Editorial
Qawmi Certificate and a Remarkable law
By : Obaid Ullah Hamzah
Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced on 11 April 2017 in the presence of a big gathering of Islamic scholars, principals Of Qawmi Madarsas and officials of all Qawmi Education board that her government would recognize the certificate of Takmil as equivalent to Master’s degree in Islamic studies and Arabic language. On 19 September 2108 a law was passed in the parliament and approved unanimously and hence became an article of the constitution the country. This is a historic initiative which was well- received and accepted in the Academic arena, in particular and of course, by all people in general.
We noticed that previous governments resorted to procrastination in this vital issue while the demand to recognize the Qawmi certificate was always on the negotiation table and high level talks since the eighties of the past century. In past few decades, many leading Islamic scholars and Islamic personalities in the country, did remarkable job to keep the issue as alive as it is today. May Allah give them good reward. But sad to say, the previous governments did not deal with it with due seriousness and positive attitude. After a long waiting period, a much awaited declaration was made to implement the just demand of students and teachers of twenty thousand Qawmi Madrasas across the country.
We appreciate and acknowledge the excellent step taken by the present government and extend our thanks to the Prime Minister, Home Minister, Minister of Education and other concerned government departments and agencies for their sincere efforts. We also appreciate the tremendous efforts made by leaders and officials of Qawmi education boards to ensure the recognition in a way that preserves the unique characteristics of Qawmi madrsas, their noble goals and smooth functioning. We believe that the statement of the Prime minister gives answer to many question regarding the issue as she said appreciating the roles of these institutions “Education in the sub-continent was introduced through them and there are 20 thousand madrasas (large and small) across the country wherein 1.5 million students receive the education. Religious education is the first and solid foundation for building the true human being. No education process becomes complete without a proper religious education. She also recalled the great sacrifices and roles of them in the liberation struggle of the sub-continent from the British colonization”.
W e are pleased and grateful to mention that the recognition was awarded on the basis of eight principles of Daru Uloom Dewband, India and on the principle of no intervention policy in their syllabus, management affairs and activities – a policy that will help them to preserve their unique characteristics and independence to a great extent.
As for graduates of Qawmi Madrasa, we believe, new horizons were opened , opportunities and options multiplied for them to pursue higher studies in universities and centers of advanced Islamic education at home and abroad. Our society will have a better attitude towards them. The nation will, no doubt, benefit from their skills and sincere services in many sectors of the work.