Ramadan: Shariah judge advises FG to integrate, harmonize Madrasas, Seminary schools
By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
A Kadi at Kwara State Shariah Court of Appeal, Justice Abdur-Raheem Sayi, has advised government at all tiers to integrate and harmonise religious schools; madrasas and seminary schools to meet up with modern societal demands.
Sayi stated this in Ilorin while delivering a paper in the Annual Ramadan Lecture organised by the Kwara State College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies (CAILS).
The theme of the Lecture is entitled: “The Future of Islamic Higher Education in Nigeria: Trends, Challenges and Opportunities.”
According to him, the structuring and integration of more curriculum to meet the modern standards, will ensure these religious schools are relevant.
He observed the need to introduce English Language and entrepreneurship skills to these madrasas to make the students relevant and productive.
Sayi added that the General Certificate Education (GCE) and West African Examination Council (WAEC) can be introduced for students to ensure they further their education to tertiary level.
He pointed out on the meed for government to be neutral and play regulatory role for all religious institutions in Nigeria.
Similarly, the Justice also advocated the upgrading of CAILS to become University College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies.
He described CAILS as a fountain of Islamic knowledge and heritage for Ilorin Emirate.
“For muslims, Islamic knowledge is the foundation of all knowledge and seeking Islamic studies is part and parcel of the religion.
“The idea of conceiving the school is to create a tertiary institution that serve as link to full degree education,” he said.
Sayi appealed to the Federal Government to accord full recognition of the institution and ensure it is among the Tetfund beneficiary institutions.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Acting Provost of CAILS, Dr. Sa’ad Hadi, described the Annual Ramadan Lecture as a moment for spiritual reflection.
He added that it also serves as an opportunity to assess the progress, strengthen commitment of the institution to Islamic education, and seek community collaboration for further development.
Hadi stated that the topic is timely and essential, as the landscape of Islamic higher education is evolving in response to contemporary challenges and opportunities.
According to to him, CAILS was established to fulfill the aspirations of the Muslim community by providing an institution that blends Western education with Islamic knowledge.
The provost observed that the institution has recorded success over the years in academic reforms and programme expansion.
“We have successfully secured approval and accreditation for programmes in Law, Mass Communication, Accounting, Computer Science, and Library Science,” he said.
He commended the commitment of Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for reforming and repositioning the institution.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser on Special Duties to Kwara Governor, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Jiddah, tasked religious institutions on reforms
He recalled the gruesome alleged ritual killing of Hafsoh Lawal, a College of Education students by a self-acclaimed Islamic teacher as condemnable and unIslamic.
“What is on ground calls for serious attention. There is need to introduce business vocations as part of the curriculum.
“They can also be absorbed in tertiary institution like CAILS to further their education and have qualifications to study further,” he said. (NAN)
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