President Ali Mohammed Shein has opened a Symposium on the History of Islamic Civilization with a call for establishing a centre for research.
President Ali Mohamed Shein
“Zanzibar is rich in history and different cultures, including lifestyles – dressing, eating and the Kiswahili language. More research is needed on the Islamic civilization,” said Shein at the opening of the three-day symposium which is being held north of Unguja town.
He asked Islamic scholars, researchers and students to share the knowledge about Islamic civilization, “with the focus on unity and promoting the Islamic culture which include proper child caring, leadership, marriage, Sharia laws (Kadhi courts) and arts in construction.”
The symposium, whose them is ‘History of Islamic civilization in East Africa,’ has been organized by Oman’s National Records and Archives Authority (NRAA) in collaboration with the State University of Zanzibar (SUZA).
“This is another opportunity for the people in the region and abroad to learn about Islamic civilization in east Africa,” said Mr Shamuhuna at a meeting with Oman officers in his office.
Dr Hamad bin Mohammed al-Dhoyani, NRAA’s chairman, said researchers will highlight major manifestations of the Islamic civilization in various fields. Dr al-Dhoyani added that the symposium will shed light on the impact of the Islamic civilization in construction and craft industries, in addition to reviewing the geographic aspects that contributed to spreading Islamic civilization.
Papers to be presented include reviewing viewpoints related to the impact of the Islamic civilization in Asia and East Africa through the historical and Islamic civilization dimensions, in addition to the Arab and Islamic migrations and their impact on rapprochement of Islamic creeds.
The opening of the symposium was also attended by Second Vice-President, Seif Ali Iddi, retired President Ali Hassan Mwinyi, Minister for Information and Culture, Mr Said Ali Mbarouk and Chief Justice, Mr Omar Othman Makungu.
Others were Oman Information Minister Dr Abdul Muneium Al-Hasni, Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), Dr Emeleddin Ihsan and the Muftis of Zanzibar and Oman.
By ISSA YUSSUF, Tanzania Daily News
