Kumasi, Sept. 7, GNA - An Educationist has described as misleading, the notion in certain quarters that Islam discriminated against and also bars girl-children from acquiring education in the formal sector. Madam Ayisha Braimah, a tutor at the Kumasi High School (KUHIS), who made the observation said on the contrary, Islam offers equal opportunities to both the male and female, and encourage both sexes to seek and acquire knowledge to the highest level.

Madam Braimah made the observation, when she spoke on the topic "Islam and the Girl-child Education" at the closing session of a four-week free vacation classes organised by the United Forum for Islamic Affairs, in Kumasi on Tuesday.

There were 200 students from various second cycle institution throughout the country, who participated and benefited from the vacation classes.

The United Forum for Islamic Affairs is an umbrella of the various Islamic organisations in the Ashanti Region with the mission of enhancing development of education and social progress in the Muslim community.

She advised Muslim parents to ignore such misrepresentations, as it is only designed to dent the image of Islam, and rather support their girl-children to attain the highest level of education, particularly with regards to the formal and secular education.

Alhaji Ahmed Abudu, Ashanti Regional Manager of the Islamic Educational Unit, said the unit was set up not to compete with any other educational unit but rather to motivate and facilitate management of schools and encourage enrolment of Muslim children in schools for acquisition of education in the formal educational sector too.

Alhaji Othman Yahya, an Islamic Scholar stressed the need for Muslim students to accord equal attention to appearance just as they do for academic excellence.

This is because academic excellence stands the risk of being meaningless and undermined, if the person possessing it is not decent in appearance and also not disciplined.

Alhaji Alhassan Ibn Ibrahim, Co-ordinator of the United Forum for Islamic Affairs, disclosed that they had plans not only to organise free vacation classes but also weekend classes for students.