JUI-F rejects government’s draft bill on religious schools
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has rejected the government’s proposed Societies Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which seeks to regulate the registration of religious schools (madressahs). Speaking in Charsadda on Monday, Fazl accused the government of using the bill to create divisions among religious scholars rather than facilitating the registration process.
Fazl expressed concerns about a meeting held in Islamabad to discuss madressah registration and reforms, attended by scholars from various schools of thought. He described the meeting as a “conspiracy to divide scholars” and urged the government not to politicize the issue of seminaries. “Our aim is not confrontation but to safeguard the rights of religious schools and their scholars,” he stated.
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The proposed legislation stems from an agreement between JUI-F and the government during discussions on the 26th Constitutional Amendment. It introduces new requirements for seminaries, including registration through the deputy commissioner’s office, annual activity reports, and audited financial accounts. Seminaries with multiple campuses would only need a single registration. Additionally, the bill prohibits the teaching or dissemination of materials promoting militancy, sectarianism, or religious hatred.
Fazl criticized the government’s inconsistency, questioning why the madressah bill had not been signed by the president despite other legislation moving forward. He postponed a planned march to Islamabad but announced a meeting of all allied madressahs on December 16 or 17 to unify their stance on the issue. “If further action is needed, we will be prepared,” he told supporters in Peshawar.
Separately, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with Maulana Fazl Rahim Ashrafi, patron-in-chief of the Wafaq ul Madaris, at Jamia Ashrafia. They discussed the seminaries’ bill, with Rahim emphasizing that madressahs should be treated similarly to other educational institutions and fall under the Education Department’s purview. Naqvi assured a “positive role” in addressing concerns and thanked Wafaq ul Madaris for their cooperation.
Fazl reiterated JUI-F’s commitment to protecting religious schools, stating that they had consulted all relevant parties about the bill and would continue to advocate for the rights of seminaries. The party remains skeptical about the government’s intentions and has called for avoiding new controversies to ensure unity and protect the country’s interests.
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