JHELUM: Prime Minister Imran Khan has inaugurated academic blocks of Al-Qadir University in Jhelum, dedicated to an important role in character building and promoting modern knowledge among the youth.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony, the prime minister emphasised on research in universities to provide informed choices to the youth. He said the universities have a role to play in the character building of students.
The prime minister said unless we have to act on the rules set by Riyasat-e-Madina for the development of the country, we cannot attain the status dreamt by Allama Iqbal. Nations who follow these rules will never face any challenge, he said, adding that it is in our best interest to follow the footprints of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He said that preparing knowledgeable and talented youth with moral strength was the need of the hour.
PM Imran Khan stressed the need for an education system that acts for self-development and a source of bringing positive change in society. He said Al-Qadir University would engage with international Islamic scholars to provide world level education facilities to the students. He expressed the confidence that the university would build leadership qualities among the students.
The prime minister emphasised on speaking the truth and dispensing justice. “Speaking truth was a quality of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) before he was appointed a Messenger.”
PM Imran Khan said he had always aimed at creating institutions in Pakistan that would implement Islam in its true spirit. He spoke about education at length, lamenting that there were no universities researching the lives of the Muslim leaders, warriors, scholars and reformers.
“Islam and Science were both working alongside each other,” he said. “There was harmony between them. Read Al-Biruni and others, they had a strong connection to Allah,” he added.
Underlining the need for promotion of debate in society, he said the thought process must be advanced. He said character and morality of the nation would be uplifted on the model of Riyasat-e-Madina.
The prime minister also spoke out against Western culture, saying that Pakistan’s youth was confused and were misled by it in adopting it. He urged universities to research the disastrous effects that Western culture was having on family life and how pornographic material was widely available on smartphones.
He said universities were important as they can help people make “informed choices” that will help people make smarter and better choices. “Allah encourages Ijtihad in the Holy Quran,” he said. “How will Ijtihad take place here if the person who differs in his point of view from you, is declared a kafir,” he lamented.
The prime minister said that the concept of leadership that Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) gave to Muslims will be imparted in Pakistani universities to the youth He said it was important to educate students about these aspects so that when they become future leaders, they think about Pakistan’s progress rather than appointing their friends to high places and committing corruption.
