International conference on
(Role of Religious and Academic Institutions in Achieving Tolerance and Coexistence in Societies)
27th March 2019

The Quran and Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) has presented a formula of acquaintanceship and coexistence in human society which is based on tolerance, security and domestic peace; the Quranic verse states:

“People, We created you all from a single man and a single woman, and made you into races and tribes so that you should recognize one another. In God’s eyes, the most honoured of you are the ones most mindful of Him.” (Al-Hujurat: 13)

Islam aims to establish a sound relationship between all peoples taking into consideration the rights of all and promoting peaceful coexistence among them and seeks to maintain peace and friendship based on the Quranic maxim: “Deal not unjustly and you shall not be dealt with unjustly.” (Al-Baqarah: 279)

Hence, without compromising its fundamentals, Islam has laid down the eternal bases for mutual coexistence which are suitable for all the circumstances, times and places, in order to ensure the interaction and communication with the others.

The prophet (peace be upon him) remains a great example in all aspects of life, the Quranic verse states: “There is indeed a good model for you in the Messenger of Allah – for the one who has hope in Allah and the Last Day.” The life of prophet (peace be upon him) provides us numerous examples of coexistence with others, both within and outside the Islamic society. These examples remain valid for Muslims in every age according to the requirements of time and place. They represent methods and guiding principles for Muslims in their relationship with others so that they could lead nations of the world in calling for peace and peaceful coexistence among each other, and that too by remaining faithful to the principles of Islam which call for goodness, righteousness and cooperation within the bounds of mutual respect.

Islam, therefore, has laid such principles which contribute to the achievement of cooperation, integration and brotherhood in society on the one hand and reject conflict, rivalry, antagonism and isolation on the other. The Prophet (peace be upon him), his family members and his companions not only outlined the right approach in the light of these principles but also applied them practically first in Mecca after the emergence of Islam and then in Medina. The charter of Medina and the prophetic traditions that establish the principles of coexistence and acceptance of others illustrate the abovementioned fact.

In this context, International Islamic University, Islamabad, in cooperation with the Muslim World League, Makkah, Higher Education Commission Pakistan and Ministry of Religious Affairs, Pakistan, is organizing an international conference under the title of “Role of Religious and Academic Institutions in Achieving Tolerance and Coexistence in Societies. ”The conference is aimed not only to demonstrate the characteristics of Islam such as universality, compassion, tolerance and its outstanding ability of adaptation and coexistence with the others but also address new developments, disasters and disturbing changes from which the Muslim world is suffering, such as the religious divide, sectarian strife, acts of violence and terrorism. The conference also intends to formulate and crystallize a common vision among universities and academic and religious institutes, which is based on the Quran and Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and not on unregulated fatawa and divergent sects, with an aim to achieve the intellectual security by linking it to the religious, cultural and social values that are based on balance, integrity and moderation.

To respond to false claims which accuse Islam and Muslims of racism, extremism and violence and that they are unable to coexist and accept others.

• To chalk out an inclusive vision which could strive for harmony between people from diverse cultural backgrounds for ensuring peaceful coexistence and achieving the goal of a tolerant society

• To lay out visions for the role of universities and religious and academic institutions in highlighting the noble values of Islam, presenting its true picture and emphasizing its ability to accept others.
• To provide the opportunity for specialists in the field to keep themselves abreast of the new information, exchange their experiences and views on the issue.
• To support the vision of International Islamic University and Muslim World League to reject extremism, violence, terrorism and racism and to spread a culture of tolerance and peaceful coexistence among Muslim groups and humanity at large.
• To emphasize upon the moderation of Islam, its judiciousness and integrity which is derived from the Quran and Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him)

First Theme: Universities and religious institutions and their role in spreading the culture of tolerance and peaceful coexistence — diagnosis and reality.
• First Topic: Universities and religious institutions and their role in addressing the issues of extremism, violence and terrorism.
• Second Topic: The role of universities and religious institutions in spreading the culture of dialogue and acceptance of others.
• Third Topic: The role of International Islamic University and Muslim World League in confronting the discourse of hatred, extremism and ignorance.
• Fourth Topic: Integration and coordination between educational, religious and security institutions to address racism, violence and terrorism.
• Fifth Topic: University curricula and their role in achieving community safety and consolidating the values of tolerance, peaceful coexistence and acceptance of others.
• Sixth Topic: The most important common denominators established by Islam among Muslims in particular and humanity at large in order to contribute to peaceful coexistence, acceptance of others and the practical application of these ideals.

Second Theme: Unity of Muslim Ummah between theory and practice
• First Topic: Muslim Ummah (concept and connotations)
• Second Topic: The reality and present situation of Muslim Ummah and its impact on Islamic unity.
• Third Topic: Characteristics of Islamic unity and its essentials.
• Fourth Topic: Obstacles confronting the Islamic unity — causes and effects
• Fifth Topic: Ethics of disagreement and its impact on achieving Islamic unity
• Sixth Topic: The most vivid images in the biography of the Prophet (peace be upon him) which represent the practical application of coexistence and acceptance of others.

Third Theme: Universities and religious institutions — reality and expectations
• First Topic: Message and objectives of International Islamic University
• Second Topic: “Paigham-e-Pakistan” and its impact on achieving safety and peaceful coexistence
• Third Topic: The impact of universities on building the individual, society and state
• Fourth Topic: The role of universities in promoting national unity and spirit of patriotism
• Fifth Topic: The role of universities in dealing with modernity and globalization in the present era
• Sixth Topic: The impact of universities on strengthening Islamic faith, human values and cultural identity
• Seventh Topic: Chalking out an Islamic vision of coexistence and acceptance of others from the Quranic text and Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in order to overcome crises of antagonism, rivalry and hostility

Fourth Theme: Role of universities and institutions in promoting security and peace in society and state
• First Topic: University media and its impact on enhancing security and peace
• Second Topic: Role of universities and religious institutions in combating radicalization, extremism and terrorism
• Third Topic: Impact of universities and institutions in renouncing partisanship, communalism, sectarianism, tribalism and regionalism
• Fourth Topic: Role of universities and academic institutions in benefitting from means of modern technology and social networking
• Fifth Topic: Strategic plan of the universities in achieving unity and union and discarding division and difference
• Sixth Topic: The common denominators established by Islam for realization of coexistence and acceptance of others

• The research topic should be original and not published elsewhere
• The researcher should seek for seriousness, accuracy and profoundness in his research
• After the conference secretariat receives the abstract, a receipt of acknowledgement will be sent to the participant. If the abstract is approved, the participant will be invited to the conference.
• The paper must be written in Urdu, English or Arabic languages and it should not be of more than 20 pages.
• The research papers submitted for the conference are subject to review and evaluation by the academic committee of the conference.

• Last date of submission of abstracts: 25-12-2018
• Deadline for approval of abstracts: 30-12-2018
• Deadline for submission of complete research papers and announcement of final acceptance: 30-1-2019