UI-F Rejects Govt’s Draft Bill on Religious Schools, Calls for Unity Among Scholars

Islamabad – Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman has vehemently rejected the draft of a government bill aimed at regulating religious schools (madressahs), accusing the government of attempting to create division among religious scholars. Speaking to reporters in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Charsadda on Monday, Fazl clarified that his party’s stance was not to challenge the state, but to ensure that seminaries could register in a manner that preserves their rights and autonomy.

“The aim is not to confront the state; rather, it is to facilitate the registration of madressahs in a manner that ensures their rights are safeguarded,” Fazl asserted. He warned that the government’s bill, which would require religious schools to register and comply with new regulations, was a “conspiracy to divide scholars.”

A critical meeting regarding the registration and reform of madressahs is scheduled to take place in Islamabad, where prominent religious scholars from diverse schools of thought will gather to share their opinions. The meeting, however, has sparked controversy within religious circles, with Fazl and other religious leaders voicing concerns about the government’s motives.

Fazl, who is known for his strong influence within religious-political circles, emphasized that his party was committed to defending the rights of religious schools and scholars. He expressed respect for the scholars attending the Islamabad meeting but urged the government not to turn the issue into a political battleground.

“We are committed to ensuring the protection of madressahs. Our aim is to protect the country, not to create unnecessary controversies,” he stated. Fazl also questioned the government’s inconsistency, referencing the President’s ability to sign other legislation but not the madressah registration bill.

Further complicating matters, the JUI-F leader postponed his party’s planned march to Islamabad to pressure the government over the bill. Instead, Fazl announced that a broader meeting of madressah leaders would take place on December 16 or 17 to form a unified stance on the bill. He hinted that further action could follow depending on the outcome of this meeting.

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Meanwhile, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi engaged with Maulana Fazl Rahim Ashrafi, the patron-in-chief of Wafaq ul Madaris, and other scholars at Jamia Ashrafia. The interior minister, while expressing his best wishes for Ashrafi’s health, emphasized that there should be no political interference in matters concerning madressahs. Ashrafi assured that his organization would play a positive role in discussions surrounding the bill, advocating for seminaries in Punjab to come under the Education Department, similar to federal regulations.

In related developments, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif directed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to resolve Fazl’s concerns regarding the seminary bill. Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari returned the madressah registration bill, sending the matter back to the drawing board.

The government’s Societies Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which is part of a broader agreement with JUI-F, aims to regulate religious schools under the provisions of the Societies Registration Act of 1860. The bill requires seminaries to register with the deputy commissioner’s office and mandates them to submit annual reports detailing their activities and financial audits. It also includes a ban on teaching content that promotes militancy or sectarianism.

As the debate over the bill intensifies, the JUI-F and other religious groups remain firm in their resolve to protect the autonomy and rights of madressahs across Pakistan. The coming weeks will likely see further developments as stakeholders gather to discuss and possibly protest against the government’s proposed reforms.