Islamabad: Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, addressed the pressing global challenges at the International Sirah Conference in Islamabad, highlighting the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as a guide for peace and justice.

Iqbal’s remarks were made during the opening session of the two-day conference, hosted by the Islamic Research Institute of the International Islamic University Islamabad. He emphasized that the Prophet’s life is a source of moral values and wisdom, particularly relevant for addressing humanitarian crises like those in Gaza and Palestine.

The event gathered prominent figures, including Raja Zafar-ul-Haq of the World Muslim Congress and former Moroccan Prime Minister Dr. Saad Eddine El Othmani. Notable scholars presented over 90 research papers, aiming to integrate prophetic teachings into modern societal frameworks for sustainable development and economic justice.

Raja Zafar-ul-Haq stressed the importance of making Sirah literature accessible in various languages, advocating for its dissemination through digital media. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman of the Higher Education Commission, lauded the conference’s scholarly contributions and emphasized the role of universities in advancing Sirah studies.

Key recommendations from the conference included making Sirah studies a compulsory academic subject and creating digital libraries for broader access. Scholars also proposed establishing research centers to apply prophetic teachings to contemporary issues such as social justice and environmental sustainability.

The conference concluded with a commitment to promote Sirah scholarship as a tool for addressing global challenges, urging a multidisciplinary approach to understanding the Prophet’s legacy through sociology, law, psychology, and peace studies.