The Higher Education Commission joined the Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives, University of Narowal, the Islamic Research Institute of the International Islamic University Islamabad, and Jamia Muhammadi Sharif to host a one day seminar at the Seerat Center Lahore on February 21 2026 that focused on the role of Seerah Chairs in strengthening peaceful coexistence and national cohesion.
Prof. Ahsan Iqbal attended as chief guest and delivered the keynote address stressing that contemporary challenges can be addressed in the light of the Seerah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and that the younger generation should move beyond study and admiration to living those teachings in everyday life. The minister detailed plans for Seerah Chairs to support leadership campuses research programs and student forums that institutionalize scholarly engagement across universities.
Distinguished speakers included Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zia Ul Haq vice chancellor University of Narowal Prof. Dr. Ali Bin Khizran bin Muhammad Al ’Umri from King Khalid University Abha Saudi Arabia Prof. Dr. Ahmed Saad Al Ahmed president International Islamic University Islamabad Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akram director general Islamic Research Institute and Sahibzada Muhammad Qamar Ul Haq president Jamia Muhammadi Sharif each highlighting different dimensions of how the Seerah can inform governance education social justice and interfaith harmony.
More than one hundred participants took part including applicants for Seerah Chairs professors from higher education institutions in Lahore and faculty from a range of city colleges. Attendees worked in six thematic groups examining leadership and governance human rights and social justice business commerce and property rights education and knowledge gender studies women’s rights and social welfare and global peace interfaith and communal harmony and sustainable development all considered through the perspective of the Seerah.
Prof. Ahsan Iqbal emphasized that Seerah Chairs carry a substantial responsibility for universities to bridge classical teachings with present day global concerns such as interfaith harmony social justice and sustainable development and he linked this academic agenda with national development goals including Vision 2025 and Uraan Pakistan noting that true progress includes social harmony emotional stability moral strength and wisdom as much as infrastructure.
At the close of the seminar Dr. Muhammad Irfan Sheeraz deputy director Seerat Center Lahore offered thanks on behalf of the Higher Education Commission to the guests and participants for their insights and engagement. The event concluded with an exchange of souvenirs among dignitaries and a group photograph to mark the occasion underscoring the practical steps planned to embed Seerah Chairs as hubs for research campus activity and community outreach.
