action Plan, it has been madrassas and seminaries that have refused to provide information to the government on their funding, numbers and activities.
‘Conspiracy against Islam’, ‘conspiracy against Pakistan’… these are buzzwords to shut down debate and criticism. These men treat Pakistan as if they are caliphs rather than citizens. The madrassa system needs urgent reform, and fatwas declaring people blasphemers and heretics need to be muzzled before more people are assassinated or blown up. Criticising the madrassa system is not blasphemy, but with the standard of education provided at seminaries, maybe Mufti Naeem does not know what the word means.
Hopefully, after all we have been though, from the silent Shia genocide to the deaths of innocent school children, the people of Pakistan can look at their Iman’s and Mufti’s critically, like they look critically at their politicians, and tell the difference between what is in the interest of the future of their countrymen and what will only cause violence and bloodshed.