Flying Officer Imran Zakariyya Hassan (file photo)
Chief Imam of 551 Nigerian Air Force Station Central Mosque, Jos, Plateau State, North Central Nigeria, Flying Officer Imran Zakariyya Hassan, has admonished government, parents and students to play their parts in the educational development of the citizens.
Imam Hassan, whose sermon was anchored on, “Islamic Guidance Before Children’s Resumption To School,” spoke on the roles of education authority, family and pupils/students, asking them to acquaint themselves with the Guidance before children’s resumption back to school.
Hassan, told the congregation that whoever studies the history of the Prophet PBUH will know the consideration and importance that the Prophet attached to knowledge and literacy.
”After the long vacation, our children will soon be resuming back to school for a new academic session. Islam has provided the authority, parents and the pupils/students with essential guidance to adopt on children academic matters in preparation for their resumption. Among this include, Creating a conducive learning environment Providing both educational and instructional materials for the teachers, Organising educational workshops to keep the teachers updated, Providing updated curriculum and syllabus, and Paying staff their entitlements and welfare at when due on the part of education authority”.
According to Hassan, “the Parents, on their parts, should Prepare the child’s mind towards education physically and morally, Provide all necessary educational materials for a child, Pay the child’s school fees, Crosschecks their lessons and assignments, Motivates the child on his studies and Counsel them on acquiring relevant fields of knowledge.”
“They should study courses that will have significant impact on societal development such as Medical courses, Law, Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology among others”.
The Cleric said it was disheartening to know that many parents nowadays have abandoned their responsibilities. Some children leave their homes with the intention of going to school and end up in another place; while others don’t copy their notes or carry out their assignments.
“In fact, some parents don’t know which class or level their children are in educational institution. This irresponsibility of some parents has breed up thugs, drug addicts, bandits and terrorists in the society. Hence, parents are to know that if they train their wards morally and educationally they would be good asset not only to themselves but to the society at large.”
Imam Hassan also admonished the pupils/student to know that seeking for knowledge is compulsory. Hence, it is an act of worship.
“Allah instructed his Prophet in Q20: V114 to beseech Allah to bless him with more knowledge. Know that you can’t become a medical doctor or an engineer without seeking for knowledge. So, you have to take your studies very serious. If you purify your intention and consider your studies as a means to benefit yourself and your society you will be rewarded for that and it will serves as a means for your success.
“However, the same way Islam asks us to seek for religious knowledge; it equally asks us to seek for the conventional knowledge. It is through that the society can progress. This is the main reason why the Prophet PBUH promoted literacy.
Do not dislike anything that has to do with academic matters because you will regret such act in the future. O Students of knowledge! Know that you are a tool of development. It is through you that our society will advance and it can’t advance with illiterate youths,” he added.
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