A lecturer in the Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies, University of Ibadan, Professor Abdur-Rahman Oloyede, has advised parents and husbands not to deprive Muslim women of western education and the opportunity to engage in businesses and professions.
Oloyede, who is also the Chief Imam of the University of Ibadan, gave the advice during the third annual Ramadan lecture of the Association of Muslim Women in Business and the Professions (The Criterion), Oyo State district.
The topic of the lecture was “Muslim Women in Business, Politics and Professions: Striking a Balance with the Home Front.”
The lecturer said an educated Muslim woman was like a soldier in Islam and disallowing her from working would be the same as depriving her of the opportunity to advance the cause of the religion.
“Muslim women constitute an index used in measuring poverty all over the world and this is because Muslims sideline the womenfolk.
“Muslim women must not be banned from going to school because if they are not learned, they would find it difficult to survive in the society.
“Any man that key does not want his wife to work must be ready to shoulder the responsibilities of the wife, her parents and her relatives.
“Muslims have a long way to go and must not be lagging behind in western education because through this, they can rise to any position and be able to showcase the beauty of Islam,’’ the lecturer said.
In her contribution, the Ameerah of the association, Alhaja Falilat Olatunji, said the motive of the topic of the lecture was for Muslim women in business, professions and politics to know their role and tread softly as they pursue their profession.
The Oyo State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Tinuke Osunkoya, urged Muslims to continue to serve God, love one another and utilise the gains of the holy month of Ramadan.
Osunkoya said the Oyo State government was passionate about the welfare of women, adding that various empowerment programmes had been organised where the physically challenged among them also benefitted.
