Rape in Madrasas

Qawmi madrasas in Bangladesh are factories of child abuse, why is the state silent?

The way children are abused and raped in Qawmi madrasas, and since they do not produce any productive human resources but instead increase the number of dependent, extremist individuals—these Qawmi madrasas should be banned. Those parents who send their children to such madrasas in the hope of going to heaven should also be brought under punishment. Among my acquaintances, two children studied in Qawmi madrasas, and both returned with severe trauma—you can understand what happened. How normal the rest of their lives will be is questionable. Sadly, both of their fathers come from pure science backgrounds. It is better not to say more.

Whatever the wrongdoing, no one has the right to lay a hand on a child. No one can insult a child. That is a criminal offense. And at this age, why should they be forced to memorize books in a foreign language?

For the inhumane torture inflicted on these children, the state—meaning the government—should be held accountable. But that will not happen; instead, the government appeases them. Otherwise, how could figures like the leaders of Charmonai threaten that a mob of “Tawhidi people” would start and no government could handle it? This is because governments over the past three decades have continued to appease them.

The dignity, respect, and rights of a human child are greater than an entire religious scripture. Despite so much abuse, these children are made to memorize a book that has no practical relevance in modern times—filled with inhuman, unscientific, and anti-human-rights superstitions. After such abuse, the psychological trauma remains with them throughout their lives. When they grow up to become teachers in such madrasas, they repeat the same abuse. Some become extremists, some destabilize the country. They are unaware of human rights, freedom of speech, human dignity, and diversity of thought. These beautiful values are absent from their lives. Growing up with such trauma shapes them in the same way.

In foreign countries, one cannot touch someone else’s child without parental permission—let alone hitting them. Picking them up or even trying to show affection is not allowed. Without parents’ permission, touching another child can be a criminal offense, punishable by jail or fines. This system has many benefits: everyone learns that even a polite touch requires consent—let alone inappropriate touching.

In Islam, there is authorization to beat children and wives. A husband is allowed to beat his wife as long as bones are not broken. According to a Hasan hadith, even if the husband beats without reason, he does not have to justify it. Prophet Muhammad himself beat his wives, and the companions also beat theirs severely. Even when bones were broken, Muhammad did not administer justice; instead, he reportedly advised the companion to take back the dowry and divorce her. Therefore, Islam permits such abuse of women and children. Qawmi teachers are well aware of these teachings.