KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah state government is set to collaborate with Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) to sponsor local students for an exclusive three-year programme focusing on the study of traditional Islamic texts, known as Kitab Turath, Sabah Media reported.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to delve deeper into the understanding of Islamic heritage.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the initiative named Duta Turath Sabah@USIM will be aimed at Sabahan students pursuing their education at USIM.
"This initiative represents a commendable effort for us to benefit from the knowledge of Turath.
"I am hopeful that students who successfully complete this programme will become scholars capable of playing a significant role in the empowerment of Islamic heritage in Sabah after their studies," he said in a speech during the inauguration of the International Symposium on Turath Sabah, Malaysia 2024.
Hajiji's speech was delivered by the Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif.
He urged the Muslim community in Sabah to strengthen themselves with knowledge, skills, and a shift in attitude, which are manifestations of good character, to enhance and empower their understanding and practice of Islam. This, he believes, will produce dynamic and innovative human capital.
"The hope is that all participants of this symposium will gain not only knowledge for themselves but also share it with the Muslim community in the state," he added.
The symposium aims to elevate Islamic Turath books and showcase their contributions to remain relevant to the community to this day.
Hajiji hoped the programme would offer beneficial knowledge and insights to the Muslim community in the state.
Through this initiative, further discussions on the proper framework for reading Kitab Turath are expected.
"Studying Turath books is crucial and should serve as a guide to deepen understanding and align with the current Islamic world context," he said.
