Faisalabad: May 4, 2015. (PCP) Chairman Pakistan Minorities Teachers’ Association Professor Anjum James Paul in a letter No.PMTA/34-39/15 dated, May 4, 2015 to Mr. Mohammad Baligh-ur-Rehman, State Minister for Education, Trainings and Standards in Higher Education Government of Pakistan has expressed his reaction on the recent press conference of Mr. Mohammad Baligh-ur-Rehman on April 28, 2015 in Quetta regarding curriculum. The content of the letter is presented below. To Mr. Mohammad Baligh-ur-Rehman State Minister for Education, Trainings and Standards in Higher Education Government of Pakistan Islamabad Subject: PREPARATION OF CURRICULUM AND CHILDREN OF MINORITIES Honourable Sir, Greetings and peace from Pakistan Minorities Teachers’ Association (PMTA). PMTA would like to draw your kind attention on the subject cited above. According to Daily Dawn addressing a press conference at the conclusion of a two-day Inter-Provincial Education Ministers Conference (IPEMC) in Quetta on April 28, 2015 you have said that a standardised national curriculum of Islamic studies, Pakistan studies and other important subjects will be introduced in all educational institutions in the country, besides this curriculum would be prepared in consultation with the four provinces, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. In the press conference you have further said “Under the auspices of the IPEMC, we are going to introduce consensus on Islamic and Pakistan Studies in educational institutions in consultation with and approval of all stakeholders, including scholars of all religious schools of thought and education experts,” It has also been said that a topic on protection of minorities’ rights would be included in Islamic studies because “our religion Islam orders us to protect the rights of minorities”. The federal government was helping the provinces to prepare a standardised national curriculum to meet the requirements of modern era. You have further said in the press conference that a consensus would be evolved also on “national heroes” and the topic would be included in the curriculum. You have said that in the past curricula had been introduced without nationwide agreement which created problems and drew objections. You have well said in the press conference that “Now under the National Education Policy, the curriculum will be introduced from class 1 to 12 in consultation with all the federating units,” adding that various subjects would be reviewed and redesigned to meet the requirements of the modern era. RESERVATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS 1. It is utmost need of the time for a standardized new curriculum meeting the need of the modern era in all the subjects. It is so sad that our present curriculum does not meet the standard of the modern era. So, it is suggested that curriculum must be on the scientific basis. It must be value based, need based, unbiased, noncontroversial, error free and balanced. Contents on teachings, beliefs and religious heroes of a particular religion must be included in the subject of ‘Religion’ of that particular religion to avoid violation of Article 20 (a), Article 22 (1), Article 25 (1) of the Constitution of Pakistan, Article 26 (2) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 2 and Article 14 (1) of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 5 of the Declaration On The Elimination Of All Forms Of Intolerance And Of Discrimination Based On Religion Or Belief, Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and guidelines of UNESCO. 2. “Rights and duties of non-Muslims in an Islamic state” are already part of Pakistani textbooks in various subjects. Peaceful coexistence is the utmost need of the time in Pakistan. It is suggested to remove all sorts of negative propagation and biases against the beliefs and followers of the minority religions, different civilizations and cultures from the subjects of General Knowledge, Social Studies, History, Pakistan Studies, Civics, Ethics, Islamic Studies, languages like Urdu, English and other languages which are medium of instruction in different provinces of Pakistan. 3. Article 20 (a) of the Constitution of Pakistan guarantees “Every citizen shall have the right to profess, practice and propagate his religion” It is so sad that there is violation of the constitution in the educational institutions and only the students of minorities are deprived of their constitutional right to profess, practice and propagate their religion/s even in the public sector educational institutions. Due to the violation of Article 20 (a) of the Constitution minority students are persuaded and forced to convert their religion/s not only by teachers but their class fellows as well. The students of minorities have to go through religious persecution. They are mentally and physically tortured and as a result they leave their education which is the main cause of their backwardness and marginalization. Pakistani textbooks negate the beliefs of the minority students. They are bond to study Islamic Studies to avoid from religious persecution and discrimination in the examinations. They have to negate their beliefs just to get through examinations. Sapna, a student of class seven was tied to a rope in the class by her teacher to study the religion of majority religion. She was not even allowed for toilet and she did in her clothes. She was so much disgraced in the class that she had to leave school for her faith. PMTA suggests that there must be proper implementation of Article 20 (a) of the Constitution. In failure of the implementation of the said Article, there is no need of Federal Ministry of Human Rights, Federal Ministry of Interfaith Harmony and provincial Ministries of Human Rights & Minority Affairs. In a nationwide survey conducted by PMTA in April 2015 it has been observed that minority students are confused about their religious identity. So, it is suggested to make arrangements for the minority students as well so that they may also exercise their constitutional right in the educational institutions. A glimpse of religious discrimination is presented below in the subject of ‘Islamic Studies’ and ‘Ethics’. Students of majority religion have religious freedom while students of minorities are deprived of their fundamental and constitutional right. ‘Islamic Studies’ strengthens the faith of Muslim students while subject of ‘Ethics’ is a challenge for minority students who are bond to study nine religions on different levels. Contents of Islamic Education for grade-III; Date of Publication Edition Impression March 2014 First Second Publisher: Urdu Book Stall, Lahore Contents of the National Curriculum Ethics for Non-Muslims 2007, Government of Pakistan, Ministry of Education, Islamabad, grade –III. Chapter 1 Holy Quran • Nazra Quran • Hifaz-e- Quran (Note) The textbook has been published in Urdu language with the approval and no objection certificate of the Punjab Curriculum Authority. Unit –I Introduction to Religions: Brief introduction to primitive Religions: Nature Worship • Sky gods • Earth gods • Mythologies (Greek, Babylonian, Egyptian) Brief introduction to primitive Religions: Animism and magic • Totemism • Fables & Myths Besides this, curriculum on the subject of ‘Ethics’ for grade 5 is totally on the ‘Semitic Religions’ (Judaism, Christianity and Islam). How can this textbook be interested for all the minority students? Only one portion is for Christian students, while Jews and Muslim students are not the readers of this textbook. Muslim students study only Islamic Studies and there is not even a single Jew Pakistani citizen. Sir, PMTA has 11 research based documents on the curriculum and textbooks of Pakistan from 2007-2015 but examples are quoted from the textbooks of National Book Foundation Islamabad which is under the supervision of Federal government of Pakistan. PMTA is unable to understand the hidden agenda behind it. If textbooks published by National Book Foundation Islamabad violate so much the Constitution of Pakistan then what can be expected from the provincial governments after the 18th amendments in the Constitution. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE Grade-II Third Print 2014 Code STE-495 Publisher: National Book Foundation Islamabad Lesson 20 DEVELOPING A GOOD CHARACTER Hazrat Isa ÚáیÀ ÇáÓáÇã There are many changes made by people in Bible and Taurah. But Quran is the only holy book which will remain unchanged. Allah Almighty Himself is its protector. (P 117, lines 10-12) (Note) The above textbook is being taught in the missionary schools of Islamabad as well and readers of this textbook are mostly Christian students. ENGLISH GRADE -IV 2nd Edition 2014 Code No. STE-502 Publisher: National Book Foundation Islamabad Unit 02 The Prophets Úáیªã ÇáÓáÇã Some Prophets were given Holy Books by the Almighty. The Prophets were sent for certain times and for certain areas. The Prophets educated the people. When a Prophet passed away, people again went to evil ways. They even alerted the Holy Books their Prophets had given them. Then Allah Almighty sent the next Prophet. (P 13, lines 12-20) 4. Present National Education Policy 2009, National Curriculum 2006-2007 and textbooks violate Article 22 (1) of the Constitution that guarantees ‘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.’ In the present textbooks, students of different religions are considered of one religion. These textbooks preach only one religion, invite the attention of the students to convert only to one religion, promote religious identity of only one religion and promote dignity of the followers of only one religion and persuade the minority students to convert their religion/s. PMTA suggests having amendment in the Article 22 (1) of the Constitution of Pakistan 1973 as there has not been implementation of this Article in the National Education Policy 2009, National Curriculum 2006-2007 and textbooks of Pakistan. Some examples are presented from the textbooks of National Book Foundation Islamabad. These examples identify that all students belong to only one religion and there is no religious diversity and there is not even a single student from the religious minorities studying in any educational institution of Pakistan. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE Grade-II Third Print 2014 Code STE-495 Publisher: National Book Foundation Islamabad Lesson 1 Blessings/ Bounties of Allah Almighty Teacher’s Guide: The teacher should explain that we must obey Allah & his prophet. The teacher should emphasize on offering prayers and reciting Holy Quran. (Page 5, Lines 4-6) Lesson 2 Our Country : Pakistan The name of our country is Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Pakistan came into being on 14th August 1947. Islam is our religion. (P 7, lines 1-4) IV. What is our religion? (P 13, line 6) Lesson 7 FASTING AND RAMZAN We are Muslims and follow Islam. We fast in the holy month of Ramzan. We take food at “Sehri”, which is sunnah. Fast is observed for the whole day. When the people eat at maghrib after completing the fast, it is called “Aftaar”. During Ramzan, we offer Taravih prayers with Isha prayer. Muslims try to be more pious. We offer prayers regularly. We recite Holy Quran. We pay Zakat and Sadaqat. (P 38, lines 4-16) GENERAL KNOWLEDGE Grade-III 3rd Printing 2014 Code STE-492 Publisher: National Book Foundation Islamabad Chapter 7 Past and Present Things Education is the most important part of our lives. Being a muslim, education is compulsory for all men and women. (P 61, lines 8-9) English Grade 1 Fifth Edition 2014 Code No. STE-472 Publisher: National Book Foundation Islamabad UNIT 12 I Love Pakistan Calendar How do we celebrate Eid ul Fitr? how do we celebrate Eid ul Azha? (P 108, lines 12-13) ENGLISH For GRADE -III 3rd Print 2014 Code No. STE-499 Publisher: National Book Foundation Islamabad UNIT: 1 My Family, Friends and I We go to the mosque together. (P 6, lines 24-25) UNIT: 12 Eid-ul-Fitr Pre-reading 1. Do you fast in the month of Ramadan? 2. Which is your favourite festival? (P 99, lines 1-3) ENGLISH GRADE –IV 2nd Edition 2014 Code No. STE-502 Publisher: National Book Foundation Islamabad Unit 02 The Prophets Úáیªã ÇáÓáÇã We Muslims respect and believe in all prophets. We Love Hazrat Muhammad Õáی ÇááÀ ÚáیÀ æÇáÀٖ æÓáã. The best way to love the Prophet Õáی ÇááÀ ÚáیÀ æÇáÀٖ æÓáã is to act upon the sayings. In this way, we can be successful in both the worlds. (P 14, lines 6-10) Unit 13 Riddles kkkI was made for Islam. (P 139, line 13) ENGLISH GRADE -V First Edition 2014 First Print 2014 Code STE-514 Publisher: National Book Foundation Islamabad Unit 10 EidUl AZHA Why do we sacrifice animals on Eid ul Azha? (P 104, line 8) Urdu For grade II Second Edition: 2013 National Book Foundation, Islamabad Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah On August 14, 1947, an independent country of Muslims came into existence. (P 13, line 18) Urdu For grade IV Second Edition: 2014 National Book Foundation, Islamabad Naat How should we treat with non-Muslims? (P 12, line 5) 5. Article 25 (1) of the Constitution of Pakistan guarantees that “All citizens are equal before law and are entitled to equal protection of law.” According to the research conducted by Pakistan Minorities Teachers’ Association on the textbooks of Pakistan published in Urdu and English languages in 2014 and 2015 in various subjects. Present textbooks promote Islamic identity to Pakistan, present Pakistan as a state of only Muslims, divide Pakistani nation on the basis of religion, create complex of majority and minority, present Quaid-e-Azam as a leader of only Muslims, present comparison among religions , let down the Holy Books of religious minorities, promote desecration of the worship places, let down the Hindu religion, teach Christian beliefs wrongly, provoke religious violence, instigate students to Muslim -Christian violence and Muslim- Hindu violence. These textbooks are biased against Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Parsees and other minorities and promote discriminatory attitude against the minority students. Some examples are presented below from the textbooks of National Book Foundation Islamabad that violate the Constitution of Pakistan 1973. SOCIAL STUDIES Grade- IV First Edition 2014 Code STE-442 Publisher: National Book Foundation Islamabad Chapter 6 CULTURE: THE WAY WE LIVE TOGETHER Pakistan is an Islamic country. (P 7, line 12) (Note) According to the above statement what is the status of religious minorities in Pakistan? HISTORY Grade-VIII First Edition 2014 Code 521 Publisher: National Book Foundation Islamabad Chapter 4: QUEST FOR POLITICAL SETTLEMENTS Instruction for the Teachers: Explain the role played by Muslim leaders in creating a separate homeland for the Muslims of India. (P 71, lines 21-23 ENGLISH GRADE -V First Edition 2014 First Print 2014 Code STE-514 Publisher: National Book Foundation Islamabad Unit:1 PLAG OF PAKISTAN Our country, Pakistan has also got a flag having white stripe at the mast and dark green centre with white crescent and five-rayed star. Crescent, star and green colour are traditional symbols of Islam and therefore, the flag truly depicts the existence of Pakistan as an Islamic state. (P 1, lines 1-5) (Note) What is the message for the students of minorities in the above lines? Textbook of HISTORY 6 Second Edition 2013 ISBN 978-969-37-05567-6 Publisher: National Book Foundation Islamabad Chapter No.3 MUSLIMS IN SOUTH ASIA-I Debal: Muhammad bin Qasim reached Debal in the autumn of 711 A.D. He besieged the town which was strongly fortified. There was a large temple in the centre of the city with a red flag waving over it. The Muslims pulled down the flag by hurling stones on it with the help of catapult. Upon this, the Hindus were thoroughly demoralised and in the fight that followed, the Hindus were routed and the city fell to the Muslims. (P 55, lines 3-9) The capture of Somnath is considered to be the crowning glory of his South Asian campaigns. The Shiva temple of Somnath in Gujrat Kathiawar was very famous throughout the country. In 1026 A.D, the Sultan rushed through Ajmer and suddenly appeared before the gates of Somnath. All neighbouring Rajput rulers gathered their forces to protect the temple but they were defeated. The Sultan entered the temple and with one blow shattered the idol into pieces. Sultan Mahmud died in 1030. A.D. (P 57, lines 11-17) (Note) After reading the above statements, how can be worship places of the minorities be safe and protected in Pakistan? As a result we see that there is often desecration of the Holy Books and worship places in our country. HISTORY Grade-VII Second Edition 2014 Code STE-505 Publisher: National Book Foundation Islamabad Chapter 3 MUGHAL EMPIRE: SOCIO- CULTURAL CONDITIONS He was against idol worship and condemned caste system. (P 32, line 8) (Note) The above statement negates the religious freedom and interference in the beliefs of the other religions in the curriculum and textbooks. Chapter 5: MUGHAL EMPIRE: ASCENDANCY OF THE BRITISH At the same time the oppression of the Hindus made their lives unbearable. (P 77, lines 28-29) (Note) There are forced conversions, forced marriages, abductions, desecration of the Holy Books and worship places. There is social, political and economic discrimination with the religious minorities. Day by day lives of the religious minorities have been made unbearable due to the oppression and suppression. HISTORY Grade-VII Second Edition 2014 Code STE-505 Publisher: National Book Foundation Islamabad Chapter:2 Mughal Empire Consolidation In 1675, Aurangzeb publicly executed the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. (P 27, lines 3-4) (Note) There are extrajudicial killings of religious minorities. Due to the discriminatory laws they are even deprived of social justice in the courts due to the mob pressure. Chapter 5: MUGHAL EMPIRE: ASCENDANCY OF THE BRITISH The movement of Holy war was initially very successful but soon conspiracies began against Syed Ahmed, Maharaja Ranjit Singh plotted against him (P 70, lines 14-16) (Note) Conspiracies were plotted even against Maharaja Ranjit Singh and some communities became loyal to the British rulers otherwise situation could be different. Textbook of HISTORY 6 Second Edition: 2013 ISBN: 978-969-37-05567-6 Publisher: National Book Foundation Islamabad Chapter 4 MUSLIMS IN SOUTH ASIA-II Devagiri, renamed as Daulatabad. (P 88, line 3) (Note) It was Sultan GhiasuddinTughlaq who renamed ‘Devagiri’ to ‘Daulatabad’ before 1327. The same situation is happening at present and names of the places are being converted to damage the identity of these places. There has been conversion of many places like Lyallpur to Faisalabad, Montgomery to Sahiwal, Cambelpur to Attock, Bhai Phero to Phool Nagar, Van Radha Ram to Habib Kot, Hindu Bagh to Muslim Bagh, Amer Kot to Umer Kot, Salam Kot to Islam Kot, Jamesabad to Ghulam Muhammad Kot and so on History 7 (Urdu Edition) First Edition: 2013 National Book Foundation, Islamabad Chapter 3 Mughal Empire: Social and Cultural Conditions With all these steps, Hindus, the enemies of Islam became loyal citizens and friendly with the government. (P 30, line 18) (Note) How can the above statement promote peaceful coexistence and what is the purpose of Federal Ministry of Interfaith Harmony, government of Pakistan in the presence of such statement in the textbook which is published in the supervision of the Federal government of Pakistan. Pakistan Studies (Urdu Edition) Intermediate Edition 15th: 2014 National Book Foundation, Islamabad Chapter 1 Ideology of Pakistan Establishment of Indian National Congress: Mr. A O Hume, a retired English officer laid the foundation of “Indian National Congress in 1885. Hindus welcomed the party and a big number of Hindus became members of Congress. (P 10, lines 16-17) (Note) Indian National Congress was a secular party and there was not the label of a particular religion on it. There have been many renowned Muslims who have been the presidents of INC like Badruddin Tyabji who became first Muslim President of Indian National Congress in 1887 and after him Rahmitulla M. Sayani, Nawab Syed, Syed Hasan Imam, Hakim Ajmal Khan, Maulana Mohammad Ali, Nawab Syed Muhammad Bahadur, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and Dr.Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari remained presidents of INC. The founder of Pakistan the Quaid-e-Azam was the member of INC till 1920. 6. It is also a positive step to evolve a consensus on “national heroes”. National heroes are always a pride for a nation and they cannot be segregated on the religious, ethnic or any other basis. So, it is suggested that national heroes must be included without any discrimination in the curriculum. 7. “Ideology of Pakistan” in the present curricula and textbooks is contrary to the address of the Father of the Nation the Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah that he presented in the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan on August 11, 1947. It is suggested that the ideology of the Quaid-e-Azam that he presented in the Constituent of Assembly of Pakistan on August 11, 1947 must be the ‘Ideology of Pakistan’ in the curriculum of Pakistan. It is also suggested to make the address of the Quiad-e-Azam of August 11, 1947 to be the part of the Constitution of Pakistan as well. 8. It is suggested that the upcoming reviewed National Education Policy and curricula must be introduced with the nationwide agreement consulting all stakeholders including the religious minorities as well and in the light of Article 20 (a), Article 22 (1) and Article 25 (1) of the Constitution of Pakistan 1973. 9. It is suggested that there must be representation of educationists from the religious minorities to review National Education Policy, Curricula and textbooks to meet the requirements of the modern era. With best regards. PROF.ANJUM JAMES PAUL CHAIRMAN Copy to: 1. President of Pakistan, President’s House, Islamabad 2. Prime Minister of Pakistan, Prime Minister’s Secretariat, Islamabad 3. Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Pakistan, Islamabad 4. Federal Minister for Religious Affairs & Interfaith Harmony, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad 5. Director General Human Rights, Ministry of Law, Justice & Human Rights, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad