Experts push for vocational skills, ethics, and tech knowledge alongside religious studies

By Sadiq Abdulfatah

At the 40th anniversary of Markaz-ul-Uloom, one of Nigeria’s leading Arabic and Islamic institutions, scholars have called for urgent reforms in the curriculum of Arabic and Islamic schools, emphasizing the need to blend vocational skills, modern knowledge, and moral education with traditional religious studies.

The event, held on Saturday, November 29, featured a panel discussion themed “Arabic and Islamic Schools in the Contemporary World: Achieving Synergy through Diverse Mechanisms,” moderated by Sheik Abdulrahman Adangba.

Panellists included Sheik Adam Yahya Al-Fulaani, Dr. Mustopha Bello, Prof. Olurotimi Timehin, Dr. Mutiat Orolu Balogun, and Mr. Sulaiman AbdulMajeed.

Dr. Mutiat Orolu Balogun highlighted the role of women in Islam, urging Muslim women to balance professional pursuits with Islamic callings to foster societal development.

Dr. Mustopha Bello stressed the importance of earning halal livelihoods alongside religious studies and called for standardizing the Islamic curriculum to include courses in digital technology, artificial intelligence, and management.

Sheik Adam Al-Fulaani warned against declining Arabic proficiency among scholars and emphasized understanding life and society as key to success, calling again for curriculum review.

Mr. Sulaiman AbdulMajeed urged schools to bridge the gap between academics and real-world society, stressing the need for moral grounding and vocational training in Madrashas.

Prof. Olurotimi Timehin underlined morality as central to personal and societal success, emphasizing that ethical conduct must guide education to produce responsible citizens.

The scholars collectively agreed that Arabic and Islamic schools must evolve to meet contemporary challenges, equipping graduates to contribute meaningfully to society while remaining rooted in Islamic values.

Markaz-ul-Uloom’s 40th anniversary at MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, showcased a renewed commitment among Islamic educators to modernize Arabic education, blending faith, knowledge, ethics, and practical skills for a generation of well-rounded scholars.

Source: The Nation