ISLAMABAD : The Muttahida Madrasah Council of Pakistan has officially disassociated itself from recent remarks made by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman regarding the Pakistan Army and martyrs, clarifying that the country’s religious seminaries have no connection with any campaign against state or national institutions.
In a written statement issued on Wednesday, the council firmly rejected any negative commentary on the sacrifices of the nation’s martyrs, calling such statements unacceptable. The move comes amid growing backlash over Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s controversial comments, which were perceived by many as critical of the military establishment.
Spokesperson for the Muttahida Madrasah Council, Dr. Mir Muhammad Asif Akbar Qadri, emphasized that Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s position is purely personal and reflects the political stance of his party alone. He stressed that it does not, in any way, represent the views of the thousands of madrasahs across the country.
The council’s statement underscored that the martyrs and ghazis (veterans) of the Pakistan Army are national heroes and a source of pride for the entire nation. “Religious schools, mosques, scholars, and students have no connection with anti-state activities or campaigns against national institutions,” Dr. Qadri asserted.
Reaffirming the role of madrasahs in the country’s fabric, the council declared that these institutions have always served as centers for protecting Pakistan’s ideological, intellectual, and geographical borders. The statement appears aimed at dispelling any perceptions that the religious seminary community endorses rhetoric perceived as undermining the armed forces.
The development follows a series of reactions from political and legal circles, including the Karachi Bar Association withdrawing a condemnation resolution and other leaders calling Fazlur Rehman’s remarks irresponsible. The Muttahida Madrasah Council’s swift disavowal signals an effort to insulate the broader religious education sector from political fallout.
