KARACHI: A meeting of the Wifaq-ul-Madaris Al Arabia’s Majlis-i-Shura and General Assembly to discuss the election of the institution’s president and general secretary has been convened in Islamabad on June 17.
The meeting will be attended by representatives of more than 21,000 religious Madrassahs and schools affiliated to Wafaq-ul-Madaris – largest federation of Islamic Seminaries in Pakistan. The meeting will take place on Thursday, June 17 at Gulshan-e-Aziz, Darul Uloom Zakaria University, Islamabad.
According to the agenda of the meeting obtained by M.M News, the meeting of Wafaq-ul-Madaris Al Arabia’s Majlis-i-Shura and General Assembly was earlier scheduled to take place at Jamia Ashrafia, Lahore, but was later canceled.
Relevant sources have claimed that only one candidate for the presidency, Maulana Mufti Taqi Usmani, has emerged so far. However, for the post of General Secretary, names of Maulana Qari Muhammad Hanif Jalandhari and Maulana Imdadullah of Jamia Uloom-ul-Islamia Banuri Town have emerged.
It is worth mentioning here that the federal government had increased the number of boards for the affiliation and representation of Madrassahs. However, in order to make a board, an act must be passed by the National or Provincial Assembly.
While the government’s move is being hailed by various religious circles, it was also opposed by the existing federations of Madrassahs. Meanwhile, the Deobandi school of thought convened a meeting on May 22 at Lahore Jamia Ashrafia and terminated the affiliation of Madrassahs with new boards.
In this regard, the Wafaq-ul-Madaris decided to convene a meeting “to discuss the current challenges being faced by Madrassahs in Pakistan and the education system and curriculum for the students.
Wifaq ul Madaris Al-Arabia is the largest federation of Islamic Seminaries in Pakistan, founded in 1959. More than 10,000 Seminaries and 23,000 Madaris across the Islamic Republic of Pakistan are affiliated with the federation.
The elections for President and General Secretary of Wifaq ul Madaris is conducted every two years. Religious scholars are appointed to other posts with consultation later. Only members of the General Assembly can vote for the President and the General Secretary.
