Workshop on Muslim Women as Agent of Change starts at IIU

Islamabad: Two-day workshop on Muslim women as agent of change started here at International Islamic University (IIU) Islamabad on Thursday focusing on the responsibilities of women in various roles to counter terrorism and disseminating message of peace.

Reactor International Islamic University, Prof. Dr. Masoom Yasinzai speaking as chief guest on the occasion asked the faculty members, staff and students of the varsity, that they should believe in themselves and utilize their power to bring change in the thinking of the younger generation.

“Our mission is to disseminate our narrative in front of international world that we are victims of terrorism who have paid a high cost of this war putting our own security at risk.” Islam is nothing to do with extremism, he said adding, now the time has come that they have to counter this perception and apprised the world that our basic challenge is how to safe guard our own families from terrorism.

The workshop was organized by IIU in collaboration with Ministry of Religious Affairs to commemorate the International Women Day being 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.” He further stated that they also have to prove that male and female are strength to each other who support them rather than being competitors.

The Vice Chancellor further stated that they acknowledge the role played by our Madarras and they want to bring them in mainstream. Dr. Kashif Mahmood, representative of Ministry of Religious Affairs, urged the participants of the workshop that rather than being an unsuccessful person, raise their voice, and prove your 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 direly needed at this hours, he shared.

Earlier, presenting the welcome address, Dr. Farkhanda Zia Mansoor, Director Women Campus, IIU, Islamabad said, they have launched a programme ‘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 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.

Madam Zubaida Khatoon, Head of Department, Sharriah and Law, Lecturer IIU, Law department, Ghazala Ghalib and Dr. Khakashan Arooj also shared their lives on the occasion. Students of IIU also performed a tableau in the memory of Army Public School martyred children who sacrificed their life due to heinous terrorist activity in their school premises.