A private bill on Thursday was moved in NWFP assembly for introduction of amendments in NWFP Shariah Act, 2003 for starting the teaching of Nazira (recitation), translation of Holy Qur'aan in all education institutions (both public and private sectors) of the province.
The private bill was tabled by Saqibullah Khan Chamkani, a treasury member of the house from the suburbs of the provincial metropolis. Through the bill, the mover had proposed amendment in Section 6 of the North-West Frontier Province Shariah Act, 2003 (NWFP Act No Ii of 2003) to change the syllabus of Islamiat for Muslim students for both public and private sector schools under the jurisdiction of NWFP government.
The bill after passage from the provincial legislature may be called the North-West Frontier Province Shariah (Amendment) Act 2009 and will come into force at once. The act will make it obligatory on the provincial department of education to start teaching of Nazira (recitation) of the Holy Qur'aan from class one and its completion in class 6th.
The start of the teaching of translation of Holy Qur'aan from class 7th and completion in class 10th or 'O' Level while Darsi Hadith will be taught from class 10th or 'O' Level to class 12th or 'A' Level. The statement of objectives and reasons of the bill said that for any Muslim the first source of guidance to lead his/her life with is from Holy Qur'aan and the secondary guidance come from Hadith.
Deputy Speaker, Khushdil Khan Advocate, who was presiding the proceedings of the house in the absence of Speaker Kiramatullah Khan, who was engaged with officials for replacement or repairing of the faulty sound system in the house, put the matter to vote, which was allowed unanimously.
Mufti Kifayatullah, a soft-spoken legislator of JUI-F thanked the mover Saqibullah Khan Chamkani for initiating a better move in the house. He said that the bill of the member purposed to impart quality education to the students. He said that though the matter was relating to federal government, but still they could send better proposals and suggestions in this regard.
He said that they would like to include their proposals in the bill and requested the chair against its passage in haste and suggested the sending of the bill to a selected committee of the house. The mover of the bill, Saqibullah Khan Chamkani said that the purpose of the legislation was to bring improvement in the laws.
He said that the passage of the bill will pave way for the starting of the teaching of Nazira and translation of Holy Qur'aan compulsory in both public and private sectors. The house unanimously voted for referring the bill to the standing committee through saying a 'big yes'. The chair announced the referring of the bill to the standing committee and announced the adjournment of the proceedings of the house till today (Friday) 10:00 am.