* Madrasatul Islamiyah War-Arabiyyah graduates students
* Ex-NAHCON boss, Banire, MAK urge parents to embrace faith-based learning
Respected Muslim scholar and Chief Imam of Masjid Muhammad Rosullullah Islamic Centre (MRC), Sheikh Sulaiman Adangba has challenged parents to prioritise Arabic education and Islamic knowledge, saying that it’s going to serve as guidance for them in this life and the hereafter.
He made this statement at the 4th Qur’anic Graduation Ceremony of Madrasatul Islamiyah War-Arabiyyah held on Sunday, July 27 at the school premises in Ogba area of Lagos.
The graduating students were Adeyemo Mustapha, Zubair Hamidah, Fadlullah Ademola, Sefinat Salisu and Mordiyah Folami, who is the daughter of versatile broadcaster and Publisher of African Affairs Network (AAN), Alhaji Jibril Folami and Hajia Tinuke Aisha’ Oloruntoyin-Folami, veteran Broadcaster with LTV.
While celebrating the graduating students at the colourful and spiritually uplifting ceremony, Sheikh Adangba made a strong call for a renewed commitment to Islamic education and support for Arabic teachers.
“Western education is useful,” he said, “but it cannot be compared to Islamic knowledge. That is what guides us in this world and the hereafter. It is the foundation of a meaningful life and the key to building a better society.”
The scholar went on to emphasize the need for unity and collaboration with Madrasah scholars, saying educators must be respected and compensated fairly if they are to continue playing their crucial role in shaping morally upright and knowledgeable generations.
Muslim News gathered that the graduation ceremony was attended by notable Muslim personalities, families and friends, including former Chairman, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan; Notary Public and erudite legal scholar, Barr. Muiz Banire (SAN); Aare Musulumi of Ijebuland, Barr. Musibau Oyefeso, among others.
Alhaji Hassan praised the management of the Madrasah for its consistent efforts and encouraged the students to continue seeking knowledge even after their graduation.
“This should not be the end,” he told the graduates, adding, “Keep moving forward. Continue your studies and grow in knowledge and character.”
Dr Muiz Banire, also addressed the audience, commending the students for their dedication and hard work. He appealed to parents to take the sponsorship of their children’s education seriously.
According to him, “To achieve a balanced society, all parents must prioritse sponsoring the Islamic education of children.”
The Imam of the As-Salaam Ogba Community Mosque where the Madrasah is situated, Alhaji Modupe Agbolade Kadri (MAK) congratulated the graduands and their families for the milestone, stating that the institution is on a mission to reposition public perception of Madrasah education.
“As-Salaam is redefining what people see and think about our Madrasah. We must continue to strive together to impact knowledge that benefits both in this world and the next,” he said.
Also speaking, Dr Muhammad-Isa AbdulMujeeb, the founding Imam of the Masque, disclosed that the Madrasah started in 2006 with the aim of making it stands out from other Arabic Schools.
Dr. AbdulMujeeb – who is now the Managing Director of Our Friend Hospital, encouraged people not to stop at only learning the Arabic alphabet but to advance in learning and to also understand it.
The event ended with prayers, recitations of selected verses from the graduands, and a display of gratitude from proud parents, marking not just the end of an academic phase, but the beginning of a lifelong journey in learning and spiritual development.
The event featured captivating Qur’an recitations in melodious voices, insightful Tajweed analysis, engaging poetry performances and presentation of a fully automated washing machine to the longest-serving teacher, in person of Ustadh Dhikrulah Akinbola.
The teacher and some of the graduands later shared their experiences with Muslim News.
It’s not the end, it’s the Beginning: Head Teacher
The head teacher of the Madrasah, Ustadh Dhikrullah Akinbola, rejoiced with the graduating students for dedicating the early stage of their lives to the Qur’an, while expressing gratitude to the parents for their support and encouragement.
Ustadh Akinbola said with their graduation at the elementary stage, the students have memorized especially the last part of the Qur’an and mastered its recitation fluently. He urged their parents to encourage them to advance to the next stage of their Arabic and Islamic knowledge pursuit.
“I am very grateful to Allah for the success of today’s occasion. I congratulate the graduands and their parents. They have shown their genuine interest and commitment to learning the Book of Allah. This is just the beginning.
“They need to progress to the next stage of their learning. With their parents’ support, it is achievable. They shouldn’t say, ‘Since you have graduated, you don’t need to go to Madrasah again.’ The Qur’an is not our mother tongue, so we have to continue learning’,” he added.
Consistency is key: Zubair Hamida
One of the graduands, Zubair Hamida Ayodeji, now in SSS3, began Madrasah in 2015 at age 5. She spoke fondly of the day: “Since my sister graduated, I have been wanting to graduate because of the joy, the money, and the people that will come. I actually feel very happy.”
Though it took her longer to master the recitation, she credited her success to the teaching style of her Ustadh: “He is usually strict with us, but at the same time, kind and gentle, and that is why we were able to achieve this feat today.”
To her peers, she had a message: “Consistency is key because if I had stopped coming to Madrasah, I would not have achieved anything.”
To her parents, she said, “A big thanks to my parents most especially my mum, for always pushing me and making sure I went early to Madrasah.”
The Qur’an is a guide: Mordiyah Folami
Mordiyah Folami – a Senior Secondary School 2 (SSS2) student, expressed happiness about her graduation.
Having started Madrasah in 2020 while in JSS1, Mordiyah praised her Ustadh for his unwavering commitment in ensuring her recitation and memorisation were successful. She also praised her parents for their encouragement throughout the learning.
She described the Qur’an as a guide from Allah, saying “Anything we want to do, we should do it according to what is in the Qur’an.”
Always believe in yourself: Sefinat Salisu
Another graduand, Sefinat Salisu, who joined in 2019 and has completed secondary school education, shared that she initially felt uncertain and scared of her ability to succeed with her recitation and memorisation. However, the support of her Ustadh not only restored her confidence but also guided her towards achieving these.
Now preparing to study abroad, Sefinat described her growth: “We should always put Allah first. We should not practice any other religion other than Islam and we should preach the words of Allah and His Prophet.”
She attributed her success to both her Ustadh and Qur’an audio practice online. She is looking forward to joining an advanced class next.
She thanked her parents and teachers for “believing in me” and advised young girls to “always believe in themselves and always practice the religion and believe in Allah.”
The Walimatul Qur’an at As-Salaam Madrasah stood not only as a milestone but a call to deeper learning and lifelong commitment to the Qur’an. From joyful reflections to powerful words of gratitude and resolve, the voices of these young graduates serve as a reminder that the path of knowledge is both a journey and a reward.
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