Ahmadiyya Ameer debunks notion that Islam is anti-secular education

Maulvi Dr. A. Wahab Adam, the Ameer and missionary in-charged of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission in Ghana, has observed as wrong the notion that Islam is concerned only about religious education. He pointed out that the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet were not against secular education. “What elevates man above the lower animals is knowledge. And this knowledge cannot be a religious knowledge alone. Mathematics, law, engineering, and other subjects of study are mentioned in the Quran”, he said.

Addressing staff and students of the Wa T I Ahmadiyya Senior High School at a durbar to mark the school's 10th year anniversary, the revered Ameer called on students and teachers to work hard to achieve academic excellence. He however added that the pursuance of academic excellence should not be at the expense of moral values.

He used the occasion to call for religious tolerance at all levels of society-- to ensure peaceful coexistence. “It is not morally right to compel students of other religions to abandon theirs and follow what is practised in your school”, he said.

Maulvi Dr. Adam was happy about the level of discipline exhibited among the students and the general progress the school had made within the 10 years of its existence. He therefore commended the current and former leadership, as well as members of staff for their hard work and dedication.

On her part, the headmistress of the school, Madam Ismail As-mau, acknowledged the support of the past and present governments and other development partners to the school, particularly in putting up a new boarding campus. Madam As-mau also thanked her predecessors for their foresight and for laying the foundation on which she was building.

She mentioned, among other successes achieved by the school, that the school scored hundred percent in the 2010/2011 West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

The Upper West Regional minister, Hon. Alhaji Issahaque Salia, who was guest speaker at the function praised students and staff of the school for scoring hundred percent in the 2010/2011 West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), saying they had brought honour not only to the school but the region as a whole. He mentioned that government in its Better Ghana Agenda put premium on education, and it would help address the infrastructural and other challenges facing the school, as had been outlined by the headmistress. “Government Better Ghana Agenda cannot be realized without education and poverty reduction for economic empowerment”, he noted.

The event which was chaired by H.E. Alhaji Naa Seidu Braimah Meyiri, Member of Council of State, was graced by heads, staff, and students of sister T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High Schools in the country, as well as dignitaries from the Conference on Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) and Ghana Education Service (GES).

Theme for the 10th anniversary was: 'T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School at 10, Successes, Challenges, and the Way Forward'

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MADAM

MAULVI