MUZAFFARABAD: The capital city of AJK witnessed a momentous event as renowned intellectuals, economists, and scholars from various corners of the globe convened to engage in insightful discussions on the “Role of Religion, Spirituality, Ethics, and Values in Economy and Society.”
The third International Divine Economics Conference, organized by the Islamic Social Sciences Forum (ISF) of Hadi Foundation in collaboration with esteemed universities and AJK Medical College, commenced with great enthusiasm on Saturday.
The conference aimed at to question traditional economic paradigms and delve into the profound influence of religion, ethics, values, and spirituality on the economy and society. Anticipation ran high as distinguished speakers and participants geared up to challenge established norms and explore novel perspectives on the interplay between economic systems and the realm of faith.
The inaugural session, held at a local hotel on Saturday morning, set the tone for the momentous event. Presided over by the Former Chief Justice of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Justice Chaudhary Muhammad Ibrahim Zia, the session featured addresses by notable figures such as Prof. Christopher Hodshire from the United States and Dr. Redek Tadeusz E. Biernacki from Chile, who joined remotely. Renowned economist Dr. Faheem Khan, Chairman of the Hadi Foundation, and Conference Chair Prof. Dr. Nisar Hussain Hamdani, along with other distinguished guests, also delivered thought-provoking speeches.
In his address, Justice (r) Ch Muhammad Ibrahim Zia emphasized that Islam encompasses all facets of life, including the economic dimension. He applauded the conference as an excellent opportunity to deliberate on the economic challenges posed by conventional systems and make rational decisions.
Prof Dr Nisar Hussain Hamdani, Chairman of the Hadi Foundation, provided an overview of Divine Economics and shed light on the latest developments in research within this field. He expressed hope that the conference would serve as a unique platform for stimulating discussions and debates on integrating religion, ethics, and values into the economy.
The gathering witnessed an enlightening address by Prof. Christopher Hodshire from the United States, who discussed divine economic justice and ongoing collaborations between religious institutions and their impact on poverty at both local and national levels.
The conference comprised several parallel sessions on Saturday, each chaired by esteemed individuals in their respective fields. Dr. Tariq Majeed chaired a session dedicated to the theme of well-being, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and Human Capital, which included engaging discussions on research papers and abstract presentations.
Another session, led by Dr. Zafar Siddiqui, explored the subjects of education, human development, and innovation through thought-provoking papers and abstract presentations.
Mufti S. Umer Amaduddin, a distinguished Sharia Scholar and Internal Sharia Audit Expert at Eman (Silk Islamic Bank), chaired a session focused on Islamic Banking and Economy. Co-chaired by Mr. Moghees Shoukat, this session witnessed stimulating discussions revolving around research papers and abstract presentations pertaining to the theme.
Furthermore, an insightful session, under the guidance of Dr Attiqueur Rehman, Director of the Kashmir Institute of Economics at the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (UAJK), delved into the practical applications of Divine Economics. Scholars presented papers and engaged in enlightening talks, contributing to a comprehensive exploration of this crucial aspect.
The conference will draw to a close on Sunday, with participants convening at the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Medical College Auditorium. The concluding ceremony, scheduled for 11:45 AM, will witness the distribution of certificates to all participants, recognizing their valuable contributions to the conference’s success.
