FJWU Organized First National Conference on "Interfaith Dialogue in the 21st Century"
Rawalpindi – The First National Conference titled “Interfaith Dialogue in the 21st Century” was held by the Department of Islamic Studies at Fatima Jinnah Women University, with the collaboration of Paigham E Pakistan on the 9th and 10th October. The conference aimed to bring better understanding of the variant religious communities so that followers of every belief system are able to better appreciate the spiritual truths and strive for practical action.
In the opening ceremony of the conference Ali Muhammad Khan, Minister of state parliamentary affairs was the Chief Guest. He admired the efforts of Fatima Jinnah Women University to arrange a platform for social awareness in the society regarding interfaith dialogue. Also said you learn from birth till grave, education is the basic element, a nation's future depends on its youth. Any people who want to secure their future should apply as much energy to raising their children as they devote to other issues. A nation that fails its youth, that abandons them to foreign cultural influences, jeopardizes their identity and is subject to cultural and political weakness.
The Guest of Honor was Prof. Mehrdad Yousuf. He hoped this conference would encourage understanding, respect, and cooperation among people of all faiths for the well-being of our communities and peace in Pakistan. Also said we are lacking tarbiat there’s no word in English for tarbiat, education is important but grooming is vital.
Vice chancellor Prof. Dr. Samina Amin Qadir congratulated the Islamic department to organized such conference said that we are not owning our country that’s why we don’t resolve such issues. Diversity of harmony when we work as a team. Paigham e Pakistan is doing wonderful job in promoting the culture of interfaith.
Dr. Shahzadi Pakeeza, the Conference Coordinator Department of Islamic Studies has welcomed all the distinguished guests and speakers of the 21st national conference. She gave the basic introduction regarding conference. Also explained how to investigate the role of the interfaith dialogue in Pakistan today. As well as analyze how can we make such dialogues more effective to create social awareness in the society regarding interfaith dialogue and meaningful.
The Guest Speakers of the conference was Dr Muhsina Munir Professor, Department of Islamic Studies Lahore College for Women University, Rawalpindi, Dr. Arshad Munir Associate Professor, Department of Islamic Studies University of Gujarat, Gujarat, Dr. Shah Mohiyuddin Hashmi Dean/ Chairman, Department of Islamic Thought and Culture Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, Dr. Zia Ur Rehman Assistant Professor, Department of Islamic Studies Islamia University, Bahawalpur, Brigadier Samson Simon Sharaf Sitara e Imtiaz (Retired) Rector, St Mary's College, Dr. Kalyan Singh Assistant Professor GC University, Lahore and Dr. Seema Farzad.
In the conference 64 presenters from various departments from Fatima University and other universities collaborated and make the conference a successful one. The day ended on distribution of souvenirs and a group photo of all Guest Speakers, Chief Guest participants in the conference.
