Deny our collective responsibility as Muslims?

Islam is the solution to mankind. Human existence rests on a solid foundation of knowledge and exploration. The world was evaded by darkness until the light passed through MUHAMMAD (SAW), that light was knowledge. Allah says in Quran 4:174 that “O humanity! Verily, there has come to you a convincing proof from your Lord; and We have sent you a manifest light (this Quran) ”. It signifies the position of Islam on the importance of seeking knowledge. This light has no limitation or limitation; it must be acquired anytime and anywhere.

Are Muslims aware of this orthodox provision of the foundation of Islam, which is knowledge? There is no position in Islam unless it is supported by knowledge of the Quran and Sunnah, Allah says “Read in the Name of your Lord who created (all that exists)“. It will be very impossible to read if you are not taught, therefore, it is compulsory for every Muslim to have an education before they can read and write.

Formal education (secular and religious) has come to stay, so the need to formalize education is the structural imperative. The first ideal of each institution must revolve around the building of solid structures and institutions. The government of Ghana and its development partners have enabled religious academic institutions to thrive. The Christian fellowship has positively used this opportunity and has contributed immensely to national growth and development. Several educational institutions including the St. Peters, Presec-Legon, Wesley Girls and many more, including universities that every Muslim parent will want their child to attend in order to achieve academic excellence. What are the contributions of Islamic schools?

The Islamic education unit has been institutionalized and adopted by the government of Ghana, but after more than sixty years of independence, we do not yet have a school that can meet the standards of Christian schools. The WASSCE ranking at elementary and higher levels has always seen Islamic schools perform poorly. Certainly and admirably, the structures within Christian schools work largely to their advantage, which translates into improved academic performance. However, the same cannot be said of Islamic institutions.

Our Christian schools have already provided the blueprints which can be harnessed in our attempt to build great and competitive Islamic schools at all levels. The absence of such competitive Islamic schools over the past decades makes one wonder whether we are denying Allah’s call to seek knowledge of us as Muslims or in hibernation for a long time. It is imperative for Muslims in general and for the Islamic Education Unit in particular, not only to strengthen the institutional quality of existing schools, but also to create many more to increase access in a way that also works well for the Muslim community. It is interesting to note that we are often outraged when a Christian school applies its rules to all students, regardless of their religion. We often expect some sort of special waiver for Muslim students and when such waivers are not granted the Muslim community is outraged. At the very least, the application of universal rules without discrimination is laudable in Islam and schools should be encouraged to adhere to these standards. Perhaps this is a wake-up call for Islamic authorities and Muslims to consider establishing similar competitive schools.

There is nothing wrong with a Muslim learning through a Christian denominational school or under the feet of a non-Muslim. Islamic history will never cease to mention the victory of the Muslims in the battle of Badr. The captive scholars were jailed until they could teach at least ten Muslims to read and write before being released. Once we find ourselves in a non-Muslim school, it is imperative to fully observe the rules and regulations established by the school as it is against Islamic doctrine to rebel against the authorities.

Islamic schools in this country are mainly a collective contribution and sacrifices of the whole community through charity and physical support, but once the school starts operating it becomes the property of the chief imam and possibly inherited by his children serving as family property instead of community. Such family management and micro-management of schools seem to be a scourge that must be fought at all levels.

IMAM ZAKARIA SULEMANA
MASJID-SALAAM
CREST, ACCRA.