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Jihad integral part of curriculum, says Javed Ashraf

* Education minister unveils highlights of Islamiat curricula
* Says revised national curriculum to be implemented from next year

By Irfan Ghauri

ISLAMABAD: Jihad is not being deleted from the new curriculum because it is an integral part of Islamic teachings and Muslim beliefs, said Education Minister Lt Gen (r) Javed Ashraf Qazi on Monday.

“Jihad has many dimensions which also includes self-negation (Jihad bin nafas). We will teach students the full concept of Jihad,” Qazi said during a briefing on the draft of the new curricula for classes 1 to XII. He said that Sura Al Anfal and other suras over which certain western countries had reservations with regard to their Jihad teachings, were still part of the Islamiat curriculum.

He said 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. The draft curricula has been sent to the provinces for recommendations and will be finalised after their proposals are considered, he added.

Qazi said the revised Islamiyat curriculum has been divided into five topics: Al Quran Al Kareem (Quranic teachings), Imaniyat aur Ibadaat (Haqooq Allah) (Rights of God), Seerat e Tayyaba (Life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Akhlaq aw Adaab (etiquette) (Haqooqul Ibad) and prominent personalities of Islam. He said that 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 suras include Sura Ikhlas, Sura Nasar, Sura Fathihah and Sura Falaq. He added that students would also memorise with simple translation 27 Quranic supplications recited during prayers.

The education minister said that students of grades IX and X would be taught 20 selected ayaats from Sura Baqara, Al Nisa, Al Madina, Al Tauba and Al Haj with translation and interpretation. He added that in grades XI and XII the students would be taught the entire Sura Al Anfal and 39 selected ayaats from Sura Baqua with translation and simple interpretation. He said that simple translation of 18 Hadith for grades IX and X and 12 for grades XI and XII had been incorporated in the curricula.

Qazi said that monotheism, prophethood, faith in angels and the revealed books had been included in the topic of Imaniyat aur Ibadaat (faith and worship). He said that the basic pillars of Islam – belief in one God, prayer, fasting, pilgrimage and Zakat — are also covered in this topic and added that the chapters also contained an introduction to Jihad, its importance and forms in the light of the Holy Quran and Sunnah. He said that the topic on the life of Prophet Muhammad would also highlight battles led by the Holy Prophet (PBUH) to show his exemplary leadership and tolerance towards his enemies..

In the topic of prominent personalities of Islam, he said that the profiles of 28 personalities would be covered from grades III to XII.

Qazi said that Pakistan studies would be compulsory in grades IX and X while advanced Pakistan studies will be available as an elective subject in grades XI and XII. The course for Pakistan studies for grade IX and X will be derived from the revised history curriculum for grades VI and VIII. He said that the courses had been designed to make the students understand the objectives of the creation of Pakistan and also its ideology, history, culture, geography and economics. He said the course covered major historical, political and constitutional developments in Pakistan and the salient features of various regimes.

Qazi said the geographical component of the curriculum aims to enhance the understanding of the physical features and human resources of the country. It will also promote an understanding of the major environmental hazards and conservation strategies for water, land, vegetation and wildlife, he added. The minister said a chapter has been added on “Pakistan in world affairs” in the course to familiarise students with Pakistan’s international relations and the latest developments in world affairs with particular reference to neighbouring countries, the Muslim world, major world powers and the United Nations. Qazi said that changes have been made in natural science curricula to make them relevant to modern day developments.

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