Islamic Research Institute, International Islamic University Islamabad

The Islamic Research Institute (IRI), International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), cordially invites scholars, students, and members of the academic community to an extension lecture on “Islam as the Natural and Rational Religion: The Perspective of Mawlānā Muḥammad Qāsim Nānautavī” to be delivered by Dr. Fuad S. Naeem, Assistant Professor of Comparative Theology and Director of the Encountering Islam Initiative at the University of St. Thomas.
The lecture will be held on Tuesday, 16 June 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in the Allama Iqbal Auditorium, Islamic Research Institute, International Islamic University, Faisal Masjid Campus, Islamabad.

Join us on Tuesday, 16th June 2026 at 10AM at Allama Iqbal Auditorium, Islamic Research Institute, International Islamic University, Faisal Masjid Campus, Islamabad, for an extensive discussion on _“Islam as the Natural and Rational Religion: The Perspective of Mawlana Muhammad Qasim Nanotavi”_ with Dr. Fuad S. Naeem, Assistant Professor in Theology, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA, organized by the Islamic Research Institute (IRI), International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI).

IRI Concludes Phase-I of Postdoctoral Training Workshops (Session 2025–2026)

On June 11, 2026, the Islamic Research Institute (IRI), International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), concluded Phase-I of its postdoctoral training workshops for all four batches of the 2025–2026 session. Held under the theme “Orientation, Capacity Building, and Research Planning,” the workshops brought together postdoctoral fellows, scholars, and researchers to engage with contemporary research methodologies and policy-oriented inquiry.

The workshops focused on strengthening methodological rigor, refining research design, and situating intellectual traditions within modern academic frameworks. Through structured sessions, participants examined diverse research paradigms, interdisciplinary approaches, and evolving academic standards, with particular attention to the integration of classical scholarship and contemporary research practices.

A central component of the programme was the engagement of leading national scholars who served as resource persons, including Prof. Dr. Anis Ahmad (Vice Chancellor, Riphah International University), Justice Prof. Dr. Khalid Masud (Shariat Appellate Bench, Supreme Court of Pakistan), Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akram (Director-General, IRI), Prof. Dr. Aziz ur Rehman (Director School of Law, Quaid-i-Azam University), Prof. Dr. Safeer Akhtar (former Chief Editor, IRI), Prof. Dr. Husnul Amin (QAU), Dr. Hafiz Aftab Ahmad (IRI), and Dr. Muhammad Ahmad Munir (IRI). Their sessions addressed contemporary research challenges and methodological developments across disciplines.

Participants presented research proposals and concept notes, receiving detailed and critical feedback aimed at enhancing analytical clarity, methodological consistency, and scholarly contribution. This iterative process underscored the programme’s emphasis on rigorous peer engagement and the refinement of research outputs.

The workshops concluded with a formal ceremony graced by Prof. Dr. Ahmad Shuja Syed, Vice President (Research and Enterprise), IIUI, as Chief Guest. In his remarks, he highlighted the importance of high-quality, impactful research in addressing contemporary global challenges and commended the organizing team, led by Dr. Hafiz Aftab Ahmad under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akram, for their commitment to academic excellence in research. The event concluded with the distribution of certificates to the postdoctoral fellows and a collective prayer for the continued academic advancement of the institution.

Postdoctoral Fellowship Workshop Concludes at IRI, IIUI:

The third group of Phase-I of the Postdoctoral Training Workshop organized by the Islamic Research Institute (IRI), International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), successfully concluded after a week-long series of academic sessions held under the theme “Orientation, Capacity Building, and Research Planning.”

A prominent feature of the workshop was the participation of distinguished scholars and academics who served as resource persons and delivered lectures on diverse research paradigms and contemporary academic methodologies. Among the eminent speakers were Prof. Dr. Anis Ahmad (Vice Chancellor, Riphah International University), Justice Prof. Dr. Khalid Masud (Judge, Shariat Appellate Bench, Supreme Court of Pakistan); Prof. Dr. Aziz ur Rehman (Director, School of Law, Quaid-i-Azam University), Prof. Dr. Safeer Akhtar (Former Chief Editor, IRI), Prof. Dr. Husnul Amin (Director, National Institute of Pakistan Studies, QAU), Dr. Ayesha Quratul Ain (Faculty of Usuluddin, IIUI), and Dr. Muhammad Islam (IRI), along with other distinguished resource persons who shared their academic expertise and research experience with the fellows.

During the workshop, Professor Dr. Muhammad Akram, Director-General, Islamic Research Institute, delivered the keynote lecture, emphasizing the importance of original and impactful research grounded in sound methodology and intellectual integrity.

The workshop concluded with a formal closing ceremony in which Professor Dr. Nadeem Ahmad Sheikh, Vice President (Academics), IIUI, participated as the Chief Guest. Addressing the participants, he highly appreciated the academic and research contributions of the Islamic Research Institute and underscored the importance of high-quality and impactful research in responding to contemporary global challenges. He also congratulated the Programme Coordinator, Dr. Hafiz Aftab Ahmad, and the organizing team for successfully conducting the workshop.

During the ceremony, certificates were distributed among the postdoctoral fellows in recognition of their successful participation in the training programme. The event concluded with a collective prayer for the continued progress and academic excellence of the institution.

Digital Information Literacy & Library Skills (DILLS) Program Commences at the Islamic Research Institute, IIUI.

The Dr. Muhammad Hamidullah Library (DMHL), Islamic Research Institute (IRI), International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), successfully commenced the Digital Information Literacy & Library Skills Program (DILLS) at the Allama Iqbal Auditorium, Faisal Masjid Campus, IIUI.
The program was inaugurated with welcome remarks by Mr. Attiq-ur-Rehman Chughtai, Director, Islamic Research Institute, who highlighted the importance of the DILLS Program in strengthening the study, research, and digital competencies of students and scholars in the contemporary academic environment. He appreciated the initiative of the Dr. Muhammad Hamidullah Library in promoting information literacy and digital scholarship at IIUI.
During the first phase of the program, two specialized training sessions were conducted:
Advanced Use of Internet for Study and Research / Online Information and Searching Skills
Locating and Evaluating Online Information Sources
Male students and scholars participated in the sessions conducted on May 20, 2026, while female students, faculty members, and scholars attended the sessions on May 21, 2026.
The participants actively engaged in the hands-on training activities and discussions related to online information searching, advanced search strategies, evaluation of digital information sources, and effective use of academic resources available on the Internet.
Dr. Muhammad Sajid Mirza, Principal Librarian, and Mr. Rauf Ahmed, Senior Librarian, served as resource persons for the sessions. They demonstrated practical techniques for academic searching and guided participants in identifying reliable and scholarly online information sources for study and research purposes.
The DILLS Program aims to enhance information literacy, digital skills, and ethical research practices among students, scholars, and faculty members through a series of practical training sessions. Future modules of the program will focus on referencing and citation management using online tools, as well as AI literacy and its use in academic research.

Sirah Seminar on Conflict Resolution in the Light of Sirah