The MAJMA’ Lagos at the weekend held its 2023/2024 convocation where Diplomas and Postgraduate Diplomas in Arabic and Shari’ah Studies were conferred on graduates.
The graduates were equipped with expertise in Arabic and Islamic sciences, as well as foundational disciplines that play a crucial role in shaping both individuals and societies.
Platforms Africa reports that at the event attended by Muslim dignitaries, the graduates were encouraged to embrace new technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to promote the Arabic language in alignment with the fourth industrial revolution.
Experts who spoke at the event emphasized the need to further strengthen the Arabic language in Nigeria to create more job opportunities.
Special Guest of honour at the event, Alhaji Rafiu Ebiti, praised the organizers of the program and applauded the graduates for their dedication to learning the language of the Quran.
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Ebiti, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council at Summit University, Offa, Kwara State, highlighted the importance of adopting technology to improve learning and deepen knowledge of the Arabic language.
“As we know, technology is emerging nowadays. We have not done much, let me be honest with you. But, technology has made it very easy and fast to understand the language, even to be able to recite the Quran.
“So, we must embrace technology, so that it can be easier for everybody. And the thing about technology is that it is available at all levels. Three-year-old children can play with tabs and androids and learn faster. So, we should encourage technology,” he said.
“The language of the Quran is Arabic, and we need to understand that language, so we can understand more of the religion, the teachings of the Quran, and the words of Almighty Allah,” he concluded.
Ebiti further mentioned that the Summit University is currently working with MAMJA’ to create an international school for the study of Arabic, Islamic, Northern and Oriental languages.
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Also speaking at the event, Guest Speaker, and Former Dean, Faculty of Education, University of Lagos, Prof Muritala Aderemi Bidmus, urged Muslims to embrace unity and called on Arabic-speaking nations to create more job opportunities for Arabic-speaking individuals in Nigeria.
He said: “Muslims have tried as much as possible to emulate the stylistic structure of the Qur’an. The style of the Qur’an is very beautiful, it’s very elegant. And Muslims usually try to polish their own style in order to emulate the style of the Qur’an. I’m now saying that the effort you make to polish your style in order to emulate the style of the Holy Qur’an, why can’t you use the same effort to abide by the law of Allah, which says you are one community, but you are not divided? So, the kind of effort you make to polish your style, why can’t you make the same effort to get united?
“The Western world has a block and they work together. Despite the fact that each Western world is developed, they still want to come together, to have a European Union, to have NATO, to have G8 and U20 among others. To have all these groupings in order to gain economic cooperation, military cooperation, political cooperation. That’s what they are doing in the West. In the West, each of them is developed, each of them is independent, yet they still want to get together.
“But we Muslims, we are not together. It’s a shame, it’s a big problem. But the effort we are making to polish our style so that we can write Arabic very well, we can make the same effort to get united. We need to be united. That is the message.
“Secondly, I’m saying that the Arabs can come to Nigeria to establish business entrepreneurship.
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“So that those who learn Arabic can find somewhere to work. For example, if you have a printing press that can publish good books, you can also publish a newspaper in Arabic. We have millions of people in Nigeria who can speak Arabic very well.
“They’d be very happy to have a newspaper in Arabic published on a daily basis. And as a result of that, you get jobs for those who learn Arabic. Let us have jobs for those who learn Arabic.”
The Secretary-General, Association of Arab Universities, and Egypt Former Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Amr Ezzat Salama, commended Dr. Saheed Ahmad Rufai-led MAJMA’ for their efforts in promoting the language of the Quran, saying their dedication to producing educators and advocates who contribute to the protection of their communities through sound Islamic culture is truly commendable.
To the graduands, he said: “Your academic degrees are the fruit of your hard work and dedication and will serve as keys to your next endeavors. I urge you to remain steadfast in adhering to the values derived from the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah, adopting a balanced approach in faith, conduct, and service to your communities while spreading noble values”
He also encouraged them to equip themselves with Islamic knowledge while keeping pace with advancements in science and technology, particularly in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
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“This revolution has introduced a new reality, demanding advanced skills in fields like artificial intelligence, automation, and big data.
“The Fourth Industrial Revolution and AI technologies have significantly transformed the nature of jobs, creating an urgent need to balance applied sciences and humanities. This ensures that technological progress becomes a tool for building societies, not a threat to them.
“I must stress the importance of studying Islamic, social, and human sciences, as they shape human awareness. Societal progress is not solely contingent on advancements in natural sciences. The unregulated growth of applied sciences without a parallel advancement in humanities and social sciences may have adverse consequences for humanity. Human history has repeatedly demonstrated the risks of unbalanced scientific development without a comprehensive understanding of human and social phenomena,” he stated.
He therefore urged Nigerians to continue investing in young people through education, training, and skill development to ensure they remain innovative and distinguished in this era of rapid transformation.
He said the association of Arab Universities is in discussions with leaders in Nigeria to strengthen collaboration with Nigerian academic institutions, particularly in Arabic language education, Islamic studies, and historical research.
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According to him, the association has also organized training programs for students of the Research and Training Complex at Arab universities, reaffirming its commitment to supporting higher education and serving the issues of the Islamic nations.
About MAJMA’
MAJMA’ Training and Research, is a world-class higher training and research service provider covering both post-secondary and postgraduate levels.
The Academy was established in 2008 as an empowerment-focussed training outfit committed to professional training on Arabic-English-Arabic translation and interpreting.
The MAJMA’ characteristically leaves no stone unturned in pursuing the achievement of professional excellence and distinctions in various areas of relevance, for the purpose recruitment for training, research orientation and professional reorientation of students for economic development and general empowerment.
Platforms Africa