In a statement, Syed Muzammil Hussain thanked all media persons for giving proper coverage to the activities of the university and hoped that this will be continued in future as well to further highlight the role of the university in the society.

Prof. Fateh Muhammad Malik also welcomed new students on this occasion who will join in Fall-2011 and welcomed back the continuing students. The Rector said “I assure you that we at the IIUI administration, faculty and supporting staff will do our best to make your experience in the university academically productive and socially enriching. “ I expect that both the new entrants and the continuing students at IIUI will also do their best to maintain a friendly, peaceful and congenial environment for learning”, he added. Prof. Malik further said; “It is my commitment that the university will provide the best possible quality of education and training in a very competitive environment. The university is a hub of international communities drawn from 48 countries of the world. The university faculty also represents the same international character.

This unique characteristic of our university is unmatched by any institution of higher learning in Pakistan. The University has 625 faculty members out of which 150 are holding PhD degrees. They are are well-known in their respective disciplines. The university also offers excellent class-room environment coupled with dedicated extra curriculum activities for the physical and mental growth of the students. Dr. Mumtaz Ahmad, the President of the university, joins me in extending my good wishes and prayers for our students for a very productive and enriching academic experience at IIUI.”

The newsletter carries news items on the 8th convocation of the university, conferences / seminars, events, visits, workshops / training activities, new appointments, honours and awards, university community, publications, leading books of 2010-11, obituaries and details about new admissions. The newsletter has been prepared by a team led by Gulzar Ahmad Khwaja, Director General Administration of the university, Dr. Safeer Awan of the English Department acted as advisor while Syed Muzammil Hussain is Editor of the newsletter. The newsletter is spread over 52 pages.

The documents translated by him included: Islamic University of Niger, International Islamic University of Uganda, Islamic University of Technology, Bangladesh, Islamic Network of Oceanography Turkey, Third World Academy of Sciences, National Networks of Science in the Muslims World, Islamic Network of Renewable Energy resources, Pakistan, Science, Technology & Innovation organization, Islamabad and other Networks of the Muslim World on science and technology.

Gulzar Ahmad Khwaja Director General (AF&P) and Dr. Jawad Hamdani Assistant Professor, Department of Persian, IIUI was also present on the occasion.

During the meeting, Mr. Ali Agha Noori, Cultural Counselor of the Cultural Wing, Embassy of Iran said that Iranian universities should develop exchange of research fellowships and students with IIUI. He also suggested some proposals to promote linguistic relationships which include; arrangement of scholarships for outstanding students from Iran, invitation of students’ delegations by government of Iran every year, establishment of Persian libraries at IIUI, and invitation of teachers’ and officers’ delegation to visit Iran.

Professor Fateh Muhammad Malik, Rector IIU appreciated the suggestions of the Iranian Cultural Counselor for the promotion of joint cooperation in the filed of research and linguistic developments. Welcoming the visit of the cultural counselor to IIUI, he said that such visits will improve the relationship between both the countries. Rector IIU also invited Iranian government to offer scholarships for Pakistani students to promote Persian language. He also invited Iranian scholars to teach here at the Department of Islamic Studies of IIU.

Professor Fateh Muhammad Malik said IIUI will organize a seminar in September to discuss the challenges and opportunities of Pak-Iran relationships. Rector IIU said that Dr. Jawad Hamdani will coordinate with Cultural Counselor, Embassy of Iran, for initiating various proposals of mutual understanding.

Earlier, Gulzar Ahmad Khwaja Director General (AF&P) briefed the Iranian envoy about the International Islamic University Islamabad. Later, Dr. Mumtaz Ahmad, President IIU, presented a university shield to the distinguished guest.

Muhammad Iqbal Naeem defended his thesis on “A comparative study of Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and General Certificate of Education-ordinary Level (GCC O-Level) English Language Course” and Ms. Aamna Saleem Khan defended her thesis on “Existing level of understanding of concepts in the subject of chemistry among class IX students and effects of teaching chemistry through “Concept formation teaching model” on students’ achievements”. Both the students of Ph.D Education Degree Programme undertook their research under the direction of Dr. Maqsood Alam Bukhari. Their theses were also evaluated by foreign experts; Prof. Dr. Uger Demiray, Faculty of Communication Sciences, Turkey and Prof. Dr. W. A. Gulam, Newton Annex, Salford University, Salford, UK.

Ms. Lamia completed her Ph.D Islamic Studies (Usuluddin) (Specialization in Hadith and Sciences). She undertook her thesis under the supervision of Dr. Suhail Hassan, Associate Professor, IIUI whereas her thesis was evaluated by two foreign experts; Dr. Najim Khalaf, Ex-Assistant Professor, Ajman University, UAE and Dr. Asim Al-Qaryot, Professor, Imam Muhammad Bin Saud University, Rayadh.

The concluding ceremony was presided over by Gulzar Ahmad Khwaja, Director General (AF&P), IIUI. Addressing on the occasion, he said that such programmes will help to get rid of energy crises and power shortages.

The workshop was aimed at to find solutions to cope with the current energy crisis in the country, as daily electrical load-shedding has affected all the activities. Foreign and Pakistani experts presented their papers on energy generation technologies and status about hydro-power, coal, nuclear, fossil fuels, R&D and industrial linkage etc. Key speakers of the workshop include: Engr. Nicolas Fornage, Country Director, FDA, France; Prof. Shahid Naveed, UET, Lahore; and Prof. Dr. Engr. S.M.Bhuta, Dean Faculty of Engineering and Technology, IIUI.

Later, Gulzar Ahmad Khwaja and Professor Dr. Akhtar Kalam, Victoria University Australia awarded a gold medal of best researcher to Muhammad Adil Khan, Student of Engineering and Technology, IIUI.

He was addressing the participants at a seminar “Knocking on the Doors of Dialogue between Religions” here on Thursday. Organized by the Faculty of Islamic Studies (Usuluddin), IIUI, the seminar was attended by a large number of faculty members and students of IIUI. Prof. Dr. Abdul Hamit Birisik, Professor of Tafseer, Qatar University and former Deputy Dean, Faculty of Islamic Studies, IIUI was the key speaker on this occasion.

Rector IIUI said that history shows that Muslims are pioneer to start dialogue between different religions. Referring to Katab-ul-Hind of Alberooni and Javed Nama of Allama Iqbal, he said that Muslim scholars have neutrally researched different religions and nations. On this occasion, the Rector IIUI also invited Prof. Dr. Abdul Hamit Birisik to join IIUI.

In his address, Prof. Dr. Abdul Hamit Birisik stressed upon the need to participate in the international dialogue to correct the western misunderstandings about Muslims. He urged the researchers and students to study the archives of church missionary societies for better understanding their thoughts and views about Muslims and to write new history. He said that students should also learn foreign languages. If we look in the past, several Ulemas have used Tafseer-ul-Quran for defending Islam from the propaganda shaped by non-Muslims, he added.

Prof. Dr. Abdul Hamit said that Muslims should only follow the teachings and life of Holy Prophet (PBUH). He said that Pakistani universities especially the International Islamic University Islamabad should launch a project to study and research the historic documents in European libraries.

Earlier, Prof. Dr. Zafar Ullah Baig, Dean Faculty of Islamic Studies, briefed the audience about the academic achievements of Prof. Dr. Abdul Hamit Birisik especially his research on Urdu Tafseer in Indo-Pak.

The Ambassador of Iraq Dr. Rushdi Al-Ain expressed his feelings and said that I am very happy to come to International Islamic University Islamabad and added that both Iraq and Pakistan have historical relations and we are like brothers under the surface of Islamic brotherhood. The Ambassador of Iraq said that Iraqi Government strongly believes in joint collaboration with the universities of Pakistan. He suggested that IIU should collaborate with university of Bughdad, Basra University and Islamic university in Iraq for the Joint Ventures for promoting education and research activities. The Ambassador added that Iraqi civilization is almost 10 thousand years old and in the near past we were suffered by the war, but we did not let our education to be suffered despite we face many collateral damages to our schools, colleges and other education institutions during the war period of 1993 to 2000. He said that Muslims should focus on education from birth to grave which is the ideology of our religion and the same should be the practice of Islamic culture. He considered those getting education are living in safe way and those lacks education could face violence and terrible situations in their lives.

Professor Fateh Muhammad Malik, Rector IIU, warmly welcomed the Ambassador of Iraq at the new campus of IIU and said that Pakistan and Iraq should strengthen the intellectual cooperation among the universities. Rector IIU added that we should exchange students, researchers and publications with Iraqi universities to jointly promote education in both the counties.

Dr. Mumtaz Ahmad President IIU talking to the visiting Ambassador said that Iraq is the custodian of Islamic culture and civilization. He said that most of the people of Iraq are educated and the women have more rights as compared to the other Islamic countries. Dr. Mumtaz said that Iraq have a multicultural society with good and strong relations with Pakistan. He said that we have a good and competent faculty of Arabic and Islamic studies but we want to have the services of the teachers of Iraqi universities in the filed of Islamic art & architecture, history and Philosophy to teach the students of International Islamic University Islamabad. President IIU assured the Ambassador of Iraq that we will soon invite the President of Baghdad University to visit IIU for singing an MOU. Dr. Mumtaz also invited the Ambassador of Iraq who himself remained a teacher to come at the start of new academic session and deliver a lecture about the history and civilization of Iraq to the students.

Director General IIU, Gulzar Ahmad Khwaja briefed the Ambassador of Iraq about the International Islamic University Islamabad and said that the students of Muslims countries are very comfortable here at IIU. Later, on the Rector IIU presented a university shield and informative kit to the Ambassador of Iraq.

The spokesman further stated that these faculty members have been given one month notice before termination and have been advised to apply for faculty positions, advertised by IIUI, as per their qualification and teaching experience. He added that IIUI is determined to fill all the vacant posts in different departments and faculties of the university on merit and according to the HEC criteria.

Speaking to the participant of the 52nd Sharia course for Judges & Prosecutors Dr. Mumtaz Ahmad, President IIU congratulated the participants upon successful completion of the course. He said that people of our country are looking towards the judiciary for justice and you should not be influenced by any pressure at all. He lauded the importance of the course to exchange, share, learn and discuss various issues among each other of common interest. Dr. Mumtaz urges the need of procedural justice which lacks in our common judiciary practices.

Director Sharia Academy, Prof Dr. Sajid Ur Rehman congratulated the participants and urged that the people of our country need economic & social justice. He added that justice is the key to overcome many social and economic problems of our country. Dr. Shehzad Iqbal Sham, coordinator of the course briefed the chief guest about the key elements of the course. Representative of the participants Muhammad Arshad (Distt & Session Judge Mansehra) highly appreciates the contents and benefits of this course and added that we have learned from this course at every stage.

Dr. Mumtaz, President IIU, distributed the certificates and university souvenirs among the participants.

Dr. Mumtaz Ahmad said that the cause way will directly link our new campus with the I-Sectors of the Islamabad which will provide ample saving in fuel consumption for the students and staff of the university. While inaugurating the new Tube well Dr. Mumtaz Ahmad said that this will increase water resources in the university and will help full to ensure the continuous water supply within the campus.

Director General IIU, Gulzar Ahmad Khwaja lauded the efforts of the university staff who are rapidly developing such kind of projects in the university. Engineer Tahir Khan, Additional Director (civil) gave a detail briefing about these projects.

He was speaking at a meeting of Faculty of Shairah and Law held here on Thursday to review current academic, training and research activities as well as to discuss different proposal for the development of the faculty.

The Rector IIU assured the meeting that all the problems of the faculties and students of the IIUI will be resolved soon. He said that the University is striving for the provision of best teaching and research environment in all the faculties and department.

On this occasion, Dr. Mumtaz Ahmad, President IIUI said that Faculty of Shariah and Law is the most efficient faculty of this university and has the potential to respond the current propaganda against Shariah in European countries. The President said that there is need to introduce the original concept of Shariah in the western world to clarify the misunderstandings for which Faculty of Shariah and Law, IIUI can play a positive role. Dr. Mumtaz also suggested organizing an international conference on Law of War and Torture.

Replying to a question, Gulzar Ahmad Khawaja, Director General (Admin Finance and Planning), said that we are trying to arrange generator as an alternate during power shutdown and to avoid any disturbance during the classes.

Earlier, Dr. Zia ul Haq, Dean Faculty of Shariah and Law, presented a detailed report about the Faculty.

The meeting was attended by a number of senior faculty members of Faculty of Shariah and Law, IIUI including Tahir Mansoori, Associate Professor, Dr. Tahir Haqeem, and Muhammad Munir. Khursheed Alam Director (Finance), Khalid Mahmood Raja Director (Administration), Dr. Muhammmad Riaz, Director (Quality Enhancement Cell), and Shagufta Haroon, Director (Academics) also attended the meeting.

He was addressing a certificate awarding ceremony of 48th Islamic Orientation Programme for Teachers of Colleges and Universities of Pakistan organized by Da’wah Academy, IIUI here on Wednesday.

The Rector IIUI also stressed the need to understand Islam in accordance with the modern lines so that we can confront the new challenges. He said terrorism is being linked with Islam that is totally wrong as Islam teaches the lesson of peace and tolerance. He also urged the teachers to play their role in eliminating the sectarianism from Pakistan. The Rector IIUI also highlighted various aspects of the thoughts and concepts of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Iqbal for the independence of Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Replying to a question, Professor Fateh Muhammad Malik said that Pakistan is a peace loving country but some elements are trying to destabilize it. He also said that the people of Pakistan are independent but unluckily our ruling elites could not get freedom.

Addressing the participants, Sahibzada Sajid ur Rehman, Director General, Da’wah Academy, IIUI urged the teachers to work for the betterment of society, but not for their own interests. Teachers can contribute in development of a society by producing skilled and educated youths, he said. Sahibzada Sajid ur Rehman said we can cope with the current economic and political challenges only by improving our individual and national characters in the light of the teachings of Islam.

Earlier, Abdul Fareed Brohi, Acting Chairperson (Training), Da’wah Academy gave a detailed briefing about the 48th Islamic Orientation Programme. He said that Da’wah Academy is conducting Islamic orientation programmes for the teachers of colleges and universities from all over the country to improve their knowledge of Islam.

On this occasion, Muhammad Jamil and Shabbir Ahmad Khan thanked the organizers of the programme and said that these programmes are very helpful in removing some prevailing misconceptions and bias thinking among the people about Islam.

Later, the Rector IIUI distributed certificates among the participants of the programme. The participants include; Sibghatullah Mahesar, Murad Ali Rahimoon, Asif Ali, Zamir Ahmad Malik, Hamadullah Abro, Kaleemullah, Shah Pasand, and Adil Ameer Bukhari, Muhammad Jamil, Faisal Faiz Rasul, Raees Ahmad Mughal, Muhammad Hamid, Talimand, Gulab Ahmad, Sanaullah, Muhammad Adil, Sanaullah, Shahzad Amir, Hazrat Ali and Shabbir Ahmad Khan. Participants of the programme also presented gifts to the Rector and Director General (AF&P).

Speaking on the occasion, Professor Malik said that books were the true companions of all the intellectuals and scientists of the past, and we should bring this feature into our lives as well. Rector IIU added that such type of book fair should be encouraged by all means to motivate the students towards books. He said that on one side the new technology like Computer, Internet etc contribute a lot in building the knowledge of the students but in contrary it makes the students away from the books. Professor Malik considered books the only mean of knowledge for the students.

The book fair shall continue till Friday June 03, 2011.