FOMWAN harps on importance of women’s education

For Nigeria to overcome its challenges, the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations of Nigeria (FOMWAN) has urged the government and organisations to prioritise female education.

The group noted that women empowerment is the key to a better society.

Speaking at FOMWAN Lagos Chapter, 35th Family Day at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), the Chapter Ameerah, Alhaja Shereefah Ajagbe, said the women are mothers of the nation, moulders of lives and character trainers.

She said women must get certain facts right to enable them to perform excellent roles and illuminate others in the society, adding that a woman’s positive responsibility in the lives of her children is expected to be of great benefit to the family and the nation at large.

Ajagbe added that the Family Day event is a social aspect of the Association that brings members, young and old, within and outside the state to felicitate on the completion of the month of Ramadan.

“It is also an occasion to widen our scope on spirituality and ponder on current global issues. Hence, the theme of the year, ‘Socio-Religious Responsibility in a Dynamic Society; the Role of a Muslim Woman’ is apt and timely,” she stated.

National Amirah of FOMWAN, Hajia Rafiah Idowu Sanni, said it is crucial for every Muslim woman to be educated as it would be a form of guidance on how to run the affairs of the family.

Her words: “Ignorance is a perilous disease and it goes a long way to destroy the home, which is the bedrock of every society. The Holy Prophet (SAW) told us that the condition of every nation would depend on the woman in that society. This has to do with her knowledge about her God, herself and the community.”

She added that a Muslim woman must possess Islamic and Western education to be a vanguard of change in the society.

“If a woman is educated, everything about her life will go in the right direction and she will be able to play her role effectively as a wife, mother, sister and member of the community,” adding that feminism does not apply to Islam, though it depends on how people see or view it.

Before the advent of Islam, she explained, the life of women in the Arabian country was nothing to write home about.

According to her, a woman doesn’t have a say in anything that concerns her, doesn’t have a life of her own but goes by the dictates of men.

She stated that women in those days lived a miserable life.

Her words: “At the advent of Islam, everything about women’s life changed owing to the regulations sent by Almighty Allah through the Holy Prophet (SAW).

“When a woman gives birth to a female child, the father will feel sad and depressed, and will bury the girl child alive. At the advent of Islam, Allah nullified the belief and stopped the killings of female children, while the Holy Prophet (SAW) encouraged the Sahabas to educate their female children.”

Sanni added that the knowledge of the Quran and the life of the Holy Prophet (SAW) are paramount for every Muslim to study to achieve a dynamic society.

“A Muslim woman must be a reader because readers are leaders. She must read the Quran and know its interpretation and applications.
“Endeavour to read about the lifestyle of the holy prophet and his wives. There are numerous lessons to be learned in the life of the Holy Prophet (SAW). When you talk about medicine, finance and generality of knowledge for human development and growth, it is embedded in the Quran and the lifestyle of the Prophet (SAW),” she said.

FOMWAN Board of Trustees Chairperson, Alhaja Lateefat Okunu, said the fundamental role of women in society is to take care of the home.

“Seek education for proper handling of your home. Your role as designed by the Almighty God is to take care of your family,” she stated.

She advised Muslim women to seek knowledge to manage the home.
“Your primary duty is to take care and educate the children and when they are grown up, you can then face other things,” she advised.