Experts redefine psychology through lens of Islamic principles

Islamabad:The Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University is going to host the international conference, titled ‘Reviving Transpersonal Psychology through the Decolonial Lens of Islamic Psychology,’ today (Wednesday).

The event aims to integrate Islamic principles with modern psychological practices, offering culturally relevant and spiritually enriched perspectives on mental well-being, according to organisers. They said the conference would bring together leading experts and scholars from across the globe, including representatives from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Australia, the USA, Russia, Sweden, and Canada, and redefine the field of Islamic Psychology by bridging diverse perspectives and fostering a deeper understanding of psychological well-being grounded in Islamic values.

Professor Dr. Nasreen Rafiq said the Department of Clinical Psychology played a vital role in shaping human psychology by addressing beliefs, behaviours, and emotional responses. "This conference continues our work to redefine the future of Islamic Psychology by bridging diverse perspectives and nurturing a deeper understanding of mental well-being through Islamic principles," she said.

The conference is spearheaded by an esteemed team of organizers. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Khan, Vice Chancellor of Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, serves as the Patron-in-Chief, while Prof. Dr. Muhammad Tahir Khalily, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities and an acclaimed neuro-clinical psychologist, acts as the Patron. Dr. Neelam Ehsan, Associate Professor in the Department of Clinical Psychology, is the principal organizer. Dr. Tamkeen Saleem, Head of the Department of Clinical Psychology, leads the Scientific Committee, and Dr. Syeda Ayat-e-Zainab Ali serves as the conference secretary.

The organisers said pre-conference workshops led by internationally renowned speakers, including Dr. Bagus Riyono (Indonesia), Seyed Jamaluddin (Sweden), Dr. G. Rasool (Australia), and Dr. Qasqas (Canada), provided participants with hands-on training on specialised topics. The workshops enhanced participants' understanding of Islamic Psychology and its practical applications.

They said the main conference features multiple scientific sessions exploring diverse themes within Islamic Psychology. Attendees include practitioners, researchers, and students who will share their research contributions and engage in interactive discussions through poster presentations.