Banned books of Maududi still in CU syllabus
The Chittagong University authorities are still teaching controversial writer Syed Abul Ala Maududi's books, which were banned in the country in 2010 for contents encouraging extremism and militancy.
The books are taught as prescribed textbooks in three departments--Philosophy, Islamic History and Culture, and Islamic Studies.
Historians, teachers and students have expressed deep concern over the matter.
In a July 16, 2010 notification, the government asked the authorities concerned to remove Maududi's books from mosques and public libraries in the country.
Maududi founded the Jamaat-e-Islami in 1941. His books, originally written in Urdu and translated into Bangla, are essential reading for supporters of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, according to the party's manuals for its activists.
In the philosophy department, the political thoughts and biography of this radical writer, having roots in the hardline Jamaat-e-Islami, are taught in one course, "Contemporary Muslim Philosophy".
The course has been included in the curriculum since 2009, students said. At least six of Maududi's books were found in the department, though they were not referred to as suggested readings in the syllabus.
For the first time, questions on the political thoughts of Maududi appeared in the fourth year honours examination in 2003, and since then at least one question on Maududi has been put by the course teachers every year.
Seeking anonymity, a third year student of the department said course coordinators laid strong emphasis on topics on Maududi.
According to eminent historian and Dhaka University Prof Muntasir Mamun, the philosophy of Maududi could not be acceptable in any stage of our national curriculum.
“Topics included in such books cannot form part of a university syllabus. Maududi's philosophy is the root of all kinds of religious extremism and violence in this subcontinent,” he told The Daily Star.
Throughout the country, law enforcers are particularly alert about these “illegal Jihadist books”. They not only confiscate the books but also arrest people who possess them.
The largest collection of Maududi's books, 55 of them, was found in the Islamic studies department seminar library. The books are used as references in 11 courses in the department.
Vice Chancellor Prof Anwarul Azim Arif said the present CU administration was completely unaware of the fact that the books were banned.
“If this is the case, then we shall investigate the matter. Actually, the university had been under the control of anti-liberation forces for a long period and that's why they could pursue a lot of activities detrimental to the spirit of our liberation war, democracy and socio-economic progress,” he said.
Dr Md Sirajuddoulah, a professor in the public administration department of CU, said the authorities should remove the books from the syllabus. “The authorities should take steps to stop teaching such controversial topics.”
Four of Maududi's books were found in the Islamic history and culture department seminar library. The books are referred to as suggested reading in one course.
Asked, Chairman of the department Prof Bashir Ahmed said as far as he knew no books of Maududi were included in the syllabus. "I don't know about the existence of his books in our seminar library," he added.
This correspondent however found Maududi's books cited as reference books in the syllabi both in the Islamic studies department and the Islamic history and culture department.
Prof Gazi Saleh Uddin, former dean of social science faculty of CU, termed the inclusion of such controversial contents as a "philosophical crime". "It is a conspiracy of the anti-liberation forces to brainwash students. The authorities should take stern action to stop such activities," he said.
Prof Muntasir Mamun said a high-powered committee comprising prominent academics should scrutinise the syllabi, teaching methods and teacher recruitment process at the universities so that such a practice no longer existed.
Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid expressed astonishment when informed of the matter. "I wonder how banned books could be included in the curriculum of a public university."
He told The Daily Star that he agreed the matter was very serious and it should be stopped immediately. The minister said he would ask the CU authorities to submit a report to him in detail about the matter.
Contacted on August 28, the VC said the authorities were yet to receive any instruction from the ministry in this regard.
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