The 23rd edition of the Islamic Peace Forum was held in Thiès under the theme "Islamic Education and its Role in Establishing Peace and Sustainable Development." Speaking to an audience of academics, religious leaders, and diplomats, the forum's coordinator, Ahmed Saloum Dieng Nacir Dine, advocated for an education rooted in Senegalese faith, values, and culture.

"Never has a Senegalese or African leader shown such commitment to the Palestinian cause," he said, praising the courageous stance of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and the militant commitment of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko to the Palestinian people. He also stressed the need to place religious and moral education at the heart of the school system, believing that it is "the foundation of lasting peace and harmonious human development."

 

Recommendations for rethinking education

 

At the end of the meeting, the participating professors, imams, and researchers made several strong recommendations to restore education to its full spiritual and social dimension. This involves introducing values education into the school curriculum, inspired by the teachings of the country's great religious figures, creating a national authority to regulate social networks to protect children from abuses, and safeguarding the dignity of each individual.

It is also necessary to adapt the Senegalese education system to socio-cultural and religious realities while opening it up to science, technology and contemporary issues, and to strengthen the motivation of pupils and learners, by promoting the love of knowledge, studies and research by involving parents, teachers, serignes daaras and public authorities in an integrated approach to education, based on faith and civic responsibility.

The sub-themes addressed included the Al Azhar establishments and their comprehensive educational model, the Sheikh Ahmadou Al-Khadim complex as a reference in Islamic education, the Koki school, from Sheikh Makhtar Ndoubé Diop to Sheikh Ahmed Saakhir Lô, and finally, the role of education in development and peace, with a focus on the Senegalese school.

The speakers unanimously advocated for a Senegalese educational model rooted in religious, cultural and social values, but open to scientific and technological progress.

 

The meeting was marked by the presence of strong religious delegations from Touba, Tivaouane, Medina Baye, Ndiassane, and Thiènaba. On the institutional side, the President of the National Assembly, El Hadj Malick Ndiaye, was represented by his advisor for religious affairs, Mbacké Sylla. The Governor of Thiès, Mr. Saer Ndao, emphasized in his speech social peace, civic responsibility, and the need for collective commitment to national stability.