Islamabad – The International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) hosted an Iftar Dinner at the IRD Guest House, Faisal Masjid Campus, bringing together Vice Chancellors, Rectors from Islamabad and Rawalpindi, and senior officials from the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training. The event was an initiative by Prof. Dr. Ahmad Shuja Syed, President of IIUI, in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, Director General of the Islamic Research Institute (IRI).
Prof. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad, Chairman of HEC, served as the Chief Guest, while Prof. Dr. Ahmad Shuja Syed, President of IIUI, hosted the gathering. Dr. Mukhtar emphasized the role of university leadership in training the youth, stressing the need to engage young minds and highlighting initiatives such as Seerat Corners in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Fehmul Quran research. He also advocated for the integration of Arabic learning sessions into HEIs through simple and effective methods.
Prof. Dr. Ahmad Shuja Syed welcomed the guests and underscored the importance of academic collaboration in strengthening the higher education sector. He emphasized the collective responsibility of educational institutions in fostering a harmonious classroom environment to counter extremism. Additionally, he stressed the need for ensuring that, in an AI-driven post-truth society, students develop an objective and critical insight rooted in accepting differences without bias. Such training, through well-structured pedagogical practices and curricula, can serve as a catalyst for cultivating a tolerant national character.
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq highlighted the role of Paigham-e-Pakistan in promoting social cohesion and intra-faith harmony. Launched in 2017, the initiative has significantly contributed to social uplift by fostering peace, tolerance, and national unity. He emphasized the role of educators in guiding students and announced plans to expand engagement efforts, noting that 1,500 collaborative initiatives have already been undertaken under this venture. He identified three key areas where institutions can support government efforts: improving student conduct, providing quality education, and equipping students with the skills needed to counter ethnic and political divides.
Dr. Ahmad Shuja Syed expressed gratitude to the attendees, acknowledging their commitment. He called for continued collaboration to expand the impact of such initiatives and affirmed that IIUI seeks to strengthen these efforts in partnership with sister universities. He emphasized that a collective educational approach is essential for fostering national stability and peace at the university level.
The event was attended by Hon. Mr. Justice Dr. Syed Muhammad Anwer, Judge, Federal Shariat Court; Lt Gen. Moazzam Ejaz, HI (M) (Retd), Rector, NUTECH University; Prof. Dr. Aftab Maroof, Rector, FAST; Prof. Dr. Anila Kamal, Vice Chancellor, Women University, Rawalpindi; Prof. Dr. Nasir, Vice Chancellor, AIOU; Mr. Ali Asghar, Director General, National Commission for Human Development (NCHD), FE&PT; Dr. Muhammad Mukhtar, Vice Chancellor, National Skills University; Dr. Mujahid, Rector, PAF-ISAT Haripur; Capt. Asif Bhatti, Joint Secretary, FE&PT; Prof. Dr. Jameel, Member, HEC IT; Dr. Noor Amna Malik, MD, NAHE, HEC Islamabad; Prof. Dr. Abdul Rahman, Vice President, A&F/Academics; Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, Director General, along with officials from the Islamic Research Institute and the Protocol & Public Relations Department of IIUI.