Study IT and English

by Ananda KANNANGARA

Education Minister Bandula Gunawardane said 90 percent white- collar jobs are available in the local and foreign employment market for those who excel in English and Information Technology and called upon schoolchildren, school leavers and also job seekers to pay extra attention to these two subjects, in addition to other subjects.

The Minister highlighted the importance of studying these two subjects irrespective of the stream, Arts, Science or Commerce they select at the GCE (OL) Examination.

Minister Gunawardane told the Junior Observer that he has also focused attention towards some changes in the Sri Lankan education system which will help students to find employment after school and university education.

According to the new education system, students are encouraged to improve their English speaking ability. He said it is compulsory for students to complete six core subjects for the GCE (OL) Examination from 2013.

The core subjects are the mother tongue (Sinhala/Tamil), the Second Language (English), Mathematics, Science, Social studies and Religion.

“Accordingly, students will have to pass three optional subjects in relation to their chosen stream of study to qualify for the Advanced Level Examination,”.

Minister Gunawardane said students who expect to sit the Advanced Level Examination in the Science stream will be given a comprehensive knowledge on Chemistry, Physics and Biology at Grade nine and ten.

The Minister further said that a large percentage of students will be encouraged to follow Science and Commerce subjects from next year, considering the increasing employment opportunities in these fields.

Significance of Hajj

Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam. It is a visit to the Ka'ba, the house of Allah (SWT). The Ka'ba is a cube-like building that was built by Prophet Adam, the first man and Prophet on earth. During the battles that took place over time, the Ka'ba was damaged. Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail then rebuilt the Ka'ba and restored its dignity.

The Ka'ba is the oldest House and was built for the purpose of worshipping Allah (SWT). Today it is known as the holiest place for Muslims and represents the direction that Muslims pray five times a day; from all around the world.

It is compulsory for every Muslim to make at least one journey in their lifetime to Makkah for Hajj if they can afford it.

The teachings of Hajj are very significant to a Muslim's daily life. During Hajj, we learn to establish our prayers five times a day and stay clean and pure at all times. Prayer is mandatory during the period of Hajj as well as throughout one's life. Praying near the Ka'ba rewards a Muslim more then 100,000 times the reward of praying anywhere else in the world.

Sacrificing a lamb or goat during Hajj teaches us to share and to give to the poor. It teaches us generosity, kindness, and the ability to share with others less fortunate.

In Mina, when we throw pebbles at the three pillars representing shaitaan, we learn that we should be truthful and clean and live a life free of sins.

We learn to try to reject and avoid the evil whispers of shaitaan and stand against him.

Apart from kindness and generosity, Hajj teaches us that Allah (SWT) has blessed us greatly. The water from Zam Zam is a special gift from Allah (SWT) to Muslims till the Day of Judgement. It is that anyone who drinks the water of Zam Zam will be granted a cure from all the illnesses and diseases. Some of the scholars say that Zam Zam is whatever you make it to be, so for instance, if you drink Zam Zam water and supplicate to Allah (SWT) that He make it a source of healing from a sickness, it will indeed play that role, insha'Allah. Supplicating at Arafaat is also a blessing. All duas are answered and all wishes are made true.

This pilgrimage helps us learn the history of Islam and see how it has to been spread over the past centuries.

We should remember the work of our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (S). We should learn the patience and the sacrifices made by our Prophet at this very time and place many centuries ago.

The gathering of Muslims all around the world helps us to remember that we are all Muslims and worshippers of Allah (SWT) and that we are all brothers and sisters in Islam. We learn the different nations and we see that Muslims are not joined together on the basis of color or race.

They are joined together on the basis of belief in Allah (SWT) and his messenger (S). The pilgrimage brings Muslims of all countries, colors, and races to one place -- the Ka'ba.

This strengthens the spirit of unity, equality and brotherhood. These are the values on which Islam builds the human society and it will continue this way till the Day of Judgment insha'Allah.

- Internet

Muslims celebrate Hajj

The Muslims of Sri Lanka join the rest of the world to celebrate the festival of sacrifice. Hajj is one of the fundamental pillars of Islam. It is the duty of every affluent Muslim to perform Hajj at least once in their lifetime. Hajj is called the festival of sacrifice because of the sacrifice made by Prophet Ibrahim (alaihivassallam) and his wife Hajara.

On this day we pray to almighty Allah to restore peace and understanding among our Sri Lankan brothers and sisters and to live in peace and harmony.

Let us on this ‘Eid’ day pray for forgiveness and seek almighty Allah's blessings to build a just and prosperous society.