MULTAN: A two-day international conference on ‘Required Narrative in the Understanding of Islamic Thought’ concluded here on Friday.

The conference was organised by the Bahauddin Zakariya University’s Department of Islamic Studies and Islamic Research Centre, and attended by renowned scholars from Egypt, India, England as well as across Pakistan.

More than 15 papers were read at the conference.

The participants recommended that the prevailing narrative of Islamic thought had failed to resolve issues the Muslim world, particularly Pakistani society, was facing and the failure was paving the way for sectarianism, extremism, hypocrisy, exploitation in the name of religion and division within Muslim societies.

The conference urged scholars, teachers and policymakers to play their roles in preparing such a narrative that would be based on moderate eternal teachings of Islam and could be helpful in highlighting the positive aspects of Islamic civilisation. The new narrative should help resolve the issues of Muslim societies after identifying them.

It also suggested that the new narrative should represent Islamic democratic and constitutional needs besides strengthening the democratic system by taking required steps.

Addressing the conference, acting Vice Chancellor Dr Robina Tareen said preparation of a new narrative of Islamic thought was the need of the hour.

“Guiding Muslim youth is the responsibility of Muslim scholars,” she added.

Islamic Studies Department Chairman Dr Abdul Qadoos Sohaib said a large number of the country’s population consisted of the youth and there was a need that they be prepared to play a leading role by equipping them with the real spirit of Islam and professional requirements of the modern era.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2016