Author: PTI
Publication: The Pioneer
Date: March 18, 2009
URL: http://www.dailypioneer.com/163345/Pak-madrasas-creating-atmosphere-of-intolerance.html
A US commission on religious freedom on Wednesday
expressed deep concerns over links between Pakistan's extremist groups and
ISI, saying some of the madrasas in the country are creating "an atmosphere
of intolerance".
"The largely unchecked growth of Islamic
extremist groups, whose members take part in violence targeting religious
minorities in Pakistan and who are linked to international terrorism in the
region and beyond is a concern, as is the reported relationship between religious
extremists and elements in the Pakistani military, particularly Pakistan's
Inter-Services Intelligence, the ISI," said Felice D Gaer, chairperson
of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, advisory body of
the American government.
"The commission is also concerned about
the alleged role of Pakistan's Islamic schools, or madrasas, in providing
ideological training to religious extremists and in creating an atmosphere
of intolerance in which abuses of religious freedom are more likely to occur,"
Gaer said at a public hearing on 'Pakistan: The Threat of Religious Extremism
to Religious Freedom and Security'.
She said the impact of religiously based intolerance,
extremism and violence is of concern, including harsh restrictions on the
equal rights of women to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
Opposing the recent peace deal between government
and the militants in Pakistan's restive northwest region, she said: "The
Pakistan government's apparent willingness to accommodate certain violent
extremists, as we recently saw in the Swat valley, where they imposed -- with
government approval -- their own particularly harsh interpretation of Sharia
or Islamic law, is an ongoing concern."
Gaer said the women have been particularly
victimized by the highly abused blasphemy laws, which often result in prolonged
detention without charges of and sometimes violence against members of religious
minority communities, as well as against some Muslims on account of their
religious beliefs. Women have been particularly victimized by these laws.
"Official government policies are also
of concern, such as the anti-Ahmadi laws, which prevent the Ahmadis from engaging
in the full practice of their faith," she said.
Gaer rued that despite the commission's view
that Pakistan has repeatedly, "engaged in or tolerated systematic and
egregious violations of the universal right of freedom of religion and belief,"
the State Department has not followed the commission's recommendations.