Two erudite Islamic scholars, Sheikh Al-Imam Ibraheem Abdur-Raheem (Alapako), and Sheikh Abdur-Razaq Abdul-Hameed Onaolapo Animashaun (Kasolayo), harped on the importance of education as a survival button for Muslims, male and female in this world and in the hereafter.
Abdur-Raheem Alapako is the Founder and Chief Imam of Sawiyatul Istijabat Organisation, Atan-Ota, Ogun State while Onaolapo Kasolayo is the Founder, Imam and Chief Missioner, (home and abroad) of Zawiyatul-Sofwatur-Rahmatil-Islamiyyat (ZASRAM) also in Ota, Ogun State.
Both clerics spoke on Sunday, December 11, 2022, when Sofwatu-R-Rahmat Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies situated at Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria held a graduation ceremony for seven of its students who completed the recitation study of the whole glorious Qur’an. The Institute is under an International Islamic Organization, Zawiyatul-Sofwatur-Rahmatil-Islamiyyat (ZASRAM).
Speaking on the theme of the event, ‘Importance of Knowledge in the life of man,’ the Spiritual Father of the day, Sheikh Al-Imam Ibraheem Abdur-Raheem (Alapako), who also guided the graduating students in the symbolic recitation of the Noble Book of Allah, asserted that, “the importance of education in the life of the people can never be overemphasized and so any process towards its attainment should not be handled with levity.
The respected Islamic cleric also stressed the need for Muslims, irrespective of age and gender to acquire knowledge, adding that “it adds value to the wellbeing of mankind.”
Alapako, who quoted copiously from the book of hadith and Qur’an to buttress his point added that, “it’s mandatory, especially for Muslims – male and female to acquire both western and Islamic education in line with the instruction of the Noble Prophet Muhammad, (Peace be upon him)”.
The Ilorin, Kwara State-born cleric therefore advised the graduating students to put what they have acquired from the school into practice, reminding them that, “exhibition of good character, unblemished conduct and acceptable moral values are expected from products of Arabic and Islamic Studies Institutions like ours across the world.”
Earlier in his opening remark, Founder, Chief Missioner of ZASRAM (home and abroad), Sheikh Abdur-Razaq Abdul-Hameed Onaolapo Animashaun (Kasolayo), tasked parents and guardians to give priority to their wards’ education through prompt payment of their school fees and other levies for learning materials.
The vocal scholar, who is also the Proprietor and Principal of the institute expressed his displeasure about a trending situation whereby parents nowadays would prefer mundane issues like aso-ebi for wedding and even funeral at the expense of their children’s education, which would make the children real leaders of tomorrow!
“The way we attend promptly to the needs of our children’s western education, we should apply such promptness to the Qur’anic education,” Kasolayo sermonised, just as he stressed the need for both to go hand-in-hand for the all-round growth, development and benefit of the children.
Rounding off, the vibrant Ifon, Osun State-born lecturer announced that, “today’s graduation ceremony is not the end of their courses in the school but it just a step towards promotion to higher classes.
The highlights of the ceremony were distribution of Certificates of Competence as well as launching of a book, ‘Identification of Arabic Alphabets in Simple Ways’, authored by the Principal, Abdur-Razaq Abdul-Hameed Onaolapo Kasolayo.
Among the graduating students was daughter of the former Assistant Editor, The Sunday Sun Newspapers, Alhaji Abdur-Razaq Bamidele, Miss Waliyah Morolake Bamidele, (Osun State). Others were Rokibat Abdul-Fatah Yahya Sanusi (Kwara), Alia Ishola (Oyo State), Azeezat Maruf Ayofe (Osun), Zainab Onaolapo (Osun) and Fauziyat Badmus (Osun).
The well-attended ceremony had in attendance dignitaries and students from other Arabic schools around as well as various Alasalatu groups along with their spiritual instructors.
Some other scholars in attendance included but not limited to Sheikh Sirajudeen Mustapha of Al-Mustapha College of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Sheikh Ahmada Tijani of Arikewusola Central Mosque, Khalifah Ibrahim Akewukanowo and Proprietor, De Pillars Nursery and Primary School, Khalil Ibrahim Bamidele, who is also the Founder of a charity organization, Al-Khaleely Islamic Foundation (AKIF).
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