PM Khan launches Al Qadir University to merge education of Islam and science 

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan(2nd from L) inaugurates academic block of the “first great seminary,” Al Qadir University in Jehlum on Nov 29, 2021. (PID)
Short Url
Updated 29 November 2021
Follow

PM Khan launches Al Qadir University to merge education of Islam and science 

  • Khan laments lack of universities researching the lives of Muslim leaders, warriors, scholars and reformers 
  • Last month, Khan set up ‘Rehmatul-lil-Aalameen Authority’ to portray 'true image' of Islam

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday launched an academic block of the “first great seminary,” Al Qadir University, where modern sciences would be taught along with Islam, other religions, sufism and moral values.
Last month, Khan also set up a ‘Rehmatul-lil-Aalameen (blessing for all the worlds) Authority,’ which he said would portray the true image of Islam, research the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and monitor the media and school curriculum.


"Islam and science were both working alongside each other," Khan said, speaking about a past tradition that he aims to revive with Al Qadir University. "There was harmony between them. Read Al-Biruni and others, they had a strong connection to Allah."
He lamented a lack of universities researching the lives of Muslim leaders, warriors, scholars and reformers, saying he had always aimed to create institutions in Pakistan that would implement Islam in its true spirit.
“Prime Minister Imran Khan is launching Pakistan's first great seminary Al Qadir University where young people are taught modern sciences along with religious education, mysticism and high morality,” State information minister Farrukh Habib said on Twitter on Sunday, without disclosing when the institution would begin functioning.

 


“What is the purpose of Al-Qadir University, that how can our religion become relevant in the lives of our people,” Khan said in a video shared by Habib, adding that he wanted to revive the tradition of bringing science and Islam together, as was the case in the past.
“This [university] will develop the minds in Pakistan," the PM added. "Right now, our [Pakistani] youth is highly influenced by the West … but as humans are they [youth] growing in the right way, are they going down the right path?”

 

 


Pakistan moon-sighting committee to meet today to determine start of Ramadan

Updated 7 sec ago
Follow

Pakistan moon-sighting committee to meet today to determine start of Ramadan

  • Clerics rely on eyewitness testimony rather than astronomical calculation to fix Islamic dates in Pakistan
  • National space agency says crescent likely visible Feb. 18 so Ramadan expected to begin Feb. 19

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s central moon-sighting committee will meet in the northwestern city of Peshawar today, Wednesday, to determine the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, state media reported.

Unlike many countries that rely primarily on astronomical calculations, Pakistan traditionally announces Islamic dates after verified eyewitness testimony of the crescent moon from across the country.

Pakistan’s Ruet-e-Hilal Committee (RHC) convenes before the start of every Islamic month and before the Eid holidays, collecting reports from regional committees and citizens before making a final announcement.

“The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will meet in Peshawar today for sighting of Ramazan-ul-Mubarak 1447 Hijri Moon,” Radio Pakistan reported.

The meeting will be chaired by Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, while zonal and district committees will gather in parallel to submit testimonies.

Pakistan’s national space agency has said the Ramadan crescent is likely to be visible on Feb. 18, meaning fasting would begin on Feb. 19 if confirmed.

During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. The month concludes with Eid Al-Fitr, a major religious holiday celebrated globally.