Notwithstanding its decision to pursue the policy of ‘‘enlightened moderation’’ to stem the growth of fundamentalism, the Pakistan government has said the concept of jihad would not be deleted from the new school curriculum as it is an integral part of Islamic teachings.

Stating this, Pakistan Education Minister Asharaf Qazi pointed out that “jihad has many dimensions which also includes self-negation. We will teach students the full concept of jihad’’. Qazi, a former director-general of the ISI, said the new curricula will be implemented in junior classes from the start of the academic year in 2007 and will be introduced in all classes up to XII by 2009.

The draft curricula has been sent to the provinces for recommendations and will be finalised after their proposals are considered, he said.

Pakistan has begun conducting a review of the curriculum of various subjects as part of the reform process undertaken in the aftermath of 9/11 attacks. Qazi said the revised Islamiyat curriculum has been divided into five topics which include Quranic teachings, Haqooq Allah, rights of God, life of Prophet Muhammad, etiquette and prominent personalities of Islam.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has already rejected a suggestion from moderate Islamic scholars that religious studies should be introduced only after Class V.

While the lower classes would have several aspects of Islam in the curriculum, Qazi said students in Classes XI and XII would be taught the 39 selected chapters that contained an introduction to jihad, its importance and forms in the light of the scriptures.

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