Remarks

Importance of Education

Tanjinul Ummah Cadet Madrassah

February 10, 2005

Mr. Habibullah Muhammad Iqbal, teachers at the Tanzimul Umma Cadet Madrassah, students: Thank you very much.  As-salaamu alaikum.   

Before I start my remarks, I would like to say a few words in memory of Mr. Humayun Kabir.  Those of you who received micro scholarships from the Embassy to study English remember Mr. Kabir.  In fact, I know that several of you saw him just last week when he visited the Language Proficiency Center.  Sadly, he passed away on Sunday at the age of fifty-three.  Kabir had worked at the American Center for over twenty years: in addition to his work on the Access English Language Program, he worked on the Fulbright Scholarship program, the Humphrey Scholarship program and many other cultural and exchange programs.  His institutional memory and extensive knowledge of all of the American Center programs will sorely be missed, but more than that he will be missed by his colleagues as a friend and a brother.  Kabir was a man who loved life and by his cheerful disposition he enriched the lives of those around him.  His passing is a reminder to all of us just how precious life is.

I have listened with great interest to your student debate today.  One of the first things that I noticed was how well the debaters speak English.  Only a few months ago, I awarded certificates to several of you to study English, and I already notice how much your English has improved.  I also found the topic of debate:  “Only Quality Education can Establish Peace in the Society," interesting and the arguments compelling because both education and peace are very important to all Americans.

I have a personal interest in education, because I’m a parent, and I think that the question that any parent asks when he sends his child to school is whether that school will prepare the child to be successful in life.  Those of you who received micro scholarships or attended the certificate ceremony at the American Center last October remember that I spoke about the importance of learning English and about how English is the language of higher education, international business, and the internet.  English can open many doors for you, but it is not the only subject that will help you succeed in life.  You must learn Bangla, math, science, and history, and computer science and develop strong values and morals.  One of the most encouraging developments in education has been that many madrassahs – including the Tanzimul Umma Cadet Madrassah - are working to provide an education in secular subjects equivalent to that of the government schools.  I know that many of your parents selected this school for you because they want you to receive both secular and spiritual education.  A quality education has to include both knowledge and values.  The American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. described knowledge without values: “Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.”

Peace in society is also a subject in which I take a great personal interest.  I know that you do also, because Islam is a religion of peace.  One of the remarkable things about Bangladesh is your strong tradition of tolerance for the different communities that live here.  I have been fortunate to meet with representatives of all of the different religious communities in Bangladesh: Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Buddhists and at times have been invited to different religious ceremonies: Iftars, Durga Pujas, and I have noticed that often at these events members of different faiths will join together to celebrate and show respect for each other. 

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to meet with you today.  I’ve learned a lot and I hope that we can continue to work together.    

 

------------------------------

Note:  A Bangla translation of this article is also available from The American Center.  If you are interested in the translation, please call The American Center Press Section (Tel: 8813440-4, Fax: 9881677; e-mail: DhakaPA@state.gov; Website: dhaka.usembassy.gov).