Textual analysis of the verse reveals that Islam endorses the pursuance of all kinds of courses - from Astrology to Zoology provided they are designed to serve humanity.

It is on the basis of this that a Saudi philanthropist, Sheikh Ibn Assa-adi, has established an Islamic science-biased senior secondary school in Tamale.

Named after the founder - Ibn Sa-adi Science Secondary School, the school is comprised of 18 classrooms, an administrative block, a computer laboratory, a mosque and student boarding houses.

Inaugurated recenly, the Islamic science school is open to all students irrespective of their religious affiliations, since it offers secular courses. It has therefore recruited a competent academic staff of different religious backgrounds to handle the students.

In an interview after the inaugural ceremony, Dr Ibrahim Mohammad Ibrahim, the brain behind the establishment of the school, advised Muslim students to pursue all kinds of courses provided they are not at variance with the service to Allah and the interest of mankind.

Justifying his advice, he contended that the world has come to a stage when knowledge, especially science and technology has become the sole controlling authority over all aspects of human life.

He stressed that the Quran is not only a spiritual book but also a perfect scientific document relevant to all matters in all societies at all times.

According to Dr Mhammad, almost all scientific discoveries in the world today have their genesis in the Quran. He does not therefore understand why Muslim students should relegate to the background science in particular and education in general.

Sheikh Al-Rubian, who, with Sheikh Abdul-Rahman Ibn Assa-adi, represented the founder of the school at the inaugural ceremony, commended Ghanaians for what he called their high level of hospitability, civility and unity.

"Ghana is my second home, where I will continue to render services to Allah and Islam. All Ghanaians are united, lovely and down to earth", he declared.

To the Vice-President, Sheikh Al-Rubian sent a special commendation for assisting him and his colleagues to render humanitarian services to the country.

Mr Faisal Abdul-Hmid Nasiruddeen, Special Assistant to Dr Mohammad, urged Muslim students to study media related courses which could help them to propagate Islam in its true colours.

He argued that media has assumed an important position in global affairs and a powerful weapon in propagating any ideology or faith. Denouncing what he termed Western media propaganda and hegemonic provocation against Islam and Muslims, he said: "We can only successfully prove the propagandists wrong if we equip ourselves with the knowledge of mass communication and its related disciplines."

Mr Nasiruddeen, who is himself a Saudi-trained communication scholar, lauded Ghanaian journalists for their interest in highlighting Islamic issues.

He hoped that Sheikh Ibn Assa-adi would, in future, establish an Islamic university of communication studies to complement the government's effort at training media practitioners in the country.

A section of Tamale residents thanked Sheikh Ibn Assa-adi and his associates for providing them with the school and other facilities such as boreholes, dams and mosques.

In attendance were a number of dignitaries including the Northern Regional Minister, Mr Abubakar Saddiq Boniface.