ISLAMABAD: Advisor to the Prime Minister on National History and Literary Heritage, Irfan Siddiqui on Thursday announced that a series of books on the works of the renowned historian and philosopher, Ibn-i-Khaldun will be published for educating students about the significance and relevance of his views and thoughts in the present era.
He was speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the Ibn-i-Khaldun Corner at the National Book Foundation (NBF). The corner has been established by NBF with the collaboration of Embassy of the Republic of Tunisia and the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies (IPDS).
Irfan Siddiqui said Ibn-i-Khaldun is a great historical asset for the Islamic world. Ibn-i-Khaldun, in his books, termed justice as the foundation of any society and touched all the subjects related to mankind including politics, education or religion.
He said the views of Ibn-i-Khaldun on various subjects are similar to what Allama Muhammad Iqbal depicted through his poetry. The universality of Ibn-i-Khaldun’s philosophy has kept his thoughts alive even after the passage of seven decades.
While going through his books, Irfan Siddiqui said it looks like that the social and political scenario portrayed by Ibn-i-Khaldun during his time is an analysis of today’s social and political situation in various countries and civilisations.
He thanked the Ambassador of Republic of Tunisia, Adel El Arbi and the officials of Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies for extending their support to establish the corner and said that this corner will play a symbolic role in fostering the Pak-Tunisian relations through opening more avenues of cooperation in the fields of culture, literature and history.
This corner will pay a tribute to the historical and philosophical contributions of the Arab historiographer and historian, Ibn-i-Khaldun and help educate the students about his philosophical views on every aspect of life, he said.
He said that the NBF as a dynamic institution has rendered great educational services since its establishment in the year 1972 and has continued to deliver miracles through its book promotional scheme and other book-friendly initiatives.
NBF has earlier established Hafiz Sherazi, Nizam Ganjvi and Camoes Corners that are playing a pivotal role in strengthening the relations between Pakistan and other countries, he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador of the Republic of Tunisia, Adel El Arbi thanked the advisor to PM, Managing Director NBF, Inam-ul-Haq Javed and IPDS President, Farhat Asif for their keen interest in setting up the corner.
He said Ibn-i-Khaldun as a founder of sociology, an intellectual and a great historian holds a significant place in the whole world. His name is worth pride for the whole world including Tunisia.
He said Pakistan is a country that has a rich culture and civilization, and the splendid human values of tolerance, patience, hospitality and generosity make it even more beautiful.
A documentary film about the culture of Tunisia was also screened during the ceremony which received huge appreciation from the audience.
Earlier, advisor to PM along with the ambassador of the Republic of Tunisia, the ambassadors of Algeria, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Mauritius and foreign diplomats from Turkey and Portugal formally inaugurated the Ibn-i-Khaldun Corner.
Professor Dr Sajid Mahmood Awan from the Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) and President IPDS Farhat Asif also addressed the ceremony.
The ceremony was also attended by Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) Chairman Dr Qasim Bughio, Iftikhar Arif, National Language Promotion Department (NLPD) chairman and other officials.
