GILGIT, Pakistan: Before going directly into Syllabus issue, it is important to look back into the history of Gilgit Baltistan region, Northern Areas of Pakistan. The area has strategic and geographical significance due to its boundaries with countries of China, India & Russia.

History of Gilgit Baltistan

On 1st of November 1947, Gilgit Baltistan obtained freedom from the dogra occupation by the efforts of local freedom fighters. The History of Gilgit Baltistan is evidence of the fact that Col. Mirza Hassan Khan, Maj. Raja Muhammad Babar Khan, Col. Shah Khan, Maj. Ehsan Ali, Raja Shah Rais Khan and many other officers fought courageously for the liberation of Gilgit Baltistan. All the named persons belong to Shia School of thought.

It is worth mentioning that the area got independence from the Dogra government of Ghansara singh by the struggles of Ahl-e-Tashayyo. After eliminating Dogra rule from the land, the people of Gilgit Baltistan voluntary affiliated with Pakistan which speaks volume about their Patriotism. The Kargil war is proof of the loyalty of people of Gilgit Baltistan, where the soldiers of NLI fought bravely for the country of Pakistan. And many of soldiers got martyred in the war. The people from Millat-e-Jafaria are also working in every walk of life for the progress and development of the area and country.

1973 Constitution of Pakistan and Issue of Curriculum

The 1973 constitution of Pakistan, itself elaborates that Quran and Sunnah will have to be interpreted for each sect of Islam in accordance with the fundamental concepts of that particular sect.
Article 20(a) States:
Every citizen shall have the right to profess, practice and propagate his religion;

Article 22(1) States:

No person attending any educational institution shall be required to receive religious instruction, or take part in any religious ceremony, or attend religious worship, if such instruction, ceremony or worship relates to a religion other than his own.

Constitution (Fifteenth Amendment) Act, 1998: Article 2B

The Holy Quran and Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) shall be the supreme law of Pakistan. The application of this clause to the personal law of any Muslim sect, the expression "Quran and Sunnah" shall mean the Quran and Sunnah as interpreted by that sect.

For more details on 73 Constitution of Pakistan, please check
http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part2.ch1.html

And for details of 15th Amendment, please check
http://www.pakistanlawyer.com/constitution/amendments/15.html

Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 18

Pakistan has accepted the universal declaration of United Nations which states that:
“Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion …, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”
For more details please check the website
http://www.hr95.org/Udhr.html

What is Issue of Syllabus?

The textbooks used for teaching the subject of Islamic Studies reflect the thoughts and beliefs of one sect (Sunnis). Islamiat textbooks have been deliberately distorted to promote sectarian hatred between the two sects. These textbooks are also basis for creating problems of Extremism and Terrorism. The distortions are not only limited to Islamic Studies but are also highlighted in textbooks of other subjects like Urdu, History, English and even the drawing books. There are many similarities in beliefs between the sects of Muslims and few differences. The textbooks promote only the differences between different schools of thoughts. The books speak highly of the sahaba (companions of Holy Prophet [PBUH) they ignore important figures from Ahle-Bait Athaar [family of the Prophet [PBUH],”.

The textbooks hurt the religious sentiments of not only the Shias but also the Sunni-Brelvis. One of the textbooks (Urdu of class one, page number 7) carries a sketch of a boy offering prayers in the Sunni way. The picture can mislead a Shia student about his/her religious rituals. It is also written in many of places that Hazrat Ali (A.S) is fourth Caliph of Muslims, but there are differences found among the sects of Muslims. Hazrat Ali (A.S) is fourth caliph of Sunni Muslims but according to beliefs Hazrat Ali (A.S) is the First Imam of Shia Muslims. The faith of Shias is not written even in a single place which also shows the extreme dislike of Wahabis towards Shia Beliefs.

The facts & figures also show that the Shias are 75% of total population in Northern Areas Gilgit Baltistan. So being the majority sect; the demand of separate curriculum is in accordance with Constitution of Pakistan and human rights charter of united nation.

Who has written the textbooks?

The controversial textbooks have been written by a panel of four authors – Saeedullah Qazi, Abdul Sattar Ghouri, Shabbir Ahmed Mansoori and Iftikhar Ahmed Bhutta. All of them are Sunni and Deobandi by belief. None of the authors is Shia. So government is trying to force the beliefs of one sect which is against the Constitution of Pakistan and even against the UN Charter of human rights.

What does the Curriculum Wing say?

The head of Curriculum Wing Dr Haroona Jatoi admits the panel of writers didn’t have any representation from the Shia community. She also said that the textbooks should not carry pictures that can promote the rituals of one sect.

The officials also admitted that the machinery at the Curriculum Wing is strongly biased against the Shia faith. The Curriculum Wing has been hijacked by a powerful lobby that is ultra-Islamist and follows the Wahhabi school of thought. The government of Pakistan receives huge funds from Saudi wahabis. Therefore it promotes the denomination practiced by the Saudis. This type of Islam has no tolerance for the Shia. Therefore, the Curriculum Wing is represented by such Islamic scholars as are the followers of Wahhabism.

A civil society activist objects to the state teaching religion. “Everywhere in the world, religious studies are imparted to the children by their parents or the charities. But in Pakistan, the state has assumed this responsibility. Unfortunately, the state does not do what it should be doing and wastes its time, money and energy on non-issues.”

The solution could be imported from other Islamic countries where Shias and Sunnis co-exist peacefully. Religion is a personal affair. The government should avoid pushing controversial issues into the public domain, Even after admitting the problems and faults in Curriculum, the government has failed to address the issue of Syllabus properly, due to which all schools and institutes of Gilgit are closed since June 2004. The government is using delaying tactics to just waste time and no positive progress has been made so far. Government thinks the solution of problem is “closing of schools and other academic institutes”. But In fact, it is not the solution. In order to make the northern area peaceful, it is necessary that the syllabus issue should be properly addressed. Otherwise the dream of making Gilgit as peaceful city will go in vain.

Major Objections:

Though the list of objection for controversial curriculum is very long, so below are the few major objections.

i. The incident of wahee (revelation) has been described in a ridiculous manner that shows the Prophet (PBUH) himself was not sure about his prophet-hood. Islamiat, 4th grade, 22; Social Studies, 4th grade, 115; Urdu, 8th grade, 14.

ii. The Prophet has said to have missed his prayer during the battle of Khandaq. Islamiat, 5th grade, 43

iii. The Prophet’s wife Hazrat Ayesha has been projected as superior to all other women of the prophet’s family through fake ahadiz (sayings of the Prophet). Urdu, 7th, 9-10

iv. The Caliphs have been glorified through special chapters that pay them a rich tribute. No such tribute has been paid to the Shia Imams.

v. It is a fabricated statement that the Prophet asked the First Caliph to lead the prayer when he [the Prophet] was ill. Islamiat, 5th grade, 59-60. Islamiat, BA, 294

vi. The contribution and sacrifices of Hazrat Ali (A.S) have been faded out deliberately.

vii. Yazid has been totally exonerated from Karbala and the entire blame has been shifted to Ibn-e-Ziyad. Urdu, 8th grade, 105

viii. Khalid bin Walid has been praised more compared to Hazrat Ali (A.S). It is untrue that the Prophet had bestowed him [Walid] the title of Saif Ullah. Urdu, 7th grade, 30-33

ix. The addition of prayer is better than sleep. Islamiat, grade 8th, 8

x. Sunni procedure of prayer features. Islamiat, 2nd grade, 15; Urdu, 3rd grade, 57.

xi. A picture that depicts Sunni style of saying prayer. Urdu, 2nd grade, 18

xii. Such sayings of Prophet have been quoted that have been told by the Sunni historians which in reality are forged according to Shia beliefs.

xiii. The Islamiat of 12th grade promotes the Wahabi school of thought.

xiv. Prophet’s uncle Hazrat Abu Talib has been described as non-Muslim. Islamiat, BA, 231.

The Solution:

1. If the government thinks that it is necessary to teach the Sunni thoughts in Islamic studies, then it should also add Shia point of view in Islamic Studies. The Ahl-e-Tashayyo is in majority sect of Gilgit Baltistan, so separate syllabus should be put into operation for Shias.

2. If the government has not enough resources (which are present there) to design separate syllabus for Shia students, then government should design a curriculum acceptable to the followers of all school of thoughts (Shias and Sunnis). And there should not be any controversial matter in Curriculum of all subjects and particularly Islamic Studies.

3. And if government thinks that the above solutions are not implement able (which are implement able), then it should be essential to explain the beliefs of both Sects Shias and Sunnis. For Example: In Shias faith while offering Nimaz it is mandatory to open hands but In Sunnis procedure of nimaz is different that is closing hands. The current curriculum reproduces the Sunnis faith, which can be deliberately inserted to push away the Shia school boys/girls from their religion.

4. On 5th of June 2004, an agreement has already been signed and approved by Government of Pakistan in context of Syllabi issue. But government has failed to implement it practically. The people of Millat-e-Jafaria believe that the signed agreement is simple and short solution of the issue.

If the government is sincere in brining the long-lasting peace and stability in Gilgit Baltistan, it should first solve the issue of curriculum. Until now, the progress of government is shocking. The people of Millat-e-Jafaria Gilgit Baltistan have started thinking that the government is not sincere in solving their problems. It does thinks that the government is only serving the other sect. If the government failed to search out a solution for the issue of curriculum, the situation of Northern Areas will turn out to be worst.

NOTE: THIS ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN PRIOR TO THE MEETING HELD ON 26TH OF APRIL 2005, AT ISLAMABAD TO DISCUSS THE CURRICULUM ISSUE. NOW 'THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION FEDERAL GOVERNMENT' HAS DECIDED TO REMOVE ALL THE CONTROVERSIAL MATTER FROM CURRICULUM, WHICH IS THE BASIC NECESSITY OF TIME, IT WILL BRING THE ERA OF PEACE BACK TO GILGIT. Insha'ALLAH.