By Awwal Umar Kontagora Markazil Darasatul Islamiyya, popularly known as the Islamic Education Centre, located in Airport Quarte...
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
Markazil Darasatul Islamiyya, popularly known as the Islamic Education Centre, located in Airport Quarters, Minna, has held a reception for 25 students preparing for their Qur'an graduation ceremony (Walimah), scheduled for early August.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Walimah Organising Committee, Alhaji Mohammed Ndanusa Gaba, explained that the reception, locally known as Biko, is held to seek Allah's blessings for the graduating students through prayers offered by respected Islamic scholars. He noted that the event has become a longstanding tradition of the institution.
Alhaji Ndanusa said the centre has never charged students tuition or weekly fees since its establishment. According to him, the institution has provided Islamic education and moral training to hundreds of children, youths and married women over the years.
He appealed to parents and members of the public to support the centre financially and materially so it can continue providing Islamic education and nurturing good moral values among young people.
The founder and head of the institution, Malam Muhammad Ibrahim Gaba, popularly known as Malam Babba, expressed gratitude to Allah for the growth and success of the centre. He said the forthcoming graduation ceremony is not the first organised by the institution, noting that many graduates have benefited from its programmes and now serve their communities across Minna and beyond.
Malam Babba urged parents to prioritise the moral and religious upbringing of their children, describing it as a sacred responsibility. He advised parents to combine Islamic education with modern education and vocational skills to prepare children for productive and responsible lives.
He also commended the teachers for their dedication and sacrifice despite serving without salaries. According to him, their commitment to teaching is a noble act of worship whose rewards will continue even after death.
Also speaking, Malam Muhammad Abubakar, who led the students' reception, said the event brings joy to parents and teachers as they witness the progress of the students in Islamic learning.
He reminded parents of the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), encouraging them to teach their children the Holy Qur'an, equip them with vocational skills and support them in marriage when they reach maturity.
Malam Muhammad further observed that many parents devote greater attention and resources to Western education than to Islamic education. He urged them to accord equal importance to both, stressing that religious knowledge provides moral guidance while complementing worldly education.
He added that although the institution offers its educational services free of charge, it depends on public support to sustain its activities and expand its programmes for future generations.
A legal practitioner, Barrister M. B. Shehu, praised the leadership of the institution, particularly Malam Babba, for his unwavering commitment to promoting Islamic education among women and young people.
He also commended the teachers for their selfless service and dedication despite receiving no remuneration, saying their efforts are helping to shape a generation of morally upright youths.
The Islamic Education Centre, established several years ago by Malam Muhammad Ibrahim Gaba, has produced numerous graduates, many of whom now serve as teachers within the institution.
The management of the centre announced that the Qur'an graduation ceremony for the 25 students will take place on 1 August 2026 at the institution's premises in Airport Quarters, Minna.
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