At this time, when conditions are favourable for Islamic work, our university has begun graduating young people from the continent so that they may take their places in the ranks of Islamic reform and offer their people the best that a Muslim can offer his fellow Muslim: sound creed, deeper and firmly established faith, and comprehensive Islamic guidance encompassing every aspect of life. University-educated Africans can play a role on the continent that no one else can. With Allah’s help, they can endeavour to make the continent wholly Islamic, now that it has shaken the dust of colonialism from its face, so that it may affirm its African Islamic identity and its own sovereignty, and become Islamic in its politics, economy, morals and every aspect of life.

Positive results may be hoped for from the work of these graduates if they are true to Allah and devote their efforts sincerely to Him, for all authority and all creation belong to Him alone, and all good is in His hand. Positive results may be hoped for from their work if they remain mindful of Allah, then sacrifice everything they possess, whether of little or great value, to support their religion, abandoning dependence on others, laziness and attachment to comfort, to live as heroes striving in Allah’s cause, scholars who act upon their knowledge, and sincere callers to Islam devoted to reform.

Islamic work on the continent requires planning before action—as does any undertaking from which results are hoped for—and prolonged, quiet study, without clamour, idle chatter, trumpet-blowing or bell-ringing.

In short, the continent needs the efforts of its sincere sons, undertaken with complete quiet, wisdom and deliberation. It needs them more than it needs anyone else, because they know its traditions, customs, ways of life and many languages as others do not. I therefore say once again: university-educated Africans should not forget their places in the front ranks in the field of