The government of India's southern state of Karnataka on Saturday announced that home quarantine has been made mandatory for people who travelling from Japan, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Thailand and South Korea, nations witnessing a sharp rise in Covid cases.&nbsp;Earlier, the Union government in India had stated that those travelling from these countries must submit their negative RT-PCR test reports before they exit from the airport.

On Saturday, the Karnataka state health department issued revised guidelines stating, “Asymptomatic passengers shall leave the airport and self-monitor their health for Covid symptoms and comply to Covid appropriate behaviour (CAB) like wearing of face masks, social distancing, practice respiratory and hand hygiene, etc. and strictly remain under home quarantine for next seven days.”

ALSO READ|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/amid-covid-scare-indian-ministry-asked-to-monitor-pharma-exports-to-china-548375">Amid Covid scare, Indian commerce ministry asked to monitor pharma exports to China</a>

If Covid-like symptoms are detected in the flyers from high-risk nations then those travellers will be kept in isolation at the medical facilities designated for clinical management.

The passengers were also directed by the government to inform the local surveillance health team in case they develop any symptoms like body ache, cough, cold, fever, loss of taste and smell, headache, breathing difficulty and diarrhoea when they are in home quarantine.

Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar, last week, stated that around 12 international passengers were found Covid positive in December at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru.

The officials had collected samples of all positive cases and sent them for genome sequencing so that the variants can be identified and tracked, the minister stated.

WATCH | WION Dispatch: India takes precautionary measures after Covid cases rise in China

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Masks have already been made compulsory at colleges, schools, restaurants, malls, movie theatres and pubs by the government of Karnataka.&nbsp;

Earlier, the health minister had stated that people should not panic and follow precautions as a safety measure. The guidelines were introduced by the state government after the sudden increase in cases of Covid in several countries, especially China which is facing a massive spike in cases due to Omicron's subvariant BF.7.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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The government of India's southern state of Karnataka on Saturday announced that home quarantine has been made mandatory for people who travelling from Japan, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Thailand and South Korea, nations witnessing a sharp rise in Covid cases.

The government of India's southern state of Karnataka on Saturday announced that home quarantine has been made mandatory for people who travelling from Japan, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Thailand and South Korea, nations witnessing a sharp rise in Covid cases. Earlier, the Union government in India had stated that those travelling from these countries must submit their negative RT-PCR test reports before they exit from the airport. On Saturday, the Karnataka state health department issued revised guidelines stating, “Asymptomatic passengers shall leave the airport and self-monitor their health for Covid symptoms and comply to Covid appropriate behaviour (CAB) like wearing of face masks, social distancing, practice respiratory and hand hygiene, etc. and strictly remain under home quarantine for next seven days.” ALSO READ| Amid Covid scare, Indian commerce ministry asked to monitor pharma exports to China If Covid-like symptoms are detected in the flyers from high-risk nations then those travellers will be kept in isolation at the medical facilities designated for clinical management. The passengers were also directed by the government to inform the local surveillance health team in case they develop any symptoms like body ache, cough, cold, fever, loss of taste and smell, headache, breathing difficulty and diarrhoea when they are in home quarantine. Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar, last week, stated that around 12 international passengers were found Covid positive in December at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru. The officials had collected samples of all positive cases and sent them for genome sequencing so that the variants can be identified and tracked, the minister stated. WATCH | WION Dispatch: India takes precautionary measures after Covid cases rise in China Masks have already been made compulsory at colleges, schools, restaurants, malls, movie theatres and pubs by the government of Karnataka. Earlier, the health minister had stated that people should not panic and follow precautions as a safety measure. The guidelines were introduced by the state government after the sudden increase in cases of Covid in several countries, especially China which is facing a massive spike in cases due to Omicron's subvariant BF.7. (With inputs from agencies)

India: Karnataka makes home quarantine mandatory for those travelling from high-risk nations

There is some good news for BTS die hard fans known as the BTS Army just days after K-pop sensation announced that they will fulfill their mandatory military service. The band has gotten the clearance to perform at National level events during their military service as well.

South Korea: K-pop band BTS to perform at National events

Drunk driving has always been a major concern in the US as it kills more than 10,000 people every year. However, a new law that has been introduced aims at tackling this problem. The law makes it mandatory for every car to have an alcohol detection system.&nbsp;

The new law was introduced on Tuesday when President Joe Biden signed the infrastructure bill that requires new cars have the systems installed as standard equipment.&nbsp;

It was after Sarah Carmichael, who happens to be a victim, became an advocate for all other victims and along with anti-drunk-driving advocacy group, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) urged the federal legislation to make alcohol detection systems mandatory in all vehicles.

She explains how a crash in February 2008 changed her life forever. She was stopped at a light in Framingham when she was hit by a drunk driver.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/news-anchor-reacts-to-viral-you-confusion-video-was-the-joke-on-the-viewers-430279">Also read |&nbsp;News anchor reacts to viral 'You' confusion video; was the joke on the viewers?</a>

Speaking to CBS Boston, she said, "I was in a medically induced coma for about 10 days."

"C1 and C2 vertebrae in my neck were fractured as well as the base of my skull, both sides of my collarbone, 11 of my ribs, my pelvis was shattered,” she told WBZ-TV’s I-Team. “Doctors prepared my family that I was not going to live.”

It took her years to recover.

Alex Otte, national president of MADD said, "I'm crying tears of joy today."

"This is the beginning of the end of drunk driving," she wrote in a statement after Biden's law signing ceremony Monday at the White House.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-facebook-founder-zuckerberg-tries-to-feel-objects-in-virtual-reality-with-haptic-glove-vr-headset-430192">Also read |&nbsp;Watch: Facebook founder Zuckerberg tries to feel objects in virtual reality with haptic glove, VR headset &nbsp;</a>

The DADDS initiative is a partnership between ACTS and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 
Laura Perrotta, president of the advocacy group American Highway Users Alliance, deemed it as a fine idea.

"Someone uses mouthwash and goes to turn on their car and can't get it to start, but then someone else has one too many drinks and it doesn't detect it," she said. "That could be a real problem."

Drunk driving has always been a major concern in the US as it kills more than 10,000 people every year. However, a new law that has been introduced aims at tackling this problem.

Drunk driving has always been a major concern in the US as it kills more than 10,000 people every year. However, a new law that has been introduced aims at tackling this problem. The law makes it mandatory for every car to have an alcohol detection system. The new law was introduced on Tuesday when President Joe Biden signed the infrastructure bill that requires new cars have the systems installed as standard equipment. It was after Sarah Carmichael, who happens to be a victim, became an advocate for all other victims and along with anti-drunk-driving advocacy group, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) urged the federal legislation to make alcohol detection systems mandatory in all vehicles. She explains how a crash in February 2008 changed her life forever. She was stopped at a light in Framingham when she was hit by a drunk driver. Also read | News anchor reacts to viral 'You' confusion video; was the joke on the viewers? Speaking to CBS Boston, she said, "I was in a medically induced coma for about 10 days." "C1 and C2 vertebrae in my neck were fractured as well as the base of my skull, both sides of my collarbone, 11 of my ribs, my pelvis was shattered,” she told WBZ-TV’s I-Team. “Doctors prepared my family that I was not going to live.” It took her years to recover. Alex Otte, national president of MADD said, "I'm crying tears of joy today." "This is the beginning of the end of drunk driving," she wrote in a statement after Biden's law signing ceremony Monday at the White House. Also read | Watch: Facebook founder Zuckerberg tries to feel objects in virtual reality with haptic glove, VR headset The DADDS initiative is a partnership between ACTS and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Laura Perrotta, president of the advocacy group American Highway Users Alliance, deemed it as a fine idea. "Someone uses mouthwash and goes to turn on their car and can't get it to start, but then someone else has one too many drinks and it doesn't detect it," she said. "That could be a real problem."

'A fine idea': Alcohol detection systems now mandatory for all vehicles in US

In letters to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) and the provincial home department on Sunday, the health department of Sindh, Pakistan wrote that it is seeking to make vaccination certificates mandatory for people to get services at banks, post offices, restaurants, hotels and courier services' offices.

Watch:&nbsp;Tehreek-E-Taliban Pakistan claims attack in Quetta

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Seeking "obligatory vaccination regime", the NCOC has been requested by the provincial health department to direct bankers and post office staff to offer services to only vaccinated citizens after production of valid proof. &nbsp;

The health department has asked the home department to ensure that vaccination certificates be made essential for restaurants and hotels too. It urged the home secretary to issue "necessary directions" to the concerned officials. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-holds-virtual-meet-with-afghanistans-neighbours-410935" hreflang="en">Pakistan holds virtual meet with Afghanistan’s neighbours</a>

“To make the vaccination drive more successful, it is highly recommended that all the restaurants/hotels may provide their hospitality services (check in/outdoor dining services) to only those people, who are vaccinated,” the health department wrote. &nbsp;

The provincial health department wants the vaccination to be made an obligatory part of the COVID-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued for these places.&nbsp;

In letters to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) and the provincial home department on Sunday, the health department of Sindh, Pakistan wrote that it is seeking to make vaccination certificates mandatory for people to get services at banks, post offices, restaurants, hotels and courier services' offices.

In letters to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) and the provincial home department on Sunday, the health department of Sindh, Pakistan wrote that it is seeking to make vaccination certificates mandatory for people to get services at banks, post offices, restaurants, hotels and courier services' offices. Watch: Tehreek-E-Taliban Pakistan claims attack in Quetta × Seeking "obligatory vaccination regime", the NCOC has been requested by the provincial health department to direct bankers and post office staff to offer services to only vaccinated citizens after production of valid proof. The health department has asked the home department to ensure that vaccination certificates be made essential for restaurants and hotels too. It urged the home secretary to issue "necessary directions" to the concerned officials. Also Read: Pakistan holds virtual meet with Afghanistan’s neighbours “To make the vaccination drive more successful, it is highly recommended that all the restaurants/hotels may provide their hospitality services (check in/outdoor dining services) to only those people, who are vaccinated,” the health department wrote. The provincial health department wants the vaccination to be made an obligatory part of the COVID-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued for these places.

Pakistan’s Sindh looks to make Covid inoculation mandatory to enter banks, post offices, restaurants

Walt&nbsp;Disney&nbsp;Co said on Friday (July 30) it was making&nbsp;vaccination&nbsp;mandatory&nbsp;for all its on-site&nbsp;salaried and non-union hourly&nbsp;employees&nbsp;in the United States, as the highly infectious Delta COVID-19 variant drives a resurgence in cases.

"Employees&nbsp;who aren't already vaccinated and are working on-site&nbsp;will have 60 days from today to complete their protocols and any&nbsp;employees&nbsp;still working from home will need to provide verification of&nbsp;vaccination&nbsp;prior to their return, with certain limited exceptions,"&nbsp;Disney&nbsp;said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-disney-lashes-at-scarlett-johansson-for-suing-it-on-taking-black-widow-film-to-disney-401634">Also read |&nbsp;Disney lashes at Scarlett Johansson for suing it on taking 'Black Widow' to streamer</a>

The company also said all the newly hired&nbsp;employees&nbsp;will be required to be fully vaccinated before beginning their employment.

Disney's announcement comes after major tech companies including Google, Uber and Facebook said earlier this week that all&nbsp;US&nbsp;employees&nbsp;must get vaccinated to step into offices.

Health authorities on Tuesday (July 27) said Americans fully vaccinated against COVID-19 should go back to wearing masks in indoor public places in regions where the coronavirus is spreading rapidly.

Walt Disney Co said on Friday (July 30) it was making vaccination mandatory for all its on-site salaried and non-union hourly employees in the United States, as the highly infectious Delta COVID-19 variant drives a resurgence in cases.

Walt Disney Co said on Friday (July 30) it was making vaccination mandatory for all its on-site salaried and non-union hourly employees in the United States, as the highly infectious Delta COVID-19 variant drives a resurgence in cases. "Employees who aren't already vaccinated and are working on-site will have 60 days from today to complete their protocols and any employees still working from home will need to provide verification of vaccination prior to their return, with certain limited exceptions," Disney said. Also read | Disney lashes at Scarlett Johansson for suing it on taking 'Black Widow' to streamer The company also said all the newly hired employees will be required to be fully vaccinated before beginning their employment. Disney's announcement comes after major tech companies including Google, Uber and Facebook said earlier this week that all US employees must get vaccinated to step into offices. Health authorities on Tuesday (July 27) said Americans fully vaccinated against COVID-19 should go back to wearing masks in indoor public places in regions where the coronavirus is spreading rapidly.

Disney makes vaccination mandatory for on-site US employees

Wearing a face mask at an indoor public establishment will once again be mandatory in&nbsp;Los&nbsp;Angeles&nbsp;starting this weekend due to a steady increase in Covid-19 infections and hospitalizations, health authorities said Thursday.

Los&nbsp;Angeles&nbsp;is the first large US metropolis to reimpose the use of face masks -- regardless of vaccination status -- in shops, grocery stores, restaurants and workplaces to help contain the pandemic.

The new masking order goes into effect midnight Saturday in the county of&nbsp;Los&nbsp;Angeles.

Los&nbsp;Angeles&nbsp;is "not where we need to be" in terms of numbers of vaccinated people, said county health officer Muntu Davis.

On Thursday the county reported 1,537 new cases of infection -- the highest number since early March, and the seventh straight day of new cases numbers topping 1,000. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/half-of-hospitalised-covid-19-patients-develop-organ-complications-irrespective-of-age-study-398395">Also read |&nbsp;Half of hospitalised COVID-19 patients develop organ complications irrespective of age: Study</a>

US health officials announced in mid-May that fully vaccinated Americans could say goodbye to their masks both outdoors and indoors.

However, after peaking in April the US immunization campaign has slowed significantly, even though plenty of vaccines are available.

The increase in Covid-19 cases, mainly due to the spread of the Delta variant, has some officials worried.

The vast majority of people testing positive for Covid-19, some of whom must be hospitalized, have not been vaccinated.

Wearing a face mask at an indoor public establishment will once again be mandatory in Los Angeles starting this weekend due to a steady increase in Covid-19 infections and hospitalizations, health authorities said Thursday.

Wearing a face mask at an indoor public establishment will once again be mandatory in Los Angeles starting this weekend due to a steady increase in Covid-19 infections and hospitalizations, health authorities said Thursday. Los Angeles is the first large US metropolis to reimpose the use of face masks -- regardless of vaccination status -- in shops, grocery stores, restaurants and workplaces to help contain the pandemic. The new masking order goes into effect midnight Saturday in the county of Los Angeles. Los Angeles is "not where we need to be" in terms of numbers of vaccinated people, said county health officer Muntu Davis. On Thursday the county reported 1,537 new cases of infection -- the highest number since early March, and the seventh straight day of new cases numbers topping 1,000. Also read | Half of hospitalised COVID-19 patients develop organ complications irrespective of age: Study US health officials announced in mid-May that fully vaccinated Americans could say goodbye to their masks both outdoors and indoors. However, after peaking in April the US immunization campaign has slowed significantly, even though plenty of vaccines are available. The increase in Covid-19 cases, mainly due to the spread of the Delta variant, has some officials worried. The vast majority of people testing positive for Covid-19, some of whom must be hospitalized, have not been vaccinated.

Mandatory indoor mask use returns to Los Angeles

Delhi residents, who have visited the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar or are planning to do so, will have to undergo compulsory 14-day home quarantine on their return and upload their details on an official website, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority said in an order.&nbsp;

The ongoing Kumbh Mela has been at the centre of controversy amid fears that it could be a superspreader event with lakhs of devotees attending the event as the second wave of the coronavirus surges uncontrollably.&nbsp;

The order issued on Saturday said those, who visited Kumbh from 4 April onwards or those who plan to do so till end of the religious congregation at Haridwar on April 30, will have to upload their personal details, ID proof and dates of departure and arrival back to Delhi at the website www.Delhi.Gov.In.&nbsp;

"All residents of Delhi, who have visited or are going to visit Kumbh 2021 at Haridwar, shall be required to compulsory home quarantine themselves for 14 days on arrival to Delhi," said the order issued by Vijay Dev, Chief Secretary and chairperson on executive committee of DDMA.&nbsp;

If a person returning from Haridwar Kumbh fails to upload his particulars on the Delhi government portal, he will be sent to institutional quarantine centre for 14 days by district magistrates concerned, the order said.&nbsp;

Violators of the DDMA order will be liable to be proceeded against under the Disaster Management Act 2005 and other legal provisions, it added. &nbsp;

A total of 1,701 people had tested positive for Covid-19 in the Haridwar Kumbh Mela area from April 10 to 14 confirming fears that one of the world's largest religious gatherings may contribute further to the rapid rise in coronavirus cases.&nbsp;

A majority of the 48.51 lakh people, who took part in the last two royal baths (shahi snan) held on the occasion of Somwati Amavasya on April 12 and Mesh Sankranti on April 14, were seen openly violating Covid-19 norms like wearing of face masks and social distancing.&nbsp;

Delhi residents, who have visited the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar or are planning to do so, will have to undergo compulsory 14-day home quarantine on their return and upload their details on an official website, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority said in an order.

Delhi residents, who have visited the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar or are planning to do so, will have to undergo compulsory 14-day home quarantine on their return and upload their details on an official website, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority said in an order. The ongoing Kumbh Mela has been at the centre of controversy amid fears that it could be a superspreader event with lakhs of devotees attending the event as the second wave of the coronavirus surges uncontrollably. The order issued on Saturday said those, who visited Kumbh from 4 April onwards or those who plan to do so till end of the religious congregation at Haridwar on April 30, will have to upload their personal details, ID proof and dates of departure and arrival back to Delhi at the website www.Delhi.Gov.In. "All residents of Delhi, who have visited or are going to visit Kumbh 2021 at Haridwar, shall be required to compulsory home quarantine themselves for 14 days on arrival to Delhi," said the order issued by Vijay Dev, Chief Secretary and chairperson on executive committee of DDMA. If a person returning from Haridwar Kumbh fails to upload his particulars on the Delhi government portal, he will be sent to institutional quarantine centre for 14 days by district magistrates concerned, the order said. Violators of the DDMA order will be liable to be proceeded against under the Disaster Management Act 2005 and other legal provisions, it added. A total of 1,701 people had tested positive for Covid-19 in the Haridwar Kumbh Mela area from April 10 to 14 confirming fears that one of the world's largest religious gatherings may contribute further to the rapid rise in coronavirus cases. A majority of the 48.51 lakh people, who took part in the last two royal baths (shahi snan) held on the occasion of Somwati Amavasya on April 12 and Mesh Sankranti on April 14, were seen openly violating Covid-19 norms like wearing of face masks and social distancing.

Mandatory 14-day quarantine for Delhi residents returning from Kumbh Mela 

The Supreme Court on Tuesday extended indefinitely till the judgement is pronounced the compulsory linking of Aadhaar numbers with bank accounts and mobile phones.

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Supreme Court says mandatory <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Aadhaar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Aadhaar</a> linking with bank accounts and mobile phones will stand extended indefinitely till the judgement is pronounced <a href="https://t.co/X8ZzrcjMBC">pic.twitter.com/X8ZzrcjMBC</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/973512942611255296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The latest deadline given by the government for the compulsory linking of Aadhaar numbers with bank accounts and mobile phones was March 31.&nbsp;

The five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra had on March 7 said it may not be possible to decide by March 31 the batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Aadhaar Act.

The bench, which also comprised justices A K Sikri, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan, had earlier said that since the matter would have implications on financial institutions, like banks and stock exchange, it would create a huge problem of compliance if the deadline was extended at the last moment.

On December 15 last year, the apex court had extended till March 31 the deadline for mandatory linking of Aadhaar with various services and welfare schemes.

Former Karnataka High Court judge Justice K S Puttaswamy had told the apex court on February 22 that several deaths had reportedly taken place due to starvation on account of glitches in the Aadhaar-based public distribution system and the court must consider granting them compensation.

Earlier, the top court had observed that the alleged defect of citizens&#39; biometric details under the Aadhaar scheme being collected without any law could be cured by subsequently bringing in a statute.

It had said that the Centre came out with the law in 2016 to negate the objection that it was collecting data since 2009 without any authorisation, but the issue which needed consideration was what would happen if the data collected earlier, had been compromised.&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI)

The court said Tuesday that the compulsory linking stood extended indefinitely till the judgement is pronounced

The Supreme Court on Tuesday extended indefinitely till the judgement is pronounced the compulsory linking of Aadhaar numbers with bank accounts and mobile phones. Supreme Court says mandatory #Aadhaar linking with bank accounts and mobile phones will stand extended indefinitely till the judgement is pronounced pic.twitter.com/X8ZzrcjMBC — ANI (@ANI) March 13, 2018 × The latest deadline given by the government for the compulsory linking of Aadhaar numbers with bank accounts and mobile phones was March 31. The five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra had on March 7 said it may not be possible to decide by March 31 the batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Aadhaar Act. The bench, which also comprised justices A K Sikri, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan, had earlier said that since the matter would have implications on financial institutions, like banks and stock exchange, it would create a huge problem of compliance if the deadline was extended at the last moment. On December 15 last year, the apex court had extended till March 31 the deadline for mandatory linking of Aadhaar with various services and welfare schemes. Former Karnataka High Court judge Justice K S Puttaswamy had told the apex court on February 22 that several deaths had reportedly taken place due to starvation on account of glitches in the Aadhaar-based public distribution system and the court must consider granting them compensation. Earlier, the top court had observed that the alleged defect of citizens' biometric details under the Aadhaar scheme being collected without any law could be cured by subsequently bringing in a statute. It had said that the Centre came out with the law in 2016 to negate the objection that it was collecting data since 2009 without any authorisation, but the issue which needed consideration was what would happen if the data collected earlier, had been compromised. (With inputs from PTI)

Supreme Court: Compulsory linking of Aadhaar with bank accounts, mobiles extended indefinitely

Pushing for inclusion of Islamic content in school textbooks is nothing new in Pakistan. Dawn reported in 2014 that the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa wanted to reintroduce verses of the Koran, dealing with jihad (Holy War), and adding passages on the divine creation of the universe into science textbooks. Lately, the Express Tribune of Pakistan reported that Pakistan&rsquo;s Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) is pressuring the ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training (FEPT) to include in public school curriculum such Koranic verses which make explicit mention to the concept of jihad.&nbsp; 
 
As part of its mission statement to &ldquo;ensure holistic growth&rdquo;, the FEPT has already proposed that all public schools in the country should include the provision of teaching the Koran to its students from grade 1 to 12. The holy book will be a &ldquo;compulsory subject&rdquo;, the Minister of State for Education Balighur Rehman confirmed last month.&nbsp; 
 
Much to the chagrin of CII members, however, the minister&rsquo;s proposal seems to have left out verses that mention jihad. On reviewing the proposal the top religious legislative advisory body expressed reservations at such exclusions. CII member Maulana Zahid Qasmi said, &ldquo;484 verses of jihad are mentioned in the Quran but they were deliberately not included in the syllabus so students could not be taught about it&rdquo;. 
 
Education falls under the legislative control of the provinces in Pakistan. FEPT is definitely making a centralising bid here in trying to co-ordinate the nature of religious education on a national basis. In the plea of making Koranic education affordable by offering it in public schools, FEPT makes a clear attempt not to leave religious instruction in the hands of privately employed Quran teacher or to religious seminaries, as is the current practise in Pakistan. Its guarantee of enabling a student to recite the Koran in five years, however, faces a challenge, as powerful members of the religious body object to the very authenticity of the project.&nbsp; 
 
(WION)

The federal education and professional training ministry has proposed a draft to make the holy Quran a compulsory subject

Pushing for inclusion of Islamic content in school textbooks is nothing new in Pakistan. Dawn reported in 2014 that the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa wanted to reintroduce verses of the Koran, dealing with jihad (Holy War), and adding passages on the divine creation of the universe into science textbooks. Lately, the Express Tribune of Pakistan reported that Pakistan’s Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) is pressuring the ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training (FEPT) to include in public school curriculum such Koranic verses which make explicit mention to the concept of jihad. As part of its mission statement to “ensure holistic growth”, the FEPT has already proposed that all public schools in the country should include the provision of teaching the Koran to its students from grade 1 to 12. The holy book will be a “compulsory subject”, the Minister of State for Education Balighur Rehman confirmed last month. Much to the chagrin of CII members, however, the minister’s proposal seems to have left out verses that mention jihad. On reviewing the proposal the top religious legislative advisory body expressed reservations at such exclusions. CII member Maulana Zahid Qasmi said, “484 verses of jihad are mentioned in the Quran but they were deliberately not included in the syllabus so students could not be taught about it”. Education falls under the legislative control of the provinces in Pakistan. FEPT is definitely making a centralising bid here in trying to co-ordinate the nature of religious education on a national basis. In the plea of making Koranic education affordable by offering it in public schools, FEPT makes a clear attempt not to leave religious instruction in the hands of privately employed Quran teacher or to religious seminaries, as is the current practise in Pakistan. Its guarantee of enabling a student to recite the Koran in five years, however, faces a challenge, as powerful members of the religious body object to the very authenticity of the project. (WION)

Pakistan: Islamic council demands inclusion of jihad verses in school curriculum

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