The Pakistan National Assembly has passed ‘The Compulsory Teaching of the Holy Quran Bill, 2017′.

It makes it compulsory for Muslim students from class 1 to 12 in all educational institutions to be taught the Holy Quran.

The bill will make the teaching of the entire Naazrah Quran in years 1 to 5, and translation of the entire Holy Quran in years 6 to 12 compulsory for Muslim students of all educational institutions, both in public and private sectors in ICT, Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and also in the institutions owned and controlled by the federal government.

 

According to the objectives of the bill, it will make the divine message understood, ensure the repose of society, peace and tranquillity, promote the supreme human values of truth, honesty, integrity, character building, tolerance, understanding others’ point of view and way of life.

It also aims to spread goodness and end chaos and uncertainty.

Additionally, the bill will help the state discharge its constitutional responsibility.

Article 31(2) of the Constitution states that the “State shall endeavour to make the teachings of the Holy Quran and Islamiyat compulsory.”

Islam is Pakistan’s state religion and the government is bound to take steps to help people learn the teaching of Islam.

The bill will need President Mamnoon Hussain’s signature to become law.

Nasir Saeed Director CLAAS-UK has expressed his concern over the bill.

He said: “Although it is for Muslim students but it will have a negative impact on the non-Muslim students.

“No alternative programme has been mentioned for non-Muslim students.”

He criticised the government and said that instead of promoting religious freedom, the government is forcing children to study religion, which is controversial to the international treaties ratified by the Pakistan.