KARACHI, Oct 24: The Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Dr Attaur Rahman, has said that an international fund is being set up for the establishment of centres of excellence in the Islamic countries to help further the cause of knowledge and enable our youngsters pursue higher education.

He was speaking as chief guest at a seminar on “Hakim Mohammad Said Shaheed — Author and Editor” held at a local hotel on Thursday under the auspices of the Hamdard Foundation Pakistan.

Dr Atta said that he was pursuing this very mission for the past two months and had called on 11 heads of states of the Islamic countries for the setting up of the international fund.

He said that the centres of excellence thus established in the Islamic countries would spread higher education in accordance with the wishes of Hakim Said who always worked for the promotion of education, science and technology in Pakistan as well as in the ummah.

The minister said that instead of looking towards the West, we in the Islamic world should have confidence in ourselves.

“We should lay due stress on the importance of education in accordance with the vision of Hakim Mohammad Said and should carry forward the mission that was pursued by him during his lifetime,” he said.

Dr Atta also recalled his association with Hakim Said when they jointly edited three volumes on research on medicinal plants and biological activity.

He said that Hakim Saheb was a great hard worker and a dreamer who also put in real hard work to translate his dreams into reality.

The minister also referred to the Madinatul Hikmat, educational institutions set up by the Hamdard Foundation, the books and research publications, etc. in this connection.

He said that Hakim Said had great love for Islam and Pakistan and that his personality was a role model for others to follow.

He mentioned the special association Hakim Said had with children and said that he had worked a lot for their betterment and education.

Dr Atta also inaugurated a website dedicated to the personality and work of Hakim Said and his services.

The prominent poet and intellectual, Jamiluddin Aali, in his speech paid rich tributes to the great Hakim. He also lauded the efforts of Dr Attaur Rehman in setting up the Urdu University in the country.

The President of Hamdard Foundation and daughter of Hakim Said, Ms Sadia Rashid, said that Hakim Saheb was author of over 180 books and had also edited a number of journals.—APP