Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, addressing the annual convention of Jamia Tur Rasheed, praised the institution’s progressive approach of integrating religious (Deeni) and contemporary (Asri) education.
The CM expressed his gratitude for the invitation and called it an honour to address the future scholars. He warmly welcomed the convention’s objectives, which he noted reflect the faculty and scholars’ awareness of the nation’s current challenges and their commitment to addressing them. “This is the guarantee of our success – to prepare scholars who are not only aware of contemporary issues but also possess the capacity to solve them,” he stated.
Highlighting the historical significance of Islamic seminaries, Murad Ali Shah reminded the audience that in Islamic history, Madrasas were the world’s most advanced learning institutions, producing eminent scientists, thinkers, and historians. “The West achieved scientific progress based on the discoveries and research of Muslims. We, the founders of that knowledge, fell behind,” he observed.
The chief minister pointed out that early Madrasa curricula included subjects like medicine (Hikamat), astronomy, Navigation, and mathematics alongside religious education, making graduates experts in every field. He lamented the subsequent `status quo’ that halted the progress of these vital institutions, leading to disconnect between religious education and practical life.
Mr Shah expressed particular delight at the concurrent functioning of the madrasa and Al-Ghazali University, which integrates Dars-e-Nizami with modern education. He lauded the initiative of offering BS and MS degrees, alongside four international languages (Arabic, English, Turkish, and Chinese), and technology courses.
“We have often seen scholars unable to run their own households. When these graduates leave here, having completed advanced degrees and skill courses, they will face neither unemployment nor the need to look towards others,” Murad Shah emphasised.
The chief minister affirmed that engaging with the modern world necessitates not abandoning science but excelling in it, reminding the audience that the foundational scientific principles were, in fact, established by Muslim scientists.
“We must reclaim this heritage of our elders through our own capabilities. To put Pakistan on the path to progress, we must adopt the way of education, economic stability, and technology,” he declared.
Concluding his address, CM Murad Shah stressed that in the current era, alongside religious studies, the education of science, technology, literature, and philosophy must be prioritised. Most importantly, he urged a focus on Tarbiyah (character building). “We need the best human beings along with the best minds for the upliftment of society. Where Madrasas teach how to establish a relationship with God, they must also teach how to treat God’s creation. By doing this, we can achieve peace, brotherhood, and progress in society,” the CM concluded.