JUI-F chief says Islamic seminaries preserve sciences of Quran and Hadith
RAWALPINDI:
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has said that religious seminaries are the custodians of Islam, protectors of the teachings of Quran and Hadith and guardians of the blessing of faith, adding that under no circumstances will they be handed over to the government.
Addressing a turban-tying ceremony at Jamia Taleem-ul-Quran in Rawalpindi on Wednesday, Fazl said that although global power today is largely in the hands of the United States, it does not possess the power of faith.
He added that religious seminaries fulfill the responsibility of protecting faith worldwide, adding that Islamic seminaries preserve the sciences of the Qur’an and Hadith.
Criticizing what he called a dual approach, he said that on the one hand PIA is being handed over to private companies, while on the other there is a desire to take control of madrassas – something he said would not be accepted under any circumstances.
Referring to Allama Shabbir Usmani, he said that even the British had once rejected him as uneducated and the same mindset still prevails today where religious knowledge is not recognized as legitimate knowledge.
“There is no trust in government institutions, therefore seminaries will not be handed over to them. Scholars from all schools are united for the protection of madrassas,” he said.
While reaffirming faith in dialogue and respect for laws formed through consultation, he warned that no form of deception would be tolerated.
Responding to chanting students during the ceremony, he remarked that had they focused on work instead of slogans, they would have won the highest number of seats in Punjab.
He concluded by saying that people should be told that the policy of religious seminaries is the legacy of the prophets and that they are rightful claimants to this tradition.
