Why have the madrasas become a subject of such controversy? What roles do madrasas play in Pakistani society? What are the main challenges and opportunities for madrasa reform? Since 11 September 2001, Pakistan’s madrasas have received much attention from the media, policy analysts and politicians. The bulk of the literature has asserted strong links between madrasas and militancy. Madrasas have thus become the focus of a much larger debate on Islam and militancy. This security discourse has placed the most radical madrasas in the spotlight and has left out the moderate, non-militant and non-political madrasas. From a broader policy implication perspective, one can more constructively and fruitfully approach the “madrasa challenge” by looking at the diversity of schools existing in this sector, in terms of size, financing, and theological and ideological positions, as well as at their links to political groups. This report presents the core issues in the debate and identifies some of the challenges and opportunities for reform.

The paper is based on a review of existing secondary source literature and primary sources, including 17 interviews with madrasa leaders in Pakistan, Pakistani government officials, as well as academics, analysts and journalists who in different ways have analyzed madrasa reform or the related debate. The interviews were conducted in April and May 2010 and February 2008. (See Annex 1 for list of interviews). SOURCE: Norwegian Peacebuilding Resource Centre