Addressing the concluding ceremony, Professor Fateh Muhammad Malik, Rector IIUI highlighted the importance of the Muslim Unity based on one faith and international linkages among Da’wah workers all over the world. The Rector was of the view that the Da’wah workers should preach harmony and self-respect while dealing with others especially in the case of non-Muslims. Professor Fateh Muhammad Malik added that it was a pride for Da’wah Academy and the International Islamic University, Islamabad that they have so far arranged 26 international programmes which were largely attended by Da’wah workers from various parts of the world. He also admired Da’wah Administration for successfully conducting its programmes for Da’wah workers in Pakistan and abroad. Dr. Sajid-ur-Rehman, Director General, Da’wah Academy, while speaking on the occasion gave a brief account of the course and announced that more such courses shall be arranged in near future. Mr. Gulzar Ahmad Khawaja, Director General Administration, Finance and Planning of the university gave a briefing about the university accompanied by a slide show. Two participants from Uganda and Sri Lanka namely Ahmed Kalaugembe and Mohammad Azmi also addressed on the occasion.

Earlier, prominent scholars from India who came to attend three-day International Seminar on Sirah Writing visited Da’wah Academy. They were led by Dr. Yaseen Mazahar Siddiqui of the Muslim University Aligarh. Other members of the delegation included Prof. Abdul Raheem Qidwai, Dr. Zafar ul Islam Islahi, Razi ul Islam Nadvi and Dr. Ubaid ullah Fahad Falahi.

They were apprised of Da’wah activities by the Academy in last 25 years of its existence. Dr. Sajid ur Rehman speaking on the occasion said that although Pakistan and India are two independent entities and states but the link between Pakistani scholars and Indian academic institutions is fully operative. Dr. Sajid said that Pakistanis feel proud benefit from the experiences of the Indian scholars in different fields of Islamic knowledge. Dr. Yaseen Mazahar Siddiqui in his address appreciated efforts of the International Islamic University and Da’wah Academy for imparting quality education in this part of the world. He was of the view that the International Islamic University is fulfilling a need of the world which deprived of the Islamic education in its true perspective. The Indian scholars also visited the new campus of the university.

He welcomed and emphasized the participants to be service oriented in their organizations instead of bureaucratic attitude. Ms. Memoona Kausar, Librarian, Air University spoke on the competencies required to teach information literacy for the LIS professionals. Mr. Muhammad Sajid Mirza, Senior Librarian, IIUI conducted sessions on INTERNET research; document delivery service; style manuals including APA and Endnote 12; and avoiding plagiarism. Mr. Muhammad Arif, Head of Library and Information Science Department, AIOU, Islamabad was the chief guest in the closing ceremony. He appreciated the role of IIUI in the continuing professional development activities in the region and hoped that these efforts will be continued in future. Thirty professionals from various institutions of twin cities and Khyber Pakhtun Khawa (KPK) participated in this workshop.

Some eighty scholars from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, UK, Germany, Switzerland, USA and Canada presented their research papers in twenty academic sessions of the seminar in three languages –English, Arabic and Urdu. The seminar was jointly held by National Sirah Study Centre of Islamic Research Institute and Iqbal Institute for Research and Dialogue—the research arms of International Islamic University.

The point of great potential consequence that topped the list of recommendations said that the participating scholars considered it highly useful to hold an international conference to thrash out the questions relating to the appropriate sources for Sirah writing and of appropriate methodology in the use of those sources. Related to it was the declaration that one of the priority areas in Sirah studies was to locate, edit and publish the earliest works on Sirah/Maghazi (the military campaigns of the Prophet). The declaration also called for holding international Sirah conferences continually to promote active academic collaboration of competent specialists for study and research in the field of Sirah.

The participating scholars advised the National Sirah Study Centre of Islamic Research Institute to appoint an international advisory committee consisting of renowned scholars of Sirah from different parts of the world to provide regular advice and guidance to the Centre in its activities. They also said that they considered it imperative that a multi-volume work on Sirah be published by the Centre as a result of collaborative effort of the best Sirah scholars in the world. In addition, they recommended that the National Sirah Study Centre initiate efforts towards the publication of a comprehensive encyclopedia of Sirah as a collaborative venture involving the best available scholars from the whole world.

Addressing the concluding plenary session of the seminar Professor Mazher Yasin Siddiqui from Muslim University Aligarh expressed his satisfaction at the success of the academic moot which had brought together scholars from fifteen countries to benefit from one another’s research and opinions on matters of academic concern. As a senior teacher and reputed scholar he made a number of observations for the benefit of his younger colleagues. For example, he said it was not enough to marshal facts and quote even a great number of relevant established sources. To conclude their study they should analyse, assess and interpret the data and make clear deductions from it.

Professor Fateh Muhammad Malik, Rector, International Islamic University said autocracy and emperorship are discordant and incompatible with the concept of rule of God that the Prophet (peace be upon him) preached and exemplified. He said while scholars conduct research into the Prophet’s precepts and practices and marvel at their abiding relevance in human affairs they should also enquire into the reasons for his example being frequently violated when it clashed with narrow personal and group interests. He posed the question whether the current wave of protest sweeping the Muslim world would lead to the establishment of a political order in accord with the principles of Islam.

Wrapping up the deliberations Dr Zafar Ishaq Asnari, Director General, Islamic Research Institute expressed his delight that the seminar on Sirah had generated such wide interest among scholars. He hoped that its success would spur effort for greater and regular collaboration among scholars for widening the scope of beneficial research on the life and message of the Prophet (peace be upon him). He earnestly solicited their cooperation and guidance in setting the directions of National Sirah Study Centre’s research and other academic activities.

Scholars from different countries presented twenty-four research papers on the concluding day of the seminar. Presented in concurrent Arabic, English and Urdu sessions, the papers also generated discussions, leading to further light being shed on the topics being discussed.

Dr Muzaffar Iqbal, a scholar from Canada while discussing modern Sirah texts said that during the last quarter of the 20th century Sirah texts started to move away from the colonial-period apologetic trend and began the process of what he called internalization of the Prophetic era. The process resulted in the production of vivid accounts of the life of the Prophet (peace be upon him), allowing one to live in the time of Prophecy. He cited two representative works as examples of such writings: Martin Ling’s Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources and Safi-ur-Rahman Mubarakpuri’s Al-Rahiq al-Makhtum.

Dr Sajid Mitwally, from Al-Azher University (Egypt) said in his paper that the study of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the West is caught in a dilemma. On the one hand it is not possible to write a historical biography without being accused of using the sources uncritically, while on the other when using the sources critically, it is simply not possible to write such a biography.

Dr Ahmad Gunny from Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies analyzed some important French-speaking writers’ views on the Sirah of the Prophet. Their writings give a picture of the Prophet (peace be upon him) from the 18th century onwards. These are representative of the trends current in their times, which betray prejudice and lack of scholarship.

In his paper Dr Ikram Chughtai said, there is a huge corpus of material on the biography of the Prophet (peace be upon him) which has appeared during the last three centuries in different European languages. He limited himself to an analytical study of the writings of reputed Austrian scholars. He said due to their geographical proximity the Ottomans had multiple social and intellectual influences on the people of Austria. As a result, Austria’s relations with Islam as a religion have been relatively unproblematic compared to other European countries.

Dr Jamal Malik from Erfurt University (Germany) in his “German contribution to Sirah” tried to contextualize some of the German contributions on the subject, which have culminated in a book called “Goodbye Muhammad”, recently written under a pseudonym.

Muhammad Mushtaq reviewed Sirah writings of scholars subscribing to the Farahi school of thought. He analyzed the distinct positions taken by them on some issues as well as the characteristics of their style.

Dr Ziauddin Falahi, from Aligharh University in his paper reviewed what Hindu writers and poets have written, mostly to pay homage to the Prophet of Islam, though some of them known for their hostility fall into a different category.

In his paper Dr Sajidullah Asad surveyed what Christian missionaries in the subcontinent have written about the Prophet (peace be upon him). In the beginning, it was foreign missionaries who wrote in English and local languages. Later, they were joined by converts of Indian origin.

In his paper “Orientalist historians on Muslim migration to Abyssinia” Dr Suhaib Hasan, a scholar from UK discussed how was Muslim migration to Abyssinia perceived by the orientalists, particularly by William Muir and Montgomery Watt.

In his paper Muhammad Junaid Anwer said women scholars have made a worthy contribution to Sirah writing in Urdu.

Adeeba Siddiqi reviewed the works of contemporary women biographers of the Prophet (peace be upon him) who have written in Urdu. They show a tendency to include the Prophet’s military campaigns while highlighting the events of his life.

With the conclusion of the seminar, two related exhibitions – those of rare books in the National Sirah Library and of outstanding specimens of calligraphic and embellishment work with Sirah as their theme – also came to an end. The calligraphic exhibition was held in collaboration with Hast-o-Neest Institute of Traditional Art and Culture, Lahore.

Dr Abdur Raheem Kidwai, from Aligharh Muslim University in his paper on peaceful coexistence in the light of Sirah sought to analyze some recent works on the subject in English in order to assess how relevant and meaningful are the teachings of the Prophet (Peace Be On Him) in the contemporary world, especially in the broad area of his being the role model for Muslims living as minorities across the world, subscribing to peaceful co-existence in the spirit of pluralism and leadership. Dr Siraj Khan, a scholar from Edinburgh University presented a paper in which he evaluated the trend of de-emphasizing spirituality and argued that Muslim fascination with every aspect of the Prophet’s (Peace Be On Him) life cannot simply be swept aside as a mad intoxication and pointed out that the meticulous detail resulting from this fascination is integral to the Sirah. He said that the lack of grounding in these sciences has led to modern rewritings of the Sirah blurring and even removing the distinction of Prophet (Peace Be On Him) as the spiritual preceptor.

Dr Syed Salman Nadvi, a scholar from South Africa in his paper said that since many original sources of the Sirah have now become available, the harsh negative verdict on historian al-Waqidi, which was reflective of criticism by the early scholars of Hadith, should be re-evaluated. Dr Rafia Riaz in her paper titled “Historiography on Muhammad in the West after 9/11” critically evaluated selected works on the Prophet (Peace Be On Him) that appeared in the English language in the period since 9/11. She concluded that these works have been written generally by non-academicians relying mostly on secondary sources and they have derived the conclusions that they needed, betraying their ignorance of the relevant circumstances in the Prophet’s life.

In his paper Dr Tahsin Firaqi reviewed the orientalist approach to Sirah writing which Maulana Abdul Majid Daryabadi tackled at length in his works. He concluded that the orientalist approach largely remains unchanged. Dr Nisar Ahmad surveyed the Sirah literature produced in Urdu in the first half of the 20th century, which he described as the golden period of modern Sirah writing. He presented a detailed study of a well-known work of this period by Mohammad Ajmal Khan.

Dr Nigar Sajjad Zahir presented an analytical study of well-known works of the renowned 20th century biographer of the Prophet (Peace Be On Him), Allamah Syed Sulaiman Nadvi. Dr Munawar Anees presented a paper in which he took stock of the Islamophobic literature of the current decade produced by writers with pseudonyms and propagated through the internet. These writings represented pointed vilification of the Prophet (Peace Be On Him) by those posing themselves as neo-orientalists in contrast with the dominant orieintalist approach to Sirah characterized by a scholarly methodology and approach.

In his paper Dr Abdur Razzaq Aswad from Dammam University (Saudi Arabia) presented a critical survey of the books written in response to or in refutation of the works that are representative of the orientalist methodology in research on Sirah. Dr Mohammad Ali Ghauri undertook a critical study of Siratun Nabi and highlighted the methodology employed in the book and the scholarly approach of the authors in effectively tackling the Orientalist criticism of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be On Him).

Dr. Mohammad Zaheer Abdullah al-Muhammad, form Yarmouk University (Jordan) presented a paper in which he critically analysed German orientalist Josef Horvitz’s criticism of the compilers of the accounts of the Prophet’s military expeditions and asserted that at places his study fell short of standards of historical research. Dr Najeebah Arif reviewed the approaches and styles of Sirah writing during the colonial period in the subcontinent.

Dr Syed Azizur Rahman presented an analytical study of contemporary writings on the Prophet (Peace Be On Him), particularly those representative of chronological, polemic, Fiqh, mystical and literary approaches. Dr Inamul Haq presented a study of Sirah writings in Baluchistan in Baluchi, Brahwi, Pashto, Farsi, Urdu and English languages in the last two centuries.

Dr Lutfur Rahman Faruqi presented a survey of the Sirah literature produced in Bangla in the 19th and 20th centuries. The survey included the genre of Nat, or homage paid to the Prophet (Peace Be On Him) in verse. In his paper “Contemporary Images of Muhammad (PBUH) in the Malay World” Wiwin Oktasari, a scholar from Malaysia, examined the evolution of Sirah writing in Malay from the chronological Sirah to the current major trend of adopting a broadly thematic approach to the Prophet’s life.

Masudur Rahman, a scholar from Bangladesh, in his “Contribution of Bengali scholars to Sirah literature” critically evaluated some of the famous works on the Prophet (Peace Be On Him) by Bengali scholars. Muhammad Raziul Islam from Aligharh in his paper took stock of the Urdu books on Sirah produced for children in the 20th century and acknowledged that they have been written in simple and effective language keeping in view their intellectual capacity.

Two exhibitions are also being held in connection with the seminar. Rare books on Sirah available in the National Sirah Library of Islamic Research Institute are on display. The other exhibition features specimens of calligraphy and embellishment by fifteen well-known calligraphers. All the exhibits relate to the theme of the seminar, viz biographical writings on the Holy Prophet (Peace Be On Him). Earlier on the first day of the seminar Prof. Fateh Muhammad Malik, Rector IIUI, Dr. Mumtaz Ahmad, President IIUI, leading scholars Dr. Salman Nadvi, Dr. Muhammad Abdul Qayyum, Dr. Khalid Zafarullah and renowned calligrapher Irfan Ahmad Qureshi addressed the participants.

Dr. Mumtaz Ahmad, President IIUI said that mushairas have been an integral part of our cultural and literary tradition. With the advent of certain modern technologies of cultural communication, however, such gatherings as Mushairas have been rare these days. He hoped that literary gatherings like poetry recitations will once again become a major part of our cultural activities, especially in a social psychological environment that looks gloomy all over.

Dr Nadvi, who is the son of great scholar and renowned biographer of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), Syed Sulaiman Nadvi and a noted teacher and scholar in his own right, said it was not enough to hold just an occasional seminar on the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) , however significant it might be in itself. Such seminars should be held regularly to widely propagate what the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) stands for, what his message is and to show how relevant and significant his teachings are for humankind beset with all manner of problems and issues. It is Prophet Muhammad’s (Peace Be Upon Him) teachings that can guide the world through the maze of confusion, controversy and strife, he declared.

Dr Salman also advised those who teach Sirah as a subject not to confine themselves to just the events of the Prophet’s (Peace Be Upon Him) life but to analyse and interpret them to derive the lessons that can be learnt and to develop a broader and deeper understanding of Islam and its purposes. He also suggested that Sirah be taught as a full-fledged subject in Madrassas.

The seminar is being jointly organized by the University’s two research arms, the Islamic Research Institute and the Iqbal International Institute for Research and Dialogue. Attending the seminar are some eighty scholars who have come from different parts of the world including India, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, UK, Germany, Switzerland, USA, Canada and South Africa. They will be presenting their research papers on various dimensions of the life, personality, mission and message of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) in concurrent sessions being held in three languages, Arabic, English and Urdu. They will also discuss significant works on Sirah that have appeared in the last three centuries in other languages including Turkish, Persian, Bengali, Malawi, Indonesian, French, Italian and Spanish so as to gain a more complete picture of modern trends in this area of study.

Speaking at the inaugural session the Rector of the University Professor Fateh Mohammad Malik said Iqbal, who is the spiritual father of Pakistan, clearly expressed his idea of a nation when he said that Islam was the basis of the nationhood of Muslims. It is the Quran revealed to the Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and the teachings and practices of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) which constitute what we understand as Islam. It is only by following his precepts and example that Muslims can overcome all obstacles, progress, prosper and realize their destiny.

Speaking on the occasion the President of the University Dr Mumtaz Ahmad welcomed the participants of the seminar from Pakistan and other countries. He also drew out the significance of the seminar which was going to focus on the different approaches to the writing of the Prophet’s (Peace Be Upon Him) life and critically examine the trends in Sirah writing over the last three centuries.

As many as twenty-three scholars read their papers in simultaneous sessions in three languages on the opening day. Dr. Jonathan Brown, from Georgetown University (USA) admitted in his paper that was presented on his behalf that Western writing about the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) has rarely moved beyond negative stereotypes.

Professor Yasin Mazhar from the Muslim University Aligarh reviewed the research on the sources of Sirah that has taken place in the Urdu language in modern times. He said there was a consensus of scholars that the basic sources remain the Quran, Hadith and early fundamental compilations on the subject by Muslim scholars and historians.

Dr. Mohammad Abdul Qayyum in his paper examined the non-Muslim scholars’ increasing trend of relying, in their research on Sirah, on non-Muslim sources of the 7th and 8th centuries in languages including Arabic, Syriac, Greek, Latin, Coptic and Persian.

Dr. Khalid Zafarullah in his paper made a plea for special studies on the issue of Ahadith being ignored by a certain category of scholars as the second major source for Sirah research.

Professor Zafarul Islam from Aligarh University dwelt at length on contemporary issues, including human rights, women’s rights, freedom of expression, rights of minorities, rights of down-trodden segments of society, etc in the light of the teachings of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) in general and what he said on the occasion of his Farewell Hajj in particular.

Dr Moinuddin Aqeel in his study took stock of the reflections of Hindu beliefs and other local influences in Urdu Nat, which, he contended, have also affected the established structure and styles of this genre.

Muhammad Modassir Ali reviewed some recent works which have revived traditional portrayals of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) and the manner in which the Ummah beheld him. No compromise of standards of rational and scientific approach seems to have taken place in the process.

Two exhibitions are also being held on the occasion of the seminar. Rare books on Sirah available in the National Sirah Library of the Islamic Research Institute are on display. In addition, an exhibition of calligraphy related to Sirah is also taking place. It features specimens of calligraphy by fifteen prominent calligraphers who have employed different calligraphic styles and embellishing techniques in presenting Ahadith that give a description of what the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) looked like and in presenting selected verses from the famous Qasidah Burdah Sharif celebrating the Prophet’s (Peace Be Upon Him) personality. The exhibition is being held in collaboration with Hast-o-Neest Institute of Traditional Art and Culture.

The seminar, which is one of a series of events being organized to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of International Islamic University, also has the support of Higher Education Commission.

The first activity under the forum was a seminar held on March 21st, 2011 at Allama Iqbal auditorium, Faisal Mosque Campus, IIUI. The theme of the seminar was “Promotion of Human Rights through Educational Institutions”. The seminar was organized by Human Rights Forum (HRF) (IIUI Students) in collaboration with Iqbal International Institute for Research and Dialogue (IRD). The speakers at the occasion were Mr. Kamran Arif (Board Member of Human Rights Commission, Pakistan), Dr. Sohail Mahmood (Head of Department International Relations, National University of Modern Languages), Ch. Muhammad Shafique (Executive Director, Parliamentarian Commission for Human Rights, Pakistan) and Ms. Mahvish Ahmad (Lecturer, LUMS). All the speakers threw light on the issues related to human rights and role played by the educational institutions in its promotion. The seminar was well attended by the students of different disciplines who participated in the lively debate

Dr. Mumtaz Ahmad, President IIUI said that mushairas have been an integral part of our cultural and literary tradition. With the advent of certain modern technologies of cultural communication, however, such gatherings as Mushairas have been rare these days. He hoped that literary gatherings like poetry recitations will once again become a major part of our cultural activities, especially in a social psychological environment that looks gloomy all over.

Saudi envoy gave a historical account of Saudi – Pak relations and said that it has roots in the history. Soon after the establishment of Pakistan deep bi-lateral relations came into being which were more and more strengthened by the Saudi – Pak people and rulers over decades. He mentioned the visits of late kings of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan and told the audience that they strengthened those relations to overcome any challenge. Saudi envoy added that Saudi people and government were always with their brethren in Pakistan especially in the hours of miseries and disasters. He mentioned Saudi assistance to Pakistan in aftermath of 2005 earthquake and 2010 floods. He said that Saudi Arabia provided assistance of billions of dollars to Pakistan on both the occasions. It was to fulfill religious duty to help human beings in their troubles.

The Saudi ambassador told that in 2005 earthquake and 2010 floods it were Saudis who under the leadership of their king and the custodian of two harams Abdullah Ibn-e-Abdul Aziz dispatched hundreds of cargo planes to Pakistan with humanitarian assistance. Speaking on the occasion Dr. Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, Dean Faculty of Shariah and Law and Dr. Muhammad Riaz, Dean Faculty Basic and Applied Sciences of the university thanked Saudi Arabian ruler and the custodian of two Harams King Abdullah and the people for their continued support to Pakistan.

The Saudi ambassador also called on Rector of the university Prof. Fateh Muhammad Malik and exchanged his views with him. Prof. Malik apprised the Saudi envoy about the university and its activities over last 25 years of its existence. Prof. Malik said that Saudi Arabia was always helpful to the university and played a very vital role in its development. The Saudi Ambassador on this occasion promised to provide assistance to the university for hiring faculty members and arranging conferences and seminars. He also promised to help the university in constructing a grand mosque at its new campus. IIUI souvenirs and shields were presented to the Saudi dignitary while sets of Saudi publications on assistance to Pakistan were presented to the Rector of the university by the visiting Saudi envoy.

Discussion forums offer a way to the students and staff to reach the management directly and discuss issues as well as offer a way to vent their feelings/solve issues etc. & will also serve as a means to bridge the faculties and the parents & eventually evolve as a ready reckoner for answers to details like admission procedures etc.

The delegation was represented by Dean Faculties of Economics and Management, Head Department of Agronomy and Horticulture and other professors of the Bogor Agricultural University, Indonesia.

Prof. Fateh Muhammad Malik, Rector IIUI and Dr. Mumtaz Ahmad President IIUI briefed them about the university, its objectives and achievements in last 25 years of its existence. Dr. Mumtaz Ahmad told the delegation that the university is imparting quality education in all the fields of life.

Gulzar Ahmad Khwaja gave a presentation about the Islamic University to the members of the visiting delegation. Dr. Anas Miftah Fauzi also gave a presentation about the programs and other details of his Bogor University, Indonesia.

The delegation visited the International Institute of Islamic Economics of the university for seeking collaboration in the fields of Shariah Economy as part of the academic programs of their faculties of Economics and Management. Both parties shall deliberate on signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and cooperation in the field of Islamic Economics soon.

The visiting delegation has also extended an invitation to the Rector and the President of the Islamic University to visit Bogor Agricultural University. The president, IIUI requested the visiting delegation to depute a scholar who could teach Islamic History in the South East Asian context in the department of History recently established in the university.

Marut Jitpatima on this occasion appreciated IIUI’s efforts and assured full support of his country to the university and hoped that it will be soon initiating efforts for MoUs of cooperation between the IIUI and the Thai universities.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Nayyer Bukkari said that implementation of laws is more important than its legislation. as it is commonly observed that people mostly forgets their responsibilities after getting into high positions. He added that common man is the greatest judge for the services and we should remember that we are accountable to those who showed their trust in our integrity. He said that high seats means high responsibilities but it is our dilemma that people just want to enjoy privileges and don’t bother about their responsibilities.

Prof. Fateh Muhammad Malik lauded the services of the Association and announced that housing society for IIUI workers would be started in July 2011. He said university cannot work without dedication and hard work of its employees, adding, that steps will be taken for the welfare and distribution of benefits to its workers.

Ch. M. Nazir who was elected as the president of the body consecutively second time said that we are working for the rights of the employees. it is the confidence of the staff of grade 1 to 16 of the university that we won the election by 2/3 majority and we will try our best to come to the expectations and hopes of the electorates. He pledged that they will work hard for ensuring rights of the oppressed workers. He apprised the audience that USWA is working to highlight the problems of the lower staff and trying to find solutions with the help of the University Administration.

Dr. Mumtaz Ahmad in his speech suggested means and ways for promoting harmony among IIUI workers. He assured his all out support for the lower grade employees. He also asked the elected members to increase representation of women in the executive body.

Election committee of the university was unanimously appreciated for holding elections in a peaceful and transparent manner.

(i) Monday to Friday 08:00 am to 03:30 pm with one hour break for Friday prayer from 01:00 pm to 02:00 pm.

Sardar Iftikhar Khan, Additional Director Information & Technology (IT), International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI) briefing Prof. Fateh Muhammad Malik, Rector IIUI, Dr. Mumtaz Ahmed, President IIUI and other high officials of University regarding IT Applications at the University.

Dr. Rubina Bhatti, Director Institute of Global Learning, California State University, USA was the guest speaker on the occasion. Ms. Farida, Vice President, First Women Bank, Qaisra Alvi, Director Women Campus, IIUI, Female faculty members, administrative officers, staff members and a large number of female students participated in the event.

Dr. Rubina Bhatti delivered a lecture on “gender issues in global political economy with a special emphasis on Pakistan”. Dr. Rubina also chaired the special contest on the topic of “Women’s economic empowerment and its role in the national growth / development”. She said that economic empowerment of women is pre-requisite for development of any nation and Pakistan is no exception at all. She expressed her satisfaction over women becoming more and more active in national development of Pakistan.

Prof. Qaisra Alvi highlighted the significance of Islamic Teachings in order to improve the status of women. She added that Islam has given all rights to women far before other religions and ideologies.

Ms. Farida also spoke on the topic and congratulated the International Islamic University for holding events to uplift status of women in Pakistan. Souvenirs were presented to both Dr. Rubina Bhatti and Ms. Farida.

Dr. Klaus is overseeing the launching of entrepreneurship program whereas Dr. Dietger is assisting the faculty improving and quality of courses in accounting and finance.

Both experts are seasoned professionals and possess considerable academic and industrial experience. Their visit is the part of the initiative taken by the FMS, IIUI to engage foreign experts and improve the quality of its programs as well as providing faculty and students an opportunity to interact with the distinguished foreign scholars. In this connection, the faculty of Management Sciences has chalked out a comprehensive program to benefit from the experience of these two experts. They will spend three weeks at IIUI.

Other members of the committee included Dr. Mrs. Saeeda Iqbal, Hafiz Rasheed Ahmad, Maulana Gul Naseeb, Dr. Abdul Khaliq Pirzada, Mrs. Farah Aqil, Prof. Muhammad Ibrahim Khan, Mrs. Rehana Yahya Bloach, Mrs. Nilofar Bakhtiar and Begum Nagma Hameed.

Earlier Prof. Fateh Muhammad Malik and Dr. Mumtaz Ahmed welcomed the committee and briefed the senators on Charter, structure, performance and achievements of the university over last 25 years of its existence. They told the senators that the university has progressed tremendously and rapidly. It started its operation in 1980s with 13 students and now it has reached a student population of 20,000 of which 9,000 are female students. The university has now 9 faculties and it is advancing in research and dialogue with other religions and communities. A slide show was presented for visiting senators by Mr. Gulzar Ahmad Khawaja, Senior director of the university. Dr. Zafar Ishaq Ansari, Vice President, IIUI, Gulzar Ahmad Khwaja, Senior Director of the university and other deans and directors also attended the briefing.

Senator S. M. Zafar on this occasion appreciated the role of the university for imparting quality education not only in traditional fields of knowledge but in contemporary disciplines as well. Other senators who spoke on this occasion include Dr. Abdul Khaliq Pirzada, Prof. Muhammad Ibrahim, Mrs. Nilofar Bakhtiar, Najma Hameed, Saeeda Iqbal and Farah Aqil. They showed keen interest in the university and its activities and raised a number of questions which were subsequently responded by Prof. Fateh Muhammad Malik, Dr. Mumtaz Ahmad, Dr. Riaz Ahmad and Dr. Ahmad Shuja Sayyed of the university.

The delegation also visited the female campus of the university where Prof. Qaisra Alvi, Director of the campus and other faculty members briefed the senators on various aspects of female education at the Islamic University. At the faculty of Shariah the delegation was briefed by Dr. Muhammad Zia ul Haq on Shariah Faculty and its functioning. Senators were given publications of the university and its constituent units i.e. Islamic Research Institute, Dawah Academy, Shariah Academy and Iqbal International Institute for Research and Dialogue.

Glimpses of a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on education held at the International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI) with Senators S M Zafar in the chair. Dr. Sohail H Naqvi, ED, HEC, Prof. Fateh Muhammad Malik, Rector, IIUI, Dr. Mumtaz Ahmed, President IIUI and other were also present on the Occasion. Gulzar Ahmed Khwaja, Senior Director IIUI is briefing the Committee

A view of a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on education held at the International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI). Senator S M Zafar Chaired the meeting. Dr. Sohail H Naqvi, ED, HEC, Prof. Fateh Muhammad Malik, Rector, IIUI, Dr. Mumtaz Ahmed, President IIUI and other leading personalities of the University were also present on the Occasion.

The Egyptian diplomat said that the Egyptian people and government have always given great importance to IIUI from very day of its opening. He added that although Egypt passes through crucial times of its history but Egypt shall continue to fulfill its obligations towards IIUI. Ahmed Abdul Azeem said that IIU is a great asset of the Muslim world as it provides quality education not only for Pakistan but the whole Muslim world and the university should be given all out support.

Ahmad Abdul Azeem also emphasized to promote Islamic knowledge in the world to eliminate the bad image of Islam projected by the western media. In this connection, the Al-Azhar University can play its role and efforts should be made by both the sides to make the IIUI a branch of Al-Azhar.

Dr. Mumtaz Ahmad told him that the image of Egyptians in foreign countries is of scholars, scientists and researchers. The president IIU also hoped that the Egypt shall depute some scientists to teach the juniors at IIUI. The president also assured the Egyptian diplomat to solve the problems of Egyptian teachers at the university on priority basis.

Ahmad Abdul Azeem, Counselor, Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Pakistan exchanging views with Dr. Mumtaz Ahmed, President, International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI), on his visit to the University

Mr. Justice Shakirullah Jan said that execution of justice is basic principle of Islam and all persons related to law departments should adhere to this principle. He added that in the old golden times of Islam justice was supreme to all.

Prof. Fateh Muhammad Malik also addressed on the occasion and asked legal officers to work for promotion of justice in the society to strengthen its fabrics.

Mr. Shakirullah Jan, Justice, Supreme Court of Pakistan, Prof. Fateh Muhammad Malik, Rector, International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI), Dr. Zafar Ishaq Ansari, Vice President IIUI and others addressing during the inaugural ceremony of “52nd Shariah Course” at the Islamic University

“End-User PC Security Threats”, “Network Security” “IIU Web Content Updating (For Web Focal Persons of Faculties/Offices)”, “Better Web Searching/Surfing”, “Excel for Accounting”, “Computing Basics”, “Creating Exciting Presentations” , “Cell Phone Safety Tips”, “Stress Management” , “Protect Your Spine”, “Using Outlook Express”.

Shakeel Ahmed Shah, Deputy Director (IT Training), International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI) delivering lecture during IT Training Program at Islamic University (IIUI).