At Up-to-Date Academy Walimatul Qur’an, cleric says Islamic education does not hinder career dreams

At Up-to-Date Academy Walimatul Qur’an, cleric says Islamic education does not hinder career dreams

By Zainab Tanimu

Kaduna, Northwest Nigeria

The Proprietor and Director of Up-to-Date Academy (ALMUAASIR), Kaduna, Mallam Tijani Abdullahi Ahmad, has called on parents to lay a sound Islamic educational foundation for their children, irrespective of the careers they choose to pursue in life.

He said proper Islamic upbringing would help instill spiritual values and moral discipline needed for children to successfully navigate life challenges.

Mallam Tijani made the call during the Walimatul Qur’an and graduation ceremony organised for pupils of the academy in Kaduna.

According to him, many parents now place greater emphasis on Western education while neglecting the spiritual and moral development of their children.

He stressed that Islamic education plays a vital role in moulding character and promoting positive behaviour in society.

“If a child is spiritually sound, he or she will be properly guided. The tendency of engaging in social vices will reduce, and society will become a better place,” he said.

Sharing his personal experience, the proprietor explained that his father temporarily suspended his Western education after primary school and enrolled him in Islamiyyah studies for 10 years.

He noted that although he had always dreamt of becoming a lawyer, his Islamic education did not prevent him from pursuing that ambition.

“When I finished primary school, my father stopped my Western education and sent me to Islamiyyah school for 10 years. Despite that, my dream of becoming a lawyer never died.

“Today, I am a practising lawyer, and by the grace of Allah, I hope to proceed to Law School soon and become a barrister. Islamic studies did not stop the career of my dreams,” he stated.

Mallam Tijani appreciated parents for their support and commitment to the school since its establishment in 2019, urging them to accord Islamic education the same importance they give to Western education.

Speaking on the school’s progress, he disclosed that the institution had graduated its second set of students, comprising both Islamiyyah and Tahfiz pupils.

“Today, we are graduating 15 students, and we appreciate the parents for their support from the beginning,” he said.

He, however, identified inadequate infrastructure and delay in payment of school fees by some parents as major challenges facing the academy.

According to him, the school currently operates from rented buildings while catering for more than 300 students in both Islamic and Western education sections.

Part of the challenge is the building we are using. We need a permanent site to expand and improve learning conditions for the children,” he added.

Mallam Tijani expressed optimism that the school would attain international recognition in the future, with graduates furthering their studies in countries such as Saudi Arabia and becoming worthy ambassadors of the institution.