Islamabad - A peaceful dialogue in light of Islamic teachings is mandatory for eliminating terrorism and extremism from the society and women could play a vital role in this regard, speakers said on Saturday.

They were speaking at a seminar organised at Faisal Masjid campus by Iqbal Research Institute of International Islamic University on role of women in reconciliation and peace building in continuation of ‘Paigham-e-Pakistan’.

Recommendations of the seminar were presented by Chairman Council of Islamic Ideology Dr Qibla Ayaz. The participants maintained that the points would be sent to the legislative quarters and the communiqué would be part of the next edition of ‘Paigham-e-Pakistan’.

The speakers recommended that opportunities for personal identity must be provided to women. In four panel discussion sessions, speakers said that role of media was important for characterisation of women and children and special programmes should be organised in this regard.

The resolutions also said that national educational curriculum should be prepared according to the modern needs.

Speaker Balochistan Assembly Rahila Durani said that there was lack of implementation of women rights in the society. She said that practical measures were needed for safeguarding women rights and for their meaningful role. In this regard, she said that a bill was being presented in the assembly to prevent pre-mature marriages.

Rector IIUI Dr Masoom Yasinzai stressed the need for imparting modern education based on critical thinking and characterisation integrated with the blend of Islamic character.

He added that there was no place for terrorism in Islam, adding that the IIUI took the responsibility to provide a narrative to the nation to remain clear about Islam, its teachings and dissemination of the message of peace.  He urged for promotion of the attitude of peaceful co-existence.

President IIUI Dr Yousif Al Draiweesh said that Islam was only religion which gave complete rights to women. He called upon the Muslim societies to provide the rights to women granted by Islam. He maintained that the IIUI was keen for women empowerment and its separate campus for females was visible example where as many as 14 thousand girls were getting education. He added that the number of female students was more than male students at the university.

Director General Iqbal Research Institute Dr Zia-ul-Haq elaborated the journey of ‘Paigham-e-Pakistan and said that it commenced with a muster of religious scholars at the IRI in a programme on reconstruction of Pakistani society where a decree was announced against terrorism.

He added that the decree was endorsed by all religions’ scholars in a programme at the varsity and the same was also endorsed by VCs of more than 80 universities.