At Aligarh Muslim University, the Department of Islamic Studies recently held an orientation programme that brought together new undergraduate, postgraduate, and research students for an inspiring start to their academic journey. The session wasn’t merely procedural. it carried depth, vision, and a message rooted in academic integrity.
Prof. Abdul Hameed Fazli, the department’s chairman, opened the gathering by welcoming students into what he described as “a space for both intellectual rigor and personal growth.” He encouraged them to remain rooted in their values while embracing academic challenge.
Prof. Obaidullah Fahad followed with an engaging overview of the department’s academic ecosystem, drawing attention to its expansive library and areas of specialization, including Iranian, Turkish, and Arab studies. He emphasized the relevance of interdisciplinary methods in Islamic scholarship.
Prof. Abdul Majid Khan took a reflective tone, urging students not to consume Orientalist literature passively. “Engage with it. but question it,” he said. “Islamic knowledge interacts with all sciences, and that’s what makes it complete.”
The programme concluded with remarks from Prof. Ikram Hussain, Dean of Social Sciences, who stressed the importance of discipline, especially attendance, and advised students to focus on long-term goals over short-term distractions.
