SOKOTO – The Nigerian Association of Teachers of Arabic and Islamic Studies on Tuesday in Sokoto called on Nigerian to imbibe religious tolerance.
The President of the association, Prof. Murtada Muhibbu-Din, made the call at the 32nd Annual National Conference of the association.
Muhibbu-Din spoke on the theme, “Interpretation of Arabic/Islamic texts and Religious tolerance”.
He stressed the need for Nigerians to emulate the good character and teachings of reputable scholars and leaders of the nation.
Gov. Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State said in his remarks that the conference came at the right time as the nation’s security and national interest were facing challenges.
According to the governor, it is religious tolerance that promotes peace among societies with difference cultures or religions.
The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Bello Danchadi, commended the association for its sustained efforts in ensuring peace in the country.
The Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Bala Sokoto, said the timing and choice of venue of the conference was appropriate.
“Muslims in Nigeria, more than ever before, have a craving for mutual collaboration for tolerance, ideas and resources; this is in order to surmount the existing challenges facing the contemporary Nigeria,” he added.
Bala said the conference would surely ensure peaceful coexistence and prosperity among the various tribes in the country.
Also speaking, Prof. Muhammad Jagaba of the Faculty of Education and Extension Services, Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, called on governors of in the north to ban street begging in their various states.
In his paper entitled “Implementation and Challenges of Almajiri Education in Nigerian”, he said Almajiri education “falls within basic education which the constitution assigns to state and local governments’’.
“Almajiri education programme can only succeed if the states take full ownership of it and fund it.’’
Jagaba commended the Kano State Government for taking the bold step in that regard and also banning street begging. (NAN)
