Islamabad:A uniform curriculum that imparts both the religious as well as the scientific knowledge could help to bridge up the huge gap between the Madrassahs and schools, said Da’waah Academy Director General Dr. Sahibzada Sajid-ur-Rehman during an exclusive interview with ‘The News’.
He said that unfortunately the syllabus of education was not imparting what it supposed to. “It has been 64 years now, but we are still lacking a curriculum that imparts true spirit of nationalism and the religion,” he added.

He said that whenever a new government comes, it includes or excludes the content of their desire while no government has ever strived to introduce a balanced curriculum. “Had there been a balanced curriculum, the gap between ‘madrassah’ and school would have been eliminated,” he added.

He said that Islam is a religion that promotes knowledge irrespective of its type. There is a widespread misconception that Islam only asks to promote religious knowledge, which is no more than a false propaganda.

He said that there were a number of examples in history where Muslim scientists have made marvels in different fields; rather the scientific theories by these scientists are serving as a base to the various scientific inventions now days.

“When we talk about knowledge, it’s not about religious knowledge or worldly knowledge. It could be the knowledge of any thing that can guide or help the mankind. God in His book also urged to reveal various hidden truths in the universe,” he added.

He said that the Holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammad (peace be upon him) in his supervision have trained people in horse riding, swimming and other activities as these were the requirements of that time. “The Muslims of today should be aware rather equipped of the latest knowledge, as it is the need of the hour,” he said.

He said that another misconception regarding Islam was that it forbids women education. He quoted an incident from history when Holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammad (peace be upon him) asked Hazrat Hafsa to teach the women of Madina. “Holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammad (peace be upon him) said that education is compulsory for Muslim. He didn’t say that it is only compulsory for Muslim men,” he added.

He believes that the several misconceptions regarding Islam were the outcome of ignorance of a common man from religion. “Majority of people rely upon the teachings of clergy of their village who himself is unaware of the true spirit of Islam,” he added.

He said that for the purpose of eliminating the misconceptions regarding religion and creates a balance in the society Da’waah Academy was formed 25 years ago. “We regularly organise lectures for the people belonging to different walks of life so that they could be aware of true spirit of religion and could apply it in their routine life,” he added.

He said that one of the main purposes of the Da’waah Academy was to promote inter sectarian harmony that was a dire need of the time. “Here we have religious scholars of all sects who sit on a single forum, offer prayers together and write books,” he added.

He briefed that they have so far published 800 books on various Islamic topics in 24 different languages besides 120 children books that are most revenue generating. “We also have FM radio station that broadcasts five hour transmission of various religious topics,” he added.

He said that Da’waah academy could contribute more to create an atmosphere of inter sectarian harmony if facilitated properly by the government. “We can set up our centres in the area where such trainings are more necessary like in Swat, Waziristan and Balochistan,” he added.

Quoting few incidents, he said that when youth from Balochistan came to attend classes arranged by Da’waah academy. “The youth from Balochistan were having negative perceptions about Pakistan, but returned to their home town as patriotic person,” he added.

He also briefed about the upcoming celebrations of Eid Milad-ul-Nabi that are going to start on the premises of International Islamic University that mainly include the Qira’at, Na’at and Seerat Conference for men and women separately.The news