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Zanzibar Ministerial Delegation visits AKU-ISMC
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| The delegation was led by Minister of Education and Vocational Training Haroun A. Suleiman |
On the 10th and 12th of December AKU-ISMC hosted a meeting with a delegation from Zanzibar, led by the Minister of Education and Vocational Training, Haroun A. Suleiman. The delegation also included Rashid Fadhil Khamis, Head of Islamic College Pemba, Shamim Khamis Machano, Islamic Region Advisor, and Muhidin Ahmed Khamis, Lecturer at the Islamic College, Zanzibar.
The meeting was also attended by a number of faculty members including Drs Sarah Bowen Savant, Modjtaba Sadria, Moncef Ben Abdeljelil, Stefan Weber, and by Razia Raghavji, Coordinator for Planning and Academic Development.
During the meeting, Minister Suleiman expressed his interest in the work of the Institute and its role providing a unique, multidisciplinary approach to the study of Muslim cultures. The Minister spoke of his passion for education, and his devotion to the development of high quality tertiary academic institutions in Zanzibar. He noted the ongoing relationship that the Zanzibar Ministry of Education has had with the Aga Khan University, particularly in the area of teacher training through the University’s Institute for Educational Development.
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| The meeting served as an excellent introduction to the cultural and educational context of Zanzibar |
Director Abdou Filali-Ansary introduced the work of AKU-ISMC to the delegation and spoke of the potential for collaboration in various areas including joint teaching and research initiatives. The furthering of academic research and the sharing of knowledge across varied Muslim cultures resonated with the vision of the Minister and that of AKU-ISMC.
Filali-Ansary spoke of the Institute’s aim of furthering an approach to the study of Muslim cultures that pays due attention to its diverse range of cultures, including that of Zanzibar. He emphasised that AKU-ISMC does not teach theology; rather it seeks to understand the cultures of Muslims as they have evolved over time and to explore challenges in contemporary Muslim contexts.
The meeting provided an excellent opportunity for the faculty of the Institute to learn more about the cultural and educational context of Zanzibar as well as to explore areas of future collaboration.
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