The event focused on highlighting the importance of building bridges of common understanding between different cultures within the OIC geographical regions.

This session was attended by Mr. Abdollah Abbasi, the Cultural Consular of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr. Rouhollah Dehghani, the Rector of Al-Mustafa Islamic College Kajjansi, His Eminence Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa Deputy Mufti of Uganda, the OIC Assistant Secretary General, H.E. Saudi Permanent Mission OIC in Jeddah, Prof. Badru Dungu Kateregga, the Vice Chancellor of Kampala University among others.

The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in close cooperation and coordination with the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU), Kampala City, co-organized a two-days cultural event 

In his statement delivered on his behalf by Ambassador Tarig Ali Bakhiet, H.E the Secretary-General Mr. Hissein Brahim Taha, extended thanks to the IUIU for collaborating with the OIC to make this unique cultural event happen. He highlighted the role of education in creating dynamic spaces of cultural interaction and optimal outreach channels to connect Muslim communities within the OIC bigger family while offering opportunities to better train the youth in the Muslim world and to build their capacities to be role models and actors of genuine change and development in their countries.

This cultural event is organized in implementation of Council of Foreign Minister’s successive resolutions calling for the reinforcement of cultural links and cooperation networks among member states and diverse international partners to promote cultural rapprochement among Muslim countries, members of OIC and build bridges of Cultural understanding with other cultures and civilizations.

The event was characterized by the wide and significant participation of international actors from member states including government officials, heads of educational and youth institutions, political leaders, academic professors, local community leaders, parliamentarians, a representative of the Ministry of Education and Sports of Uganda and diplomats representing the diplomatic corps in Kampala.

A number of OIC institutions participated also in this event with stands showcasing their activities including IRCICA, ICYF, IUMS, Islamic University of Technology (IUT) in Bangladesh, among other international participants.

This two-days event was an opportunity to expose the diversity of Islamic culture in a university that brings together students from more than ten African countries, which reflects how an educational institute can be an incubator of cultural exchange and a promoter of cultural understanding and cooperation within the OIC geography and the larger African space.

The event reflects also the OIC commitment to promoting the great causes that underpin its mission, including fostering cooperation among member states, underscoring the value of education in development, reinforcing the sense of Muslim unity, building the capacities of the youth in the Muslim World and opening huge doors for further collaboration in science, education and sustainable development.

 

The Rector, Associate Professor Dr. Ismail Simbwa Gyagenda gave welcoming remarks and recognized guests. He informed the participants that IUIU has enjoyed 34 years of existence in Uganda marked with 30 graduations.

On speaking about the theme, he said that both culture and education are equally important in human life.

He demonstrated his cultural attire from Buganda Kingdom which comes from way back during the Arab traders who brought Islam to Uganda.

Prof. Gyagenda reminded participants that we're Muslims from different cultural backgrounds and therefore we should live in cultural diversity.  He informed participants that IUIU has its 30th graduation where over 2,000 students entered the professionals which adds to the human resource of Uganda.

 

H.E. Amb. Tariq Ali Bakheet, The OIC Assistant Secretary General in charge of humanitarian, cultural, social Affairs commended the Islamic University in Uganda for their drive to empower African Youth through education, innovation, culture and creativity.

Speaking about cultural diversity, he said that it composes of different languages, religions and values for development which are the center of organisation of Islamic Cooperation in its mandate.

He rallied participants that the world is in need of science and technology as they promote peace in communities through solving different problems including the COVID-19 pandemic that affected the entire world

He called for youth engagement in all affairs of the community especially in the Muslim member states to put their young generation on the top of the OIC agenda

 

H.E. Saudi Permanent Mission OIC in Jeddah thanked organisers for managing the Cultural event and mindfulness of Ugandans for always being vigilant which he attached to the beautiful weather

He said that those Cultural values that don't have any problem with Islamic teachings should live for life as they keep the community lively and peaceful

He said that this Cultural event will not only change the students but also people because its intention is to pass on Islamic values regardless of our cultural diversity

He took the opportunity to thank the government of the Republic of Uganda for availing land to the University and supporting the academic staff and management of Islamic University in Uganda.  He cited King Fahad plaza, one example of the endowment building from the Saudi Arabia towards the Islamic University in Uganda

He said that the world is moving very quickly and he requested the University to always develop students to create jobs but not seek for jobs dues to the global challenge of unemployment

Educating and experimenting through practical skills is the only way to benefit students of this century of information age

He finally thanked the government of Uganda, the academic team of Islamic University in Uganda among others for their collaborative efforts

 

Keynote address on Culture, Education and Development: Experiences from the Muslim World by Prof.Ousman Murzik Kobo from Ghana said that the establishment of such cultural event that ensure productivity in the future of African youths

While speaking about the youth, he said that the event bring youth to participate in promoting joint Islamic cultural action to display the diverse and rich Islamic cultures through cultural performances of students from various countries represented in the University, including those from countries with Muslim minorities in Africa

Our current experiences show that educating the young generation with cultural values, knowledge, skills and religious values ensures a stable future and social development

He warned that whoever controls knowledge, controls culture. He cited that Islamic system controls all aspects comprehensively. Islam encourages pluralization of knowledge and this is evidenced from the Muslim dynasties that kept libraries and manuscripts

Europeans found difficulties in controlling Muslims because they wanted to destroy the holy Quran not knowing that Muslims Memorize their knowledge and follow universal laws and practices. He warned that the cultural war between the West and Africans started way back in 1922 when they wanted to brainwash Nigerians and create guidelines for good Muslim people according to their selfish agenda of letting Muslims ignore their beautiful values and follow the British culture.

He challenged the participants to create their own institutions and instil their respective values to the students than fighting with others.

We're deprived to exercise our faith in some schools which is part of injustices and hegemony of the West and warned of the Cultural invasion where the youth are the hard target.

He said that 40 years is key in Islam and he prays for more Islamic Universities in Uganda to crop up and defend the minority Muslim population.

 

Mr. Muzamir MukwataMpola, the Commissioner from the ministry of Education and Sports who represented the Minister incharge of Higher education who appreciated the Cultural diversity of the stakeholders despite the fact that people are from different cultures.

He commended the delegation from organisation of the Islamic Cooperation for traveling to Uganda and attend this inaugural cultural event.

 

 

The 2ND Deputy Mufti of Uganda,His Eminence Sheikh Ali Waiswa with the Cultural Consular and Principal of Al-Mustafa Islamic College during the Cultural Gala at IUIU Female Campus

 

 

 

 

 

https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/education/youth-encouraged-to-embrace-cultural-diversit-136373 - New Vision Paper Link