LAHORE: (Monday, November 19, 2012): The purpose of international conference on “Ideal Human and Ideal Society in the Thoughts of M. Fethullah Gulen” is to explore meaning of life and the model of ideal human and ideal society that have found their definitions in the thoughts of one of the most significant Turkish scholar and prolific author. This was stated by Mr Hakan Yesilova, editor of The Fountain magazine at a press conference at committee room of VC officer here on Monday. PU Acting Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Liaqat Ali, Director External Linkages Maria I Maldonado and Chairman Rumi Forum and conference coordinator Haron Koken were present on the occasion. It is pertinent to mention here that The Fountain Magazine and Rumi Forum are organizing the international conference on November 21st at 9am at PU Law College auditorium in collaboration with Punjab government, Higher Education Commission, Punjab Education Department, Pak Turk International Cag Educational Foundation, Journalists & Writers Foundation and Harmony Publications. Talking to media, Mr Yesilova said that speakers from Pakistan, Australia, Singapore, Indonesia, Egypt, Turkey, Northern Ireland and USA had been invited to shed light on the thoughts of Mr Gulen, who had inspired an immense civil society movement known as “Hizmet Movement” in Turkey since the late 1960’s and had evolved and grown to encompass many facts of social life. He said that Mr Gulen was pioneer of the positive action that contributed to social welfare and peace in Turkey and worldwide through education. He said the movement of voluntary people was trying to act as a bridge in realizing unity in diversity, synergy, social innovation, interaction and dialogue between the members of different cultures and civilization. He said that the speakers would share their research and experience with Hizmet, now active in over 140 countries, on the topics and themes such as democracy and faith-based activism, Gulen’s philosophy on life, meaning and language, Hizmet perspectives on education and case studies on Hizmet.

Acting VC Dr Liaqat Ali said that all-out efforts would be made for the success of the conference. Chairman Rumi Forum Mr Haron Koken said they wanted more exchange of people between the two countries and a series of lecture would be organized in the next year. He said a reception/diner was also being held by Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif at PC hotel on Tuesday evening and the concluding session of the onference would be presided over of Punjab Assembly speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal on Wednesday.  He thanked Punjab University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran, Director External Linkages Maria Maldonado and other collaborators for extending co-operation in organizing the conference. Ms Maldonado said that a tree plantation ceremony would be held tomorrow (Tuesday) at 3pm at New Campus in the memory of this conference. She also informed newsmen about other activities of the conference.