On the first day of the drive donations of one hundred thousand rupees were collected from Faisal Mosque, Islamabad while Prof. Qaiserah M. Alvi, Director Female campus of the university donated Rs. 50,000/- on this occasion. Faisal Masjid’s Khateeb Dr. Asmat Ullah inaugurated the campaign by a special appeal to “Namazis” for assistance of flood affectees.

Dr. Asghar Ali Shah said that this fever highly affect those who have low immunity system. He said that Dengue virus is very easily treatable under special treatment measures. Dr. Shah highlight the history of Dengue virus and said that it was first observed in 16th century in Africa then spent few decades to reach Egypt and then to USA and India in the 18th century. In Pakistan this virus first attacked in 1984 in Karachi. Dr. Shah added that there is no need to fear from this virus but to follow the proper protective measures.

Earlier, Dr. Safeer, student advisor (Male) IIU welcomed Dr. Asghar Ali Shah and hoped that the seminar will be beneficial for the participants. He said that Tib-e-Nabvi (S.A) and Sunnat-e-Nabvi are the only ways to prevent such type of diseases. At the end of the seminar free vaccine was administered to 700 persons. Muhammad Rafique Choudhry, Principal Librarian presented university crest to Dr.Asghar Asli Shah on this occasion.

Other members of the delegation were Professor Fareedi Far, faculty member Arabic literature & In charge faculty of Education of Al-Mustafa University, Iran, Mr. Aqai-e-Shareefi, In charge Uloom Quran and Mr. Anees ul Hasnain, In charge Islamabad office of the Al Mustafa University.

Prof. Baqri Baid Hindi appreciated that International Islamic University, Islamabad is providing quality education not only in Pakistan but to the students of whole Muslim world. He also suggested some proposals to promote linguistic relationships between both the universities.

Professor Fateh Muhammad Malik, Rector IIU said that Pakistan & Iran are bonded in cultural and historical relationship inherited by our forefathers. He said that both the universities should join hands to strengthen and encourage the research culture. The Muslim Ummah should focus on research and education to exit from the present state of depression said Professor Malik. Rector IIU adding that we should work to exchange students, researchers and teachers.

Rector IIUI also appreciated the efforts of Iranian intellectuals and writers for their publication about “Islamiat” and “Iqbaliat” and said that they have given immense knowledge and awareness to the world. Rector IIU urged that it is not enough to benefits from the research knowledge but to participate.

Prof. Fateh Muhammad Malik presented a university crest to the guest. The delegation also visited various faculties of the university especially Gosha-e-iqbal of the central library where Muhammad Rafique, Principal Librarian briefed them.

Mr. Joshua White figured a comprehensive presentation on how to develop a good research question. He said that developing a good research question will motivate the reader to read the research work and will help the researcher to adopt the accurate methodology when undertaking research. Mr. White said that a good research question must be a question which can be expressed in only a few sentences.

A good research proposal might contain background, problem, research question, hypothesis, methodology and significance said Mr. White. He also shared a good research proposal format with the participants of the presentation.

Earlier, Director Female Campus IIU, Professor Qaiserah Alvi welcomed the guest scholar at the campus and briefly introduce him to the participants. She said that such presentation will highlight the significance of research and will motivate those students who avoid to do research work.

Speaking about the project “Crossroad Asia” Dr. Dietrich highlighted the main theme of the project and said that the purpose of this project is to communicate with the South Asia, Central Asia and Middle East.

German scholar said that prior to the cold war both Central Asia and South Asia have deep interaction, which was affected by the cold war. Studying about south Asia and central Asia, Dr. Dietrich said that people who study about South Asia are not comfortable to do the same about Central Asia and Middle East because of the cultural and linguistics differences.

He further said that the objective of his project “crossroad Asia” was to grasp the divisions and distances between the regions.

The foreign students of IIU expressed their views about choosing Pakistan and IIU for their higher studies. The students from China, Central Asia, Afghanistan and other countries said that they were very much comfortable, easy and relax here at IIU, which provides them suitable atmosphere for study according to the Islamic standards and culture. Raja Muhammad Munir, Additional Director Overseas Admissions, IIUI was also present on the occasion.

Dr. Dietrich Reetz, a scholar of South Asian Islam at Zentrum Moderner Orient, Berlin addressing Foreign students at International Islamic University, Islamabad. Raja Muhammad Munir, Additional Director IIUI is also seen in the picture

Speaking on the occasion Dr. Dietrich Reetz said that Tableeghi Jamaat/Deobandi school of thought are globally functional through out the world. He considered that Tableeghi Jamaat is a platform which spread Deobandiat Ideology worldwide. According to Dr. Dietrich, Deobandi School of thoughts in South Africa are mainly promoted by the trading community. He said that Deobandi schools in south Asia relates to Moulana Muhammad Zakria, who was very much influential in this part of the world.

Dr. Dietrich added that Deobandi schools are able to produce so many scholars in South Africa, Malaysia, USA and UK and they are self-sufficient in producing good teachers to teach in the local languages. He also highlighted the western phenomenon of Tableeghi Jamaat in the Western modernization paradigm, where they measure Islamic movements against the promotion of economic development, social advancement and liberal democracy.

Dr. Mumtaz Ahmad speaking on the topic said that Tableeghi Jamaat has very defined guidelines which were not formally controlled by the defined bureaucracy. He added that Tableeghi Jamaat was practicing enormous organizational norms and values. The lecture ended with question answer session.

Dr. Dietrich discussed his findings of various Islamic Institutes in western countries like Tableeghi Jamat, Dawat e Islami, Islamic training Institute in Germany etc and elaborated how those institutions attract Muslims from different backgrounds, social and cultural perspectives. He added that the major outcome of his study was that the Muslims have to present themselves as a legitimate segment of the society unlike the conservative ones. Dr. Dietrich further said that the Islamic Institutions in west attract people from highly educated backgrounds and those have always contributed to the society in a positive way.

Mr. Joshua White, a Ph.D candidate at Johns Hopkins University, Washington DC briefly discussed the role of Muslims in American society. He said that 02 percent of the American population are Muslims. Mr. White also discussed the demographic and broader political dynamics of the Muslims in America. He said that the Muslims in America are more loyal to Democratic Party as compared to Republican Party. The Muslims are overwhelmingly happy in America and they support the way USA was dealing with various national & international issues said Mr. White. He added that more a person will be religious, the less he/she will support terrorism and the American Muslims were very much similar to the community as a whole.

Professor Malik, Rector IIU addressing the panel said that Islam should not be considered a danger to Europe and America. He said that Europe and America should understand Muslims and Islam form human civilization perspective. Muslims were the inheritors of the civilization which ruled Europe and America for over thousand years but currently they were not able to do the same due to so many political, social, economic and religious problems, said Professor Fateh Malik. He mentioned the contribution of western scholars especially Goethe of Germany and other Poets and Writers for paving the way of multiculturalism between the Muslims and west. Professor Malik urged that the Muslims in west should establish strong relations with other communities enabling themselves to settle numerous social and religious issues through the discussion. He was of the view that west was afraid of Imam Khumeni like revolution in the Muslim world and for that matter it was manipulating.

Dr. Ejaz Akram of Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) also spoke on the occasion and stressed upon the need of reforming Muslims’ as well as western minds towards understanding each other.

Dr. Mumtaz Ahmad, president IIU earlier welcoming the guest speakers said that the Muslims are living quite comfortably in west and America and they are contributing a lot in the development of those nations. This fact should be acknowledged by those who are at helm of affairs in west especially USA concluded Dr. Mumtaz.

Professor Fateh Muhammad Malik, Rector IIUI, Dr. Mumtaz Ahmad, President IIUI, Gulzar Ahmad Khwaja, Director General IIUI, Prof. Qaiserah M. Alvi, Director Female Campus, and office bearers of Academic Staff Association (ASA), Officers Welfare Association (OWA) and University Staff Welfare Association (USWA) were present on the occasion. Prof. Fateh Muhammad Malik and Dr. Mumtaz Ahmad greeted all academic staff, administrative officers and staff of the university present in the Eid Milan Party.

They said that the message of Ramadan & Eid is to forget the enmities with others and forgive them. They added that the development of any institution is based upon the cooperation and coordination of the individuals and such kind of events play vital role in this regard.

Gulzar Ahmad Khwaja also greeted the participants of the Eid Milan party. He advised them to perform their duties with full enthusiasm so that IIUI may be made an exemplary institution. Syed Muzammil Hussain, Deputy Direct Protocol & Public Relations of the university was the anchor person of this ceremony.