Islamic Supremacists Protest Inclusion of Hindu History in Pak

February 22, 2007

MMA protests against inclusion of Hindu religion history in curriculum ISLAMABAD: Muttahida Majlis Amal (MMA) Wednesday strongly protested in National Assembly (NA) against inclusion of Hindu religion history in the syllabus of class 6-8 in place of Seerat-ul Nabi and Quranic verses. MMA staged a walk out from NA proceedings as they were of the view that Hindu history has been made mandatory in the syllabus of class 6th to 8th while Seerat-ul Nabi and Quranic verses are being removed from the curriculum. On the strong protest of MMA, Speaker referred the matter to Standing Committee on Education and gave an observation that if history of English and Sub-Continent is included then such issues must not be raised. State Minister for Education told House that Seerat-ul Nabi is a part of the syllabus stressing that MMA's reservations in this regard are baseless. Earlier Anisa Zaib told the House that History of Sub-Continent has been divided into three parts in the

new syllabus, which includes before Islam, Islam and third is related to the British regime. She was of the view that in view to balance the syllabus, history of Hindu Mat, Budh Mat and Chandra Geet and was unanimously decided that its meaning does not affect any religion. She said that there is only one chapter of Hindu culture which only relates history. She slammed the baseless reservations of opposition adding that we have increased the number of Quranic verses rather than removing from the syllabus. Speaker after reservations of MMA and protest send the matter to Standing Committee on Education and directed the Chairperson that she is allowed to call any member in the Committee. State Minister Education Anisa Zeb in a call attention notice by opposition member Naeer Bukhari, Raja Pervez Asharf, Mujeeb Pirzada, Mahreen Anwar and Mir Hazar Khan Bajarani told National Assembly that decision regarding changing the examination system of Class 9th and 10th has

been formally decided after mutual consultations of the provinces. She said that reforms have been introduced in the entire examination system. She said that now annual examinations of class 9th and 10th will be held jointly, however on the other hand only in Sindh, class 9 and 10th annual papers will be held separately this year and from next year it will be held together. She said that Sindh has been given a relaxation of one year and from next year collective examinations will be held in Punjab and Sindh. She said that the step has been taken to decrease the financial burden of students. She said that 50% numbers will be of short answer questions while 30% numbers will be of long answer questions. She told NA that less pressure would be on the students adding that new reforms will bring improvement in education system. On the strong protest of the Opposition, Speaker forwarded the matter to Standing Committee on Education and directed that the government

must constitute new education policy on the basis of recommendations of Standing Committee.

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