Madrassa & leadership crisis in south asia

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An Ethnographic Study By

Dr. Kausar Talat April 26, 2013

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Presenter do not claims to be:

A SCHOLAR ! ALIM !

A THEOLOGIAN !

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Only seek truth applying critical thinking

This is an academic study based upon facts, that presented themselves during research work. Study though academic, does discuss religion of Islam but avoid any religious connotation or biases.

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Why?

UNIQUE STUDY

Leadership is a learnable set of practices that are based upon core values; behavior, character, ethics, trust and honesty. Normally taught and practiced at home by the family and the village.

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Leaders must be innovative, and passionate about their held belief. Must have vision that demand mental exercise and hard work. Vision is actually a snapshot of mental, emotional and verbal picture of leader’s core values. (Clawson, 2006).

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Leaders have to be healers and unifiers. They are responsible for what lies outside the walls as well as what lies within. (Peter Drucker, 1999).

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MADRASSA

Madrassas researched & investigated in: PAKISTAN

BANGLADESH INDONESIA MALAYSIA

CHINA TURKEY EGYPT SPAIN

MORROCO

Dens of terror, hatcheries for suicide

bombers, and Jihadists

(Khokar, 2007).

In Pakistan contributes to the

Taliban resurgence in Afghanistan

(Warren, 2009).

Breed fanaticism (Evans, 2006).

Terrorist factory

(Khokar, 2007).

Weapons of mass

instructions (Siddiqui, 2009).

Dens of Evil (Fair, 2001).

Jihadi factories and terrorists

dens (Bano, 2001).

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In its 2007 annual report, the International Crisis

Group recommendations to the government of Pakistan with respect to Madrasa includes:

• Ban Zakat

• Deny Madrassa certificates any legitimacy or equivalency

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2011 Noble Prize Winners 780 – 1400 AD

Saul Perlmutter (Physics) Al Biruni (973 – 1048)

Dan Shechtman (Chemistry) Al Razi (865 – 925)

Bruce A. Beutler (Medicine & Phil) Avicenna (980 – 1037)

Tomas Tranströmer (Literature) Al Khwarizmi (780– 850)

Ellen Johnson (peace) Al Kindi (801 – 873)

Thomas J. Sargent (Economics) Ibn Khaldun (1332 – 1406)

Al Hatham (965 – 1040)

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Most of these scientists, philosophers and mathematician were associated or affiliated with the worlds oldest learning institution, Al-Karaouni Madrassa, now university in Morocco established by Fatima Alfehri a Tunisian woman in 859 AD. [Makdasi 1970]

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What happened?

Muslim nations around the globe today, appears to lack intellect and leadership skills in contrast to their Past. Ahmed, 1999, p-24

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Result of Western

Hegemony fueled by

industrialization and globalization

Unsuccessful frustrated attempts by Muslims to

resist change

Result of Madrassa teachings Tariq Rahman

Is it?

Robinson 1990

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Research on Madrassas discovered: Figure 1. Concerns frequently mentioned by all participants.

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Figure 2. Five major conditions for reforms repeated by madrassa leadership

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Figure 4. Common thoughts of madrassa leadership with respect to current perception

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Figure 3. Current trend in madrassa leadership thinking regarding reforms

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Status of Ulema:

then and now

Sharia Ulemas: guardian of Sharia

Ulemas role in 19th century

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