Darul-Kitab graduates 708 students, charges on political participation

The Founder of Darul Kitab College of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Gaa Akanbi, Ilorin, Dr AbdulKadir Oba-Solagberu has urged Muslims to consider active political involvement as platform for directing the affairs of the society.

Solagberu, who also the Malami Ubandoma of Ilorin said this during the 21st graduation ceremony of the school held at weekend, where no fewer than 708 graduands were presented with certificates of worthy in character and learning.

He charged the graduands to go to the larger society adding that, “it could be better achieved through interest in politics and playing it actively.”

According to him, “As Islamic scholars, our roles in society do not limit us to being invited to function for sermons and being the ones to call for Janazah prayers.

“Limiting ourselves to that would eventually make us look like a beggar and those in the positions of authority would be undermining what we are capable of doing in terms of intellectual capability and wisdom.

“It’s time for Muslims to show interest and be active participants in politics in the interest of Islam and Allah.

“Do not relegate yourself to being a slave to wealthy people, your role is to use your knowledge to assist them in organizing their life.

“It’s time to show intellectual capability that you have what it takes to better the fortune of our society and make a country fair to all.

“As an Islamic scholar one of our responsibilities is to be a teacher of life and show ways to others, we must not allow those that don’t know up to us to be guiding us and determine our affairs.

“Left to them they just want you as Alfa to be in charge of ceremony and turning us to beggars. It’s time to take charge and show the intellectual capability to be in a position of authority.

“You can become a president, governor, lawmakers. Alfa roles beyond being at the corner of the room and attending to people.

“If it is to form a political party, you must be ready, we have to take active charge and have a good Muslim that will have interest of Islam at heart at the position of authorities.

“It’s time for us to be well-represented in the political system. I am looking forward to see one of you become president, governor, lawmakers and ministers.

“Not someone that will be begging around offices. You must realise that life has changed from the past, we have to be ready to get involved actively,” he said.

The Islamic scholar, however, charged the Muslims not to take or see politics as a career and have a legitimate source of income, saying this would make the member of the society listen and see them as serious people to listen and be associated with.

“Do not take politics as work. You must have a legitimate source of income if you want people to respect you and your political participation to be pure,” he cautioned.

Giving the breakdown of the graduated students, the Provost of the school, Dr Yusuf Sulyman Gamawiy said the graduands were in three categories – Primary School 210, Junior secondary 225 and Senior Secondary with 273.

Gamawiy announced among the graduands, Abdulhamed AbdulRaheem, Ahmad Al-Nabib and Abdulhameed Kazeem emerged with distinction with honours while five others graduated with ordinary distinction all in the senior school category.

Ustaz Abdulhamed AbdulRaheem, one of those who graduated with distinction with honours expressed his desire to become an architect in future by furthering his education at University.