rki.news
Altaf Hamid Rao
MIRPUR (AJK): , November 4: The first two-day international conference on Islamic teachings, tolerance and peacebuilding, organised by the Institute of Islamic Studies of Mirpur University of Science and Technology (MUST) in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan, concluded here on Wednesday with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between MUST and Riphah International University, Islamabad, it was officially said.
The conference, titled “Islamic Studies and Peacebuilding in Azad Jammu and Kashmir: Role of Ulema in Preventing Extremism and Violent Narratives”, brought together prominent national and international scholars, educationists, researchers and students to deliberate on the role of Islamic teachings in promoting social harmony and countering extremist ideologies.
Member Kashmir Council AJK Chaudhry Muhammad Saeed was the chief guest, while Vice Chancellor Riphah International University Professor Dr Anees Ahmed was the guest of honour. Former MUST Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Habib-ur-Rehman Sitara-e-Imtiaz, MUST Vice Chancellor and conference chief patron Professor Dr Engineer Anwar Khattab, Dean Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities Professor Dr Zafar Iqbal, Director Institute of Islamic Studies Dr Tahir Aslam and Chief Organiser Dr Ghulam Mustafa were also present.
Addressing the ceremony, Chaudhry Muhammad Saeed underscored the importance of the media in promoting peace, tolerance and positive thinking, urging media organisations to highlight the true message of Islam, unity, brotherhood and mutual respect. He said Islamic teachings stood for humanity, tolerance, fraternity and peaceful coexistence, adding that promoting moral values, character-building and collective responsibility was essential for developing a united and peaceful society.
He urged students to spread the message of peace and said such academic conferences represented an important intellectual initiative. He also emphasised the need to present Islam’s true and peaceful image before the world. He reaffirmed the AJK government’s commitment to utilising all available resources for the development and welfare of the state and improving its overall administration.
In his address, Riphah International University Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Anees Ahmed highlighted the guiding principles of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah — Faith, Unity and Discipline — and said their implementation had become more important in the prevailing national and social environment. He stressed the need to overcome prejudice, sectarian tendencies and regional divisions by strengthening a broader national and collective identity.
While respecting linguistic, regional and cultural identities, he said, society should also promote a shared sense of nationhood and unity of the Ummah. He described national cohesion, brotherhood, mutual respect and Islamic moral values as essential foundations for a harmonious and peaceful society.
MUST Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Engineer Anwar Khattab appreciated the efforts of Chief Organiser Dr Ghulam Mustafa in securing the Higher Education Commission’s grant, which made the international academic event possible. He also commended Dean Professor Dr Zafar Iqbal, Director Dr Tahir Aslam and their team for their dedication, professional commitment and effective arrangements. He said bringing distinguished national and international scholars and researchers together on a common academic platform was a significant achievement for the university.
The academic sessions on the second day featured detailed discussions on Islamic teachings, social harmony, psychological and social causes of extremism, national security, the role of educational institutions and the promotion of positive narratives through digital media.
The proceedings began with welcome remarks by Director Institute of Islamic Studies Dr Tahir Aslam, who highlighted the significance of the conference theme and outlined the objectives of the day’s sessions. MUST faculty member Ms Sabahat spoke on the psychological causes of extremism and its impact on society, while Riphah International University’s Assistant Professor Dr Muhammad Ghiyas presented a research paper on the role of Islamic Studies in strengthening national security and countering extremist narratives. Associate Professor Dr Kashif Sheikh of the same university highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation among religious scholars, educationists and policymakers to address extremism.
At the concluding session, Assistant Professor Dr Aftab Ahmed Rai of the International Islamic University, Islamabad, delivered a special lecture on “Digital Media and the Spread of Extremist Ideologies: Challenges and Strategies for Promoting Alternative Narratives”. He discussed the challenges associated with the spread of extremist ideologies through digital platforms and outlined possible strategies for developing effective alternative narratives. He stressed that the responsible and constructive use of digital media could play an important role in raising social awareness, promoting positive thinking and strengthening peace.
Speakers unanimously emphasised that religious scholars, universities, researchers, policymakers and media professionals must work collectively to promote tolerance, mutual respect and a positive social outlook.
Earlier the ceremony began with the recitation of the Holy Quran by MPhil Islamic Studies student Muhammad Aamir, followed by a Naat presented by student Maryam Bano. Assistant Professor Dr Sajjad Ahmed, who served as the conference stage secretary, gave a brief overview of the academic sessions held on the first day, their key themes and the research recommendations presented. Certificates of participation were distributed among guest speakers and participants, while honorary shields were presented to MUST deans and directors in recognition of their academic and administrative contributions.
A key highlight of the concluding ceremony was the signing of an MoU between MUST and Riphah International University, Islamabad. The agreement was signed by the two universities’ Vice Chancellors, Professor Dr Engineer Anwar Khattab and Professor Dr Anees Ahmed. It aims to strengthen research collaboration, academic linkages, joint educational activities and exchanges of faculty members and researchers. The agreement is also expected to open new avenues for joint research projects and collaborative academic initiatives, further strengthening institutional cooperation between the two universities.
MUST Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Engineer Anwar Khattab presented honorary shields to chief guest Chaudhry Muhammad Saeed and guest of honour Professor Dr Anees Ahmed. The chief guest also presented a shield to the MUST Vice Chancellor in recognition of the successful organisation and hospitality extended by the university. Students of the Institute of Islamic Studies’ Paigham Society presented the distinguished guests with a handcrafted artwork featuring calligraphy from the Holy Quran, which was appreciated by the participants.
The conference concluded with a consensus that the true spirit of Islamic teachings, moral values, mutual respect, tolerance and intellectual dialogue could serve as effective foundations for building a peaceful, united and harmonious society.
