“Minority mess-up” published in the Daily Times on Sunday, October 08, 2006
Sir: The Pakistan Religious Minorities Teachers Association (PMTA) wishes to draw the attention of concerned corners on the subjects of Ethics and Civics, which are compulsory for the students of Religious Minorities according to the scheme of studies for the Secondary and Intermediate Examinations. However, it is sad that the Punjab Text Book Board has never published books which are compulsory for the students of Religious Minorities. All citizens are equal according to the Constitution of Pakistan 1973, but there is deliberate discrimination in the curriculum with regards to students of Religious Minorities. A book written by Professor Muhammad Ali Chaudhry on ‘Basic Civics (Compulsory)’ for Intermediate Classes for Non Muslim students 22 years ago in December 1984 is no longer available in the market.
How is it possible for a student to appear in the examination without knowing the syllabus or having access to the text required for preparation? Are there no educationists from the Religious Minorities willing to prepare a book on minority ‘religions’, so that students can learn something about their own faiths also? How is it possible to achieve a moderate society without the minorities being made to feel secure in following and learning about their own faiths?
ANJUM JAMES PAUL
Faisalabad
“Unavailability of Ethics and Civics compulsory books for the students of Religious Minorities” published in the Daily Chitral Times October 09, 2006
www.chitraltimes.com
To
The Editor
The “Chitral Times”
Subject:-Unavailability of Ethics and Civics compulsory books for the students of Religious Minorities
Pakistan Religious Minorities Teachers Association (PMTA) wants to draw the attention of the concerned corners on the subjects of Ethics and Civics which are compulsory for the students of Religious Minorities according to the scheme of studies for the Secondary and Intermediate Examinations but we are sorry to say that Punjab Text Book Board has never published these books which are compulsory for the students of Religious Minorities. All citizens are equal according to the Constitution of Pakistan 1973 but there is deliberately discrimination in the curriculum with the students of Religious Minorities which is violation of their fundamental rights.
A book was written by Professor Muhammad Ali Chaudhry on ‘Basic Civics (Compulsory)’ for Intermediate Classes for Non Muslim students 22 years ago in December 1984 that was published by Amin Book Depot, Urdu Bazar, Lahore. This book is not available in the market now.
Is it possible for a student to appear in the examination without knowing the syllabus and without having a book? Who has to be the voice of these voiceless students? Are there not any educationists from the Religious Minorities to prepare the Book of ‘religion/s’ So that the students may come to know at least something about their religion/s? Is it a crime to know the fundamental teachings of their own religion/s? Is this not violation of the constitution of Pakistan 1973 which guarantees their fundamental rights? Is a moderate society possible without it when they are ignored on the religious ground?
PMTA requests the concerned authorities to take prompt action on this serious issue and eradicate the genuine problem of the students belonging to Religious Minorities so that the students may have books well in time.
Prof. Anjum James Paul
Chairman
Pakistan Minorities Teachers Association (PMTA)
51/GB Samundri, Dist. Faisalabad
“Curriculum recommendations” published in the Daily Dawn on August 28, 2008
http:://www.dawn.com
I WOULD like to draw the attention of the authorities concerned to the recommendations for the curriculum. There is bias and intolerance in the textbooks.
The Pakistan Minorities Teachers’ Association is concerned over intolerance and unrest in Pakistan as a result of implementation of biased educational policies that violate the vision of the Founder of Pakistan, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, that he presented in the first Constituent Assembly of Pakistan on Aug 11, 1947 and at the first educational conference held in November 1947.
We, therefore, want that the new education policy should be implemented according to the vision of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Here are our recommendations:
— Curriculum must be value- based.
— There must not be preaching of a particular ideology in the textbooks.
— There must not be repetition of information at any level.
— There must be removal of all sorts of bias and discrimination against the religious minorities of Pakistan from textbooks and educational institutions as the ministry of education, government of Pakistan, has admitted that there is bias in the present books.
— There is discrimination of 20 marks as regards the students of other faiths in ‘Nazra’ (reciting the Quran by heart). This discrimination entirely goes against students of other faiths in Pakistan and it becomes very difficult for them to get admission in higher education, so these discriminatory marks should immediately be abolished.
—Role of religious minorities in the creation and construction of Pakistan should be included in the textbooks as it was before the dictatorship of Gen Ziaul Haq.
— The subject of religion must be for all students as is the case with Muslim students who study Islamic Studies. Students of other faiths will study the subject of Ethics after textbooks are written. So there must not be discrimination. It is also recommended that the Bahai religion should be included in textbooks of Ethics.
— The subject of Ethics should be changed into the subject of Religious Education so that there may not be any inferiority complex in the students of religious minorities. The paper of Ethics must be set and evaluated by the academic staff of religious minorities.
— There must be chapters on social harmony, inter-religious harmony, tolerance, peace, human rights and globalisation.
— The word ‘minorities’ must be used in all the spoken or written forms as it is in the Constitution of Pakistan 1973 but not the word “non-Muslim/s.”
— If it is necessary, then use the words ‘Masih’, ‘Masihi’ and ‘Masihyiat’ instead of ‘Esa’, ‘Easi’ and ‘Esayiat’ (Jesus, Christian/s and Christianity) in the textbooks.
PROF ANJUM JAMES PAUL
Chairman, Pakistan Minorities
Teachers’ Association
Faisalabad
“Recommendations for curriculum” published in the Daily Frontier Post on August 29, 2008
http:://www.thefrontierpost.com
Prof. Anjum James Paul Faisalabad info.pmta@gmail.com
I would like to draw your kind attention on the subject cited above. There is bias and intolerance in the textbooks. Pakistan Minorities Teachers' Association has concerns that intolerance and unrest in Pakistan is the result of the implementation of the biased educational policies violating the vision of the founder of Pakistan Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah that he presented in the First Constituent Assembly of Pakistan on August 11, 1947 and in the First Educational Conference held in November 1947. So we want that our Curriculum must be value based; There must not be preaching of a particular ideology in the textbooks; There must not be repetition of information at any level; There must be removal of all sorts of bias and discrimination against the religious minorities of Pakistan. The Ministry of Education has admitted that there is bias in the present books. There is discrimination of 20 marks with the students of other faiths in NAZRA. This discrimination entirely goes against the students of other faiths and it becomes very difficult for them to get admission in higher education, so these discriminatory marks be abolished immediately. Role of religious minorities in the creation and construction of Pakistan should be included in the textbooks as it was before the dictatorship of late General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq. The subject of Religion must be for all the students as it is in the case of Muslim students who study Islamic Studies while the students of other faiths will study the subject of Ethics after the textbooks are written. So there must not be discrimination. It is also recommended the Bahai religion be included in the textbooks of Ethics as there are concerns from this community being ignored in the curriculum of Ethics. This is a constitutional as well as humanitarian issue that their genuine demands are considered. The subject of Ethics be changed into the subject of Religious Education so that there may not be inferiority complex in the students of religious minorities. The paper of Ethics must be set and evaluated by the academic staff of religious minorities. There must be chapters on social harmony, interreligious harmony, tolerance, peace, human rights and globalization. The word "Minorities" must be used in all the spoken or written forms as it is in the Constitution of Pakistan 1973 but not the word "non-Muslim/s." If it is necessary then use the word "Masih", "Masihi" and "Masihyiat" instead of "Esa", "Esai" and "Esayiat" (Jesus, Christian/s and Christianity) in the textbooks.
“Minorities' recommendations” published in the Daily Nation on September 3, 2008
http://nation.com.pk/
I would like to draw your attention to the following recommendations for the curriculum that were developed by the Pakistan Minorities Teachers' Association for the Ministry of Education, Government of Pakistan;
1. The curriculum must be value-based and there must not be any preaching of a particular ideology in textbooks.
2. Removal of all sorts of biases and discriminations against the religious minorities of Pakistan from the textbooks should be ensured. The government has itself admitted that there are biases in the present textbooks.
3. The award of 20 extra marks to students of Muslim faith for Nazra is discriminatory against students of other faiths and should be withdrawn.
4. Role of religious minorities in the creation of Pakistan should be included in textbooks as it was before the dictatorship of late General Zia-ul-Haq.
5. Religious studies for students of all faiths should be on offer. At present, only Islamic Studies are offered for the benefit of Muslim students.
6. Chapters on issues like social harmony, inter-religious harmony, tolerance, peace and human rights should be part of curriculum. -PROF ANJUM JAMES PAUL
“Curriculum on ethics” published in the Daily Dawn on September 08, 2008
http://www.dawn.com
I endorse the recommendation made by Dr Tahira Arshad on ‘World religions course’ (Sept 1). I would like to say that the curriculum in the subject of Ethics has been developed by the Christians, Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus and Zoroasters.
Unforunately, Bahai religion has been ignored in the curriculum. There has been concern from the Bahai community in this regard. Students of religious minorities will not only study 12 religions, 30 personalities of different religions and nine religious festivals of these religions but about ethics as well.
Muslim students will be deprived of this all. When 97 per cent of the population will not study, then religious harmony, tolerance and patience will not be possible? We demand the government of Pakistan that this curriculum be included in the other textbooks because they will study Islamic Studies instead of Ethics. They need to study ethics as well which is the need of every human being.Religions which are placed in the recommended curriculum of Ethics from Grades III to XII are Totemism, Fables and Myths, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism, Confu-cianism, Taoism and Jainism.
Students will study the following personalities: Abraham, Lord Krishna, Gautama Buddha, Moses, Jesus Christ, Prophet Muhammad, David, St. Paul the Apostle, Baba Guru Nank Dev Ji, Mother Mary, Ashoka, St. Thomas Aquinas, Hazrat Rabia Basri, Zarathustra, Mira Bai, Ibn Miskawayh, Abraham Lincoln, Mahavira, Aristotle, Kant, Imam Ghazali, Florence Nightingale, Sri Arubindu, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, Abdul Sattar Edhi, Dr Muhammad Younas, Nagaib Mehfouz and Gool Minawal/Nusswanji Mehta and about the following religious festivals:
Eidul Fitr, Christmas, Birthday of Baba Guru Nank, Eidul Azha, Easter, Holi, Nouroz, Lord Krishna’s birthday and Baisakhi.
PROF ANJUM JAMES PAUL
Faisalabad
“Minorities Day or Segregation Day” published in the Daily Frontier Post on December 19, 2008
http://www.thefrontierpost.com
Anjum James Paul
Mr. Yousaf Raza Gilani, Prime Minister of Pakistan in his speech during a Christmas dinner on December 16, 2008 announced August 11 as a Minorities Day every year. I am unable to understand why to celebrate the Minorities Day? The founder of Pakistan the Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah addressed to the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan on August 11, 1947 but not to the minorities of Pakistan. It is unfortunate that the ideology of Pakistan which was presented by Mr. Jinnah before the existence of a new born Pakistani nation was sacked immediately after his death in the shape of the Objective Resolution in 1949 which was passed by Mr. Liaqat Ali Khan the then Prime Minister of Pakistan. The founder of this nation did not want Pakistan a theocratic state but we have seen that his ideology is lost as there is no true democracy, justice and equal rights to all. Religious minorities are suffering much due to the bias and discrimination in the textbooks especially against Christians, Hindus, Sikhs and Zoroasters. There is bias and discrimination in the educational, social and political institutions of Pakistan. Minorities are segregated as there are not equal rights for them. The Prime Minister further expressed in his speech to create the culture of peace and harmony. To create peace and harmony firm steps must be taken by the government of Pakistan repealing biases and discrimination against the minorities on all level. There must be respect of the minorities and their religious teachings in the textbooks. Minorities, humbly request the Prime Minister of Pakistan to repeal all discriminatory laws against them immediately otherwise Minorities Day will be a clear indication there is discrimination in Pakistan against the minorities .There are chances of confrontation between the majority and minority religion which can cause problem celebrating this day. We want to have the status of equal Pakistani without the distinction of minority or majority. Pakistan is a motherland of all Pakistanis but not of a particular religion or race. We have all to make our efforts for a peaceful and prosperous Pakistan. It can only be possible when there is equality, justice, peace, harmony ,tolerance and brotherhood
“MINORITIES DAY OR SEGREGATION DAY” published in the Daily Chitral Times on December 19, 2008
www.chitraltimes.com
Mr. Yousaf Raza Gilani, Prime Minister of Pakistan in his speech during a Christmas dinner on December 16, 2008 announced August 11 as a Minorities Day every year.
I am unable to understand why to celebrate the Minorities Day? The founder of Pakistan the Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah addressed to the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan on August 11, 1947 but not to the minorities of Pakistan. It is unfortunate that the ideology of Pakistan which was presented by Mr. Jinnah before the existence of a new born Pakistani nation was sacked immediately after his death in the shape of the Objective Resolution in 1949 which was passed by Mr.Liaqat Ali Khan the then Prime Minister of Pakistan.
The founder of this nation did not want Pakistan a theocratic state but we have seen that his ideology is lost as there is no true democracy, justice and equal rights to all. Religious minorities are suffering much due to the bias and discrimination in the textbooks especially against Christians, Hindus, Sikhs and Zoroasters. There is bias and discrimination in the educational, social and political institutions of Pakistan. Minorities are segregated as there are not equal rights for them.
The Prime Minister further expressed in his speech to create the culture of peace and harmony. To create peace and harmony firm steps must be taken by the government of Pakistan repealing biases and discrimination against the minorities on all level. There must be respect of the minorities and their religious teachings in the textbooks.
Minorities, humbly request the Prime Minister of Pakistan to repeal all discriminatory laws against them immediately otherwise Minorities Day will be a clear indication there is discrimination in Pakistan against the minorities .There are chances of confrontation between the majority and minority religion which can cause problem celebrating this day.
We want to have the status of equal Pakistani without the distinction of minority or majority. Pakistan is a motherland of all Pakistanis but not of a particular religion or race. We have all to make our efforts for a peaceful and prosperous Pakistan. It can only be possible when there is equality, justice, peace, harmony, tolerance and brotherhood.
ANJUM JAMES PAUL
“Inter-faith harmony in curriculum” published in the Daily Dawn on December 24, 2008
I WOULD like to draw the attention of the authorities concerned to respect for religions in the textbooks of Pakistan. The textbooks are being written according to the recommended education policy that they must be prepared according to the ideology of the pioneer of Pakistan that he presented on Aug 11, 1947 and in November 1947 to the participants of the educational conference.
The Pakistan Minorities Teachers’ Association (PMTA) has grave concerns about the writing of the textbooks as recently observed in my meeting with Chiragh Din Arif, director of curriculum, Punjab Textbooks Board, Lahore. These textbooks are being written in violation of the articles of the Constitution of Pakistan 1973, UDHR, United Nations Convention of Civil and Political Rights, International Convention on the Child Rights and the criteria of Unesco.
The PMTA published a white paper on education in Pakistan in 2007. This is a document to debate religious bias, general standard of textbooks and educational policies in Pakistan. Religious bias against Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Zoroasters and Jews in 52 textbooks has been identified in the subjects of civics, ethics, English, Islamic Studies, Pakistan Studies, Social Studies and Urdu, along with recommendations.
Textbooks must be based on values and there must be removal of all sorts of bias against the minority religions and their followers in the upcoming textbooks which are being written for Pakistani students but not for the followers of a particular religion.
The role of religious minorities must be presented like Muslims’ in the creation and construction of Pakistan so that the culture of peace and harmony is promoted through the textbooks of Pakistan.
In the textbooks of Ethics (compulsory) chapters on Hinduism, Christianity, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism and Judaism must be written according to the teachings of their sacred books. These textbooks must be written without any comparison between or among religions as it is in the instructions of the curriculum of ethics.
These textbooks must be written by the scholars of the relevant religions so that any particular ideology of a religion may not influence the teachings of any other religion. The Sindh Textbook Board has already gone through the bitter experience of this unacceptability in the book of ethics for Class IX which was rejected by the Christians because the chapter on ‘Jesus Christ’ hurt their faith. If the situation remains the same in future textbooks, then there will again be violation of fundamental rights of the students of minorities of Pakistan.
During my meeting with the director of curriculum, he asked me to provide him a name of a scholar who is competent in the comparative study of religions. I was so surprised to know that it was an open violation of the instructions. It was evident that the ministry of education was not ready to bring changes to the curriculum and has some unknown fear from the patriot minorities.
The ministry of education only seems to be the voice of the majority but not of the minority. I presented a report of a seminar which was held in July in Lahore on the ‘Role of textbooks in promoting social and inter-religious harmony’. There were Christians, Muslims, Hindus and Zoroasters who participated in this seminar and unanimously passed the recommendations which were presented to the minister of human rights, the government of Punjab, but it seems that the voice of religious minorities is not being heard.
PROF ANJUM JAMES PAUL
Chairman, PMTA
Lahore
“Talking easy, doing hard” published in the Daily Nation on December 24, 2008
http://nation.com.pk
Yousaf Raza Gilani, Prime Minister of Pakistan announced August 11 to be 'the Minorities Day' for every year. I am unable to understand why do we need to celebrate the Minorities Day? Yes, the founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had mentioned minorities and their rights in his address to the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan on August 11, 1947. But the ideology of Pakistan that he presented on this day died immediately after his death when an Objectives Resolution was passed in 1949 at the behest of the then Prime Minister, Liaqat Ali Khan. The founder of this nation did not want Pakistan to be a theocratic state but his ideology perished and Pakistan is neither a true democracy today nor it has any justice or equal rights for all.
Religious minorities are suffering a lot in this country because of bias and discrimination in the textbooks especially against Christians, Hindus, Sikhs and Zoroasters. This bias has seeped into all educational, social and political institutions of Pakistan. Minorities are segregated and are not accorded equal rights by either society or state.
Prime Minister Gillani said in his speech that he wished to create a culture of peace and harmony in the country. He must understand that in order to create this peace and harmony, firm steps must be taken by the government of Pakistan to address discrimination against the minorities on all level.
ANJUM JAMES PAUL
“Woes of minority students” published in the Daily Dawn on January 29, 2009
http://www.dawn.com
EXAMINATIONS for Class V are commencing on Feb 3, but students of religious minorities have not been provided the syllabus of Ethics yet.
According to the notification of the Schools Education Department, the government of Punjab, No. SO(A II)8-5/2004(P), dated July 7, 2008, there are the subjects of Urdu, English, Mathematics, Islamic Studies, Social Studies and Science but not the subject of Ethics in the educational calendar, which is a compulsory subject according to the recommended Education Policy 2006 for the students of religious minorities.
There is no option for the subject of Islamic Studies but it seems that the students of minorities are deliberately kept in the dark as most of them are examined for the subject of Islamic Studies instead of Ethics.
The Pakistan Minorities Teachers’ Association (PMTA) wrote a letter to the chief minister of Punjab on Oct 30, 2008 on the subject, ‘Issuance of syllabus in the subject of Ethics for 5th and 8th classes.”
Copies of the letter were mailed to the minister of education, minister of human rights and minorities affairs and the secretary of education, government of Punjab.
The PMTA received letters from the ministry of human rights and minorities affairs, ministry of education, government of Punjab, Punjab Textbook Board, Lahore, Punjab Examination Commission and Punjab Education Commission but they have all failed to provide the syllabus according to the above-mentioned educational calendar 2008-09.
There are 74 Christian students in Class V who will appear for the subject of Ethics only in the district of Faisalabad but the textbook will be available after three or four years.
One of the students, Takveen Anjum, wrote a letter to the Punjab education secretary on the subject, ‘Unavailability of the syllabus and book of Ethics’, on Jan 9.
Copies of the same letter were mailed to the Punjab education minister, as well as to the chief minister, but there has been no reply from these quarters yet.
I have asked Takveen Anjum to appear in all the papers except Ethics.
The Punjab ministry of education will be held responsible for the negligence and consequences of her result.
Is there anyone who can ask the authorities concerned of the Education Department that if there is not a notified syllabus in the educational calendar, how can they conduct the paper in the subject of Ethics?
PROF ANJUM JAMES PAUL
Chairman, PMTA
“Woes of minority students” published in the Daily Pakistan Observer on January 30, 2009
http://pakobserver.net
Prof Anjum James Paul
Examinations for Class V are commencing on Feb 3, but students of religious minorities have not been provided the syllabus of Ethics yet. According to the notification of the Schools Education Department, the government of Punjab, No. SO(A II)8-5/2004(P), dated July 7, 2008, there are the subjects of Urdu, English, Mathematics, Islamic Studies, Social Studies and Science but not the subject of Ethics in the educational calendar, which is a compulsory subject according to the recommended Education Policy 2006 for the students of religious minorities. There is no option for the subject of Islamic Studies but it seems that the students of minorities are deliberately kept in the dark as most of them are examined for the subject of Islamic Studies instead of Ethics.
The Pakistan Minorities Teachers’ Association (PMTA) wrote a letter to the chief minister of Punjab on Oct 30, 2008 on the subject, ‘Issuance of syllabus in the subject of Ethics for 5th and 8th classes.” Copies of the letter were mailed to the minister of education, minister of human rights and minorities affairs and the secretary of education, government of Punjab. The PMTA received letters from the ministry of human rights and minorities affairs, ministry of education, government of Punjab, Punjab Textbook Board, Lahore, Punjab Examination Commission and Punjab Education Commission but they have all failed to provide the syllabus according to the above-mentioned educational calendar 2008-09.
There are 74 Christian students in Class V who will appear for the subject of Ethics only in the district of Faisalabad but the textbook will be available after three or four years. One of the students, Takveen Anjum, wrote a letter to the Punjab education secretary on the subject, ‘Unavailability of the syllabus and book of Ethics’, on Jan 9. Copies of the same letter were mailed to the Punjab education minister, as well as to the chief minister, but there has been no reply from these quarters yet. I have asked Takveen Anjum to appear in all the papers except Ethics.
“Woes of minority students” published in the Daily Frontier Post on January 30, 2009
http://www.thefrontierpost.com
Prof Anjum james Paul Chairman, PMTA Faisalabad
Examinations for Class V are commencing on Feb 3, but students of religious minorities have not been provided the syllabus of Ethics yet. According to the notification of the Schools Education Department, the government of Punjab, No. SO(A II)8-5/2004(P), dated July 7, 2008, there are the subjects of Urdu, English, Mathematics, Islamic Studies, Social Studies and Science but not the subject of Ethics in the educational calendar, which is a compulsory subject according to the recommended Education Policy 2006 for the students of religious minorities. There is no option for the subject of Islamic Studies but it seems that the students of minorities are deliberately kept in the dark as most of them are examined for the subject of Islamic Studies instead of Ethics. The Pakistan Minorities Teachers' Association (PMTA) wrote a letter to the chief minister of Punjab on Oct 30, 2008 on the subject, 'Issuance of syllabus in the subject of Ethics for 5th and 8th classes." Copies of the letter were mailed to the minister of education, minister of human rights and minorities affairs and the secretary of education, government of Punjab. The PMTA received letters from the ministry of human rights and minorities affairs, ministry of education, government of Punjab, Punjab Textbook Board, Lahore, Punjab Examination Commission and Punjab Education Commission but they have all failed to provide the syllabus according to the above-mentioned educational calendar 2008-09. There are 74 Christian students in Class V who will appear for the subject of Ethics only in the district of Faisalabad but the textbook will be available after three or four years. One of the students, Takveen Anjum, wrote a letter to the Punjab education secretary on the subject, 'Unavailability of the syllabus and book of Ethics', on Jan 9. Copies of the same letter were mailed to the Punjab education minister, as well as to the chief minister, but there has been no reply from these quarters yet. I have asked Takveen Anjum to appear in all the papers except Ethics. The Punjab ministry of education will be held responsible for the negligence and consequences of her result. Is there anyone who can ask the authorities concerned of the Education Department that if there is not a notified syllabus in the educational calendar, how can they conduct the paper in the subject of Ethics?
“Islam and minorities’ rights” published in the Daily Frontier Post on February 05, 2009
http://www.thefrontierpost.com
Prof Anjum James Paul Faisalabad. info.pmta@gmail.com
Principal of Punjab University Law College (PULC), Prof Shazia Qureshi, has said that Islam is a universal religion which is complete code of life and encircled entire sphere of life throughout the globe. Islam not only protects but also safeguards the rights of minorities and upholds the human rights while constitution of Pakistan guarantees fundamental rights besides protection to minorities. Speaking at a round table discussion as chief guest on "Minority Rights" (Feb 1), she said that rights of all Muslims, including minorities, are fully protected in Islam. She said that according to Article 25 of constitution, all citizens are equal and entitled to same protection of law without any discrimination on the basis of sex alone. She said that Article 36 safeguards the legitimate rights and interests of minorities, including their due representation in the federal and provincial services. Ms. Shazia Qureshi said that constitution provides freedom of movement, assembly, association, trade business or profession, freedom of professing religion, protection to property rights, protection against double punishment and non-discrimination in respect of access to public places." I would like to say in honour of Prof Shazia Qureshi if Islam protects the minority rights then why Muslims become hindrance in it. They must follow the teachings of Islam in a real way so that they may become a model example for the non-Muslims. I am presenting only one example here how there is violation of the minority students. Examinations for Class V have begun from Feb 3, but students of religious minorities were not provided the syllabus of Ethics yet. According to the notification of the Schools Education Department, the government of Punjab, No. SO(A II)8-5/2004(P), dated July 7, 2008, there are the subjects of Urdu, English, Mathematics, Islamic Studies, Social Studies and Science but not the subject of Ethics in the educational calendar, which is a compulsory subject according to the recommended Education Policy 2006 for the students of religious minorities. There is no option for the subject of Islamic Studies but it seems that the students of minorities are deliberately kept in the dark as most of them are examined for the subject of Islamic Studies instead of Ethics. The Pakistan Minorities Teachers' Association (PMTA) wrote a letter to the chief minister of Punjab on Oct 30, 2008 on the subject, 'Issuance of syllabus in the subject of Ethics for 5th and 8th classes." Copies of the letter were mailed to the minister of education, minister of human rights and minorities’ affairs and the secretary of education, government of Punjab. The PMTA received letters from the ministry of human rights and minorities affairs, ministry of education, government of Punjab, Punjab Textbook Board, Lahore, Punjab Examination Commission and Punjab Education Commission but they all have failed to provide the syllabus according to the above-mentioned educational calendar 2008-09. Now it is up you to decide whether minorities are enjoying the rights according to the teachings of Islam and the article 25 and 36 of the constitution of Pakistan 1973.
“Reservations on Education Policy” published in the Daily Frontier Post on March 12, 2009.
http://www.therfrontierpost.com
Prof Anjum James Paul Faisalabad
Pakistan Minorities Teachers' Association has strong reservations on the draft of the National Education Policy 2009 as this Policy violates article 25 (1) of the Constitution of Pakistan which describes" All citizens are equal before law and are entitled to equal protection of law." PMTA feels sorry to say that there is contradiction in the policy and voice of the minorities and moderate Pakistanis has been totally ignored. This policy cannot work properly as there is contradiction in the various articles of the Constitution of Pakistan 1973. PMTA requests the concerned corners that the educational policy must be shaped keeping in mind the vision of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah that he presented in the First Educational Conference held in Karachi in November 1947,Article 20, 22 and 25 of the Constitution of Pakistan, Article 1 and 26 of UHDR, Article 18, 26 and 27 of ICCPR , Article 2 and 14 of ICRC and the UNESCO recommendations. The PMTA would like to draw your kind attention on some the paragraphs of this policy. 1. 20 It is common knowledge, as well as a proven outcome of many studies that discrimination exists in the education system in various forms. 2. 45 Traditions, culture and faith all reflect upon the education system while at the same time get affected by it. 3. 47. Cultural values of the majority of Pakistanis are derived from Islam. An education system reflects and strengthens social, cultural and moral values. Pakistan's educational interventions have to be based on the core values of faith. 4. 48. The National Education Policy recognizes the importance of Islamic values and adheres to the agreed principles in this regard. All policy interventions shall fall within the parameters identified in the Principles of Policy as laid down in Articles 29, 30, 33, 36, 37 and 40 of Constitution of Pakistan 1973. These include the need for Muslim children to be provided instructions in Islamiyat to enable them to develop themselves as good Muslims. Similarly, minorities should be provided with facilities to get education of their own religion 5. 82 There is also an unresolved and continuing debate on how and what religious and moral values be taught through the educational system and how to accommodate non-Muslim minorities. 6. 89 The Planning Commission's 'Vision 2030' also argues for such change of the mindset, which commits to a new set of societal goals. The Ministry of Education has adopted following vision: "Education is a categorical imperative for individual, social and national development that should enable all individuals to reach their maximum human potential. The system should produce responsible, enlightened citizens to integrate Pakistan in the global framework of human centered economic development." 7. The plans shall also promote equity in education for eliminating social exclusion and promoting national cohesion. Greater opportunities shall be provided to marginalised groups of society, particularly girls. (P 20 Policy Actions No.3) 8. Curriculum shall emphasize the fundamental rights guaranteed to the citizens of Pakistan, so that each individual shall develop within himself and the society at large, a civic culture strong enough to withstand any extra constitutional interference which threatens those rights. (P 39 Policy Actions No.3) PMTA is unable to understand why the policy makers have ignored article 25 (1) which is in the chapter of the Fundamental Rights and Article 31(2) that contradicts Article 25(1) which is as under that describes "The state shall endeavour, as respects the Muslims of Pakistan: to make the teaching of the Holy Quran and Islamiat compulsory, to encourage and facilitate the learning of Arabic language and to secure correct and exact printing and publishing of the Holy Quran?" Ministry of Education, Government of Pakistan has failed to facilitate the minorities as they have been ignored to get education of their own religions. The textbooks in the subject of Ethics from grade I-XII are being written by the biased Muslim writers violating the teachings of the minority religions of Pakistan. This contradicts the policy action 3 on page 39 of the draft. PMTA has already brought into the kind notice of the Ministry of Education and the esteemed offices of the government of Pakistan but no attention has been paid which is a clear indication of discrimination against minorities. According to para 82 non-Muslim minorities have not been accommodated. The same way para 47 and 48 totally goes in favour of the majority religion of Pakistan that contradicts the article 25(1). Article 38 (d) speaks of instilling moral values and of providing education to all citizens irrespective of gender, caste, creed, or race but it has been observed that the moral values of a particular religion are promoted through the textbooks and educational institutions. PMTA published a White Paper on education in Pakistan in 2007. Copies of the White Paper were mailed to the Federal Ministry of Education and the esteemed offices. This is a document to debate religious bias, general standard of textbooks and educational policies of Pakistan. It is sorry to say that there is not much difference in this education policy which is not a healthy sign. There must be removal of all sorts of bias against any religion, civilization or culture from Pakistani textbooks and educational institutions.
“PEC negligence” published in the Daily Frontier Post on April 03, 2009
http://www.thefrontierpost.com
Prof Anjum James Paul Faisalabad.
Punjab Examination Commission declared the results for class V and VIII on March 31st, 2009. A student, Takveen Anjum of class V, appearing under roll number 17-612-201 had boycotted the paper of Ethics held on Feb 4, as she was not provided the syllabus. But surprisingly she has been awarded 61 marks in Islamic Studies instead of Ethics. A total of 74 students were to appear in Ethics in Faisalabad. The subject of Islamic Studies has been mentioned against Ethics. According to the notification of the Schools Education Department, the government of Punjab, No. SO(A II)8-5/2004(P), dated July 7, 2008, subject of Ethics was not mentioned in the educational calendar but the students of minorities were asked to appear in Ethics without providing any syllabus to the students. The higher authorities were informed but nothing has still been done. Instead the minorities students have been declared successful in Islamic Studies subject.
“Qirat and minorities teachers” published in the Daily Frontier Post on July 13, 2009
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Prof Anjum James Paul Peshawar
The Government of Punjab has declared one month compulsory training for the newly-recruited educators who will receive training in the subjects of Science, Mathematics, English, Urdu, Computer, PT and Qirat (recitation of the holy Quran).Master trainers have already been trained who will engage 45 minutes periods daily in each subject. Pakistan Minorities Teachers' Association (PMTA) has grave concerns in this regard as there has been discrimination with the educators belonging to the minorities who have been forced to receive training of Qirat. This is a clear cut sign that either there will be training of only Muslim educators or the educators belonging from the minorities will have to preach Islam in the educational institutions of Punjab. This compulsory period of Qirat for all the educators can be harmful for the minorities' educators as they study their own faith. Qirat can harm the communal harmony and minorities' educators can be easily caught in section 295 of the Pakistan Penal Code which can even take their lives. The teachers from the minorities have already suffered due to this section. So, PMTA again demands that there must be compulsory training for the minorities' educators according to their faiths as there are students from the minorities as well who receive education in the public schools. In this way there will not be violation of article 25 of the Constitution of Pakistan and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights providing equal rights to all people irrespective of religion or gender
“Church bells ring again” published in the Daily Frontier Post on August 31, 2009
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Anjum James Paul
I went to Khushpur for the 5th death anniversary of my beloved daddy James Paul but suddenly I heard the ringing of Church bells. The sound of these bells was not charming because when these bells ring with a little pause it means there is funeral of some one in the church. I walked to the church briskly to give a shoulder to the deceased one. I came to know that it was Ishtiaq Naveed married just a few months back on April 18, 2009. I was shocked to see him laying in the coffin box. He was martyred along with other two Christian and Muslim colleagues in a laboratory by the terrorists in Quetta on 26th on the third death anniversary of late Nawab Akbar Bugti. Lives of five innocents were taken by the terrorists. The picture of this young man is before my eyes wearing the bridegroom dress in a happy mood. Hundreds of Christians and Muslims attended his funeral. His wife was fainted; his parents, family members and common women and men were weeping and mourning over this tragic and shocking incident. He could not have yet enjoyed his family life. The couple would have many future dreams that have been ruined by the terrorists. I remembered late Rt. Reverend Bishop John Joseph who gave his life on May 6, 1998 in front of the Session Court in Sahiwal, Reverend Father George Ibrahim on July 5, 2003 in Renala Khurd Parish House, Lawrence Javed Sindhu on August 26, 2008 in the Marriott hotel suicide attack in Islamabad. All of these martyrs belong to Khushpur which is called the land of martyrs. Reverend Father Shafiq Hadayat in his thought provoking sermon saluted the land of Khushpur. He reminded the latest terrorist attacks of Korian and Gojra where nine people have so far given their lives without any crime. On August 1, 2009 in Gojra when I saw the dead bodies of Musa 4, Ummaya 9, Asiya 22, Asifa 30, Akhlas Hameed 42, Perveen 50 and Hameed Masih 60 who were set on fire gave their lives in the hands of the terrorists. These all innocents were burnt in the terrorist attacks. Master Riaz Masih was so much shocked that he died of heart attack and in Korian Mr. Sharif Masih 65, was severely beaten up and forced to convert but he remained faithful to his faith and died in serious condition after the third day of the terrorist attack that took place on July 30, 2009. Pakistan which was the land of pure people has been transferred as the land of impure where terrorists and extremists are flourishing like Swine Flu. Terrorism is flourishing in the name of religion, sectarian, political, and socio-cultural differences. Pakistani nation is deprived of receiving education based on human values. There are lessons on intolerance, unacceptability, revenge, impatience, against the teachings of the minority religions and their followers in the textbooks of Pakistan. There are no chances of betterment in these topics in the future textbooks which are being written according to the biased Education Policy 2009. Pakistan Minorities Teachers’ Association (PMTA) expressed her reservations through press and writing to the Ministry of Education, Government of Pakistan but no heed has been paid on her reservations. According to PMTA Ministry of Education is held responsible for not paying her responsibilities. These all threats to our motherland are due to the negligence of this ministry which has created suicide bombers and extremists instead of scientists and true human beings. It has failed to promote human values in the innocent minds of the students and the evil result is before our eyes. Pakistani democratic and non- democratic governments are somehow held responsible of this all situation. Now these extremists and terrorists are challenging the writ of the governments and especially the present democratic government in NWFP, Balouchistan Punjab, Sindh and FATA. They are attacking the civilians, civil and military installations. They are not bowing before the government but are a threat to the entire state of Pakistan. A few days ago during my visit to Islamabad I found Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan as a no go area. Its roads are blocked. Entrance of public and vehicles is prohibited in most of its areas. When there is no peace in the capital city then what can be expected in the other remote areas of Pakistan. The government of Pakistan must take prompt action and start from revising the entire curriculum. It must promote human values. There must not be degradation and propagation against the teachings of any religion. It must play the role of a needle but not of scissors. If we have to stop such announcements of funerals from the mosques and temples and bells from the churches then revolutionary steps will have to be taken up by the Ministry of Education. Time is still in hands but running fast. Let us all be united to defeat terrorists by changing the system and not by the gun point
“Minorities Quota in Punjab" published in the Daily Frontier Post on September 10. 2009
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Prof. Anjum James Paul Faisalabad
The Federal Government has already issued five per cent quota for minorities in the civil services of Pakistan but government of Punjab is hesitating to issue the notification in this regard. Pakistan Minorities Teachers’ Association (PMTA) has grave concerns on this issue as there have already been recruitments in different departments ignoring 5% quota for the religious minorities. Mr. Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Quaid of Pakistan Muslim League (N) announced 5 % quota on a Christmas programme in December 2008. It is astonishing that in the presence of PML (N) regime in Punjab there has been no implementation of this quota yet which is not a good symbol. Due to this there is utmost disappointment in the minorities’ youth. They are already frustrated due to the recent tragic incidents of Bahminiwala, Korian and Gojra. The Government should make all her efforts to comfort them and issue notification without any further delay. There must be considerations that the minorities may not be deprived of their fundamental right. Punjab government is requested to follow the notification of Federal government. I was assured last week on a telephone call by Mr. Kamran Michael, Minister of Human Rights and Minorities Affairs that notification of 5% quota for minorities will be issued in the next three or four days but there has not been action on it yet.
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