A parent’s Statement at the Class of 2006 OIS Graduation

ABDI ISMAIL YUNIS
June 24th, 2006

Abdi Ismail Yonis at the Ottawa Islamic School Graduation

It’s a parental instinct to protect and nurture the young ones while in the tender age and carefully supervise as they grow up. During the course, parents prepare the young to become independent and eventually get ready to take charge of their lives. The human race is that endowed with the faculty to reason and communicate ideas meaningfully and hence stands alone to have taken the parenting role to a higher orbit. It is significant credit to us as the human specie to adopt teaching and training both formally and informally as the vehicle to learn and advance. Formally we establish institutions that organize and disseminate knowledge to benefit individuals, groups and society at large presently and for posterity. We agree that a school’s major role is to help and support individual students develop to their full potentials and capabilities. It is hoped in the process that schools will inspire students become conscious of their responsibilities as committed citizens who strive to service their well being and the welfare of their communities.

In the case of The Ottawa Islamic School (OIS) we share the overall task with other schools but pride our self to have the added duty that emphasizes in a balancing manner the nurturing and catering for the spiritual need of the students. While doing so I see it incumbent upon OIS to be cognizant of the trendy Islam phobia in recent years and therefore the necessity to get proactive as we uphold the universality of the Islamic faith to inculcate in our students the mission of:

 

 

§         Preaching peace always and practicing tolerance at all times.

§         Promoting family unity and prizing harmony between communities.

§         Protecting the environment and preserving the ecological balance.

§         Prompting responsiveness and providing to the less privileged.

 

 In my opinion I do find the overarching thread that binds all of the above is good character and that is a core Islamic value and where OIS should be determined to emphasize at every level of engagement with its students. Character manifests itself in the way one behaves in the public and/private arena. The degree of character refinement is a strong determinant of the social cohesion in relationships and thereafter the benefits that are accrued as a result of. In our daily interactions our intentions, expressions and actions single or combined do matter therefore for harmony to thrive we are obliged to assure that what we intend/say/do onto others are guarded well at all times. Whoever wants to profile good character, can’t escape but to find that genuineness is at the heart of any intention, decency the flavor of all expressions and appropriateness the measure of every deed.

 

At this point and in this occasion let me join the chorus of this crowd and congratulate the graduates and their families.

To the 2006 graduating class, I do hope that your education and experience at the OIS will give you the clarity of mind and purity of heart as you prepare to embark on a journey to a complex world. I assure you that there are both challenges and opportunities out there as a typical life expression is and always will be. I want you to use both your minds and hearts to engage in your world and make sure to put into good use all the growth and gains you have acquired during the years at the OIS. We want you to stand up and engage as positivists whose aim is to do, join and contribute to all that is good and has benefit and dissociate from all that is bad/pose harm to society.

 I urge you to remember that you are the agents whose duty is to bring a better tomorrow for you & us all

    That is the mantra of Islamic Education pure and simple.

In closing, allow me to direct some remarks to few groups:

To the Board, Administration and Staff, we want you to feel proud as we here gather eagerly to celebrate the fruits of your efforts and these graduates stand as the testimony & hence a witness to a job well done. With optimism I see a bright future for OIS judging from what you have achieved over the short period of time but with humility I hope you will be mindful that there is always room for improvements.

Always remember that the jewel in the tact to get par excellence is “TEAMWORK”.

 To the parents, you are, have been and hopefully will not fail to continue being- the pulse of the institution.

Please remember that complacency or lack of zest has never been your trademark.

To the community at large the investment in our children is an investment to our future. Such conventional wisdom is good business and the dividends are immense.

Kindly remember to stay the course and recommit to this benevolent cause.

Thank you for your attention
 Wa aakhiru dacwaana an Al-hamdulilaah.