Madrassas Agree to Add Modern Sciences to Religious Education

An important meeting of the Muttahida Madaris Council Pakistan has agreed to promote modern sciences in madrassas, expand religious and contemporary education for female students, and build a more organised and effective educational system for seminaries nationwide. The meeting brought together leaders of the major madrassa boards and federations, who also agreed to strengthen cooperation on examinations, certifications and registration.

What the Muttahida Madaris Council Agreed

• Modern sciences alongside Islamic studies: The council agreed to promote modern sciences, science and technology, and other contemporary subjects in madrassas alongside religious education.
• Education for female students: The meeting agreed to expand both religious and contemporary education for female students in seminaries.
• A better system: Leaders agreed to work toward an integrated, organised and effective educational system for religious seminaries across the country.
• Joint strategy: The federations agreed to strengthen mutual cooperation and academic linkages, and to follow a joint strategy instead of working separately.

Who Attended the Meeting

• Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi: President of Wafaq-ul-Madaris wal Jamiaat-ud-Dinia Pakistan attended the meeting.
• Allama Dr. Mehr Asif Akbar: Nazim-e-Aala of Nizam-ul-Madaris Pakistan was among the leaders present.
• Maulana Muhammad Zubair Faheem: Central President of Ittehad-ul-Madaris Al-Arabia Pakistan also attended.
• Other boards represented: Representatives of other major madrassa boards and federations took part in the discussion.

Examinations, Certifications and Registration

• Better coordination: The meeting agreed on better coordination between federations in educational systems, examinations, certifications and registration.
• Administrative affairs: The leaders also discussed coordination in administrative affairs, so seminaries deal with the same rules and procedures.
• Registration progress: The meeting appreciated the efforts made on madrassa registration, including the roles of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
• Banking access: The efforts appreciated by the meeting also covered access to banking facilities for madrassas and the resolution of other administrative issues.

Why Modern Sciences in Madrassas Matter

• Two kinds of knowledge: The agreement reflects a long-running debate in Pakistan: madrassa students should keep their religious learning while also gaining the modern knowledge needed for jobs and higher education.
• Jobs and further study: Students who learn science and technology alongside religious subjects have more options for employment and for admission to colleges and universities.
• Female students included: The focus on female education means girls in seminaries would also get access to contemporary subjects, widening their opportunities.
• Recognition of certificates: Coordinated examinations and certifications make it easier for madrassa qualifications to be recognised by other institutions.

What Has NOT Been Announced

• No government order: No government order has been issued. The agreement comes from the madrassa council and federations, not from the state.
• No curriculum: No curriculum for the modern subjects has been announced, and no list of subjects beyond modern sciences, science and technology and other contemporary subjects has been given.
• No start date: No start date or implementation timeline has been announced for teaching the new subjects.
• No syllabus named: The meeting did not name a syllabus, textbooks or teachers for the modern subjects.
• Wait for detail: Until a curriculum and a timeline are announced, no madrassa is required to change what it teaches.

What Students, Parents and Teachers Should Do

• Nothing changes yet: Madrassa timetables, subjects and examinations remain as they are until a formal curriculum and schedule are announced.
• Follow board announcements: Each madrassa follows its own board, so students and teachers should wait for instructions from their board or federation.
• Do not pay anyone: No fee or registration is linked to this agreement, so no one should pay anyone claiming to enrol students in a new modern-sciences programme.
• A positive signal: The agreement is still a positive signal for families who want their children to combine religious education with modern learning.

Conclusion

The Muttahida Madaris Council’s agreement to add modern sciences to religious education is an important statement of direction for Pakistan’s seminaries. By bringing the major boards together, the meeting also agreed on a joint strategy for examinations, certifications and registration, and on expanding contemporary education for female students. But the agreement is only a first step. No government order, curriculum, start date or timeline has been announced, and no madrassa is yet required to change its teaching.

FAQs

Will madrassas now teach modern sciences?
The Muttahida Madaris Council has agreed to promote modern sciences alongside religious education, but no curriculum, start date or timeline has been announced yet.

Has the government ordered madrassas to add modern subjects?
No. This is an agreement by the madrassa council and federations. No government order has been issued.

Which subjects will be added?
The meeting spoke of modern sciences, science and technology and other contemporary subjects. No detailed subject list or syllabus has been announced.

Does the agreement cover female students?
Yes. The meeting agreed to expand religious and contemporary education for female students in seminaries.

Who attended the meeting?
Leaders including Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, Allama Dr. Mehr Asif Akbar and Maulana Muhammad Zubair Faheem, with representatives of other major madrassa boards and federations.