ISLAMABAD: International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) Rector Prof Dr Masoom Yasinzai said that their mission was to disseminate the narrative in front of the international world that Pakistan is a victim of the terrorism and had paid a high cost of the war by putting its own security at risk.
While speaking at a two-day workshop titled “Muslim Women as Agent of Change” on Thursday at the IIUI, he highlighted the responsibilities of women in various roles to counter-terrorism and disseminating the message of peace.
Prof Yasinzai, who graced the occasion as a chief guest, asked the faculty members, staff and students of the varsity to believe in themselves and utilise power to bring change in the thinking of the younger generation.
“Islam is nothing to do with extremism and now the time has come that they have to counter this perception and apprised the world that our basic challenge is how to safeguard our own families from terrorism,” he added.
The workshop was organized by the IIU in collaboration with the Ministry of Religious Affairs to commemorate the International Women’s Day that was observed around the globe on March 8.
The rector further added that they have assigned the task to give the message of “Foundation of Pakistan”, based on Islam elaborating that they are a peace-loving nation and followers of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) who always promoted lesson of affection, tolerance, brotherhood and humanity.
He commented that “Our mission is that graduates of this university present the message of modernity, tolerance and kindness to all,” adding they should prove that male and female members of the society are a strength to each other rather than being competitors.
The IIUI rector further stated that they acknowledge the role played by the madrassas and they want to bring them into the mainstream.
Kashif Mahmood, a representative of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, urged the participants of the workshop that rather than being an unsuccessful person, they should raise their voice, and prove their abilities through coming forward in every field of life. “Raise your voice and proudly say, yes we are daughter of Pakistan”, he said.
Women have extraordinary characteristics to prove themselves and promote peace in the country which is needed at this hours, he shared.
Earlier, presenting the welcome address, Farkhanda Zia Mansoor, the Women Campus Director, mentioned that they have launched a program “Dukhtaran-e-Pakistan”, under which they would describe the role of women in bringing up their children and inculcate in their thinking an inclusive society who fought extremism collectively.
She further informed that they have passed a unanimous declaration that women would teach their children to work together, live peacefully and deny all kinds of extremism.
“Women have been awarded with great respect in Islam, as Jinnah is associated under the feet of mother, daughters as symbol of blessing and wife as better half who share joys and happiness of their families and cement them in a strong bond to keep united.
The Sharriah and Law Department Head Zubaida Khatoon, law department lecturer Ghazala Ghalib and Dr Khakashan Arooj also shared their lives on the occasion.
