AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE ROLE OF RELIGION IN RESTRAINING PAKHTUN PARENTS TO EDUCATE THEIR FEMALE CHILDREN

Abstract

Islam is an integral part of Pakhtunwali. Islam significantly shapes, directs and molds the life of Pakhtuns, for example, Pakhtun directs there familial, cultural, economic, and political as well as educational life in the light of Islam. Framed under the qualitative research design, the current study investigates into the role of religion (Islam) in directing Pakhtun parents to educate their female children. This study has been conducted in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Purposive sampling technique has been utilized to select samples from the population of interest, and an interview guide and focus group discussion has been utilized to collect information from respondents. The collected information has been transcribed and analyzed thematically. Findings of the current study reveal that Pakhtun follows Islam when it comes to educate female children. However, in majority of cases the true essence of Islam regarding education specifically female education has been misinterpreted by the so-called and uneducated religious preachers and leaders (e.g. Mullahs). As a result, instead of the true essence of Islam (which promotes education equally among male and female) the belief system is misinterpreted and it works as a barrier and hurdle to female education in the study area. It is suggested that education should be promoted among religious preachers who will understand the true essence of Islam, and will interpret the guidance properly to the followers.