Iqbal International Institute for Research & Dialogue (IRD)

Iqbal International Institute for Research & Dialogue (IRD) was originally established at Lahore as a global centre of excellence in Islamic Studies to encourage critical interdisciplinary approaches to the study of contemporary Islamic thought. With particular emphasis on areas such as human rights, rule of law, pluralism, diversity, democracy, Islam and the West, its aims from the beginning have been to build an inter-faith dialogue and construct intrareligious relations, and to inject multiple Islamic responses to religious extremism and violence.

The Institute is emerging as the busiest intellectual forum in Pakistan. In January of 2008, IRD became an autonomous affiliate of the International Islamic University, Islamabad. It has won a respectable place as a global centre of excellence and an open forum for critical, creative work, candid, timely and productive conversations on issues of contemporary relevance to Islamic societies.

We have organized major international conferences, panel discussions and public debates by eminent international scholars and policy makers such as Tariq Ramadan, Karen Armstrong, Robert Jensen, David Barsamian, Tamara Sonn, Farid Essack, Ebrahim Moosa, Peter Mendeville, Pervez Hoodbhoy, Salman Seyed, Jack Straw and David Miliband.

In addition, IRD has organized intensive courses on topics such as “Media and Ethics” and “Critical Thinking.” We have established collaborative relationships with academic institutions, think tanks, and civil society groups. Through our outreach programs we hold public lectures and seminars in district headquarters throughout Pakistan collaborating with local academic and civil society organizations. The Institute has also launched a series of publications in order to reach a wider public. We very proudly offer four fellowships throughout the year. Two senior scholars as Iqbal Fellows and two doctoral students as Research Fellows, undertake research projects on themes and issues related to our objectives and programs.

We have set up both a national and an international advisory board of scholars who strongly support the advancement and success of the goals of the Institute. Through our domestic network of supportive individuals at universities, colleges, think tanks, as well as NGOs and other organizations we are able to facilitate national lectures, tours of our guest speakers and pursue our projects through their collaboration.