Modern western political thoughts and intellectual trends which are not contradictory to basic spirit of Islam can have political implementations in Pakistan, speakers observed in one-day training workshop on “Contemporary Modern Intellectual Patterns and International Law” with madrasa students organised by Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies in Jamia Naeemia on Monday. PIPS Director Muhammad Amir Rana said in his welcome address that purpose of the workshop was introduced the madrasa students and teachers to the contemporary, intellectual, political and legal issues. Renowned scholar and writer Qazi Javed delivered his-lecture on modern political systems and thoughts in the world. He said civilizations not only clash, but also learn from each other in one way or the other.
He explained to the students how the contemporary political concepts such as liberalism, capitalism, free market and democracy had become a fashion after collapse of communist Soviet Union. Dr Saeed Shafqat introduced the participants to the concept of state institutions and governance. With regard to political system in Pakistan he said it important to look into these concerns: Whether people have consensus on democracy or not; what should be the role of religion, if any, in politics; if democracy can strengthen the state institutions in Pakistan; and coordinated interdependence among various social segments and their relations to the state. Responding to a question about globalisation he said it was up to the people of Pakistan to choose: first, to sit at home feeling threatened by globalisation and secondly to accept it and prepare to be a part of it.
Responding to a question about concept of Islamic state Amir Rana said history of conflict in Islamic state was not based on administrative but in the perspectives of power sharing and political economy. The same challenge was being faced by Pakistan now.
Dr Khalid Zaheer, dean Faculty of Social Sciences at University of Central Punjab discussed at length the modern ideological and intellectual discourses prevalent in the Muslim countries. Jamia Naeemia Principal Raghin Naeemi highlighted the role of dialogue, argument and wisdom in pursuing and evolving certain intellectual discourses. He said the modern intellectual discourses of the West which are not contradictory to basic Islamic principles can be followed in political and state systems.
