Activities Related to Combating Violence Extremism, Peace

and women issues

Bangladesh Institute of Islamic Thought (BIIT)
Introduction
Bangladesh Institute of Islamic Thought (BIIT) is an independent think-tank organization which is engaged in
research and in-depth studies for synthesizing education, culture and ethics. It was established in the year 1989 as a
non-government organization. It is functioning as Bangladesh Chapter of International Institute of Islamic Thought
(IIIT), USA with a goal of Reconstruction of Thought and Integration of Knowledge.

Events:
Seminar on ‘Civilization Dialogue’
Regional Interfaith Dialogue on ‘Peace Development
and South Asia: The Role of Religion’

Bangladesh Institute of Islamic Thought (BIIT) and
the American Center Dhaka jointly organized a
Regional Interfaith Dialogue on ‘Peace Development
and South Asia: The Role of Religion’. The program
was held during 10-11 July 2006 at CIRDAP
Auditorium, Dhaka. Renowned academicians, the
representative of different religions including Muslims,
Hindus, Christians, Buddhist, and others participated in
the dialogue. The dialogue mainly prompted to find out
common space among all religions in forms of beliefs,
practices with collective ambition to peace. The
dialogues also focused on the issues of religious
tolerance, harmony and peaceful coexistence in the
multicultural society like Bangladesh.
A Seminar on „Civilization Dialogue‟ was held on
04 November 2000 at Conference Room of BIIT.
Dr. Chandra Muzaffar, Chairperson, International
Movement for a Just World, Malaysia was present
as a Key Speaker while Prof. Dr. Shamsher Ali,
Chairman of BIIT and former Vice-Chancellor of
Bangladesh Open University acted as a Chairman in
the seminar. The seminar mainly explored some
common ground and harmony among different
civilizations across the world. The discussion also
included a number of issues including
Islamophobia, xenophobia, and racism which are on
rise across the world.
Seminar on ‘Terrorism & Violence in Islamic
Points of View’
A Seminar on „Terrorism & Violence in Islamic
Points of View‟ was held on 0 3 December 2001 at
Conference Room of BIIT. Dr. Aftab Ahmad,
Professor of Political Science, University of Dhaka
was present as a Key Speaker while Prof. Dr.
Shamsher Ali, Chairman of BIIT and former Vice-
Chancellor of Bangladesh Open University acted as a
Chairman in the seminar. The seminar covered a
range of issues related to terrorism including religious
extremist ideas, extremist‟s religious interpretations
and extremists‟ organizations in Bangladesh. It also
suggested some measures to combat against terrorism
in Islamic point of view.
Seminar on ‘World after 9/11: Towards a
New Arrangement’
The Chittagong chapter o f B a n g l a d e s h
I n s t i t u t e o f I s l a m i c Thought (BIIT)
organized a seminar o n “World after 9/11:
Towards a New Arrangement” on May 10,
2002 at Chittagong. The participants of the
seminar talk about the emergence of religious
extremism globally and the effects of this on to
Bangladesh and across the world as well.
Peace Corner at BIIT
Bangladesh Institute of Islamic Thought (BIIT)
opened a special center named „Peace Corner‟ in
2018. This is mainly a special cell of BIIT research
network that is dedicated to mainly work on peace
related issues including violence, extremism,
terrorism, conflicts and mitigation approaches. Peace
corner opened a special section in BIIT Library and
Resource Center. It is situated in the 4th floor of BIIIT
building at Uttara. Mr. Abdus Sabur, the founder
secretary general of Thailand based organizations
Asian Resource Foundation (ARF) and Association of
Muslim Action Network (AMAN) inaugurated this
corner. During inauguration Mr. Abds Sabur said that
peace is universal and peace is needed for everyone in
the world, so everybody should take initiatives to
ensure peace in our mind, in our family, in our society
and all over the world. Among others Professor
Maimul Ahsan Khan, Professor of the Department of
Law at University of Dhaka and all officials of the
BIIT were present at inauguration program.
Peace corner organizes workshops, seminars, and
roundtable discussions and conduct research to
promote tolerance, peace, harmony and peaceful
coexistence in the society. It has enriched collections
in its library section including books, journals and
reports of renowned publishers of home and
abroad. It also publishes special bulletins, conference
reports and articles regularly.
 Seminar on ‘Feminism as Islamophobia’
A seminar titled “Feminism as Islamophobia” was
held at the Conference Hall of BIIT on 23 August
2011. Dr. Md. Mahmudul Hasan of Department of
English Language and Literature, International
Islamic University Malaysia was the key-note
speaker. About 70 (seventy) distinguished
academicians were present in the seminar. The
discussant of the seminar talked about the
privileges of women in Islam in terms of worth and
dignity. It also figured out some misperceptions
and malpractices in the Muslim society about
women that have no relation with Islam.
Conference on ‘Women and Islam: Towards
Achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs)’
Bangladesh Institute of Islamic Thought (BIIT)
organized a conference at its Conference Hall on
„Women and Islam towards Achieving UN
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)‟ on the
occasion of International Women‟s Day on March 08,
2018. Dr. Nasima Hasan, President of Witness, an
online think-tank group presented a paper titled
„Women in Development: Islamic Perspective‟.
Faculties of different universities, scholars and NGO
activists participated in the conference. The
conference included a number of issues related to
SDGs and the position of Islam to get contrition from
women. The conference accepted the neesecity of
women‟s contribution towards achieving SDGs and
figured out the legality of that from Islamic view
point. All the speakers of the conference also tried to
find out the main problems to empower a woman in
our society and provided possible solutions.
National Seminar on ‘Human Rights: Different
Dimensions’
A national seminar on „Human Rights: Different
Dimension‟ was held on 25 August 1996 at a Hotel in
Dhaka. Justice Mustafa Kamal, Bangladesh Supreme
Court Appellate Division was present as a Chief
Guest in the seminar. The seminar highlighted the
human rights situation situation of Bangladesh and
contemporary global order. It also indicated some
challenges that undermine the dreams to have
equitable justice in the society.
Intellectual discourse on ‘Human Rights of
Rohingya Muslim and International Law’
Bangladesh Institute of Islamic thought (BIIT)
organized a lecture program on „Human Rights of
Rohingya Muslim and International Law‟ on March
11, 2017 in the BIIT Conference Hall. Prof. Maimul
Ahsan Khan, Department of Law, Dhaka University
and a senior academic research fellow of BIIT
delivered his specialized lecture. Prof. Khan described
the different types of violence of human rights against
Rohingya Muslim. Academicians, researchers and
students from different universities were the audience
of the program.
Roundtable discussion on ‘The plight of Roingyas:
Our Roles and Responsibilities’
Bangladesh Institute of Islamic Thought BIIT
organized a roundtable discussion titled „The plight of
Rohingyas: Or Roles and Responsibilities‟ on
December 9, 2018. Professor Dr. Maimul Ahsan
Khan, University of Dhaka was the moderator of the
program. Faculties of different public and private
universities, scholars and students from different
university participated in the roundtable discussion.
The discussion covered a number of issues related to
Rohingya refugee crisis and the roles and
responsibility of Bangladesh in Humanitarian
viewpoint.
Lecture on ‘Reflection on Islam and Democracy’
A lecture program on „Reflection on Islam and
Democracy‟ was held during 10-11 July 2007 at BIIT
auditorium, Dhaka. Mr. Michael Novak, A noted
American Religious Philosopher was present as a
Keynote speaker in the lecture. The discussion has
included a range of issues regarding Islam including
the special provisions for freedom of expression,
freedom of religion and peace. Academicians,
scholars from different grounds and institutions as
well as students from different universities were
present at the program.
Seminar on ‘Issues in Freedom and Choice’
A Seminar on „Issues in Freedom and Choice‟ was held
on 05 July 2003 at Conference Room of BIIT. Dr.
Mohamad Omar Faruque, Associate professor of
Economics and Finance, Upper LOWA University,
USA was present in the seminar as key paper presenter
while Shah Abdul Hannan, President of BIIT acted as
the Moderator of the seminar. The discussant
exclusively focused on the teaching of Quran and
Sunnah which offers human being the freedom of
thinking as well as to take rational decision.
Workshop on ‘Consultation on Transformation of
Governance’
Dr. M. Abdul Aziz, Executive Director of BIIT
attended a workshop titled „Consultation on
Transformation of Governance‟ from August 19 to 20,
2018 at International Institute of Peace and
Development Studies (IIPDS), Bangkok, Thailand. In
the workshop Dr. Aziz, the executive director of BIIT
presented a paper titled „Hudaybiyyah Pact: First
Peace Treaty of Human History‟.
Status of ‘Religions in the United States’ oriented education which prepares the students more
competitive to face the challenges of 21st centuries.

Seminar on ‘Inclusive Development from South

Asian Economic Perspective’

A seminar on „State of Religions in the United States‟

was held on 08 December 1996 at Bansdoc
Auditorium, Dhaka. Dr. David E Harrel, Professor of
Auburn University, Alabama, USA was present as a
Bangladesh Institute of Islamic Thought (BIIT)
keynote Speaker in the seminar. The discussion
included different issues related to the religious organized a seminar titled „Inclusive Development
pluralism and multicultural atmosphere of America. from South Asian Economic Perspective‟ on January
Some other academicians from the University of
Dhaka, diplomats and scholars were also present at 5, 2018 in its Conference Hall at Uttara. Prof. Ataul
the seminar. Huq Pramanik, retired Professor of the Department of
Economics of International Islamic University
Workshop on ‘Madrasha Education system in
Bangladesh Moving Forward: Observations from Malaysia (IIUM) was the keynote speaker in the
Singapore’ seminar. The discussion covered a range of topics
related to inclusive development, quality education,
health security, employment creation and
environmental protection. Eminent academicians,
experts and fellows of BIIT were present at the
seminar.

Meeting with Nobel Laureate Dr Yunus on Social

Business

Bangladesh Institute of Islamic thought (BIIT) and the

American Center, Dhaka jointly organized a
workshop titled „Madrasha Education system in
Bangladesh Moving Forward: Observations from
Singapore‟. The workshop was held at BIAM, Dhaka
on 19 March 2011. Renowned academicians presented
their paper and participated on the discussion. The
teachers from different madrashas (both Alia and
Qurani Systems) and religious educationists attended
The Yunus Centre organized a views exchange
the workshop. The discussion focused on the
necessity to reform Madrasha education systems meeting with Noble Laureate Dr Yunus at their own
including its curriculum, teaching techniques. It
office in honor of Malaysian Delegates in the noon on
emphasized on the formulation and application of life
February 20, 2019. The BIIT delegates were headed
by Dr. M. Abdul Aziz, the executive director of BIIT.
Noble Laureate Dr Yunus mentioned the concept,
impact and involvement of social business for the
economic development all over the world. At the end
of the meeting Dr. M. Abul Aziz handed over a token
of appreciation to the noble laureate.
Conference on ‘The Role of Faith-based
Organizations in Promoting Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs)’
Bangladesh Institute of Islamic thought (BIIT)
organized a Conference o n “The Role of Faith-based
Organizations in Promoting Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs)” with the collaboration of Asian
Resource Foundation (ARF) and Asian Muslim
Action Network (AMAN), Thailand on April 15, 2017
at the BIIT Conference Hall. The leaders of different
religions such as Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Christian,
the representative from UNDP and NGOs were
present at the conference. A good number of
academicians, researchers, and young scholars
presented their paper in the conference. The
Conference was mainly designed to talk about peace,
equity, inclusivity and justice in the society with a
special reference to UN Sustainable Development
Development Goals (SDGs). Therefore the
participants of the conference are committed to work
with the document of SDGs in order to promote
sustained and inclusive economic growth, social
development and environmental protection that will
benefit the present and the future generations of the
world.
Follow-up workshop on SDGs from Faith
perspective
Bangladesh Institute of Islamic thought (BIIT)
organized a follow-up workshop on “SDGs from
Faith perspective” with the collaboration of
Asian Resource Foundation (ARF) and Asian
Muslim Action Network (AMAN), Thailand on
April 4, 2018 at the BIIT Conference Hall. The
conference was designed mainly to talk about the
issues related to SDGs including poverty
alleviation, mitigation of inequality, inequity and
social injustice, confirmation of people‟s
democratic rights and hopes. It was a follow up
program of BIIT organized conference on ‘The
Role of Faith-based Organizations in
Promoting Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs)’ in 2017. Mr. Abdus Sabur, the
founder secretary general of Asian Resource
Foundation (ARF) and Association of
Muslim Action Network (AMAN), along
with many eminent academicians and
scholars participated at workshop. The
participants of the program emphasized over
the essence of having role of Faith Based
Organization (FBOs) in implementing SDGs.
Intellectual Discourse on ‘State Secular Identity
VS Muslim Ethnic Identity: The Case of Nepal’
Bangladesh Institute of Islamic Thought (BIIT)
organized an Intellectual Discourse on „State Secular
Identity vs Muslim Ethnic Identity: The Case of
Nepal‟ in the Conference Hall on March 31, 2018.
Mr. Vijay Parsad Jayshwal, faculty member,
Kathmandu School of Law, Nepal, delivered his
intellectual idea in the discourse session. The
faculties of Dhaka University, BUET and other
different universities were present at the program.
The discussant mainly figured out the nature of
secular identity of a state with especial reference to
compare with Muslim ethnic identity. He
exemplified the discourse with referencing state
policy of Nepal.

.
Partnership and Collaboration
Herndon,
International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT), USA Virginia,
USA
Dhaka,
American Center, Dhaka Bangladesh

Asian Resource Foundation (ARF) Thailand

Asian Muslim Action Network (AMAN) Indonesia

University of Dhaka Dhaka,

Bangladesh
Bloomington
Indiana University, USA , Indiana,
USA

Virginia University, USA Virginia,

USA

Islamic University of Technology (IUT), OIC Gazipur,

Dhaka

International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) Selangor,

Malaysia
BIIT and IIIT Publications:
 Contact information:
Bangladesh Institute of Islamic Thought (BIIT)
House # 4, Road # 2, Sector # 9,
Uttara Model Town, Dhaka-1230.
Phone: +88 02- 58957509, 58954256
Web addresses: www.iiitbd.org
Email: biit_org@yahoo.com, info@iiitbd.org