Diplomatic pressure may have had a strong bearing on International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) rector Professor Fateh Muhammad Malik’s decision to go on indefinite leave, sources say.
Although dispelling the impression that he had been removed from office, Professor Malik admitted that he was going on indefinite leave on behalf of Pakistan’s Iqbal Academy.
“I have received the notification from the presidency about my ex-Pakistan leave and the Quaid-e-Azam University vice chancellor will perform additional duties as rector in my absence,” Professor Malik told The Express Tribune. Malik said that he had offered his resignation to the president himself in case certain people were unhappy with him or were exerting pressure, but the president did not accept his offer. The professor said he was supposed to deliver lectures on Iqbal in different foreign universities and that his leave application had been pending for a while.
However, the rector also admitted that complaints were made by some faculty members of the Arabic department against him to the Saudi embassy, which were then forwarded to the presidency.
Sources said that the Saudi diplomatic mission was unhappy with the rector over his “liberal policies”, particularly when it came to accommodating members of the Shia community. “During the recent cultural week held at the university, the Saudi embassy asked the rector to not invite the Iranian ambassador and his wife to the event, but the rector refused to comply,” the source added.
The sources pointed out that the Saudis also questioned the rector’s moves to sign memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with Iranian universities. They also complained to President Asif Ali Zardari saying that the university was not being run according to the objectives for which it was established during Ziaul Haq’s regime, and that “enlightened moderation” was being promoted instead.
During the 1980s, the IIUI’s prime objective was to teach Sharia during the Afghan war against the Soviet Union.
Professor Malik said that some elements wanted to turn the university into a “Jamat-e-Islami University”, but his stance was different. “Islam has many interpretations and some people of traditional thinking are propagating that I am going to promote an agenda and bring changes in the university culture,” he maintained.
“It is not the Zia era, the political reality has changed and we need the latest knowledge and technology to compete with the world,” he emphasised.
When contacted, presidential spokesperson Farhatullah Babar said that there was no information about the resignation or removal of the rector as far his information is concerned. “We issue the notification and I should have known if there was such a development. I also found out from a news ticker being carried by a TV channel,” he maintained.
Despite repeated attempts, comments from the Saudi embassy could not be obtained.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 13th, 2012.
COMMENTS (28)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1714129906-0/Clint-Eastwood-(1)1714129906-0-270x192.webp)
@Shabbar: Superbly formulated... or simply well said!
@Dr. Amjad Ali Bhatti there are some questions to be asked from those who are showing their sympathies with ex-rector: Is good moral character enough to run the affairs of university? Do we need skills and good intent to run university or is it just based on morality? prof. sb, with all the due respect for him, was a literary critic. He was never known for academic and research, so do we need a researcher for promoting research culture in university??? what about the sex scandals ( particularly of highly ranked librarian which also has video proof) that shattered university's reputation. Also, some other shameless activities going on in university premises. Never was any action taken by rector... Talking about Jamati politics, what about promoting ppp in university? The university didn't have permanent university president for more than two years, why rector had not called meeting of board of trusties to appoint president of university? (rector wanted to exercise the authority of president, or is there any other reason) Finally, someone talked about jamiat beating Baloch students, i am a part of university for seven years, never heard of it.... recently there was a conference arranged by jamiat where prominent leaders of Baloch students delivered bashing speeches and, at the end, thanked jamiat for giving them the chance.... i think the "liberals' agenda" was spoiled, the cruel wish was not fulfilled...thankfully though....and certainly some of the comments here are not by insiders, outsiders commenting on university issues as if they were the owned the university and some 'QABZA GROUP" snatched it from there clutches...And yes, we welcome Pro chancellor on joining university....
Ahmad sahab! character assassination is the oldest and the crudest practice to demoralize and defame anyone. Please refine your offensive skills and apply mind over such matters . Prof Malik has earned a respectable reputation over the years so quit such juvenile tactics to defame him in order to serve the interests of some hypocrite .
All the allegations levelled against Fateh Muhammed Malik are baseless. He promoted tolerance and respected diversity of views. He upheld merit and gave teachers the respect that they deserve. There were many people against him because we would not listen to anyone while appointing the faculty because he believes in merit being the only criterion for selection. Many hardcore religious groups particularly Islami Jamiat Talba were against him for obvious reasons. I think this is a dangerous trend and if Fateh Muhammed Malik has to go it will be very very unfortunate. I have worked with Fateh Muhammed Malik and I have found him to be very honest, straightforward, visionary, competent, learned, sympathetic, loving and progressive. I wish him best of luck. If he leaves, the university, once again, will be left at the mercy of closed minded and ignorant fanatic groups like Islami Jamiat Talba…
Prof Malik has an impeccable reputation, is financially incorruptible and keeps the interests of teachers and students at hear. He is one of the few intellectuals who could challenge the religious fanatics in the idioms they understand. A great loss to the University.
I think all in this forum agree that its not a shia/sunni issue. Turkey is a Sunni country but a democracy and doing very well in its world role. They are not US enemy but they refuse to be used for them. Turkey has no proxies in Pak to kill other sects civilians and doctors etc. If Arabia can get a democratic Govt. or a better represented Govt. they will stop bleeding Pakistan and destroying its Universities and peace. Turkey and Iran are model for that as they are not involved in killing and undue pressures in Pakistan.
alas we still fighting with each other and the third parties are taking advantage. Please find the link below to make you aware the amount of investment UAE done in UK till 2009 and how much they are still doing now............ http://gulfnews.com/business/features/uae-investments-in-uk-1.534169 Its just a game of power and wealth and have regret to say Saudis have no brain as they think they are friend of the western world but they can't be. The western world are still standing with them because you are feeding them and they are acting like a parasite. If you pull back your investment and oil reserves than see what will they do with you on behalf of human rights violation and so on. So, do not be ignorant of the future calamity....... prepared and be a dignified nation and present the Muslim ethos to the world. Check the article as well ...... what people say not only about you but the whole Muslims in the world as you present yourself as the leader of the Muslim world and people perceived as well. Allah (SWAT) gives us strength to stand up against injustice and raise a voice against oppression irrespective of their creed and gender (Ameen) http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-arab-spring-has-washed-the-regions-appalling-racism-out-of-the-news-7718707.html
May Allah bless Prof sb with strong nerves to defend Pak from external interference. SAUDI'S must look into their poor contribution for science & technology even having sufficient money at their disposal becuase of oil wells but doing nothing for muslim world except creating differences and promoting hatred among sects. This ultimately brings FITNA and FSAD to the muslim socities. You must recite Surah Baqara Verse 11-12 to understand such behaviors. Allah madeus cautious 1400 YEARS BACK from such attitudes.
@Ali:
Unless it’s Iranian involvement. Who are you kidding?
long life professor Malik was a great man, he saw the situation inside university, this university is only under Jamyat wala control. no one can speak up coz of fear of Jamyat wala.
Saudia is the reason of thousands of sectarian killings in Pak and whenever US wants to keep Iran away from Pak they signal Saudies who then activate their "allies" in Pakistan to start killing. Iran on other hand has not responded in same fashion. Can anyone tell me when Iran has done terrorism against civilians? How many Americans Iran has killed? Even when US has killed hundreds of Iranians when it attacked a civil passenger plane. US has supported Israel to kill Iranian scientists. They created Junddullah with Saudi help in Baluchistan which gain bombed and killed hundreds of Iranians. Still I salute Iran for not responding in same Kind. Sp please do not compare US child Saudia the greatest sponsor of terror with peaceful Iranians. Pakistan should have good relations with all of its neighbors and thw world in general.
Sure swap saudi pressure for iranian pressure. We all know how these proxy games are playing out. Irans hands in pakistan are not exactly clean either, and the rectors attempts to draw iranian influences into university are also equally suspicious!!!
One should bear good moral character. Professor Malik has good moral character.
promoter of corruption culture should be go .
we are happy and pray that this person should be leave this university as he promoted here corruption culture hired persons who don't know what to teach....... so
University saved from further destruction and short vision of copy writer.if it is done by Saudi's , it means by Americans. new structuring of Pakistani setup is underway.people of Pakistan must their will, if they have any?otherwise all the sold representative will occupies the parliament. Internation Islamic university need a scholar ,who is commited to is basic objectives and vision of international development scene
Well, by no means Saudi Interference is acceptable but having said that the removal of the rector is a welcome breather for students of IIUI. I have seen the University going towards doom during his period at IIUI. His time at the helm of affairs has seen a rapid decline in the number of good proffesors, poor management of hostels and various scandals about high ranking officials.
We strongly condemn Americans meddling in the Pak university using their Saudi cronies. America wants to stop alliance between three big Muslim powers (Pakistan, Turkey and Iran) so that they and their allies can continue their crusade in Islamic lands. Its time that we warn Saudies that nobody in Pak will tolerate if they will try to extend their masters agenda in this country which has paid enormous price of lives and wealth in crusade against Islamic nations to please Israel. No party including Jamat can afford to play for US agenda when drones are violating Pak every day and India being supported to become super power in Asia.
Time to clean up university with local "Raymond Davis'es" and pro Pak persons like Dr. Fateh be put in all key positions.
Professor Malik and his team converted Islamic University to Qahba Khana as you all know that what happen last month in univeristy. We all teacher, staff and student thankful to president that he remove this iranian spy from University.
Foreign involvement should be stopped in IIUI... We have our own country and Law,
Rector IIUI is Very Nice and Good for Students, He is sincere man , The new rector from QAU is well known Corrput Person, Rector is true , The organization wants to convert IIUI to Jamat e Islami University, And to some extent there is Parallel Administration Lead by IJT in IIUI... they use to take action against any one with out informing administration, They attacked many Students in IIUI, some injured, few lost senses last time too, Legs head, Broken, Some terrorists live n IIU too, Many Members of IJT are every time missing from classes, and dont know where they goes days and days,... tHE islamic militants wants to run this university as per there mind,,, and Raise slogan of SAY NO TO SECULARISM , THEY attacked many Balochistan Students many times.. and help of Allah the Jamaites were beaten too much,,, and run away,, Actuallay The Islamic Militants, there Parents i.e Saudi .. dont want to allow any Modern technology, Studying opportunity, Culture of IIUI, they r trying to destroy IIUI and wasting students Money and time..
Authorties should take actions against Political Organizations, and ban them must,,, Students should focus on education only, and have good secular Culture, where every one can have right to express his ideas... Co-education is not neccessory, but Male 7 female students should given more oppurtuniites to develp there skills..
Well I am an old IIUI student and its an open secret how Saudies are forcing their bankrupt policies to this big university of Pakistan. They have made it biggest pro Saudi madersa in Pak instead of an institution excelling science and technology in Pakistan. Jamat Islami is being used for this ugly game and they have installed Jamati on several layers in University. These guys use young boys with danda bardar group to enforce their version of world view and Islam. Its a public university and Pakistan must take it back where all sections of Pakistan can represent themselves.
Hell Crap...One can not deny Saudi's role in our affairs...they should mind their own business and let us live the way we want to live...what about their Autocratic system of governance? What royal family that fought along side Britishers to disintegrate Muslim Khilafat? Do you not see how they treat Pakistanis there?
With all the respect to the land Saudi Arabia...let their rulers know to mind their own house and stop horning in our affairs...
Pity A NATION! It is in fact at this very decision that our honorable law makers, legislators and implementors shold refer to khalil jibran instead of a decision which still has many contitutional options for PM. The educationsits, who are enlightened, moderate and visionary are kept away because dont follow the "foreign agendas" and dont accept "foreign fundings". Doesnt it show that our worthy "Oil Producers" are the colony of america and we are their colony. Yesterday honourable King of SA terminated one of his advisors because he had opposed "Free-Mixing" of men and women,.But when the Same Free Mixing took place in IIUI's Cultural Week and a couple of Mushaeras and seminars, the honourable Pundits of Islam felt dangers and got the Rector IIUI to his doom. I wonder, if Nawaz Sharif's instance was not enough to show that saudis are penetrating rather too much into our academia to promote "particular shariah of Monarchs".I wonder, if our honourable ambassedor to Saudi Arabia could also glimple into and influecne the saudi universities? So, it is proven that people like Prof.Fateh Muhammad Malik, who ardently believe in Pakistanism (as their books show) are not acceptable to our power structures bacause they dont follow forighn agendas and promote Pakistaniat.
Pity the nation
DIRECT FOREIGN INVESTMENT & PAKISTAN.
I wish to enlighten Board of Investment of Pakistan, India has received over 9 billion dollars as FDI during the month of March, 2012, in one month only. This should be an eye opener for globe trotting Chairman of BOI Paksitan who can not bring even 10 million dollars in one month as FDI. we are only expert in overseas visits and road shows that brings not even a penny to country. We must wind up this useless BOI as it is a white elephant.
What a shame that all this is happening under the nose of a 'progressive, moderate, secular' party in government! Why do we allow our land to become the battleground for proxy wars?! We must shun the petro-dollar and do things our own way.
Well it is easy to blame on saudis and get public support now a days ..
So Islamabad has become 'WahabiAbad', if Pakistan is not 'Wahabistan'?