Pakistan has said the concept of 'jihad' would not be deleted from the new school curriculum as it is an integral part of Islamic teachings.
ISLAMABAD: Notwithstanding its decision to pursue the policy of enlightened moderation to stem the growth of fundamentalism, Pakistan government has said the concept of 'jihad' would not be deleted from the new school curriculum as it is an integral part of Islamic teachings.
Stating this, Pakistan Education Minister Asharaf Qazi pointed out that "Jihad has many dimensions which also includes self-negation. We will teach students the full concept of Jihad".
Qazi, who was also the former Director General of ISI, told a briefing on the draft of the new curricula for classes 1 to XII that Sura Islamic teaching, Al Anfal and other suras (verses) over which certain Western countries had reservations with regard to their Jihad teachings, were still part of the Islamiyat curriculum.
The new curricula will be implemented in junior classes from the start of the academic year in 2007 and will be introduced in all classes up to grade XII by 2009, Daily Times quoted him as saying.
The draft curricula has been sent to the provinces for recommendations and will be finalised after their proposals are considered, he said.
Pakistan has begun conducting a review of the curriculum of various subjects as part of the reform process undertaken in the aftermath of 9/11 attacks in the United States in 2001.
Qazi said the revised Islamiyat curriculum has been divided into five topics which including, Quranic teachings, Haqooq Allah, Rights of God, Life of Prophet Muhammad, etiquette, and prominent personalities of Islam.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has already rejected a suggestion from moderate Islamic scholars that religious studies should be introduced only after the fifth standard.
Qazi said Nazara Quran would start in grade-III, leading up to completion of the Holy Quran by the end of grade-VIII. The students will also memorise 19 small suras by the end of class-VIII. The students would also memorise simple translation of 27 Quranic supplications recited during prayers.
The students of grades IX and X would be taught 20 selected chapters with translation and interpretation, he said adding that in grades XI and XII the students would be taught the 39 selected chapters with translation and simple interpretation.
The chapters also contained an introduction to Jihad, its importance and forms in the light of the Holy Quran. He said the topic on the life of Prophet Muhammad would also highlight battles led by him to show his leadership and tolerance towards his enemies.
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