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In his presidential address at the inauguration of the national seminar on Ideological Trends in West Asia, Prof. P.K. Abdul Azis, Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University emphasized that the identities and destinies of the countries of the region were worst affected during World War I and II. He emphasized that the creation of the state of Israel is the best example of this trajectory. Speaking on the different shades of ideological trends in West Asia he emphasized that to work for the triumph of a nationalist – democratic ideal divorced from Islam, as religious ideology, or all embracing way of life , will end up in frustration . For the Arab Muslim, Islam represents both the embodiment of his faith and his cultural assertion. He congratulated the organizers for organizing a three-day timely seminar on a topic which has a potential to guide and determine the future course of events in West Asia. Ambassador Ishrat Azis, in his key note address highlighted the issue of Governance and Institution Building with relation to ideologies. He was of the opinion that leaders decide issues on the basis of interest and note on the basis of their ideological convictions and this is the cause of the problem. West Asia is not the exception. He congratulated the Chairman Prof. Mohammad Gulrez and the convener of the seminar on the choice of the seminar theme. He also emphasized that the systematic study of the region, focusing on its society, polity, economy and culture deserves a rightful place among the intellectuals working in the field in India as elsewhere from the point of view of our scholarly understanding, shared historical legacy and economic interest. In his introductory remarks, Chairman of the Centre of West Asian Studies Prof. Mohammad Gulrez said that the topic of the seminar “Ideological Trends in West Asia’ is not only topical but a reflection of the scale of the challenge that governments, corporate and civil society are confronted with. He was of the opinion that sstability in West Asia is critical not merely because India depended on the region for oil but also because of the huge Indian Diaspora there. Earlier Prof, Shamir Hasan, the Convener of the Seminar welcomed the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor and the Chief Guest Ambassador Ishrat Aziz. He thanked the Vice Chancellor for his constant support and help in organizing the seminar. He emphasized that the systematic study of the region, focusing on its society, polity, economy and culture deserves a rightful place among the intellectuals working in the field in India as elsewhere from the point of view of our scholarly understanding, shared historical legacy and economic interest. Prof. Nazim Ali in his Welcome address introduced the activities of the centre and highlighted importance of Area Studies Programme like West Asian Studies at AMU. The Dean Faculty of Social Science on behalf of the faculty thanked the guest participants who have come from all parts of the country to participate in the seminar .He also congratulated the faculty members for organizing seminar on the topic of national importance. It is expected that during the three-day seminar participants from different prestigious universities will be debating issues on the various aspects of the seminar theme.
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