US report accuses Pakistan schools of teaching intolerance

TEXTBOOKS in Pakistani schools foster prejudice and intolerance of Hindus and other religious minorities, while most teachers view non-Muslims as “enemies of Islam,” an American commission has claimed.

“Teaching discrimination increases the likelihood that violent religious extremism in Pakistan will continue to grow,” said Leonard Leo, chairman of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom. “Religious minorities are often portrayed as inferior or second-class citizens who have been granted limited rights and privileges by generous Pakistani Muslims, for which they should be grateful,” the report said.

“Hindus are described as extremists and enemies of Islam whose culture and society is based on injustice and cruelty, while Islam delivers peace and brotherhood, concepts portrayed as alien to the Hindu.”

The books did not contain many specific references to Christians, but those “that do exist seem generally negative, painting an incomplete picture,” the report claimed.