Islamic education not backward – Sultan

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has said that
Islamic education is robust and not backward as some people
say.

Abubakar said this at the centenary celebration of Sheikh Adam
Al-Ilory, held at the University of Lagos on Monday.

He said, “We cannot allow people to bring our heads down and say
we are useless. We are highly educated. We need to take this
challenge up and ask ourselves, ‘Why do people look at us Muslims
as illiterates?’ I don’t understand how someone who is very fluent
in the Quran, who can recite it off-heart be called an illiterate
because he doesn’ speak English.

“Islamic education is perpetually an entity of self-discipline,
which involves physical and spiritual training of man. It is the
balanced growth of man through training of intellect. The bulk of
Islamic education is meant to facilitate the proper growth of the
total personality of man. It is a way of life. When we are talking
about Islamic education, don’t think we are being backward because
it is the making of a total human being and when you become one,
you would shun corruption and avoid illegal dealings.”

Al-Ilory was the founder, Markaz Agege Centre for Arabic and
Islamic Studies, Lagos and a renowned Islamic preacher still
acclaimed even after his death in 1992.

The Sultan described Al-Ilory as a preacher and a prolific
writer who communicated his thoughts and ideas not only to his
contemporaries but also to the younger generations.

In his speech, the Governor of Ogun state, Ibikunle Amosun, said
there was no better way to tell the Islam story than through
education.

He said, “Markaz Campus will be established in Abeokuta and this
will be with the support of the Sultan of Sokoto. We will support
the growth of Islam with whatever we have because Islam is a
religion of peace.”

The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, appealed to the audience
to continue to do their best for education to ensure it work.

Saraki said, “For those of us who have been opportune, we will
ensure that a place like Markaz continue to grow.”

The Pro-chancellor of the University of Lagos, Dr. Wale
Babalakin, said that for Markaz to complete its university it would
need more funds.

He said, “I am aware that Markaz needs to expand its premises
and needs to buy neighbouring properties but there is no
feasibility to do that apart from the opportunity we have now at
this gathering.”

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has said that
Islamic education is robust and not backward as some people
say.

Abubakar said this at the centenary celebration of Sheikh Adam
Al-Ilory, held at the University of Lagos on Monday.

He said, “We cannot allow people to bring our heads down and say
we are useless. We are highly educated. We need to take this
challenge up and ask ourselves, ‘Why do people look at us Muslims
as illiterates?’ I don’t understand how someone who is very fluent
in the Quran, who can recite it off-heart be called an illiterate
because he doesn’ speak English.

“Islamic education is perpetually an entity of self-discipline,
which involves physical and spiritual training of man. It is the
balanced growth of man through training of intellect. The bulk of
Islamic education is meant to facilitate the proper growth of the
total personality of man. It is a way of life. When we are talking
about Islamic education, don’t think we are being backward because
it is the making of a total human being and when you become one,
you would shun corruption and avoid illegal dealings.”

Al-Ilory was the founder, Markaz Agege Centre for Arabic and
Islamic Studies, Lagos and a renowned Islamic preacher still
acclaimed even after his death in 1992.

The Sultan described Al-Ilory as a preacher and a prolific
writer who communicated his thoughts and ideas not only to his
contemporaries but also to the younger generations.

In his speech, the Governor of Ogun state, Ibikunle Amosun, said
there was no better way to tell the Islam story than through
education.

He said, “Markaz Campus will be established in Abeokuta and this
will be with the support of the Sultan of Sokoto. We will support
the growth of Islam with whatever we have because Islam is a
religion of peace.”

The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, appealed to the audience
to continue to do their best for education to ensure it work.

Saraki said, “For those of us who have been opportune, we will
ensure that a place like Markaz continue to grow.”

The Pro-chancellor of the University of Lagos, Dr. Wale
Babalakin, said that for Markaz to complete its university it would
need more funds.

He said, “I am aware that Markaz needs to expand its premises
and needs to buy neighbouring properties but there is no
feasibility to do that apart from the opportunity we have now at
this gathering.”