February 29, 2016: CODE PAKISTAN held the Concluding Ceremony of the University Madrasah Interaction Program at Abasyn University. The event was attended by all the participating students of University Madrasah Interaction Program from Abasyn University as well as madrasahs. The faculty members of Abasyn University and some participating madrasahs also attended the event. Vice Chancellor of Abasyn University Dr. Jamil Ahmad was the chief guest at the ceremony.
President CODE PAKISTAN Mr. Dilawar Khan welcomed the guests. During his opening remarks Mr. Khan elucidated upon the contributions of Abasyn University, Madaris Foundation Pakistan, and the various participating madrasahs for making University Madrasah Interaction Program a resounding success. He especially thanked the students of Abasyn University and the madrasahs who participated in the University Madrasah Interaction Program.
Executive Director CODE PAKISTAN Mr. Aarish Khan also thanked all the participants of the University Madrasah Interaction Program and emphasized that the program was aimed at promoting non-hostile and positive dialogue between university and madrasah students to inculcate greater tolerance and respect for diversity of opinions among them.
Students of Abasyn University and Jamia Fareedia were also given the opportunity to give their opinion about the University Madrasah Interaction Program. Akasha Shahid and Hasnain Abid of Abasyn University highlighted that differences between madrasah and university students were not great, but that there was lack of interaction between the two. The appreciated the efforts of CODE PAKISTAN through the University Madrasah Interaction Program for bringing the university and madrasah students closer to each other. Hasnain Abid also appreciated the non-confrontational and positive format of the discussions under the University Madrasah Interaction Program. Fazlur Rehman Kakar and Ahsan-ul-Haq of Jamia Fareedia also called for minimizing the distances between university and madrasah students. Both of them appreciated the role played by University Madrasah Interaction Program in serving that purpose. Ahsan-ul-Haq appreciated the fact that University Madrasah Interaction Program provided a platform for them to be heard.
Mufti Tahir of Jamia Fareedia said that University Madrasah Interaction Program was one of a kind activity, which provided the students of madrasahs and university a unique opportunity to learn about each other. He also appreciated the non-confrontational and positive format of the University Madrasah Interaction Program.
Chairman of Madaris Foundation Paksistan Maulana Abdul Qudoos Muhammadi called for taking the university madrasah interaction further. He called for more such dialogues as well as other similar activities that would help the university and madrasah students know each other better and promote greater positive interaction between them. He said that although the madrasahs had always been in the forefront in condemning terrorism, they were still being stigmatized by the society. He called for greater interaction with religious scholars in the testing times of social disturbance.
In his concluding remarks, Vice Chancellor of Abasyn University Dr. Jamil Ahmad said that he had always had the privilege of the company of religious scholars and said that the current situation demanded greater interaction with the religious community and Ulema. He appreciated the efforts of CODE PAKISTAN for implementing an innovative idea. He expressed his pleasure over Abasyn University\’s participation in the University Madrasah Interaction Program. \”I would encourage a similar program in other universities as well,\” said VC Abasyn University.
The recently concluded University Madrasah Interaction Program aimed to bring the students of madrasahs and universities closer to each other by promoting positive and meaningful interaction between them. A total of ten discussions were held between the students of Abasyn University and madrasahs under the University Madrasah Interaction Program.
For more details on University Madrasah Interaction Program, please click here.