Maulana Fazlur Rehman Slams Bureaucracy and Establishment, Accuses Them of Pushing Madrasas Toward Extremism

Peshawar: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has accused the bureaucracy and establishment of pushing religious seminaries (madrasas) towards extremism, while reiterating that his party and religious institutions are maintaining patience in the face of pressure.
Addressing a gathering in Peshawar, Fazlur Rehman stated, “You are driving our madrasas toward extremism, but we are exercising patience. No matter how many sympathetic words the bureaucracy and establishment use, we do not trust them.” He added that despite all the “sweet words” used by the government, his trust in them had been eroded due to the sustained pressure on religious schools.
The JUI-F leader emphasized that madrasas play a crucial role in countering two significant challenges: “One is the fitna (trial) of union, and the other is the fitna of apostasy. These seminaries teach the hadith (sayings of the Prophet) and guide the Muslim community. Madrasas are the ones safeguarding our religious identity, but now all of them are under pressure to conform to the government’s demands.”
He also reiterated his stance against the divide between religious and worldly education, asserting, “I am against the distinction between religious and worldly knowledge. Knowledge is knowledge, whether religious or secular.”
Fazlur Rehman further stated, “The bureaucracy and establishment may continue using soft language, but we will not trust them. They have destroyed religious institutions, and we will free them from this oppression.” He also pointed out that religious seminaries were being forced to register under government laws and open bank accounts, despite their willingness to cooperate within the state’s framework.
He argued, “You are pushing my madrasa toward extremism, but we remain patient. We are not producing terrorists. This is a war—a war for the survival of our religion. You have declared war against us, but we stand firm. We have been taught that we must fight for Islam until the Day of Judgment because we aim for paradise.”
In his speech, Fazlur Rehman discussed the past efforts to resolve the issue of madrasa registration through negotiations. He recalled that before the general elections, the opposition-led Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government, which included the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and was headed by Shahbaz Sharif, had agreed that madrasas would have the autonomy to choose their registration partners. He mentioned that a draft bill was prepared, including a clause under the 1860 Societies Act, and passed by the assembly. However, it was later blocked. The JUI-F leader urged for the passage of the 26th amendment, which aimed to make the previously agreed-upon legislation a law.
Fazlur Rehman also pointed out that the PPP remained in the government, and after extensive negotiations, a compromise was reached. However, after the bill passed the Senate, objections were raised by the presidency and other officials. He expressed his frustration with these delays, stating, “You are pushing our patience to the limit. How much longer do you intend to test our tolerance?”
Finally, he emphasized, “We have not resorted to violence, but we will make it clear if we lose hope in these negotiations—whether your pressure will succeed or ours.”
In conclusion, Maulana Fazlur Rehman sent a message to the government, saying, “Those who think they can keep pressing us without consequences are deluded. We will not bow down.”