By Bashir Mohammed
Kano
To advance the fortunes of nations and to provide peaceful societies that would ensure growth and development, Muslim countries must integrate Islamic values in their education systems, a renowned Islamic scholar, Dr. Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips, has said.
Speaking yesterday in Kano at a special public lecture, in a paper he delivered at Bayero University, Kano, titled: “Changing Nations through Education,” the Jamaica-born Muslim cleric, noted that Islamic values had greater role to play in the transformation of nations and society.
He said knowledge and education were “twin elements that bring about the much-needed social change and build civilisations; therefore, nations with higher percentage of Muslims should leverage on this to actualise their dream of development through the integration of Islamic values in their educational curriculum and process.”
“For any society yearning for growth and transformation, its people must to be reoriented to inculcate the good values of Islam in their educational process; it is only through education that the much-needed social transformation and change can be realised.”
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Muhammad Yahuza Bello, expressed delight for having the erudite scholar in the University, describing his presence as “an honour” not only to the institution, but the academia in general.
Meanwhile, the University has signed a statement of intention to collaborate with the Islamic Online University for the area of staff exchange, joint research, journal editorials, conferences, workshops and seminars in areas of mutual interest as well as the exchange of ideas and transfer of knowledge in various areas of endeavours.
Bello, while speaking at a round table discussion shortly after the public lecture, said the university had many units that are relevant in the partnership between BUK and the IOU.
The vice-chancellor, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Adamu Idris Tanko, said BUK was fully appreciative of the efforts of the scholar to promote good values and inculcate knowledge to the youth.