Technology Key To Advancing Arabic Language In Nigeria, Others, Say Experts
. Call For Unity Among Muslims
. MAJMA Celebrates Graduates Of Arabic, Sharia’h Studies
By Sulaimon Salau
Muslims in Nigeria and beyond have been urged to explore new technologies and the Artificial Intelligence (AI) to advance the cause of Arabic language in consonance with the fourth industrial revolution.
The experts, who spoke at the MAJMA’ Lagos Diploma and Post Graduate Diploma Award Ceremonies for 2023/2024 Graduands of Arabic and Sharia’h Studies, held in Lagos on Sunday, said Arabic language needs to be further strengthened in Nigeria to create more job opportunities.
The graduates have been equipped with specialized Arabic and Islamic sciences, and foundational disciplines that contribute to the building of individuals and societies alike.
Special Guest of honour at the event, Pro-Chancellor, and Chairman of Council, Summit University, Offa, Kwara State, Alhaji Rafiu Ebiti, commended the organisers of the programme and applauded the graduands for the efforts at learning the language of the Quran.
“The language of the Quran is Arabic, and we need to understand that language, so we can understand more of the religion, the teachings of the Quran, and the words of Almighty Allah,” he stated.
He stressed the need to embrace technology in the learning and wider acquaintance with Arabic language.
“As we know, technology is emerging nowadays. We have not done much, let me be honest with you. But, technology has made it very easy and fast to understand the language, even to be able to recite the Quran. So, we must embrace technology, so that it can be easier for everybody. And the thing about technology is that it is available at all levels. Three-year-old children can play with tabs and androids and learn faster. So, we should encourage technology,” he stated.
Ebiti said the Summit University is currently working with MAMJA’ to create an international school for the study of Arabic, Islamic, Northern and Oriental languages.
Also speaking at the event, the Secretary-General, Association of Arab Universities, and Egypt Former Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Amr Ezzat Salama, commended Dr. Saheed Ahmad Rufai-led MAJMA’ for their efforts in promoting the language of the Quran, saying their dedication to producing educators and advocates who contribute to the protection of their communities through sound Islamic culture is truly commendable.
To the graduands, he said: “Your academic degrees are the fruit of your hard work and dedication and will serve as keys to your next endeavors. I urge you to remain steadfast in adhering to the values derived from the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah, adopting a balanced approach in faith, conduct, and service to your communities while spreading noble values”
He also encouraged them to equip themselves with Islamic knowledge while keeping pace with advancements in science and technology, particularly in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
“This revolution has introduced a new reality, demanding advanced skills in fields like artificial intelligence, automation, and big data.
“The Fourth Industrial Revolution and AI technologies have significantly transformed the nature of jobs, creating an urgent need to balance applied sciences and humanities. This ensures that technological progress becomes a tool for building societies, not a threat to them.
“I must stress the importance of studying Islamic, social, and human sciences, as they shape human awareness. Societal progress is not solely contingent on advancements in natural sciences. The unregulated growth of applied sciences without a parallel advancement in humanities and social sciences may have adverse consequences for humanity. Human history has repeatedly demonstrated the risks of unbalanced scientific development without a comprehensive understanding of human and social phenomena,” he stated.
He therefore urged Nigerians to continue investing in young people through education, training, and skill development to ensure they remain innovative and distinguished in this era of rapid transformation.
He said the association of Arab Universities is in discussions with leaders in Nigeria to strengthen collaboration with Nigerian academic institutions, particularly in Arabic language education, Islamic studies, and historical research.
According to him, the association has also organized training programs for students of the Research and Training Complex at Arab universities, reaffirming its commitment to supporting higher education and serving the issues of the Islamic nations.
Guest Speaker, and Former Dean, Faculty of Education, University of Lagos, Prof Muritala Aderemi Bidmus, called for unity among Muslims, and enjoined Arabic-speaking countries to create more job opportunities for Arabic-speaking persons in Nigeria.
He said: “Muslims have tried as much as possible to emulate the stylistic structure of the Qur’an. The style of the Qur’an is very beautiful, it’s very elegant. And Muslims usually try to polish their own style in order to emulate the style of the Qur’an. I’m now saying that the effort you make to polish your style in order to emulate the style of the Holy Qur’an, why can’t you use the same effort to abide by the law of Allah, which says you are one community, but you are not divided? So, the kind of effort you make to polish your style, why can’t you make the same effort to get united?
“The Western world has a block and they work together. Despite the fact that each Western world is developed, they still want to come together, to have a European Union, to have NATO, to have G8 and U20 among others. To have all these groupings in order to gain economic cooperation, military cooperation, political cooperation. That’s what they are doing in the West. In the West, each of them is developed, each of them is independent, yet they still want to get together.
“But we Muslims, we are not together. It’s a shame, it’s a big problem. But the effort we are making to polish our style so that we can write Arabic very well, we can make the same effort to get united. We need to be united. That is the message.
“Secondly, I’m saying that the Arabs can come to Nigeria to establish business entrepreneurship.
“So that those who learn Arabic can find somewhere to work. For example, if you have a printing press that can publish good books, you can also publish a newspaper in Arabic. We have millions of people in Nigeria who can speak Arabic very well.
“They’d be very happy to have a newspaper in Arabic published on a daily basis. And as a result of that, you get jobs for those who learn Arabic. Let us have jobs for those who learn Arabic,” he stated.
