HISTORY AND BACKGROUND OF MADRASSAH EDUCATION IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Pakistan has been traditional and modern education systems since its inception. The traditional education system or traditional Islamic schools which are called Madaris (Madrassahs) have been growing rapidly since 1980s during the Soviet intervention into Afghanistan and Imam Khumeni Revolution in Iran. The madaris have been influenced by the wave of Islamic fundamentalism from Iran and Afghanistan. After the Taliban Government in Afghanistan in late 1990s, the Deoband Madaris in Pakistan came gradually under the sway of the anti-West Taliban Movement. In 2000, there are more than 50,000 Madrassahs in Pakistan but only 4,350 were registered. The history of Madrassahs education in Pakistan has been originated by the advent of Islam and Arabic culture to India with conquering of Sindh by Muhammad bin Qasim in 712 A.D. After the formation of Muslim rule at Delhi in 1208 A.D., a quarter of Indian-subcontinent population had converted to Islam over the next five centuries and Madrassahs were established in India. Those madaris had been providing education among Muslims of India from 1208 A. D. to 1757 A. D. till the British power in India. The Madrassahs in Pakistan are alleged to be nurseries to produce religious extremists. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the history and the changing pattern of Madrassahs Education in Pakistan. The paper is also examining the socio-political framework of Pakistan under which the Madrassahs are working.