A friend directed me to a feature article in yesterday’s NY Times. Entitled, “Turkish Schools Offer Pakistan a Gentler Vision of Islam,” the article discussed the advent of Turkish schools that have come to Pakistan “with an entirely different vision of Islam. Theirs is moderate and flexible, comfortably coexisting with the West while remaining distinct from it.” The group of Turkish educators now based in Pakistan are like “Muslim Peace Corps volunteers,” noted the Times, promoting “this approach in schools, which are now established in more than 80 countries, Muslim and Christian.”
Presently, the education system in Pakistan is relatively weak, since the poorest Pakistanis cannot afford to send their children to public schools, “which are free but require fees for books and uniforms.” As a result, many send them to madrassas, religious schools, which offer free food and clothing. Although it’s important to underline that not all madrassas have radical Islamist agendas, the reality is that a number of them do. The NY Times added, “At the same time, a growing middle class is rejecting public schools, which are chaotic and poorly financed, and choosing from a new array of private schools.”
The “PakTurk” schools, which have expanded to seven cities in Pakistan since the first was established a decade ago, offer an alternative approach that the NY Times noted, “could help reduce the influence of Islamic extremists.” The news agency added,
They prescribe a strong Western curriculum, with courses, taught in English, from math and science to English literature and Shakespeare. They do not teach religion beyond the one class in Islamic studies that is required by the state. Unlike British-style private schools, however, they encourage Islam in their dormitories, where teachers set examples in lifestyle and prayer.
What exactly is this model of education? Fethullah Gulen, a Turkish Islamic scholar and preacher with millions of followers in Turkey, is the brainchild behind the model, whose idea is that “without science, religion turns to radicalism, and without religion, science is blind and brings the world to danger.” One source further noted, “The chief characteristic of the Gulen movement is that it does not seek to subvert modern secular states, but encourages practising Muslims to use to the full the opportunities they offer.”
The PakTurk schools are significant because they offer one alternative to the often polarized perceptions of Pakistan’s education system. Instead of families choosing between religious or government-sponsored education, they have more options. And today, the Gulen schools are luckily not the only option. Instead, the model represents just one of the many efforts to improve Pakistan’s education system. CHUP will be publishing a related interview with an education NGO this week, so stay tuned. [Image from the Times -The NY Times piece has an attached slideshow and audio interview with Times writer Sabrina Tavernaise.]
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As the name suggests, the post does not say enough. What EXACTLY is the point where PakTurk schools are making or going to make the difference.
Its true that Science solely has not been able to give the desired level of civilization to a learner but have we clearly and carefully marked the dynamics which are really involved?
It think what is important here is that (finally) there is an alternative to the current “religious” education–and more importantly, it is an alternative which, as the post cites, is “moderate, flexible, comfortably coexisting with the West while remaining distinct from it.”
The last part of that description is particularly important. One should not deny the contributions of the west towards the advancement of civilization–yet at the same time one’s own cultural identity and historical context must be preserved. From this article, this is what I understand the mission/vision of the PakTurk schools to be.
I don’t think the dynamics can be “clearly and carefully” marked so soon into the experiment, as the above reply points out. Currently we know what the dynamics of the current “religious” education establishment involve, and I think it is safe to say that an alternative would be refreshing, if not necessary, to help nurture a more progressive and inclusive way of thinking.
[…] CHUP! on a newspaper report on the trend of Turkish schools in Pakistan offering an alternative to Madrassa education. Posted by Neha Viswanathan Share This […]
I read about the Fetullah gulen movement.This is a truly great step in saving Muslims all over the world from being branded as terrorists and trouble makers. Fetullah Gulen’ approach is a wise one a correct one and goes a long way in educating the non-muslims about what Islam really is and who Muslims really are. This movement couldnt have come at a better time. Its a slap in the fact for all anti -Muslims like the Hindu fundamentalists of india who tend to project every muslim as a terrorist . Fetullah Gulen was inspired by his mentor Said Nursi who was a Sufi who transformed by reading the ‘risale-e-nur’ from the holy Quran.
In my view every young pakistani should take complete advantage of this education and join this movement as this is the only movement that empasises on education and self emancipation of the individual. Its a pity that pakistan has not lived up its Islamic ideals of equality and fair opportunities for all its citizens. The disparity of life between the rich and the poor is appalling. Every child in pakistan has a right to complete education and a decent life.
Hi. brother My Name is Mr Nida Yilmaz I m Turkish. I read your emotions. Im working in Pakturk and I want to speak about pakturk. my email is nida@pakturk.biz
[…] change to Pakistan by providing quality education to the country’s less-privileged youth, [also see a similar news post this week on Pakistan’s education system]. CHUP interviewed Tayyeb Afzal of The Citizens Foundation, who commented on the […]
Gullen Movement is indeed a great step towards the lost paradise. When he started, people suggested that he was trying to dig a welll with the needle and that there were short cuts available. But later on we, have seen the results of the short cuts. Gullen’s way is a long one but secure and trusted one. After making a silent revolution in Turekey, now it is spreading in all Islamic countries and one can hope that this will bring some thing positive and respecatble for the Muslims all over the world. Turkish schools in Pakistan are playing their role. Now its the time for Pakistani Businessmen and other well off people to step forward and help the cause.
since when did education become a brand name????
FIVE REGIONAL cities in PAKISTAN should be upgraded with in the provinces of the country. Regional cities of Dera Ismail Khan in NWFP, Gawadar/ Qalat in Balouchistan, Sukkar/ Larkana in Upper Sind, Jehlam/ Rawalpindi and Multan in Punjab province. These regional cities have been ignored by the federal and provincial governments although these cities have their own history, culture and languages.Dera Ismail Khan in south of Pakhtun khwa is under seige, Multan/DG Khan in south of Punjab is next target of religious extremists,Sukkar/ Larkan is rule by criminals, Gawadar/ Qalat is trouble some. The people of these regions have to travel to provincial capitals for every small issue and requirement of the daily life which should be provided in nearby cities. A good number of population travel to big cities for their survival to earn livelihood as the local feudal own majority land and keep the common man as their slaves. Creation of regional government and upgrading of the regional cities will save a lot of money and time of the poor people of these regions. Circuit courts of the High Courts are already working in these areas and only requirement is the additional staff of different departments involved in additional work at the provincial capitals. The concern authorities should immediately consider to upgrade the regional cities. And immediate attention should be given upgrade the airports,TV station, civic center, libraries,hospitals, educational institutes and investment opportunities for Pakistanis living abroad and foreign firms to create jobs in the area as majority population in rural Pakistan do not have enough resources to survive. It’s remind me the condition of pre Islamic revolution of Iran in Shah time when the rural Iran was ignored and the capital Tehran was developed in a way to call it Paris of Middle East with modern life style. Couple of other big cities like Isfahan and Caspian sea was taken care of because of foreign tourists but rural area was ruled by cruel police and intelligence. Then what happen, rural population supported the Islanic revolution and later on moved to Tehran and other big cities. Any how The new government developed, built and upgraded the riral areas of the country.KHWAJA AFTAB ALI,( former secretary, Iranian embassy, Saudi Arabia) Advocate High Court & I.P. Attorney- first and only Pakistani lawyer earned scholarship to study Intellectual Property Rights in USA,presently residing in Florida, USA. pip.law@hotmail.com
I appriciate your efforts in in promotion of education, carry on and focus especially women education in Northern areas of pakistan.
this is an excellent view of a private school students and excellent example of descipline
PakTurk students like their Turkish teacher so much (due their kindness or ikhlaq u may say) and i think thats why this student has written this much and i approve this article!!! Thanks bro!! (m a pakturk student.)