The Face of Truth Ibrahim Shaqlawi *On Teacher’s Day, the article does not accept error or forgetfulness

The Face of Truth

Ibrahim Shaqlawi

*On Teacher’s Day, the article does not accept error or forgetfulness.

One of the most difficult situations you face when writing about a teacher is the feeling that those sharp, discerning eyes will correct what you’ve written in a first reading, before returning to read it again as the public would. This is how teachers are – they search for the essence of meanings, the quality of words, and their correctness. Teachers possess the keen eyesight of an eagle and the craftsmanship of artisans; they carry out their profession with alertness and love, always striving for accuracy in both words and actions. Therefore, you must be someone who understands this consciously. You must also know that what they say in their articles against error and forgetfulness reflects what we learned from them during all our stages of education. They always maintained that responsible attention, which seeks and creates lasting successes to be proud of, to satisfy and congratulate themselves with pride. Many succeeded in this difficult reformative and ethical task, making their noble actions comparable to what the Prophet and the prophets did, or perhaps a little less, in reforming souls, societies, and cultivating the earth.

In this, all the teachers we learned from are equal. Our memory is full of them, and it almost never departs from the great educators, including the Chief of Teachers: Awad Zayed, Mohamed Hassan, Abdel-Rahman Al-Bar, Hassan Abdullah Jadallah, Mohamed Sidon, Fadl Babker Rahmat Allah, Sadiq Al-Mahdi (English), Ibrahim Al-Johari, and others. This golden list has no limits. Perhaps our memory is exhausted due to the war and its miseries, but our hearts toward them are undoubtedly full of love and gratitude. We owe them all our thanks and prayers.

On this day, dedicated to the teacher, for their success and excellence in nurturing generations and their outstanding contribution to the mission of life, the World Teachers’ Day is celebrated every 5th of October, since 1994, by UNESCO and the International Labour Organization, to evaluate, appreciate, and improve the status of teachers worldwide. The teacher raises generations and helps them develop themselves, acquire knowledge, and gain distinctive personal skills. Therefore, the teacher has a great favor on individuals and communities.

Poets have said much about this role and preserved it in history. One such famous work is by the poet Ahmad Shawqi, who said:
“Rise, for the teacher, and give him his due,
The teacher is almost a prophet too.
Do you know a nobler, greater one
Than the one who builds souls and minds, one by one?”

Also, we recall the beautiful anthem by teacher Tagani Hajj Musa, “Thank you, our school and our teachers,” composed by Dr. Youssef Hassan Al-Siddiq, which later became the subject of his doctoral thesis on the importance of education and children’s culture. This reflects what teachers used to do in using creativity and the arts to nurture young people. It emphasizes the importance of building a person through the triangle of values: truth, goodness, and beauty. Only then can a nation be built on a solid foundation, with deep-rooted values, so that life is not destroyed, as we are witnessing now.

Thus, the teacher remains an idea, a reality, and a demand, so that life continues with its hopes, dreams, and challenges. In my personal case, let us honor this teacher, who begins with us at home, where the mother of all is a teacher of generations. She is the devoted one who has given much for our happiness, success, and distinction. She had strict rules inside and outside the home, starting before dawn and continuing, with the help of God, in vision, methodology, and guidance, to help us all—myself and my children—face life in all its challenges and varieties until the completion of each day, full of challenges and successes. The next day starts in the same organized and warm pattern of love and care.

Know, dear friends, that there are teachers whom we do not sit in front of traditionally as students, but we look at everything they do—their actions and gestures—because they are role models. This is how they were. Many philosophers and thinkers believe that knowledge is the antidote to fear and ignorance, and that man is an enemy to what he does not know. Therefore, the face of truth lies in the importance of moving towards new policies that honor teachers, improve their income, enhance their efficiency, and support them in these days and beyond, so that they can carry out their mission to the fullest.

We must also not forget that this war, which changed our reality and put us through this difficult experience, has its markers that surrounded us before its outbreak. It became clear to those who reflect, as it appeared in all aspects of life, without exception. Therefore, we must benefit from this harsh experience in the post-war period by cementing the professionalism of the teacher and keeping it away from political and party work, which this sacred profession cannot bear.

We all remember those days leading up to the war that erupted as a result of the failed coup attempt by the rebellious Rapid Support Forces, backed regionally and politically by some party powers. Those were turbulent days during which students, pupils, and teachers experienced the bitterness of the suspension of classes and the disruption of the educational process, which was on the verge of collapse. This was in addition to the conflict and squabbling among teachers themselves, which almost affected their social relationships, which were always exemplary and appreciated. This is one of the most remarkable things that brings together those who wield the pen and the chalk in this world, where they possess nothing but their honesty, love for this exhausting profession, and the loyalty of their students.

May you all remain in health and well-being.
Monday, October 7, 2024.
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