Islamabad, Apr 4 (ANI): Students of Pakistani madrassas have taken to cricket like ducks to water in a bid to remove the stigma of being called extremists.

Twenty-four teams from various religious seminaries are taking part in the Bain-ul-Madris Cricket tournament, which commenced on Friday.

Participants said it was wrong to project the view that seminary students lived in their own world and did not want to mingle with other members of society.

They claimed they were also part of society and have the same feelings as others.

Tahir Mehmood, the head of Jamia Safia, said it was a misconception that females studying in madaris were forbidden to take part in any extra curricular activity.

"There is no concept in Islam to suppress the women," The Nation quoted him, as saying.

Seminary students will take part and prove themselves in any game or field where they are provided a chance, representatives of the madaris said.

They also urged the government to initiate more such activities to make these seminary students active members of society. (ANI)