Auwal Farouk Abdussalam
- Islam
- Nigeria
- Male
- Nigeria
- Western Africa
- KAICIID Fellows
Biography Narrative
Senior Lecturer, Department of Geography, Director, Academic Planning and Head of Quality Assurance, Kaduna State University, Nigeria
Dr. Auwal Farouk Abdussalam is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Geography and the Deputy Director of Academic Planning, and Head of the Quality Assurance Unit of Kaduna State University, Nigeria. Dr. Abdussalam received his PhD in Geography and Environmental Sciences from the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom, in 2014, with a specialization in Applied Meteorology. Prior to that, he received his MSc and BSc in Geography in Nigeria from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and Bayero University, Kano respectively. Although Dr Abdussalam specializes in Environmental Sciences and Climate Change Studies, he has, through his community service activities, established a track record in the area of Inter- and Intra- Religious Dialogue (IRD). Currently, he represents the Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN) as a member of the Central Coordinating Council (CCC) in the Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace (IDFP) which is supported by KAICIID in Nigeria. He became active in IRD during his undergraduate studies, and since then has worked with several Islamic organisations such as the Joint Youth Islamic Organisation (JYIO), the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) and Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI). He has also participated in numerous projects in the area of inter- and intrareligious dialogue, conflict management, advocacy campaigns and capacity building. In addition, Dr Abdussalam has served as the Secretary of Zamfara State Hisbah Commission, and is a part-time member with the Zamfara State Public Complaint Commission. Apart from his IRD and academic endeavours, he is also engaged in charitable and volunteering activities with NGOs. Currently he is a member of the Board of Directors for Jaiz Orphans and Widows Initiative (JOWI) and Savannah Crane Relief Foundation (SCRF).
Interreligious Activities and Initiatives
Climate Change Action Using IRD
University and college campuses are regarded as critical spaces for the advancement of interreligious dialogue (IRD). This is because University students have the potential to lead in developing new initiatives that will engage commonalities and differences across traditions and advance collaboration around issues of religion on campuses, and across the country at large. The idea behind this initiative is to train undergraduate students’ religious leaders, with the aim to build their knowledge and capacity towards establishing a sustainable dialogue platform on campus, and as well motivate them towards initiating and developing activities in the field of IRD. Kaduna State University is chosen for this initiative based on her location in one of the most sensitive state in Nigeria in terms of religious intolerance and conflicts. Apart from a public lecture, trainees will be drawn from the two students’ religious bodies on campus (Muslim and Christians), and the working methods will be based on the principles and values of the non-formal education approach which will cover a balanced composition of interactive exercises, personal reflection, and inputs by invited experts. This initiative if successfully implemented will help in achieving sustainable, peaceful coexistence of all faiths in our Universities and the country at large.