By AbdulWaheed Shotonwa
Teachers of Arabic and Islamic studies in Nigeria have decried the increasing desperation for wealth, considered as one of the prevalent social vices, especially among the youths in the society today.
The teachers, under the aegis of Nigeria Association of Teachers of Arabic and Islamic Studies (NATAIS), Secondary School wing, Lagos Chapter, noted the menace has brought about decrease in morals and value for human life.
Speaking at the second edition of NATAIS DAY, held today, Monday, at Adeyemi Berro Hall, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, the Principal, Kuramo Senior College, Mr Abdulwahab Muhammadul-Awwal disclosed that the Nigerian society has become more violent owing to the increase in terrorism, banditry and kidnapping across the country.
Mr. Muhammadul-Awwal, while dissecting the topic; Increasing Desperation for Quick Wealth among Youth: Islamic Panacea, told the participants from different secondary schools in Lagos, the incidence of kidnapping for money rituals is not new.
“It is an age-long vice. In the olden days, those involved were adults, but the involvement of youths in it these days makes it more worrisome. No one is asking them not to get rich, what is essential is to ensure it is gotten through halal (legitimate) means.
“The occurrence of ritual killings for wealth in the youths demonstrates desperation to get rich and it is one of the manifestations of Al-Asr (The evening time), and fulfilment of the promise of shaytan to Allah.
“A major cause is the rejection of faith and the shari’ah by the society, idolatry, cultism in schools, collapse of the family unit as most homes are based on haram; exposure to the evils of social media and collapse of moral values in the society”.
Speaking on the solutions, he said “Islam has given us the panacea to these problems and we have to return to Islam. Aggressive da’wah aimed at educating and enlightening the youths on Islamic understanding and practices; emphasising proper establishment of the family unit in accordance with the sunnah; proper Islamic upbringing of our children; regeneration of positive values; bringing the society back to Allah and the adults should be good models to the youths”.
In his welcome address, the Lagos State chairman of the body, Imam Adedokun Jeleel said, “Today’s NATAIS Day theme beams its torch light on the national concern as it is being prepared among the youths in relation to the pandemic moral perversion.
“This body is purely an academic association and we are for knowledge and morals as depicted in our motto. We represent tolerance, practical knowledge and moral rejuvenation both within and outside the classrooms”.
The event which also featured an inter-district Qur’an and Quiz Competition, had in attendance representative of the Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo; Tutor General/Permanent Secretaries; Director, Curriculum Services Department, Mrs E. I Adebamigbe; Director, Multilingual International Resource Centre, Mrs Haastrup Taiwo Adetoun; officials from the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS); and others.
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