In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks, the eyes of the whole world were riveted on these Pakistani Koranic schools, described as jihadist incubators. With drone attacks, the United States was quick to eliminate certain “madrasas” deemed problematic in tribal regions near the Pakistan-Afghan border. Then, the Pakistani government embarked on a vast reform of these schools. Pakistan today has around 21,000 “madrasas”, perhaps even more. Some are still resistant to government reform. However, according to Mohammad Arsalam of the Jamia Usmania “madrasa”, the vast majority of Koranic schools have taken the turn towards more modern education. Visit of the Jamia Usmania “madrasa”, founded in 2002 in the suburbs of Peshawar, Pakistan.
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After the Soviet troops withdrew from Afghanistan, Osama bin Laden and several of his acolytes settled in opulent homes in Peshawar. Renaud Philippe Le Devoir
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In December 2014, the attack on the Peshawar army public school, carried out by a Pakistani Taliban commando, killed 150 children and their teachers. Asfan Khan Shaheed Street was renamed in honor of one of the young victims. Renaud Philippe Le Devoir
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Jamia Usmania “Madrasa” Mosque Renaud Philippe Le Devoir
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“Our 11,000 students receive a modern education in addition to teaching the Koran,” says Mohammad Arsalam (center), a mufti who runs the Jamia Usmania “madrasa”, founded in 2002 in the suburbs of Peshawar, Pakistan. Renaud Philippe Le Devoir
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Library of the “madrasa” Renaud Philippe Le Devoir
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In the classes spread over several floors around an interior courtyard, the students of the Jamia Usmania “madrasa” – which welcomes boys ranging in age from eight to twenty – follow the teachings, glued to each other. of their teachers. Renaud Philippe Le Devoir
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The “madrasa” science laboratory Renaud Philippe Le Devoir
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English room Renaud Philippe Le Devoir
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Students take a math class. Renaud Philippe Le Devoir
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Quran Study Renaud Philippe Le Devoir
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The cafeteria of the “madrasa” Renaud Philippe Le Devoir
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It’s the end of class. Renaud Philippe Le Devoir
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When parents do not have the money to send their children to secondary schools, they enroll them in “madrasas”, where they are accommodated and fed free of charge. Renaud Philippe Le Devoir
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Children play cricket in the streets of Peshawar. Renaud Philippe Le Devoir
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According to UNICEF, a quarter of the school-age population does not attend any educational institution in Pakistan. Renaud Philippe Le Devoir
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Former Mujahedin, now refugees in the city of Kohat, Pakistan. Renaud Philippe Le Devoir
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The human cost of the war on terror in Pakistan is estimated to be 83,000 dead, according to government figures. Renaud Philippe Le Devoir
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