Politics of Madrassa Reforms in Pakistan The Case of Enlightened Moderation during General Musharraf Era

Abstract

This paper aims to critically analyse the state-led madrassa reforms initiated in General Musharraf era under the banner of Enlightened Moderation. It does so by using Rosenfeld’s tri-fold framework of analysis which suggests that the realm of Faith should be separated from the realm of Reason; assigns superior status to the dictates of Reason over Faith, and the advancement of liberty and equality for all. The paper explores that how Musharraf’s Enlightened Moderation project in connection to madrassa reforms became controversial due to contrasting interpretations as well as the politics played around this project. The study focuses on two diverse scenarios: First, the religious scholars and Ulama resisted accepting the utility of Reason while responding to the state’s madrassa reform strategy; second, the policy makers preferred Reason at the cost of religion while framing madrassa reform policy under the Enlightened Moderation project. This paper highlights the gaps generated between the scholarly interpretation and policymakers’ outlook regarding the state-led madrassa reforms. The study concludes that the interpretation of Enlightened Moderation by the ulama and religious scholars prevented the execution of such madrassa reform plans which could have been productive for the madrassa students while the interpretation of the same project by the state paved the way for the smooth entrance of some renowned figures of religious education institutions into the parliaments at the cost of liberal political forces. Some of the Ulama also joined hands with the state to enjoy political powers in return for extending their support to the military regime while the students and teachers who were the real stakeholders of the reform plans were absolutely ignored by the Ulama as well as the state.