Contributions to society: Women Islamic scholars urged to extend outreach online

Experts say disparity between knowledge and actions is the source of problems

ISLAMABAD: A two day international conference on “contribution of women to various discourses of Islamic studies in contemporary times” began at the Faisal Masjid campus of the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) on Tuesday.

It covered topics such as Islamic intellectual thought and social welfare services, scholarships of Islamic studies in different regions, study of Holy Quran and Hadith, spreading of religious education, employing literary approaches to the study of Islam through national and international scholars.

Famous Islamic scholar Dr Farhat Hashmi emphasised on the importance of synchronicity in knowledge and actions. She preached that a disparity between what we know and how we act is the source of many issues. She also welcomed female Muslim scholars on their contributions in the field of Islamic studies.

Chicago’s Loyola University Islamic World Studies Programme Director Dr Marcia Hermensen urged women scholars to take the role of public intellectuals and utilise media and social media in order to get a broader focus on the involvement of religion in public affairs as a tool to solving contemporary issues. She also discussed injustice in various western societies regarding Muslim women.

IIUI Acting President Dr Muhammad Bashir shed light on the role of women in Islam. He preached that Islam gave rights of respect, education and inheritance to women, while making them builders of the family.

Dean of faculty of Islamic Studies at IIUI, Dr Haroon ur Rasheed, in his welcome address said that the conference was aimed at producing the best recommendations for the prosperity of Muslim women.

IIUI Female Campus Director Dr Farkhanda Zia and other relevant officials also joined the ceremony. The conference would conclude on Wednesday.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 28^th, 2018.