Provincial Zakat Council has approved a grant of Rs 5.8 million as stipends for 1882 students studying at 12 seminaries of Sahiwal, Nankana, Khushab, Gujranwala and Kasur districts. This was told by the Chairman Provincial Zakat Council, Justice Muhammad Akram Baittu (Retd) while presiding over a meeting here on Tuesday.
He said that sanctioning of the said amount was made in the light of the recommendations forwarded by the concerned District Zakat Committees. He said that under this Deeni stipend programme, seminary students are provided with food, residence, clothes and other basic amenities. He said that the government, under Madrrsa Reforms Programme, was also striving to enhance the level of educational facilities already provided to the seminaries attached with shrines. He said that provision of stipends to the students of Deeni Madaris was to help them continue their education without any hurdle.
Muhammad Akram Baittu said that Islam is a complete code of life, which in any way has no room for extremism and sectarianism. He said that religious education is also a basis of enlightenment for fostering tolerant societal attitudes especially in youth. He urged the students to prop up values of brotherhood and patience in the society after getting their education.