Halqa-i-Khayal, a literary forum of Faculty of language and Literature and Faculty of Usuluddin of International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), jointly organized a lecture on “Meeting of East and West in Modern Western Sufi Autobiography” at Dr. Zafar Ishaq Ansari Conference Room, IIUI.
The Guest Speaker of the event was Prof. Dr. Marcia Hermansen (Director of Islamic world Studies Program) from Loyola University, Chicago. Whereas Dean, Faculty of Usuluddin Prof. Dr. Taj Afsar , Dean Faculty of Languages and Literature Dr Najeeba Arif , faculty members and research scholars and more than 70 students from both faculties attended the lecture.
Prof. Dr. Marcia Hermansen delivered a very interesting and informative lecture on modern western Sufi autobiography and post millennial Sufi narrative. University Students and faculty members participated and interacted with the speaker during the question answer session. Prof. Dr. Taj Afsar delivered his presidential address. The session was concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof. Dr. Najeeba Arif.
It is pertinent to mention Halqa-i Khayal is a literary and academic forum. It was established by Prof. Dr. Najeeba Arif within the Faculty of Languages and Literature (IIUI) for the faculty members and students. It hosts fortnightly / monthly sessions on various topics of contemporary relevance to culture, literature, and linguistics, etc.
The Forum invites writers and intellectuals from relevant fields particularly from within arts, humanities and social sciences to deliver lectures and talks. The basic purpose of Halqa-i Khayal is to create a learning environment in the Faculty of Languages and Literature to help students engage with the established scholars in their areas and directly benefit from them.