Reading key to building knowledge-based society, Sharjah majlis hears

Islamic scholars say reading a variety of subjects and having faith are key to developing an educated society.

SHARJAH // Reading is essential to building a knowledge-based society, Islamic scholars said at a Ramadan majlis in Sharjah.

During the last session of Sharjah Ramadan Majlis held at Al Majaz Amphitheatre last week, they said reading various topics was important if the UAE was to raise an educated generation with strong personalities.

Sheikh Dr Aziz Al Anzi, director of the Religious Call and Guidance Centre in Dubai, said that learning was an integral part of Islam.

“The first word in the holy Quran is Iqra, which means read. The Islamic faith is based entirely on knowledge, including modern sciences, reading and writing, and this is supported by the core Islamic teachings,” said Dr Al Anzi. “We need to teach our children how to read gradually, so that they can get used to it and love it.”

Sheikh Dr Ahmed Al Haddad, Grand Mufti and head of the Fatwa Department at the Dubai Fatwa Centre of Islamic Affairs and Charity Department, said that it was important to be well read but this also had to be balanced with the Islamic faith.

Dr Khalifa Ali Al Suwaidi, faculty member at UAE University, expressed the need to protect the Arabic language. “The standard of Arabic language has deteriorated in the Arab ­region. We need to bring our language back and protect it.”