DHAKA: International University of Business Agriculture and Technology (IUBAT) organized seminar a seminar titled “Understanding Islam and Muslims” at the conference room on Sunday afternoon.

Dr Muhammad Mujibur Rahman, former Professor and Head of the Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies, University of Rajshahi, presently a New York based academic scholar specialized in Islamic philosophy and thoughts speaking at a seminar viewed  that Islamic ideology , thoughts and code of conduct immensely helped  the human civilization to march ahead heralding peace, harmony and prosperity.
 
There is no room for bellicose disposition in Islam, saying this he was of the opinion that Islamic ideology is completely based on the philosophy of nonviolence as such resolution of disputes have to be resolved through arbitration. This will lead to a meaningful solution to any problem in personal, family, social and other areas the life path, aged Professor asserted with his polite gesture impressing the audience before him composed of old and new scholars.
 
The family is the foundation of Islamic society, mentioning this Dr Rahman maintained that peace and security offered by a stable family unit is greatly valued and seen as essential for the spiritual growth of its members. A harmonious social orderis created by the by the existence of extended families; children are treasured, and rarely leave home until the time they marry, Dr Rahman detailed.
 
Prof. Dr Muhammad Mujibur Rahman was delivering keynote presentation the seminar.

Speaking on the selected topic, he detailed the historical background of the emergence of Islam linking its advent within darkness and chaotic scenario prevailed in the then society across Arab world.
 
Presided by Prof Dr M Alimullah Miyan, Vice- Chancellor of IUBAT, Chairs, Directors, Coordinators, Faculties   and students of different Colleges and Departments attended the programme.
 
The programme began with the welcome speech delivered by Dr M A Mannan, College of Business Administration. Prof Dr M A Mottalib, Faculty, College of Arts and Sciences also spoke on the occasion.   
 
Earlier, Retd Lt Mohammed Ibn Mujib, son of Dr Muhammad Mujibur Rahman, Assistant Registrar, International Programs, IUBAT read out the autobiography and profile of the keynote speaker portraying every areas of his father’s life cycle touching religious credence of the family, grooming leading to development of Islamic ideology and thought in his personality grew overtime.   
 
IUBAT Vice Chancellor Prof Dr M Alimullah Miyan in his concluding speech thanked Dr Mujibur Rahman, for presenting such a valuable speech reflecting the true spirit of Islam narrating briefly the essence and core guidelines of this great religion which contributed immensely in the spiritual, social, political, scientific and economic transformation of societies across the world.  
 
In his comprehensive presentation, New York based Professor, who is skilled in multi-language_ Bengali, Arabic, Urdu, Persia, Hindi and English focused on a historical situation under which the advent of Prophet Muhammad (SM) was inevitable in the best interest humanity. He mentioned saying that our Prophet was born in the tribe of Quraysh Makkah in the year 570, having been blessed with calm and meditative character marked by all sorts of human qualities embedded in his personality.

He grew up overtime and vastly known for his truthfulness, generosity and sincerity which was blended nicely giving him the ability to arbitrate in disputes. All these happened at the time when Christianity was not yet fully established in Europe, Dr Rahman detailed highlighting how at the age of 40 Muhammad received his first revelation from Allah through the Angel Gabriel continued for twenty-three years, and the verses combined known as the Al-Qur`an to the Muslims.
 
Prophet’s path was  not a path of roses, rather, as soon as Mohammad (Peace be upon him) began to recite the words he heard from Gabriel, and tried to preach the truth which Allah had revealed to him, he and his followers suffered bitter persecution. This hatred grew so fierce that in the year 622 Allah gave them the command to emigrate. This is the event of Hijra, `migration`, the great chapter of leaving Makkah for the city of Madinah some 260 miles away to the north, marking the beginning of the Muslim calendar, he stated with his slow but articulate voice.

Dr Mujibur Rahman focused on how faster Islam spread all over the world bringing great deal of change in the thought process of human race. The reasons for the rapid and peaceful spread of Islam was possible due to the simplicity as contained in its doctrine and practice. Islam calls for faith in only one Allah worthy of worship and also repeatedly instructs man to use his powers of intelligence and observation, he pointed eloquently before the intellectual audience attended in the seminar.

Within a few years, civilizations all over the globe, especially universities started flourishing in line with the essence of the Prophet, `seeking knowledge is an obligation for every Muslim man and woman`. The synthesis of Eastern and Western ideas blended superbly with the new thought of Islam helping the human civilization to march ahead heralding peace, harmony and prosperity, he echoed meaningfully with his amiable assertion.  
 
Belonged to a glorious family of Chapai Nawabganj, famous for religious prejudices and contributed much in propagating Islam during the beginning of twentieth century. Dr Rahman grew up within a strong Islamic creed in heart in practical livelihood.  All these influenced him to groom up possessing the legacy of his father and grandfather. Later, he engaged in wide ranging academic culture of Islam leading to his present stature having intellectual acumen, glittering with enlightened thoughts, vision and pursuits of Islam.
 
Dr. Mujibur Rahman attended number of Islamic international seminars and conferences   at home and abroad, which includes international seminar ‘Hailakandi’- Asam, India. In 1982, New Delhi International Conference ,  International Conference at  Iaijan Galib in Delhi, and “Third Quran Congress” at Rawalpindi, Pakistan, International Mujahid Conference at Kerala, India in 1987,“First European Conference” at Olympia Hotel, England, in 1988, “International South Asian Regional seminar” at Khodaboks Library, Patna, India in 1989.

BDST: 1248 HRS, APR 07, 2014