Seminar: Experts to discuss jihad, its perception and how it is projected

Jihad’s concept in Islam and how it is perceived and projected in the western world will form the crux of the debate at a seminar in Islamabad. The seminar, “Future of Jihadi Organisations”, is being organised by the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI), said a press release.

Scholars at the seminar will discuss jihad’s place in the context of the struggles for self-determination in different parts of the world and the prospects of non-state actors and organisations that are engaged in activities under the banner of jihad. The seminar will start at 9:30am at the Marriot on Thursday.

At the inaugural session, the keynote address will be delivered by Khawaja Khalid Farooq, Chairperson National Counter Terrorism Authority (NCTA), Islamabad.

In the first session Prof. Mushtaq Ahmad of International Islamic University Islamabad will speak on the concept of jihad; NCTA Director Dr Manzar Zaidi will speak on the evolution of jihadi outfits; Dr Rashid Ahmad of University of Peshawar and Conflict Monitoring Centre Director Abdullah Muntazeer will also speak.

In the second session Lt. General Hamid Gul (retd) will speak on the prospects of jihadi organisations. Ajit Sahi, an Indian scholar, will discuss the equivalence of jihadi organisations in non-Muslim societies.

Entry to the seminar will be strictly through non-transferable invitation cards.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 24^th, 2012.