3^rd International Conference on Iqbal 2023 Bahria University

28 NOVEMBER 2023

ياد  عہد  رفتہ ميری  خاک  کو  اکسير  ہے               ميرا  ماضی  ميرے  استقبال  کی تفسير ہے

Allama Muhammad Iqbal had a vision to revitalize Muslim Ummah, and his philosophical poetry effectively outlines the path towards achieving this noble goal. Revered as “Hakeem ul Ummah,” his deep wisdom and profound insights into the Muslim community have earned him immense respect. Beyond providing practical guidance, Iqbal’s poetic wisdom serves as a boundless source of inspiration and motivation for all of us.

In this challenging contemporary era, it becomes imperative to closely heed the teachings of this eminent sage.

This conference aims to delve into and explore the profound ways in which Iqbal’s teachings can contribute to the resurgence of the Muslim Ummah, rekindling its glorious past.

Conference Title

فکر     اقبال    اور    بیداري     امت

Iqbal as a Catalyst for the Renaissance of the Muslim Ummah

The Conference was hosted by the Iqbal Chair at Bahria University in collaboration with various esteemed partners, including the Iqbal Academy, Educational Resource Development Center (ERDC), GIFT University Gujranwala, Generation’s School Karachi, Golden Harvest Karachi, Omnific7 Islamabad, Association For Academic Quality (AFAQ) Lahore, and Tooth Crew Dental Clinic Islamabad. International collaboration was fostered through partners such as Allameh Tabataba’i University (ATU) from Iran, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) from Malaysia, International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization (ISTAC) at IIUM, An-Najah University from Somalia, Tawasul International Centre for Publishing, Research and Dialogue from Italy, and Khalil Center from the United States of America. Notably, this conference marks the 5^th national and international gathering organized by the Iqbal Chair at Bahria University, emphasizing its commitment to fostering discourse on Iqbal’s philosophy.

Pre-conference Program

Shaheen-e-Iqbal, a student body under the auspices of the Iqbal Chair Bahria University organized a pre-conference event “A Friend’s Forge” at Bahria University on October 19, 2022. The chief guest of the event was Associate Professor Dr Muhammad Abid Ali, Coordinator Iqbal Chair Bahria University. Students from various universities of Islamabad also participated. The Young philosophers from these educational institutions presented their thoughts on Iqbal’s philosophical and its implications in contemporary era. The event was well received and enthusiastically attended by students of Bahria university and educational institutions.

Conference Summary

The conference commenced with an inaugural session on November 28, 2023, at the Islamabad Campus, followed by two sessions (Seminar & Scientific Sessions) at the Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore Campuses of Bahria University. The conference featured six parallel scientific sessions across these campuses, showcasing approximately seventy research paper presentations, including eight international papers from Iran, Malaysia, Egypt, Australia, Kashmir, India, and Bangladesh.

Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan, honored the event as the Chief Guest, and Dr. Najeeba Arif, Chairperson of the Pakistan Academy of Letters, delivered the keynote address. The conference also welcomed esteemed guests H.E. Khazar Farhadov, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and H.E. Totuiaev Ulanbek Asankulovich, Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan, as Guests of Honor.

 

The conference concluded with a final session at the Islamabad campus at the end of the day. The event saw enthusiastic participation from academicians, professionals, and students from Bahria University and other institutions. The Iqbal Conference 2023 was a blend of distinguished speakers who enlightened attendees with their insights and discussions on a wide range of topics related to Iqbal, education, and Pakistan.

Participation

The Iqbal Conference 2023 drew enthusiastic participation from academicians, professionals, and students from Bahria University and other institutions, reflecting a keen interest in the discourse surrounding Iqbal and Pakistan. The event featured a lineup of distinguished speakers, both national and international, who delivered enlightening presentations on a wide range of contemporary topics related to Iqbal’s legacy.

Proceedings of the conference were structured around scientific sessions and plenary lectures, commencing with an opening session and followed by seminar sessions at each campus, culminating in a concluding session. Despite geographical distances, Karachi and Lahore campuses actively engaged in the inaugural and closing sessions held in Islamabad through VLC transmission.

The conference attracted a diverse array of participants, including young and senior researchers, renowned scholars, and talented students, representing various universities, civil society organizations, academia, and the private sector.

Outcomes and Takeaways

The 3rd International Iqbal Conference marked a pioneering effort in fostering dialogue on Iqbal’s vision within the broader context of Ummah’s Renaissance at an international level. The primary objectives of the conference were to facilitate knowledge sharing, inspire individuals, establish networks both nationally and internationally, and promote the practical implementation of Iqbal’s vision within the Muslim Ummah.

A key outcome of the event was the engagement of youth, exposing them to Iqbal’s ideology through diverse channels such as speeches, panel discussions, paper presentations, and recitations of Iqbal’s poetry.

Moreover, the conference facilitated collaboration among universities from Muslim-majority countries including Iran (Allameh Tabataba’i University (ATU), Tehran), Malaysia (International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Kuala Lumpur), and Somalia (An-Najah University, Burao), as well as Muslim institutions from the USA (Khalil Center) and Italy (Tawasul International Centre For Publishing, Research And Dialogue). Through their partnership, the conference fostered a sense of Pan-Islamism in commemorating the birth anniversary of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, whose Qur’anic philosophy resonates deeply within these esteemed Islamic countries and numerous others across the Muslim world.

Gallery for Iqbal Conference 2023