TRIPOLI,
November 24 (WICS) - In a world marred by anti-Islam
accusations and calls for change becoming louder day in
and day out, the Islamic Call College in Tripoli and
other branches worldwide faces tougher challenges it
seeks to steadily overcome.
The
College's dean, Dr. Mohammad Al-Ziady, believes dealing
with the realities of life in light of scientific
methods is a must for Islamic education in general and
preparing Muslim callers in particular.
"We
act according to the law of establishing the Islamic
Call College. That focuses on carrying out studies on
the (Muslim) nation's past and present, revealing the
truth about Islam and its role in developing human
thinking and reaching the welfare of mankind.
"In
addition, we do not employ the one-way technique as a
teaching method, that is teachers dictating subjects on
students. We rather employ the method of discussion,
dialogue and scientific research.
"Our
aim is not to create copies of the teachers. We want
students to be able to add to the information and
knowledge they get to obtain. We ready them to be
interactively positive in dealing with their societies
once they graduate."
The
Islamic Call College has been established in Tripoli
some 30 years ago. It has branches in Syria, Lebanon,
Chad, Senegal, Benin and England. Over 3.000 students
have already graduated thereof, joined convoys of
callers worldwide.
Dr.
Al-Ziady further stressed the openness of the College
syllabus, even in Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence).
"We
teach Fiqh with an open-minded vision, opening up to all
Fiqh sects. Students have the chance to get in touch
with all views. Such a method makes students grow up
open-minded, able to argue and accept other views, thus
saving them from the miseries of fanatism."
Cultural
Teaching
Insisting
on drawing a line between academic textbooks and
educational syllabus, Ziady outlined three major sources
of educational syllabus.
"The
first one is textbooks, almost identical with other
Islamic universities. Second is organizing lectures and
forums where guests are invited to lecture students.
Guests are sometimes from outside Libya. This adds to
the students' cultural backgrounds and enriches their
knowledge and personal traits.
"The
third source is professional training where each student
picks a profession or a craft to excel in during the
years of study, along with their classes. This way, they
can depend on themselves to earn a living."
In
this regard, Ziady added, the Islamic Call College works
on qualifying students both as callers, well-equipped
with scientific tools to do the job, and professionally
to be qualified in fields works as carpenters,
electricians, mechanics, typists, computer works…etc.
"This
comes in accordance with the recommendations of World
Council for Islamic Call in this regard. In 2004, 341
trainees graduated in the fields as carpenters,
electricians, mechanics, typists…etc."
September
Phobia
Following
the events of 9/11/2001 in the United States, calls have
increased for changing the academic textbooks of Arab
and Muslim states, especially those of Islamic
educational institutions.
Dr.
Ziady, however, said no one ever criticized the Islamic
Call College in Tripoli or any of its branches before or
after 9/11.
"I
know other institutions have been under a lot of
pressure. But I think this is due to the fact that some
syllabuses of a number of Islamic universities adopt the
method of single-minded visions. We do not have this in
the Islamic Call College."
Generally,
syllabus needs revision and change as life itself is
about change, as per Ziady.
"Thing
is change should never affect the foundations (of
Islam). Chang must also be self-motivated, not imposed
from the outside."
In
this regard, the dean of the Islamic Call College says
the target of any change is always to alleviate the
level of study and the good of students.
"During
the last four years, the college participated with the
union of Islamic universities in the committee of
developing Islamic Studies syllabuses and the committee
of developing Arabic Language Studies to put the
scientific bases of developing syllabuses and methods of
implementing them."
Future
Contributions
On
the college's contributions in the fields of writing,
translation and Arabization, Ziady said the college has
been working on authoring a number of academic
syllabuses, publishing a group of intellectual books,
translating some books and articles, printing books of
professional training, college guide, university
researches, in addition to the college's annual
magazine, edition 21 of which is under print, to be
issued by the end of 2004.
Concerning
future ambitions for the Islamic Call College, its dean
insisted they did not care about names and they are keen
on being well-equipped for their task, regardless of
being a college or a university.
Ziady
was responding to some calls for changing the college to
a university, based on its huge contributions and
increasingly big numbers of graduates.
"The
matter is, however, bound for discussion after enlarging
the college with its 16 branches, in addition to its
growing academic reputation worldwide."
