February – 10

Speaking on the occasion Mrs. Parveen Qadir Agha said that keeping in view the importance of Post Office it has been decided to open up an on campus franchised Post Office at its new campus to cater needs of 20,000 students not only from Pakistan but from over 50 countries of the world. She added that the IIUI is an institution of global reach and impact catering the educational needs of students.

President of the Environment Club IIUI Syed Mubashar Gardazi informed that over three thousand saplings shall be planted during this campaign arranged by the students themselves. Engineer Tahir Khan also spoke on the occasion and asked the students to not only plant trees but look after them as well to come with positive change in the overall environment.

Prof. Fateh Muhammad Malik, Rector International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) along-with University Vice President Mrs. Parveen Qadir Agha Planting a sapling as part of Tree Plantation campaign organized by the students of the Environmental Sciences of the University.

Nishat Anwar Siddiqui, spouse of Dr. Anwar Hussain Siddiqui, President IIUI, Parveen Qadir Agha, Vice President IIUI and Begham Saqiba Rahimuddin addressing the women Seerat conference

Mrs. Parveen Qadir Agha chaired the conference while Mrs. Nishat Anwar Siddiqui, spouse of IIUI’s President was the chief guest. The other speakers were Saqiba Rahim-ud-Din, Dr. Farhat Hashmi, Dr. Kousar Firdous, Dr. Zaitun Begum, Yasmin Hameed, Prof. Munawara and Shagufta Omar. The speakers brought into focus the dismal situation of human rights in the world especially the Arab peninsula during the time of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The human rights situation was worse in the case of women and children. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) declared that women and children were entitled to not only all human rights but they enjoyed an edge over men. He motivated the people to give decent treatment to women and children by setting examples himself.

The speakers urged the Muslims to ensure welfare of women and children and follow the noble examples of the prophet (PBUH). They also touched on various aspects of life of Holy Prophet’s life. They quoted the Qur’an, Ahadith and Muslim scholars saying that the faithfuls are fortunate that they have a role model set for them by Allah Almighty Himself. “The real path of Islam is none but one that was treated by the Holy Prophet. The Muslims can achieve heights and overcome their image problem if they follow the life style of the Holy Prophet (PBUH)”

A large number of women and young girls participated in the ‘Rehmatul-lil-Aalamin’ conference. The conference marked conclusion of four day Silver Jubilee celebrations of Da’wah Academy.

Eminent scholar, Maulana Tariq Jamil, in address, touched on various aspects of Holy Prophet’s life, his teachings and tenets of Islam. He stressed the need for Muslims to adopt sterling qualities of character that were exemplified by the Holy Prophet (PBUH). He said mere religious rituals did not form the Islamic faith in totality as the character and good dealings with fellow human beings were the other basic component of the faith. He said the Muslims were not focusing on character building in the light of teachings and example of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). He expressed the confidence that the Muslim would realise the need of the hour and overcome problems of extremism and terrorism by taking guidance from the life of Holy Prophet (PBUH).

Allama Kaukab Noorani in his address also stressed the need for Muslims to build character in the light of example set by the Holy Prophet (PBUH). Hassan Mohy-ud-Din Qadiri in his address said, the Muslims need to understand that they can follow the real faith only when they love the Prophet (PBUH) not only in words but in practice.

Allama Zahid-ur-Rashidi said, the Muslims need to carryout obligations towards God as well as to fellow human beings. There should be balance between the two. Allama Sajid Meer, Dr. Akram Chaudhry Vice Chancellor Sargodha University and Maulana Raheeq Abbasi also addressed the Seerat Conference. Director Da’wah Academy Prof. Dr. Sahibzada Sajid-ur-Rahman in his concluding remarks said the academy would continue its efforts to spread a real message of Islam not only in Pakistan but worldwide. The Conference was arranged by Da’wah Academy as part of its Silver Jubilee Celebrations, marking completion of 25 years of its existence. Earlier a Mehfil-e-Hamd-o-Na’at was held at the Faisal Mosque under the auspices of Da’wah Academy. Prominent Na’at reciters from all over the country participated in the programme

In his speech Dr. Mustafa said: Islam is a faith, Knowledge and morality. He added that Islam gave a unique faith to human beings supported by knowledge and moral values. He however said that present day Muslims are lagging far behind of the world due to their ignorance of their faith, knowledge and morality. He gave some facts to strengthen his view point.

In his lecture, he provide the following facts

• In the entire Muslim world (57 Muslim Countries) there are only 500 universities.
• In USA alone there are 5758 universities.
• In India alone there are 8407 universities.
• Not one university in the entire Islamic World feature in the Top 500 Ranking Universities of the world.
• Literacy in the Christian World 90%.
• Literacy in the Muslim World 40%.
• In 15 Christian majority countries literacy rate is 100%
• In none of Muslim majority countries, literacy rate is 100%
• 98% in Christian countries completed primary
• Only 50% in Muslim countries completed primary
• 40% in Christian countries attended university
• In Muslim countries a dismal 2% attended university
• Muslim majority countries have 230 scientists per one million
• In the USA there are 5000 scientists per million
• The Christian world has 1000 technicians per million
• In entire Arab world there are only 50 technicians per million
• Muslim world spends on research/development 0.2% of GDP
• Christian world spends on research/development 5% of GDP

Muslim lack of the ability to diffuse knowledge

• Pakistan 23 daily newspapers per 1000 citizens
• Singapore 360 per1000 citizens
• In UK book titles per million is2000
• In Egypt book titles per million is only 20
  Muslim lack of the skill apply knowledge
• Exports of high tech products from Pakistan is1% of its exports.
• In Saudi Arabia is 0.3%
• Kuwait, Morocco and Algeria 0.3%
• Singapore alone is 58%.

In the conclusion he said that there is a miracle and a puzzle in Muslim history which cannot be rationally explained. The miracle is the speed and scope of the early seventh century, spread of last two centuries struggle for their come-back to the main stream of the modern or global history; the movement of secularization and the movement of reislamization.

It is here in the debate about the kind of secularization of the Muslim history and the method of (re)isalmization of the Muslim mind that we may recognize the problem of the modern Muslim identity. The idea of secularization did not come to Muslims as a result of their own experience. It has always been felt by the majority of Muslim Ulama (scholars) and some Muslim intellectuals as well that the idea of secularization of the Muslim societies has come from the west by a sort of political and sometimes even by military pressure. This is one of the reasons why the secularization of the Muslim history, except perhaps in Turkey and Tunisia, has failed and this is why the drive for a kind of reislamiation of the Muslim mind is taking place. This have refused to give up the idea of a universal community of Islam (The Ummah) even if it means, at least for the time being, a utopia. To the Muslims, who believe in the concept of the islamization, secularism is nothing more than an ethnic, racial and national conception of cultural identity.

Nevertheless, the Muslims did accept the concept of nation state identity for whatever reasons and thus are aware of the concept of a multiple identities. It is in the idea of multiple identities that one can find a satisfaction for a universal identity such as an Islamic identity in a presumable Non-Islamic state. And it is here that I see the reason for our question: is there an identity of European Muslims? Hamid Saeed Kazmi and Professor Fateh M. Mailk in their speeches appreciated role of the Bosnian Muslims in the world. They said that Bosnians by their sacrifices revived Muslim glory in the world arena. The Grand Mufti presented copies of the Holy Quran printed in Bosnia to Hamid Saeed Kami & Fateh Muhammad Malik whereas Professor Malik presented IIUI crest to the Grand Mufti.

Grand Mufti of Bosnia, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Cheric giving a copy of the Holy Quran to the Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Hamid Saeed Kazmi after delivering a lecture at the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI). Rector of the University is also seen in the picture

Grand Mufti of Bosnia, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Cheric, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Hamid Saeed Kazmi, Rector IIUI Prof. Fateh Muhammad Malik addressing a seminar on "Islam – Religion to Live for" at the IIUI

Prof. Fateh Muhammad Malik, Rector, International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) along with Dr. Zafar Ishaq Ansari and Prof. Sajid-ur-Rehman inaugurating book fair at Faisal Masjid on First day of the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of Dawah Academy

Prof. Fateh Muhammad Malik, Rector, International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) along with Dr. Zafar Ishaq Ansari and Prof. Sajid-ur-Rehman visiting a stall at the book fair at Faisal Masjid on First day of the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of Dawah Academy

The Qaris who recited on the occasion include Qari Ata-ur-Rehman, Qari Naveed-ul-Hassan, Qari Asif Sarwari, Qari Buzarg Shah Al-Azhari, Qari Anwar-ul-Hassan, Qari Ali Akber Naeemi, Qari Abdul Sattar Haqqani, Qari Dr. Ramazan Khamees, Qari Ibrahim Kasi, Qari Abdul Basit Manshavi and Qari Rab Nawaz. Meanwhile a book fair was also inaugurated as part of the Silver Jubilee by the university rector Professor Fateh Muhammad Malik. He said that the Muslims were addictive of reading books but it is very sad that present day Muslims have left this habit. He stressed upon the youth to revive habit of the book reading.

The second day (Saturday) of the Silver Jubilee shall start with a National Mehfil-e-Hadm o-Naat in which leading Naat Khawan of the country including Abdul Rauf Rufi, Rehan Qadri, Sabih Rehmani, Altaf Kezmi, Ijaz Rahmani, Hafiz Noor Sultan, Rahan Habib, Khalid Hasnain, Dr. Junaid Nadvi shall participate The Third day (Sunday) of the Silver Jubilee shall start with a National Rahmatul-lil-Alameen Conference in which Mulana Tariq Jameel, Allama Kokab Noorani, Dr. Raheeq Abbasi,Hujjat tu Islam Muhammad Shifa Najafi, Prof. Sajid Mir, Hassan Mahuddin S/o Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri, Hafiz Muhammad Idrees, Dr. Akram Chaudhary, Dr. Muhammad Ishaq Qureshi shall address.

The Fourth day (Monday) of the Silver Jubilee shall be dedicated for Female Seerat Conference in which Dr. Zatoon Begum, Dr. Kousar Firdous, Professor Munawara, Mohtarma Khanam Tayyaba Bukhari, Mohtarma Noorah Zooya and Dr. Farhat Hashmi shall be main speakers.

Qari Asif Sarwari reciting the Holy Quran at the all Pakistan Mehfile Husne Qirat at Faisal Masjid on First day of the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of Dawah Academy. Picture shows Qari Ali Akbar Naeemi, Prof. Zaid Alablan from Saudi Arabia and Dr. Sajid-ur-Rehman Dir. Dawah Academy

Initially WDI shall cooperate with the Department of Sociology of the IIUI to spearhead the research and development related activities pertaining to social sector. The MoU further states that both the parties shall cooperate to create awareness among the public including academia, students and other organizations about the need for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Pakistan. The MoU also provides that IIUI may be declared as an approved centre & Guide to offer various qualifications and WDI shall support such initiatives by charging less fee.

The MoU says that WDI and IIUI shall work together to identity the different projects of mutual interest pertaining to social sector and submit the proposals to funding agencies. The IIUI according to MoU shall carry out research studies, reviews, evaluations and assessments on TVET with consultation of WDI. These activities will be sponsored by the WDI. The MoU shall become effective for an initial period of ten years. The MoU signing ceremony was also attended by Mrs. Parveen Qadir Agha, Vice President IIUI, Dr. Nazar-ul-Islam Dean Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS), Dr. Saif-ul-Islam Abbasi, Incharge Department of Sociology IIUI and Gulzar Ahmed Khawaja Director Academic Planning & Coordination (APC).

Workforce Development International (WDI) and the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) signed and MoU for cooperation in Academic field. Picture shows Dr. Anwar Hussain Siddiqui President, IIUI and Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Qureshi CEO of the WDI signing the MoU

To start with the celebrations, the Academy is going to hold several activities in the Holy month of Rab-al-Awal which shall start from Friday, February 19th 2010 with Mehfil-e-Husn-e-Qirat after Friday prayer at the Faisal Mosque. Giving details of the silver jubilee celebrations, Prof. Dr. Sahibzada Sajid-ur-Rehman, Director, Dawah Academy / Khateeb Faisal Masjid said that in order to promote and support the feeling of brotherhood and harmony among the people of Pakistan as well as the whole Ummah, Dawah Academy will arrange 4 days celebrations in first instance on February 19, 2010 (Friday) Mehfil-e-Husn-e-Qirat (Recitation of Holy Quran), February 20, 2010 (Saturday) Mehfil-e-Hamd-o-Naat, February 21, 2010 (Sunday) Rahmatul-lil-Alameen Conference and on February 22, 2010 (Monday) Seerat Conference (for Women) will be held.

In all of these programmes, Qurrah Hazrat, Na’at Khwan, Ullamah and Scholars of all schools of thought of Islam shall participate. Few of the prominent personalities are Mulana Tariq Jameel, Allama Kokab Noorani, Dr. Raheeq Abbasi,Hujjat tu Islam Muhammad Shifa Najafi, Prof. Sajid Mir, Hassan Mahuddin S/o Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri, Hafiz Muhammad Idrees, Dr. Akram Chaudhary, Dr. Muhammad Ishaq Qureshi will address the gathering, while Qari Ata-ur-Rehman, Qari Naveed-ul-Hassan, Qari Asif sarwari, Qari Buzarg Shah Al-azheri, Qari Anwar-ul-Hassan, Qari Ali Akber Naeemi, Qari Abdul Sattar Haqqani, Qari Abdul Wahab, Qari Dr. Ramazan Khamees, Qari Hassan Abdul Baqi, Qari Ibrahim Kasi, Qari Rab Nawaz and Qari Idrees Asim will beautify the occasion with the recitation of Holy Quran and Prominent N’aat Khawan, Abdul Rauf Rufi, Rehan Qadri, Sabih Rehmani, Altaf Kezmi, Ijaz Rahmani, Hafiz Noor Sultan, Rahan Habib, Khalid HHasnain, Dr. Junaid Nadvi and others will present Na’ats.

Dr. Sajid-ur-Rehman, Dir. Dawah Academy International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) briefing media persons on 4 day silver jubilee ceremonies of the academy starting from 19th Feb, 2010. Picture also shows Dr. Imtiaz Zafar, Dir. Training and Dr. Shahid Rafi Dir. Research of the Academy

For terms & conditions and to acquire a stall on Book Fair (for booksellers/publishers), read more
View the Book Fair 2008 highlights

Speaking on the occasion Professor Malik & Dr. Siddiqui said that the Islamic culture has destination of giving prime importance to the institution of Masjid over centuries. The role of Masjid is not only as a place of worship but it has a role of an educational institution as well. The IIUI keeping in view the importance of Masjid, decided to construct a grand mosque at its new campus to cater needs of 30,000 worshipers in future. They added that the IIUI is an institution of global reach and impact, catering to the education needs of students from around fifty countries of the world. They announced that the mosque would be constructed on self help basis and for that donations can be sent to the Pak Rupees account no. 184400718501 and in foreign currency in account no. 18447900176411 being maintained at the Habib Bank Limited, Faisal Mosque Campus of the university.

Professor Munawar Iqbal Ahmed, Convener of the Masjid Committee highlighted salient features of the project. Dr. Sajid-ur-Rehman Director Dawah Academy led collective prayers after the foundation stone laying.

A view of Dua after foundation stone laying of the grand Mosque of the International Islamic University Islamabad. Picture shows envoys of the Muslims Countries and Dr. Anwar Hussain Siddiqui President, IIUI, Fateh Muhammad Malik, Rector IIUI, Dr. Zafar Ishaq Ansari, Dr. Sajid-ur-Rehman, Mrs. Parveen Qadir Agha and Professor Munawar Iqbal Gondal of IIUI

Professor Fateh Malik, Rector of International Islamic University Islamabad, Dr. Anwar Hussain Siddiqui President IIUI and Professor Munawar Iqbal Gondal addressing Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony of the grand Mosque of the University at its new Campus

Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed said that the HEC which was earlier called as the university grants commission was reshaped and renamed as the HEC in 2002. It was given the vital role of reshaping the Higher Education sector in Pakistan. Dr. Mukhtar added that it was an unfortunate fact that education and health were most neglected sectors in Pakistan. The HEC realized the core problem and focused on imparting quality education in Pakistan. The Commission chalked out a 15 year vision to boost higher education in Pakistan in all aspects. The commission being well aware of its responsibilities opened its doors for such activities not only in Pakistan but abroad as well.

The commission also focused on human resource development and allocated its 55% resources for that very vital area. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad was of the view that the policy makers in Pakistan should rethink and prioritize their policies. They should not build castles and palaces but they should build quality educational institutions. He told that whole budget of all the educational institutions in Pakistan is less than of the national University of Singapore. The developed countries spent over 10% of their GDP on education whereas Pakistan has never spent more than 1% of the GDP on education, which resulted in just 4000 PhDs in whole the country which is an embarrassing situation for this country in the whole world. We should not get tired but continue to march towards excellence in education. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad asked the faculty members to come forward with their community oriented research proposals to solve the issues being faced by the countrymen. The HEC is with the researchers and shall do its utmost to facilitate them here in Pakistan and elsewhere in the world. The HEC has connected the whole university system in Pakistan with latest equipped internet system but it is very unfortunate that faculty members lack behind the desired goals.

Dr. Anwar Hussain Siddiqui in his speech thanked HEC for its continuous support to the university. He advised faculty members of the IIUI to benefit from the reshaped policies of encouraging research adopted by the HEC.

Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad Member Higher Education Commission and Dr. Anwar Hussain Siddiqui President International Islamic University, Islamabad addressing a Seminar on "Research Based Funding Opportunities at HEC and the new dynamics of Higher Education Sector" held at IIUI

A view of Fateh Khawani for departed soul of Mother in Law of Dr. Anwar Hussain Siddiqui, President International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI)

Views of a Tableau on agony of Kashmiris presented at the female campus of the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) to observe solidarity with Kashmiris

Dato Ahmad Anwar Adnan also visited the faculty of Engineering and Technology and Iqra Center for Technical Education of the university. He was briefed about the functioning of the FET and ICTE by dean of the faculty Dr. Ahmad Shujah and Abdul Majeed Mirza Principal of the center respectively.

Dr. Abdul Sattar, Professor LIS, Kuwait University, Kuwait spoke on knowledge management and techniques for business information. Library Information Science faculty members and Professionals from Lahore, Peshawar, and Faisalabad attended this workshop.

Participants of National Workshop on Business Information Services for Corporate Organizations

Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Foreign Minister, who is also the Sajjadah Nasheen of Hazrat Bahauddin Zakria (RA) Astana said on this occasion that he had come to the Conference not as the Foreign Minister but in the capacity of a Faqir of Astana-e-Zakria. He emphasized the importance of Sufism which is the true face of Islam propagating love, tolerance, mutual co-existence and peace. He was of the view that Islam is an inclusive religion which encompassing sanctities of another cultures, religions and cults. This message was propagated by all the Sufi Saints of the Sub-Continent, particularly Hazrat Bahauddin Zakria (RA) who was conspicuous amongst the galaxy of the Saints as he harmoniously combined the religious aspects with the temporal one.

About 800 years ago. Hazrat Bahauddin Zakria (RA) established a residential university in Multan wherein thousands of students from all over the Muslim world came to learn religious as well as secular knowledge. He emphasized the message of peace initiated by the Sufi Saints and said that Pakistan was in the grip of terrorism, intolerance and fanaticism which is tarnishing Pakistan’s image all over the world. He opined that it is the duty of every Muslim, particularly the teachers and the students, that the message of peace and love, the true spirit of Islam, should be spread throughout Pakistan and abroad. This is how the message of Sufi Saints can be revived to help ameliorate the difficulties faced by Pakistan in particular and the Muslim world, at large.

Hamid Saeed Qazmi addressed on the occasion said that Islam was not a product of sword but it was a universal message of peace and harmony. He more added that about seventeen thousands of peoples benefited from their education system Dr. Anwar Hussain Siddiqui, highlighted the importance of study of Sufism from various aspects and asked the faculty members to encourage students for research and doctoral thesis on salient features of Sufism and on the works and deeds of famous Sufi saints of the subcontinent and Central Asia.

Dr. Sahibzada Sajid-ur-Rehman Director Dawah Academy of IIUI mentioned the traditional and close links between the saints and masses. They were of the view that many of the Sufi Saints in Pakistan either came from Central Asia or they were educated in the famous Madrassahs of Samarkand, Bukhara and other seminaries of the region., Dr. Shamim Mehmood Zaidi Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU), Dr. Ghazanfar Mehdi, Chairman, The Archaeological & Historical Association of Pakistan (AHAP), Dr. Zafarullah Baig IIUI and others also spoke on the occasion.

Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Minister for Religious Affairs Sahibzada Hamid Saeed Qazmi, President International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI) Dr. Anwar Hussain Siddiqui, and Chairman Archaeological & Historical Association of Pakistan (AHAP), Dr. Ghazanfar Mehdi, at the Hazrat Bahauddin Zakaria (RA) Conference at the International Islamic University, Islamabad

Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Minister for Religious Affairs Sahibzada Hamid Saeed Qazmi, President International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI) Dr. Anwar Hussain Siddiqui, Director Dawah Academy Prof. Dr. Sahibzada Sajid-ur-Rehman, Chairman Archaeological & Historical Association of Pakistan (AHAP), Dr. Ghazanfar Mehdi and others addressing Hazrat Bahauddin Zakaria (RA) Conference at the International Islamic University, Islamabad