He added, “The theme of this fourth edition of the conference is 'Ancient Education in Africa: Science and Peace', to evoke in the conscience of Mauritanian society an echo of a long history of cultural prosperity and distinguished scientific giving.”
He continued: “The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s recent inclusion of the Mauritanian ban on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is clear evidence of the importance of indigenous education and its prominent role in consecrating universal human values of tolerance, moderation, security and peace.”
The Mauritanian President continued, saying: “Aware of the great importance and unique status of the ancient education represented by the Muhārābah, which is the greatest cultural blessing to this country, we were keen to preserve and strengthen our Muhārāb system, and modernize it, to suit the requirements of the modern era, while preserving the nobility and purity of its values and goals.”
The activities of the African Conference to Promote Peace were launched on Tuesday in the Mauritanian capital, Nouakchott, in the presence of state officials, scholars, youth and women.
Issues of peace, coexistence, and the values of solidarity among peoples were discussed, starting from the issue of ancient education and modern education in Africa, as they are the means to instill a culture of tolerance and reject the culture of violence.
The role of moderate religious education in ancient schools such as the “Katatib”
in Egypt, the “Khalawi al-Qur’an” in Sudan, Timbuktu, and the “Shinqeetiyya Minutes” in Mauritania and others was also discussed, in addition to the issue of women’s education in Africa, and the approach of all of this to globalization and the era of individual freedoms.
For his part, Sheikh Abdullah bin Al-Sheikh Al-Mahfouz bin Bayyah, Secretary-General of the Abu Dhabi Peace Forum, said: “Our meeting this year is a new station on the paths of peace, which the African Conference has taken in its constant search for the causes of harmony, security, wellness and tranquility.”
He added: “Choosing the topic of this conference came as part of our search for enhancers of peace and causes of harmony by addressing one of the most important pillars of the peace approach, which is the foundation of education and upbringing.”
The Secretary-General of the Abu Dhabi Peace Forum continued: “By ancient education, in this context, we mean the methods and practices of teaching and upbringing that have contributed to transferring knowledge and shaping culture in societies in the traditional way of teaching science and building knowledge at various levels.”
He continued: “For centuries, ancient education remained the sole source of religious and worldly knowledge on the African continent. Science and knowledge in various branches were taught in its schools, from Islamic law to arithmetic and astronomy. Medicine was also taught, in addition to some of them specializing in education and recommendation.”
He continued: “With the multiplicity of sciences and knowledge, the methods of teaching and their rituals multiplied, and these schools were distinguished by advantages and specifications, including freedom, free of charge, equality, and comprehensiveness. However, the most important advantages of these schools is that they accommodate different tribes and ethnicities without discrimination or interference in a happy coexistence, that educates on morals and virtues, and contributes to Peace and wellness.”
Bin Bayyah presented a number of challenges facing this type of education, namely human resources, financial resources, and employment, expressing his hope that the conference will come up with scientific and practical recommendations that contribute to achieving the goals and overcoming these challenges.
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