Academic discourse on ethical, spiritual dimensions of Islam

Scholars, activists and writers worldwide gather at Habib university to share insights

KARACHI:

Habib University's sixth annual Postcolonial Higher Education Conference (PHEC) commenced with the theme "The Ethical and The Spiritual in Islam: Past, Present, and Future."

The two-day event, known for fostering academic discourse, focuses on exploring the interconnections between ethical and spiritual dimensions in Islamic traditions, said a press release issued by the Habib University on Friday.

Scholars, activists, and writers worldwide gathered at Habib University to share insights on the crisis and goals of higher education and culture. Dr. Nauman Naqvi, Conference Chair, emphasized PHEC's objective to enact post-colonial education, addressing fractures caused by a colonial mindset.

The conference delved into the disintegration and distortion of linkages between religion, ethics, and spirituality in the face of accelerated modern processes. Keynote speaker Dr. Shenila Khoja-Moolji explored how colonial intrusion transformed South Asian communal knowledge, compromising the virtue and intensity of Islam. Despite challenges, elements of beauty within the religion persist, as seen in everyday practices like 'khidmat' and 'mehmaan nawazi.'

A panel discussion titled "Spiritual Ethics Inside and Outside" featured scholars discussing the challenges posed by the disintegration of linkages between religion, ethics, and spirituality.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 25^th, 2023.