The Role of HEI’s Towards Consciousness of Peacebuilding and Co-Existence: Pakistan Perspective

Abstract

The Quran and Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) have presented a formula of acquaintanceship and coexistence for human society that is based upon tolerance, security, and peace. Universities in Pakistan are playing a key role in promoting tolerance, harmony, and peace in society. More than 200 universities used to highlight the vital role of universities in peacebuilding and promoting values of peace, tolerance, co-existence, and harmony among the different segments of society. However, some universities have distinct departments, centers, and clubs for special research and attention toward peacebuilding and co-existence. HEC, Pakistan, and PHEC provide full support to universities to promote respect for religions and humanity in society. According to research, almost 136 theses and dissertations have been produced by scholars in various Pakistani Universities on interfaith Dialogue, religious debates, harmony, and peace. The research also shows that although male teachers are supervising the research related to peace female teachers have a more positive attitude towards facing the challenging factors for peace development in the universities. Although universities’ emphasis laid on an equal social structure for all but still unable to address the nascent challenges that surfaced in the form of violent extremism, sectarianism, intolerance, and lingual discrepancies. The paper attempts to find out the efforts of the HEIs related to peacebuilding, harmony, and coexistence for Pakistani society and recommend more steps for creating a more peaceful environment for a better Pakistan.

Presenters

Naseem Akhter
Associate Professor, Islamic Studies, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University Peshawar, Pakistan, North-West Frontier, Pakistan

Details

Presentation Type

Paper Presentation in a Themed Session

Theme

Religious Community and Socialization

KEYWORDS

HARMONY, PAKISTAN, PEACE, ISLAM, UNIVERSITIES