Speaking on the occasion Amina Jamal said that the Muslims feminist groups and individual activists in societies as far apart as Pakistan and Canada, are faced with the increasing activism of women who identify themselves as Islamic and oppositional to feminism. She added that feminist movement in Pakistan is split between those feminists who seek to invoke Islamic scriptures in support of women’s rights and those who advocate the traditional “Secular” position of insisting on the separation of religion and politics.

Amina Jamal shared some aspects of her research on status of women rights in Jamaat-e-Islami (JI). She concluded that there are strong indicators that JI women have a balanced approach towards women and development as they engage in politics and social work as done by the secular feminists and prioritise nation state, another aspect that substantiates the argument that they follow modern development approach.

Highlighting another trend among Islamist women, she said that they have developed a dislike towards modern terminologies that are related to women like women rights and feminism etc. “One logical reason for this dislike is that these terminologies have been used by the world powers to continue their legacies of colonialism and imperialism”.

Amina briefed the participants about the paradigm of women and development which was created after it was realised that women have always been neglected in the development process and said that it provides a space for Islamist women to explore new opportunities.

She urged the social science practitioners to recognise the different forms of feminist movements in Pakistan and adopt reflexivity towards secular-religious dichotomy. The participants of the seminar were of the opinion that Islam is a modern religion and protects the rights of women.

She concluded that it will be mistake to see cultural struggle in Pakistan as a struggle between religious tradition and secular modernity. The seminar ended with question answer session.

Earlier Prof. Qaiserah M. Alvi, Director Female Campus, IIUI warmly welcomed the guest speaker of the seminar. She said that universities and educational institute should frequently organize such kind of knowledge based events. It’s our honour to have a wise and devoted researcher with us. She also mentioned in her address that Prof. Fateh Muhammad Malik, Rector, IIUI and Dr. Mumtaz Ahmad, President, IIUI are making their wholehearted efforts to raise the standard of education of this university. It is worth mentioning that their measures are exemplary for us.

“The key challenge for me as an educationist is as to how IIUI can abolish the high fees”. The university management has decided to freeze fees at this stage but could not abolish them due to some unavoidable circumstances,” said the rector. He said that an Islamic university in an Islamic state should not have a policy of demanding high fees from students to meet its operational expenses. But the donors from Islamic countries have suspended funding for the last seven years, which make it difficult for IIUI to provide affordable education, he said.

Malik said that to ease the burden for the students, the university has decided not to increase the fees further and would use some of its own resources to generate funds – it will establish petrol pump and gas stations on its land along the road side of its main campus. Malik stated that it is possible for the state to make education free and compulsory as it was done by the Former Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, who nationalized all educational institutions. But a “Strong political will” is needed for that, he added. “Now the teacher is forced to sell education and students have to buy it,” he said. Malik suggested that the government spending on education must be increased, so that more people can have access to free of charge education.

Talking about the future plans of the university, the rector said the university is opening the department of Islamic Art and Architecture from this session. The approval for the department has been given by the academic council of the university and classes in the department, would start from the coming academic session.

He said that that most people from conservative backgrounds want to get their daughters admitted in the university because of the segregated education system; however, lack of hostel facilities is a key hindrance to their plans. “Most of the people prefer taking their daughters back home rather than letting them stay in private hostels,” said Malik. IIUI, therefore, is planning to construct two additional hostels for female students.

The rector added that the IIUI is planning to construct housing units within the campus for the employees of grade-1 to 16, to facilitate them.

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 who 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.” Concluded Prof. Fateh Muhammad Malik.

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 150 faculty members holding PhD degrees who 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. Contents of the newsletter which is spread over 52 pages. Click here to view the NEWSLETTER

Dr. Sher Ali Shah stressed upon the revival of the historic role of prayer leaders in the Islamic tradition. He added that the prayer leaders are representatives of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). He said that they should understand the contemporary challenges faced by the Muslims and should play their role positively to spread teachings of Quran & Sunnah in the society for its betterment at large.

Dr. Sahibzada Sajid ur Rehman in his address called upon prayer leaders to bury their sectarian differences to regain their vital role in the society. About Dawah Academy, Dr. Sajid ur Rehman said that it has organized countless programmes for all segments of the society for better use of the capabilities of the citizens for the society. It has organized 75 such programms for prayer leaders alone so far. In addition to that the academy has crossed all geographical & psychological boundaries & barriers and its message is reaching to almost all citizens.

Incharge Faisal Mosque Islamic Center, Tahir Siddique and representative of the course participants Murtaza Haqqani also addressed on the occasion.

He further said that in line with that, quality education is pertinent in the hope of seeing Muslim countries advance their R&D. He added that “A comprehensive guide such as the 2nd OIC Education Directory will in a way complement the efforts of Malaysia, among the countries listed, to be the choice of study destination offering sound education and affordable cost”. The directory has given basic information of the IIUI along with other universities of Pakistan as well.

During the meeting, they exchanged views about the current economic situation of the Muslim world in general and Pakistan in particular. They told the Rector IIU that IDB is supporting cause of Islamic Economics in various parts of the world. They added that it was IDB which introduced alternative system of the Islamic Economy to replace present subjugation of the capitalist system. They said that the IDB has launched a number of academic programmes in various parts of the world to introduce the Islamic Economic System to general public at large.

Professor Fateh Muhammad Malik in his remarks lauded the role of the Islamic Development Bank and assured the delegation that the International Islamic University Islamabad shall continue its march towards Islamic economic revival. He hoped that the Bank shall continue its support to the University in its academic activities. Professor Malik presented to the delegation shields of the University as well. On the other hand, the two-day IIUI Symposium on Islamic Economic and Finance ended here today as a number of scholars presented their papers and answered questions raised by participants. Those who spoke on the second day include; Professor Dr. Syed Muhammad Tahir, Dr. Tahir Mansoori, senior economists of the Islamic Research and Training Institute (IRTI), Islamic Development Bank Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Dr. Abd elrahman Elzahi Saaid Ali and Dr. Abdul Hamid M. Bashir.

Expressing her views on the visit to Central Library, Elena Bashir said that books happen to be the true companion of all the intellectuals, scientists and all agers and we must bring this feature in our lives as well. She further added that such type of important book collection motivates the students towards reading. She considered the books as the accurate mean of knowledge for the students. She said that the new technology like Computer, Internet etc contribute a lot in building the knowledge of the students. She further added that all research work should be available on net; it would be beneficial for foreign scholars and students as well. She emphasized that parents should communicate with their children in mother tongue, and at national level we promote our national language. She was much impressed by the facilities available for the students in Central Library; during discussion she said that these facilities are essential for making an institute to meet the international education standards.

Moreover she was astonished about the idea of keeping the Female Campus segregated from Male Campus but she was briefed by the Director (Female Campus) that the international Islamic university is unique in the aspect of providing an exclusive and separate academic environment for girl students. As this University was established on the Islamic grounds to develop an international Islamic seat of higher learning, research instruction and training in various branches of knowledge with special emphasis on Islamic Studies, Social Sciences, Management Sciences, Basic & Applied Sciences and humanities to be taught, studied, developed and reconstructed in such a way to develop a balanced and harmonious human personality, well informed and embedded in the Islamic world view. Likewise, we groom them in such a way that enables them to cop up with all the challenges of present world.

Addressing on the occasion, Dr. Abd elrahman Elzahi Saaid Ali, IRTI, Islamic Development Bank Jeddah, Saudi Arabia said Islamic Banking and Finance have contributed to the development of world economic and Islamic banking has also expanded globally.

Dr. Munawar Iqbal, Former-Chief, Islamic Banking, IRTI, Jeddah, highlighted the importance of research and Islamic Banking and Finance. In this regard, he lauded the role of the International Institute of Islamic Economics, IIUI.

Earlier in his welcome address, Prof. Dr. Asad Zaman, Director General, IIIE, IIUI, said that the symposium will provide a platform for coming together of the Islamic economics graduate students of universities from within and outside Pakistan to discuss the achievements, challenges, and future potential regarding research projects, research frontiers and know how in the field of Islamic economics and finance. He said this activity will encourage our students to undertake research activities which is extremely the need of this time because global financial system is in deep crisis and we need to have alternatives. The symposium will lead the students to provide solution not only for Muslim Ummah but for the humanity at large.