Banned form schools and universities, Afghan girls are increasingly turning to madrassas to continue learning, reported The National. Learning in the Islamic religious schools has allowed these girls to access learning spaces but experts are warning that the education cannot be a substitute for what the girls had access to during the previous US-backed Afghan regime.

After the Taliban seized power in the country in August 2021, the group has gradually and methodically restricted access to education to girls and women. Although initially Taliban claimed to be lenient towards women's education, they soon reneged on their promises.

The Taliban currently allows girls above Grade 6 - aged 11 and 12 - to study in religious schools.

“I joined this madrassa a month ago. It's close to my house,” said Munira,&nbsp;16, a student in Kabul as quoted by The National.

“I am happy to be able to learn reading Quran and some religious topics. But I wanted to become a doctor.”

Watch | Afghanistan: Taliban stops female students travelling to University of Dubai

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/afghanistan-taliban-stops-female-students-travelling-to-university-of-dubai-630124/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Munira told the news outlet that she was shocked when her school shut down two years ago.

A Unesco report revealed earlier this year that about 2.5 million Afghan girls and young women did not have access to education system. This comes to 80 per cent of the age group.

The number includes 1.2 million who were denied access to secondary and university education by the Taliban.

The report cited Afghanistan's Ministry of Education numbers to say that more than 20,000 older girls were studying at government-run madrassas. The total number or girls and young women studying in these religious schools comes to 95,000.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-dole-out-65bn-mining-contracts-to-companies-having-ties-with-china-turkey-iran-631256">Taliban dole out $6.5 billion mining contracts to companies having ties with China, Turkey, Iran</a>

In addition to government-run madrassas, private madrassas are taking in female students too.

Sajeda Baqi (43), a former religious studies lecturer, when forced to stay home after Taliban closed university for girls, opened a private religious school in Kabul.

“We have more than 50 girl students so far, some of whom are older girls who cannot go to public school because of the ban on girls’ education," she told The National.

“Every day, we accept new female students.”

<h2>Madrassas 'do not replace schools'</h2>

Experts are warning that only religious education may not fulfill girls' educational needs.

“Madrassas might provide many girls an opportunity to continue engaging in a learning space, however in the current form, they do not replace schools which pave the path to future opportunities,” said Zuhra Faizi, an Afghan American researcher and a Harvard postdoctoral fellow, as quoted by The National.

“The Taliban, like all past Afghan governments, will make modifications in the education system. However, they cannot continue to delay the reopening of schools.”

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

Banned form schools and universities, Afghan girls are increasingly turning to madrassas to continue learning, reported The National. Learning in the Islamic religious schools has allowed these girls to access learning spaces but experts are warning that the education cannot be a substitute for what the girls had access to during the previous US-backed Afghan regime.

Banned form schools and universities, Afghan girls are increasingly turning to madrassas to continue learning, reported The National. Learning in the Islamic religious schools has allowed these girls to access learning spaces but experts are warning that the education cannot be a substitute for what the girls had access to during the previous US-backed Afghan regime. After the Taliban seized power in the country in August 2021, the group has gradually and methodically restricted access to education to girls and women. Although initially Taliban claimed to be lenient towards women's education, they soon reneged on their promises. The Taliban currently allows girls above Grade 6 - aged 11 and 12 - to study in religious schools. “I joined this madrassa a month ago. It's close to my house,” said Munira, 16, a student in Kabul as quoted by The National. “I am happy to be able to learn reading Quran and some religious topics. But I wanted to become a doctor.” Watch | Afghanistan: Taliban stops female students travelling to University of Dubai × Munira told the news outlet that she was shocked when her school shut down two years ago. A Unesco report revealed earlier this year that about 2.5 million Afghan girls and young women did not have access to education system. This comes to 80 per cent of the age group. The number includes 1.2 million who were denied access to secondary and university education by the Taliban. The report cited Afghanistan's Ministry of Education numbers to say that more than 20,000 older girls were studying at government-run madrassas. The total number or girls and young women studying in these religious schools comes to 95,000. Also Read | Taliban dole out $6.5 billion mining contracts to companies having ties with China, Turkey, Iran In addition to government-run madrassas, private madrassas are taking in female students too. Sajeda Baqi (43), a former religious studies lecturer, when forced to stay home after Taliban closed university for girls, opened a private religious school in Kabul. “We have more than 50 girl students so far, some of whom are older girls who cannot go to public school because of the ban on girls’ education," she told The National. “Every day, we accept new female students.” Madrassas 'do not replace schools' Experts are warning that only religious education may not fulfill girls' educational needs. “Madrassas might provide many girls an opportunity to continue engaging in a learning space, however in the current form, they do not replace schools which pave the path to future opportunities,” said Zuhra Faizi, an Afghan American researcher and a Harvard postdoctoral fellow, as quoted by The National. “The Taliban, like all past Afghan governments, will make modifications in the education system. However, they cannot continue to delay the reopening of schools.” You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

After school ban, Afghan girls are enrolling in madrassas to continue education

Global terror watchdog FATF requested more information and data from Pakistan on actions taken against madrassas belonging to proscribed groups after Islamabad submitted a report outlining the government's actions to curb terrorism and money laundering. #FATF #Pakistan #FAFTQuestionPakistan

WION Dispatch: FATF poses 150 questions to Pakistan, inquires on actions against madrassas

Half a million refugee Rohingya children are shut out of local schools in Bangladesh, leaving many in religious madrassas where critics say educational standards are low and students are vulnerable to indoctrination.

Around 740,000 Muslim Rohingya fled into the country during a 2017 crackdown by Myanmar's military, swelling the numbers of the minority in Bangladesh to around a million.

But while their language and culture are similar to people in southeastern Bangladesh, authorities regard the Rohingya as temporary guests and their children are denied access to local schools, raising fears of a "lost generation".

Many Rohingya children had managed to slip through the net until earlier this year when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government cracked down, ordering schools to expel them.

Lucky Akter, 15, lost her spot at Hnila village school, where almost a third of her class were from refugee camps. She now has nothing to do but help her mother with chores.

"I wanted to be a doctor, but I don't think it will be possible," she told AFP, breaking down in tears.

Koran studies

Rights groups have criticised the government's policy, and charities and the UN children's agency UNICEF have set up some 1,800 makeshift facilities in the camps, schooling around 180,000 children -- but only to primary level.

To fill the gap, Rohingya groups and Bangladeshi Islamists have set up more than 1,000 madrassas -- religious schools that provide everything from basic Koran-based education to graduate-level religious studies.

"We don't differentiate people by their nationality as long as they have a strong urge to be educated and serve Allah's path," said the head teacher of one local madrassa, which has taken in at least 15 Rohingya students.

Thirteen-year-old Hares, who was expelled from a school in the Bangladesh town of Teknaf, now goes to a madrassa in the Leda refugee camp.

"It's better for him to get busy with studying, otherwise he will loiter around in the camp and get spoilt," his father, Mohammad Khaleque, told AFP.&nbsp;

Vulnerable children

But critics warn that the madrassas are not a good educational alternative.

The International Crisis Group said in a recent report that there was no evidence madrassas are promoting violence, intolerance or indoctrination by extremists.

"However, a policy of denying young people formal education and leaving them reliant on unregulated madrassas almost certainly increases the risks of such groups gaining a foothold in the camps," it added.

Mubashar Hasan, an expert in extremism at the University of Oslo in Norway, said the government should ensure "thorough monitoring".

Rohingya children "are psychologically vulnerable, isolated and angry. Simultaneously they are culturally very religious", Hasan told AFP.

Some of the madrassas are run by the hardline Islamist group Hefazat-e-Islam, which has a history of violent protests in Muslim-majority Bangladesh, including demonstrations urging the implementation of a blasphemy law and gender segregation in workplaces.

In 2013, tens of thousands of Hefazat activists descended on Dhaka triggering violence that killed 50 people and injured hundreds.

More recently, the group has made peace with the government and the degrees provided by its schools are recognised officially.

Senior Hefazat leader Azizul Haque denied the group had any link with extremism and said its institutions offered religious education in line with the curriculum at many Bangladeshi madrassas.

"There is no reason for suspicion," he said.

And Fazlul Karim, a spokesman for the group, told AFP the schools were the "last resort" for the Rohingya.

"They were driven away from their home because of their religion. True religious education can only bring salvation to this community," said Karim, who administers seven madrassas with some 2,500 pupils.

But Mojib Ullah, who studied in a Bangladeshi madrassa before switching to secular schools, said the religious institutions were not offering a proper education.

"These madrassas can only help create some religious teachers and mosque imams," said Ullah, who now leads prayers in an Australian mosque.

"We need to send our kids to a school system which can help prepare them to face the challenges of globalisation," he told AFP.

"Otherwise, this generation will be lost forever."

Half a million refugee Rohingya children are shut out of local schools in Bangladesh, leaving many in religious madrassas where critics say educational standards are low and students are vulnerable to indoctrination.

Half a million refugee Rohingya children are shut out of local schools in Bangladesh, leaving many in religious madrassas where critics say educational standards are low and students are vulnerable to indoctrination. Around 740,000 Muslim Rohingya fled into the country during a 2017 crackdown by Myanmar's military, swelling the numbers of the minority in Bangladesh to around a million. But while their language and culture are similar to people in southeastern Bangladesh, authorities regard the Rohingya as temporary guests and their children are denied access to local schools, raising fears of a "lost generation". Many Rohingya children had managed to slip through the net until earlier this year when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government cracked down, ordering schools to expel them. Lucky Akter, 15, lost her spot at Hnila village school, where almost a third of her class were from refugee camps. She now has nothing to do but help her mother with chores. "I wanted to be a doctor, but I don't think it will be possible," she told AFP, breaking down in tears. Koran studies Rights groups have criticised the government's policy, and charities and the UN children's agency UNICEF have set up some 1,800 makeshift facilities in the camps, schooling around 180,000 children -- but only to primary level. To fill the gap, Rohingya groups and Bangladeshi Islamists have set up more than 1,000 madrassas -- religious schools that provide everything from basic Koran-based education to graduate-level religious studies. "We don't differentiate people by their nationality as long as they have a strong urge to be educated and serve Allah's path," said the head teacher of one local madrassa, which has taken in at least 15 Rohingya students. Thirteen-year-old Hares, who was expelled from a school in the Bangladesh town of Teknaf, now goes to a madrassa in the Leda refugee camp. "It's better for him to get busy with studying, otherwise he will loiter around in the camp and get spoilt," his father, Mohammad Khaleque, told AFP. Vulnerable children But critics warn that the madrassas are not a good educational alternative. The International Crisis Group said in a recent report that there was no evidence madrassas are promoting violence, intolerance or indoctrination by extremists. "However, a policy of denying young people formal education and leaving them reliant on unregulated madrassas almost certainly increases the risks of such groups gaining a foothold in the camps," it added. Mubashar Hasan, an expert in extremism at the University of Oslo in Norway, said the government should ensure "thorough monitoring". Rohingya children "are psychologically vulnerable, isolated and angry. Simultaneously they are culturally very religious", Hasan told AFP. Some of the madrassas are run by the hardline Islamist group Hefazat-e-Islam, which has a history of violent protests in Muslim-majority Bangladesh, including demonstrations urging the implementation of a blasphemy law and gender segregation in workplaces. In 2013, tens of thousands of Hefazat activists descended on Dhaka triggering violence that killed 50 people and injured hundreds. More recently, the group has made peace with the government and the degrees provided by its schools are recognised officially. Senior Hefazat leader Azizul Haque denied the group had any link with extremism and said its institutions offered religious education in line with the curriculum at many Bangladeshi madrassas. "There is no reason for suspicion," he said. And Fazlul Karim, a spokesman for the group, told AFP the schools were the "last resort" for the Rohingya. "They were driven away from their home because of their religion. True religious education can only bring salvation to this community," said Karim, who administers seven madrassas with some 2,500 pupils. But Mojib Ullah, who studied in a Bangladeshi madrassa before switching to secular schools, said the religious institutions were not offering a proper education. "These madrassas can only help create some religious teachers and mosque imams," said Ullah, who now leads prayers in an Australian mosque. "We need to send our kids to a school system which can help prepare them to face the challenges of globalisation," he told AFP. "Otherwise, this generation will be lost forever."

Shut out from Bangladesh schools, Rohingyas turn to madrassas

The Indian government plans to refurbish infrastructure and quality of education in Islamic religious schools, known as madrassas, across the country.

Building toilets, providing meals to students and training teachers are the core areas the government aims to focus on.

Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said Saturday that they aim to build 100,000 toilets in madrassas by March 31, 2018.

The plan to focus on madrassas is a part of the federal government&#39;s 3T formula -- teachers, tiffin and toilets.

&quot;In the meetings, we have decided that the madrassas which are providing mainstream education or those that want to, we will help such madrassas on a big scale,&quot; Naqvi said.

The government also wants madrassas to impart science and technology classes in order to get their syllabus in sync with modern-day requirements.

The decision to revamp madrassas was taken before five Indian states went to polls in February and March.

&quot;Some of the members of the foundation (General Body of the Maulana Azad Education Foundation, an autonomous non-profit minority welfare institution) will travel to different states to find out those who wish to associate with this paradigm,&quot; the minister further said.

The Narendra Modi administration also wishes to more than double the scholarships provided to Muslim girls by end of next financial year.&nbsp;

Currently, 20,000 students have availed the&nbsp;Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship, and next year&#39;s target is to reach 45,000 students.

And by 2019, the government wants to the scholarship programme to benefit 500,000.

Indian governments, including previous regimes, have tried to modernise madrassas in India, but the efforts have been frowned at by traditionalists like the ulemas (clergy).

The government seeks to modernise the traditional Islamic schools because it wants Muslims to have better job opportunities once they finish their studies.

The syllabus in madrassas are very different from that adopted by the general schools in India. Content of education is decided by a few Islamic institutes and students are taught in Arabic, as opposed to English or other Indian languages in other schools.

(WION with inputs from PTI)

The government aims to improve the quality of teaching and build 100,000 toilets in such schools, which are called madrassas

The Indian government plans to refurbish infrastructure and quality of education in Islamic religious schools, known as madrassas, across the country. Building toilets, providing meals to students and training teachers are the core areas the government aims to focus on. Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said Saturday that they aim to build 100,000 toilets in madrassas by March 31, 2018. The plan to focus on madrassas is a part of the federal government's 3T formula -- teachers, tiffin and toilets. "In the meetings, we have decided that the madrassas which are providing mainstream education or those that want to, we will help such madrassas on a big scale," Naqvi said. The government also wants madrassas to impart science and technology classes in order to get their syllabus in sync with modern-day requirements. The decision to revamp madrassas was taken before five Indian states went to polls in February and March. "Some of the members of the foundation (General Body of the Maulana Azad Education Foundation, an autonomous non-profit minority welfare institution) will travel to different states to find out those who wish to associate with this paradigm," the minister further said. The Narendra Modi administration also wishes to more than double the scholarships provided to Muslim girls by end of next financial year. Currently, 20,000 students have availed the Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship, and next year's target is to reach 45,000 students. And by 2019, the government wants to the scholarship programme to benefit 500,000. Indian governments, including previous regimes, have tried to modernise madrassas in India, but the efforts have been frowned at by traditionalists like the ulemas (clergy). The government seeks to modernise the traditional Islamic schools because it wants Muslims to have better job opportunities once they finish their studies. The syllabus in madrassas are very different from that adopted by the general schools in India. Content of education is decided by a few Islamic institutes and students are taught in Arabic, as opposed to English or other Indian languages in other schools. (WION with inputs from PTI)

India eyes infrastructural overhaul in Islamic religious schools

madrassas

Madrassas, News on Madrassas, stories on Madrassas, articles on Madrassas, Madrassas stories at Wion, Madrassas news, Madrassas latest news