A recent report reveals a stark reality within Pakistan’s madrassa system: while providing education to the underprivileged, these religious seminaries are simultaneously fueling radicalism, exacerbating social inequality, and enabling abuse. The report highlights a significant divide between the mainstream secular education system and the religious madrassas, reflecting deep-seated societal, economic, and political divisions within the nation. The international community watches with concern, urging Pakistan to fulfill its educational obligations and dismantle institutions that serve as breeding grounds for extremism. Accusations of madrassas fostering ideologies contrary to global peace and tolerance have persisted, with the 2005 Red Mosque siege serving as a critical turning point. This event, where a madrassa declared war on the state, led to over 100 deaths and intensified criticism, with some labeling madrassas as ‘jihad factories.’ Furthermore, a recent statement by Pakistan’s Defence Minister, referring to madrassa students as a ‘second line of defence,’ has been interpreted as an endorsement of radicalization. The curriculum’s heavy focus on religious studies, with little emphasis on secular subjects like science and math, perpetuates socioeconomic inequality. Compounding these issues are disturbing reports of widespread abuse, including sexual violence, within madrassas, with vulnerable children often becoming victims and institutions accused of shielding perpetrators.
