Federal government has been urged to establish a national commission for Arabic and Islamic Education.

The commission will be responsible for regulation and supervision, as well as address the concerns of stakeholders in the education sub-sector.

This formed part of recommendations by the chairman, Sharia Committee, Ogbomoso, Dr Abdurasheed Abdulazeez while delivering a lecture entitled “Islam is a religion and State (Governance)” as part of activities marking the grand finale and Annual General Meeting, AGM of Association of Arabic and Islamic Schools Owners, Oyo state at House of Chiefs, Agodi secretariat, Ibadan.

Dr Abdulazeez maintained that Arabic and Islamic Education deserves a special status and recognition by government at all levels for its transformative roles in the society.

The cleric, who called on government to employ graduates of Arabic and Islamic studies for proper teaching in public schools for the benefit of Muslim students, appealed to examination bodies to desist from fixing examination for students at the same time with hours of five daily prayers.

According to him, “Muslims place utmost priority on worship to Allah, especially observance of five daily prayers and nothing should be allowed to disturb us from fulfilling the purpose of our creation.”

In a remark, the Chief Host and former Executive Secretary, Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria, MUSWEN, Professor Daud Noibi called on Arabic and Islamic school Proprietors to prioritize heavenly reward above worldly acquisitions, advising the executives of the association to always have rendering of account of stewardship before Allah in mind at all times.

The Chairman, Association of Arabic and Islamic Schools in Oyo state, Sheikh Nasirudeen Kharasi while reeling out of the association’s achievements in the last one year, acknowledged receipt of learning materials as support from the state government, organization of seminars for residents of the state and increase in the membership of the association from many local government areas of the state.

Similarly, the General Secretary, AAIS, Sheikh MuhammadJamiu AbdulGafar equally listed partnership of the association with experienced experts in Nigeria and diaspora to build a world class curriculum for entrepreneurship in Arabic and Islamic Schools.

Sheikh AbdulGafar said creation of Ithad farm settlements to mitigate food scarcity, introduction of Inter-school teaching practice for knowledge exchange and affiliation and accreditation of schools are part of vision 2024 of the association.

Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Saliu Adelabu represented by the Head of Department, Basic Education in the ministry, Mr. Tajudeen Alabi encouraged stakeholders to reciprocate government collaborative efforts to make teaching and learning of Arabic knowledge more effective in schools across the state.

The chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Dr Nureni Adeniran represented by the Desk Officer, Alhaji Mikhail Oyeniyi promised government continued support for Arabic and Islamic Schools.

The spiritual father of the day and the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh Abdulganiy Agbotomokekere represented by Mogaji Onisiniyan, Sheikh Hassan Taiwo preached unity among the AAIS members and executives to further the spread of Islam.

Highlights of the programme included presentation of certificates to 10,000 seminar participant students of Primary, Junior and Senior Arabic Secondary Schools and Seminar attendants School Proprietors across the state.

END.