WOMEN have been urged to be good role models and establish the paths of their children in the way of Allah.
The admonition was given in Abuja at a programme with the theme ‘Islamic Solutions to Challenges Facing Muslim Women and the Girl-child in Nigeria’, organised by the Nigeria Association of Female Teachers of Arabic and Islamic Studies (NAFTAIS) and Al Habibiyah Islamic Society, in collaboration with NUSRET Educational and Cultural Company Limited.
The guest lecturers were Dr Habiba Alfadarai of the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS): Professor Rafat AbdulHamid of the Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies, University of Abuja; Professor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman, Vice Chancellor, Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK) and Mrs Saltanat Rakhmanova of the Nigeria Turkish International College (NTIC), Abuja.
The professionals, who spoke on topics that ranged from social media and Western culture to the Nigerian culture and Hizmet movement, said Islam brought civilisation to the world at a period they referred to as the Golden Age, between the eighth century and the 16th century, which shaped the economic, social and politics of the world.
Read Also: Tinubu expresses sadness over Ibadan funfair tragedy
According to the lecturers, Islam is a complete way of life which is not against any culture but has laid out principles for everything positive as far as human existence is concerned.
They called on women and girls to live a modest life by making use of their hijabs (head cover) to protect their aura, to lower their gazes, protect their chastity and cover their adornments and turn away from the allurement of the world.
They particularly called on mothers to guide their children what to do and what not to do through their (the mothers’) actions, dressings, conversations and religious practices.
“Muslim women and girls are in great dilemma on which to pick or follow between Islam and western culture. Little or no knowledge of Islam has affected us a lot. Most people think the western culture is the best in terms of lifestyle and not following it makes a lot of Muslims feel inferior.
“Islam has provided a good foundation to seek knowledge right from the era of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Islam encompasses every knowledge that will promote the consciousness of humanity to worship Allah,” Professor AbdulHamid said.
Representing Al Habibiyah at the event, Hajiya Salamatu Usman, in her remarks, called on the participants to imbibe the culture of learning and association which she said would go a long way in shaping their lives.
“I’m happy and humbled to be invited to this programme. It is an eye-opening programme. We’re taught about the evils of the social media, the western culture, the Nigerian culture and how it affects the Islamic upbringing of our children. I really learn a lot and that learning is not just about what you know but disseminating such because learning makes the world go round.
“And my take-home message is that learning starts from cradle to grave, meaning that learning is not restricted to just the four walls of the classroom. I also learnt that your network is your networth. When you meet people, make sure that you work with them by knowing what they do, discuss what you also do and with that, you learn from each other.”
