June 25, 2008	Wednesday	Jamadi-us-Sani 20, 1429

KARACHI, June 24: While highlighting the personality and the great sacrifices of Bibi Fatima Zahra (SA), speakers at a conference on Tuesday urged women to follow in the footsteps of the beloved daughter of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and fulfil their basic obligations in light of the examples set by her.

The programme, titled “Responsibilities of Muslim women in today’s age,” was organised by the Iranian Cultural Centre on the birth anniversary of Bibi Fatima Zahra (SA).

Eulogising her services, they said her humility, tolerance, modesty and the sense of justice were all reflective of her great character. She was perfect in all her roles as being a daughter, wife, mother and a community worker. They said it was because of her charismatic character that she was honoured with nine names.

She played a pivotal role in spreading Islam both with her words and deeds. The strong love the Holy Prophet (PBUH) had for her gave women a new status and great esteem, which was hard to imagine in a time when shame and guilt forced men to bury their newborn daughters, they said.

Dr Faiza Azeem Zada, a professor at the University of Tehran, said: “God has bestowed humans with tremendous power that can be gauged from the fact that he is given the status of His naib. Even angels were asked to bow before Hazrat Adam (AS). And, there is no mention of gender anywhere when the Qur’an cites these events and refers to insaan-i-kamil.”

However, she said, woman had a greater responsibility to fulfil as she had been assigned with the responsibility of ‘making human beings.’

“This responsibility, if fulfilled in a proper way, can change the destiny of a nation. And, in this area one can take a cue from the life of Bibi Fatima (SA), who is a symbol of simplicity, generosity and love. She never acted arrogantly or boasted about the fact that she was the daughter of the Holy Prophet (PBUH),” the professor said.

About women’s role in modern world, she said that Islam didn’t restrict women to homes and they were allowed to play their due role in society while obeying the religious code of conduct.

Addressing the gathering, former information minister and director of a private television channel Mehtab Akbar Rashidi said it was high time that Muslims educate themselves and try to ‘create their own world.’ “We should not oppose technology, but rather learn from the West’s experiences to improve our own lives. Our generation was a failure and so was the generation before us. But, I have a faith in the youth who I believe will make a difference since they live in extraordinary times,” she remarked.

The speakers included the Iranian consul general’s wife, Mrs Zamani, Young Christian Association president Nuzhat Williams, former MNA Ayesha Munawwar, chairperson of the All Pakistan Women’s Foundation for Peace and head of Falah Trust Nargis Rehman and Narjis Sardar Naqvi.

Mehtab Qaim Ali Shah, the chief minister’s wife, was also present.