Umar Sakwa Ahmad
Allah will not change the (good) condition of a people as long as they do not change their state of (goodness) themselves. Qur’an 13:11
I wish to congratulate all Muslim candidates who performed well in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) 2014. Your achievements in your examinations really demonstrate your continued faith in commitment to our collective responsibility in restoring the dignity of Islam. As a community we are really proud of your success. We are Praying to the Almighty Allah to give you guidance and strength in your future endeavor.
May I also take this opportunity on behalf of Nairobi Area Muslim Students Association to pay special tribute to Abdiaziz Diriye Bashir, Muhammad Marwan and Sophia Hassan Murakatete for their exemplary performance in the examinations. We are proud of you.
While celebrating your performance I wish to draw your attention to the challenges ahead of you from seeking admission into various national and county Schools.
While it is your admiration to join these famous institutions because of their excellent performance, my advice to you is to look beyond their past records. It is important to consider schools which are offering students an opportunity to learn their religion as it is envisaged that in the next four years, at the minimum the students should at least have achieved basic knowledge of Islamic Education
Further, the ban on wearing the hijab at Kenya High School is still fresh in our mind and the matter is still in court. More so, some of the challenges faced in the schools is lack of provision for Muslim students to undertake their religious obligation such as the five daily prayers. It is therefore prudent that students consider schools which respect the constitutional rights of Muslim students.
To our educationist, it is important to engage with education stakeholders and authorities within and outside the community to address the myriad of challenges being faced by Muslim students in learning institutions.
Another important matter is mentoring of students in various disciplines. Let us borrow from the Equity Bank wings to fly program by initiating educational funds to help the needy students while at the same guiding them to reach their aspirations.
For those involved in Islamic integrated schools, my appeal is to be considerate to those who yearn to join your institutions but they cannot afford the fees due their financial position.
The write is the program Coordinator-Nairobi Area Muslim Students Association (NAMSA)
