IIIT Urges Muslims to Embrace Knowledge for Intellectual Revival
International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) Nigeria has called on Nigerian Muslims to embrace knowledge and education as vital tools for the intellectual revival of the Muslim community.
Delivering a Ramadan lecture at an Iftar programme organised by the International Institute of Islamic Thought held in Akure, Ondo State capital, The Zonal Missioner of the Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fatih Society (NASFAT),who is also the state Secretary of IIIT, Alhaji Ibrahim Sodehinde, spoke on the theme “Knowledge, Faith, and Intellectual Revival in Islam.”
Shodehinde, who is also, the state IIIT’s local organising Chairman emphasised that the holy month of Ramadan is not only a period for fasting but also a time for reflection, learning and spiritual growth.
According to him, the revelation of the Qur’an during Ramadan highlights the central role of knowledge in Islam.
“Ramadan is not only the month of fasting; it is the month of the Qur’an, knowledge and reflection. The first revelation to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was the command to read, which clearly shows that seeking knowledge is an act of worship in Islam,” he said.
He noted that institutions such as IIIT were established to revive intellectual engagement within the Muslim world and to promote the integration of Islamic values with modern education.
The International Institute of Islamic Thought, founded in 1981 by prominent Muslim scholars including Ismail Raji al-Faruqi, Taha Jabir Al-Alwani and AbdulHamid AbuSulayman, focuses on reforming Muslim education, reviving Islamic intellectual traditions and guiding the Muslim Ummah in addressing contemporary challenges.
Highlighting the organisation’s presence in Nigeria, Sodehinde explained that IIIT has continued to promote Islamic scholarship through several initiatives, including Ramadan lectures, public Islamic enlightenment programmes, tafsir sessions, scholars’ symposia and youth engagement activities.
He added that the institute also collaborates with universities such as Ahmadu Bello University, University of Ilorin and University of Ibadan to organise programmes that explore the relationship between Islam and modern education, moral development, Islamic civilisation, and the harmony between science and faith.
According to him, IIIT Nigeria also supports the training of Islamic teachers and imams, workshops for lecturers, leadership development programmes for youths and initiatives aimed at reforming Islamic education.
Sodehinde further noted that the institute contributes to intellectual development through the publication and distribution of books on Islamic thought, Qur’anic studies, education and the relationship between Islam and science.
He urged Nigerian Muslims to draw lessons from Ramadan by prioritising knowledge, supporting Islamic institutions and encouraging younger generations to pursue both religious and modern education.
“The Muslim Ummah needs scholars, teachers and researchers. Strong Muslims must be strong in faith, knowledge, character, education and unity,” he said.
He also advised Muslims to attend lectures and seminars, read Islamic literature and combine Qur’anic learning with contemporary academic knowledge in order to strengthen the intellectual and moral foundation of the community.
He concluded with prayers for scholars and the Muslim community, asking Allah to make the Ramadan period a source of knowledge, mercy and forgiveness for Muslims in Nigeria and across the world.
In his remarks, the Chief Imam of Akure Kingdom, Alhaji AbdulHakeem Akorede charged Muslim Intellectuals to engage in Politics to Drive the Change
He raised the need for muslim intellectuals to become more actively involved in politics and governance, stressing that knowledge alone cannot bring meaningful change without access to positions of authority.
He commended the organisers for bringing together scholars and professionals, describing the gathering as an important platform for intellectual engagement within the Muslim community.
“We Muslims are intellectuals. We are learned and we know what we are doing,” he said. “But the challenge we have is how to get into positions of authority. When we have power, we will be able to do whatever we want to do.”
The cleric noted that many Muslim scholars and professors possess vast knowledge across various academic fields but often lack the political influence needed to translate their expertise into societal impact.
According to him, meaningful change requires strategic participation in governance.
“If we sit together like this for many years and we are not trying to put someone forward, we may not achieve our goals,” he said.
“Today, if you do not belong to those in authority, it is difficult to implement what you want to do.”
Akorede also highlighted the strong presence of Muslims in academia, citing the existence of professors in disciplines such as mathematics, algebra and chemistry.
He, however, said their knowledge could only benefit society fully when there is a structure or leadership capable of projecting and utilising their expertise.
Drawing from Islamic history, the Chief Imam referenced the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, noting that the Prophet emphasised knowledge and encouraged believers to share what they had learned with others.
He said this tradition underscores the importance Islam places on education and intellectual development.
Akorede urged Muslim professionals and scholars to continue collaborating and strengthening their collective efforts, noting that progress takes time.
The cleric expressed appreciation to the organisers and participants of the event, describing it as his first time attending the programme and pledging his support for future initiatives aimed at advancing intellectual and community development.
The Ondo State Director of IIIT, Prof. Ishiaq Amoo, while appreciating participants at the occasion, said the institute’s principle is to bridge classical Islamic scholarship with contemporary knowledge and intellectual inquiry through its research in education, youth development, and social-emotional learning.
Others who spoke at the event included the Ondo State chairman of the Muslim Welfare Board, Alhaji Dikrullahi Adam Chandy and Alhaji Abdul Azeez Folayemi. Among others
Also in attendance are the acting provost of Federal colleges of Agriculture, Akure (FECA( From Abdul Rasheed Folorunso and the permanent Secretary, Ondo State Government House and protocol,Dr. Muda ‘ Adegbeha
