NBAIS has roles to play in inculcating spirit of trust, religious cautiousness for peace – Gbajabiamila

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila says the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS) has vital role to play in inculcating the spirit of trust, tolerance, patience and religious cautiousness to the teaming students/youths for peace and harmony in Nigeria.

The speaker who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon Sanusi Rikiji stated this, Tuesday during the 2 days NBAIS and Al Ansar Foundation Stakeholders National Conference, with the theme: Role of Arabic and Islamic Education in Advance Peace and Harmony in Nigeria, at National Mosque, Abuja.

He added that “The significant role of the Arabic language and indeed Islamic studies in advancing peace and unity in Nigeria cannot be overemphasized. Arabic language which by virtue of Islam, has been well-known to be as the language of administration, literacy, education, history and legislation especially in northern Nigeria in the past. Therefore, the relevance of the Arabic language in the development of Nigeria exceeds the religious sphere.

He continued ” As regulator and developer of curriculum for Arabic and Islamic Institutions in Nigeria, NBAIS has a vital role to play in inculcating the spirit of trust, tolerance, patience and religious cautiousness to our teaming students/youths for peace and harmony in a multiethnic and multi-religious country like Nigeria.

“There is no doubt that the current realities in Nigeria call for better understanding among ourselves especially among young people of school age and beyond regardless of ethnic or religious inclinations. This is why conferences like this are important and should continue to be encouraged and hold regularly”.

On his part, the Vice-Chancellor of Al-Istiqama University, Sumaila, Kano state, Professor Salisu Shehu who delivered a paper on “The time of Arabic and Islamic Education in Advancing Peace and Harmony in Nigeria” noted that “although it has been established that Allah is the Absolute Source of Peace and Ultimate Giver of Security, this does not completely exclude human role and effort”.

He lamented that ” Today, this tradition has been thrown overboard and people, especially the younger ones have taken to self-tutelage. This is the problem that led to the creation of a generation of pseudo-scholars who issue out all sorts of indiscriminate, unconscionable and unfounded Fatwas that legalise bloodshed and wicked acts and carnage in the Muslim world and the world at large.

Professor Shehu continued “There should be designed a comprehensive blueprint for educating and enlightening both Muslims and non-Muslims alike about the teachings of both Islam and Christianity on peace and the essentials of peace-making/building and conflict resolution and management

“Governments at all levels and within their respective jurisdictions (Federal, State and Local) should ensure that conflict cases, issues and conflict situations are handled with justice, fairness, courage and fearlessness and that such cases are also treated with despatch”.

Delivering a paper titled ” Arabic and Islamic knowledge system and the search for peace and harmony”, Professor Afis A. Oladosu urged the leaders and other Nigerians to pounder over the lack of peace in the country and the reasons behind it.

He said “the reason for lack of peace is in our inability to understand diversity. You travel between Lagos and Ibadan, you travel from Kaduna to Kano, they will tell you until you do this or you are from this place you are nothing. So people even say Allah make a mistake by allowing choice in faith. If we want to have lasting peace in Nigeria, just like Prophet Mohammed (SAW) said let us talk peace and preach peace. We do that, we must continue to do that so that somebody who doesn’t know because of ignorance, will know.

” However, we can’t practise peace in a situation where we don’t act and preach peace. We need to communicate that. Also, we need to attend to peoples need and not just our family needs. To achieve peace, we also need to call for peace communally”.