DefinePK

Abstract

The present paper is an analysis of the political role of madrasas in Pakistan in the context of the general development of sectarian identity, relations between state and religion, and the formation of community. The study uses qualitative data on six case studies of madrasas in the province of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to examine how madrasas along with their religious education and sectarian ideology are a hybrid institution because of their involvement in politics. It examines connections between these institutions and sectarian parties, their involvement in electoral politics, and their involvement in the youth political minds. The state involvement in the inconsistent and at times strategic involvement with the madrasa networks which are accomplished by regulation, co-option and symbolic inclusion is also examined in the study. The results show that although madrasas have a good communal legitimacy, they play a part in strengthening sectarian identities and polarization, much because of the exclusivity of doctrine, as well as relating to the sect-based political interest. Uncertainty regarding regulations and the securitized reform regime have also dissatisfied the legitimacy of the state and disoriented major religious actors. Nevertheless, the study also notes the prospects of internal reform especially in the form of: Ethical curricula (Akhlaq), Intra-sect communications, and Peace education provided by the Ulama. The paper
ends by the conclusion that meaningful reform of madrasas should go beyond control and securitization and develop the inclusivity, context and theological sensitivity.