Noted educationist from Middle East Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri today called on Indian Muslim youths to project the true, humanitarian and inclusive image of Islam to the rest of the world and reaffirm its image as a religion of peace and mercy.
"Islam teaches us to be thoughtful, considerate and open minded to humanity at large. It is imperative that we now present the true face of Islam before the world instead of a distorted one," said Altwaijri, Director General of Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) in Rabat, Morocco.
Delivering the keynote address at the 62nd annual convocation of the Aligarh Muslim University, he said in today's world threatened by the divisive forces of terrorism and senseless violence, it has become incumbent on Muslim youths to reaffirm the image of Islam as a religion of peace and mercy.
Altwaijri, who is also Secretary General of Federation of Universities of Islamic World (FUIW), pointed out that a feeling of false superiority and self righteousness would never allow any society to progress and it could only be possible in an atmosphere of inclusiveness.
The noted educationist exuded confidence that the AMU graduates will embark upon a new journey to serve the Muslim community as well as all humanity for enlightenment and progress in all avenues.
He lauded AMU for launching a bridge course for graduates of religious madrasas to provide a link between Quranic schools and modern education.
"This step of the AMU would not only improve the skills of madrasa students by opening the doors of modern education, but would also help them in playing a more meaningful role for the general benefit of the community, he said.
Earlier, presenting the university's annual report, AMU Vice Chancellor Lt Gen Zameer Uddin Shah (Retd) said that the bridge course was a unique initiative which would go a long way making madrasa students stakeholders in nation building.
He said that the AMU was fully aware not only of its responsibility in raising academic standards but also in fulfilling its social responsibilities.
The university conferred honorary degrees to Altwaijri, medical scientist and entrepreneur in UAE Shamsheer Vayalil Parambath, and entrepreneur and philanthropist Nadeem Akhtar Tarin.
