By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
Prof. AbdulRazaq Katibi of the Department of Arabic and French, Kwara State University (KWASU) Malete, has stated that Arabic language offers diverse career and business opportunities beyond teaching and preaching.
Katibi stated this on Saturday in Ilorin while speaking on the sidelines of the Presentation and Launch of Two Books on Arabic Entrepreneurship and Linguistics in Ilorin.
He said Arabic graduates could thrive in advertising using Arabic language, noting that from the North to other parts of the country, Arabic is widely used in political communication and government activities.
“Arabic language provides more in terms of political information, in terms of many government activities.
“Our students can also engage in that kind of activity. They can be making a lot of money out of it,” he said.
Katibi said Islam does not encourage indolence, stressing that no one studying Arabic should just sit down doing nothing.
He said students of Arabic could also engage in ceramic design, calligraphy, prophetic medicine, television and radio presentation, as well as international reporting, using the language as a source of livelihood.
According to him, the first book focuses on entrepreneurship skills in Arabic Language and what an Arabic student can make of his life after graduation without necessarily depending on white-collar jobs.
He explained that the second book is on language and linguistics in Arabic, where he compared seven African languages using Arabic language grammar to identify areas of similarity.
Katibi added that the books were about academics, professionalism and women development.
Also speaking, Ustadz Abdullahi Ghali a Lecturer at the College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies (CAILS) pointed out that students can build careers beyond teaching.
He observed that the programme is on entrepreneurship for students of Arabic and Islamic Studies, organised to expose them to diverse income opportunities beyond teaching.
Ghali explained further that the author believes students of Arabic and Islamic Studies need someone to enlighten and guide them on how they can use the course to make their lives better and have a source of income.
He listed about 20 jobs that students of Arabic and Islamic Studies can embark including, working in international media, embassies and translators among others.
The lecturer also advised that such students can also establish a business centre and engage in any business that people with western education do.
Earlier in his welcome address, a Professor of Arabic Literature at KWASU, Hamzat AbdulRaheem emphasised on the importance of acquiring knowledge as well as skills on entrepreneurship.
He described the book as important for students of Islamic and Arabic Studies, saying that it can boost their skills economically.