BUK opens centre to integrate Qur’anic scholars

The new centre, according to its founders, would be the first of its kind in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa and would strive to invigorate the teachings and relevance of the Holy Qur’an in the socio-political and economic issues affecting the country.At a workshop, held at the varsity to inaugurate the newly established department last Sunday, […]

The new centre, according to its founders, would be the first of its kind in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa and would strive to invigorate the teachings and relevance of the Holy Qur’an in the socio-political and economic issues affecting the country.
At a workshop, held at the varsity to inaugurate the newly established department last Sunday, the BUK Vice Chancellor, Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed, described the occasion as a milestone in the history of the institution.
The workshop was facilitated by the Australian government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Speaking to the large gathering of Islamic scholars who came from across the country to witness the event, Professor Rasheed lamented an emerging trend in which scholars, well versed in Qur’anic and other Islamic knowledge are excluded from participating in the society, simply because they do not speak English language.
 “One of the major goals of the Qur’anic centre is to attempt to integrate a large section of well educated Nigerians into the socio-economic affairs of the country, to enable these Nigerians with great knowledge of Qur’an and Islamic studies but who, because of the current arrangement feel marginalised and excluded to actively make meaningful inputs in their communities,” he said.
“We have learned individuals in Nigeria but because they don’t speak English, the society does not recognise them; they cannot contest elections even if they are the most trusted in their communities. This is why we established this centre to give credit to those Nigerians who are gifted and memorised the Qur’an but cannot feel included under the current system,” he added.
The VC said students taught by the new centre would acquire certificates that can compete with diplomas and even degrees from any other academic discipline so that they can not only elect others into political positions but can also be elected.
“The centre will run short courses for participants selected from learned Nigerians who would acquire certificates equivalent to ONDs, HNDs and degrees in order to participate in politics and be employed by both public and private organisations,” he said.
He said the building housing the centre was constructed and equipped with furniture and other facilities by prominent Kano-based Islamic scholars and business magnate Sheikh Isyaka Rabiu.
It was also learned that the Qur’anic department would serve as a think-tank that would articulate policies for tsangaya schools and integrate its programmes with the National Education Policy. This, according to the varsity’s management would enable the traditional tsangaya or almajiri schools to be “more relevant and responsive to the needs and aspirations of the Muslim community and the larger Nigerian society.”
 The grand Imam of Kano State, Professor Sani Zahraddeen, who also spoke at the event said although BUK was first established in 1964 as Abdullahi Bayero College with the purpose of teaching the Qur’an and Arabic to students, its first lecture was held on Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, an English novel.
He, however, said that with the establishment of the Qur’anic Studies Department, the original mandate of setting up the university has been restored.
Also, the Secretary-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Professor Ishaq Oloyede, who lamented what he described as poor engagement of varsities with their host communities, said setting up a Qur’anic department in BUK has shown the institution to be relevant to its immediate community.
“If a university like BUK does not establish a Qur’an centre, then there is no value in situating a university in Kano,” he said, adding that what the society needs is to benefit from the spiritual purpose of the Holy Qur’an.
 The Minister of Education, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, who was represented by his aide, Professor Rasheed Garba, commended the vice chancellor for providing the Qur’anic centre and urged the institution to teach people how to understand Islam and serve Allah better.
Shekarau, who said he would lend his support to the centre, also pledged to establish another centre, to be known as the centre for Islamic civilisation and interfaith dialogue.
Similarly, Professor Shehu Ahmad Galadanci, observed that the relegation of Islamic studies in Nigeria had its roots from colonial days when the colonial administration gave support to missionary schools and abandoned Islamic ones.
He also noted that the centre, as an important innovation requires political will and effective communication skills to be able to discharge its responsibilities and produce efficient graduates, adding that the centre should concentrate on producing excellent memorizers of the holy Qur’an that can attract attention across the world.