Events
Share your experience of Pakistan Society events at Discussion Forum or send an email to events@oupaksoc.org to arrange an event with Pakistan Society.
Irfan Husain: "Perceptions of the West in the mind of a common Pakistani"
Date and Time: 13th May 2010 (6:30 pm)
Venue: Harris Lecture Theatre, Oriel College, Oxford
Entry: Free for all
Irfan Husain will be giving a talk hosted by the Oxford University Pakistan Society on the topic 'Perceptions of the West in the mind of a common Pakistani' followed by a Q & A Session.
Mr. Husain is a prominent Pakistani journalist who has been writing in the Pakistani press for over 30 years. When he started writing he was a civil servant so he had to write under different names which ranged from Akbar Hussein, Ferida Sher, Abdul Ghani, Shakir Husain, and Mazdak. After taking early retirement he began writing under his own name. He has been widely published in almost every major newspaper in Pakistan and currently he writes weekly columns for Dawn, the Daily Times, and the Khaleej Times.
After taking an early retirement from Government service, Irfan Husain accepted the position of President at the Textile Institute of Pakistan, which is a premier textile university in Karachi. After a five year stint there he retired and now splits his time between London and Karachi.
If you wish to have tea with Mr Husain, please send an email to president@oupaksoc.org.
Facebook link: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=111234538907936&ref=mf
OUPakSoc Debate: This House Believes That Kashmir is an Integral Part of Pakistan
In full collaboration with the Oxford Indian Society
OUPakSoc Student Debate:
Time: 15 May 2010 (5:45 pm - 10:00 pm)
Venue: Al-Jaber Auditorium, Corpus Christi College, Merton Street, Oxford
Format: 3 speakers per side (8 mins each), followed by a discussion session (around 60-75 mins) and reply speeches (3 min)
Proposition: Oxford University Pakistan Society
Opposition: Oxford Indian Society
Chair: Victoria Schofield is an expert on Kashmir, whose publications include Kashmir in the Crossfire (1996) Kashmir in Conflict (2000 and 2002) and Afghan Frontier: Feuding and Fighting in Central Asia. Her first biography, Wavell: Soldier and Statesman, was published in 2006. She is a frequent commentator on BBC World Service and BBC World TV and also reviews for the Journal of the Royal Society for Asian Affairs. She has an MA Hons degree in Modern History from Oxford University and was President of the Union in 1977. She was the Visiting Alistair Horne Fellow at St Antony's College, Oxford 2004-05.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Any Kashmiri students who would like to put forward their own point of view on the topic are requested to email president@oupaksoc.org and we will arrange floor time for them (around 5 mins each) during the discussion session
We are clear that this is an exercise meant to inform students of opposing viewpoints -- to have the maturity to concede valid points and the rigour to challenge views in a respectful manner
Everyone is welcome to attend and observe or take part in the discussion, even if your not from Pakistan or India. Entry for the event is free for all.
Facebook link: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=102115323160224&ref=ts
J Salik in Oxford
Date and Time: 18th May 2010 (6:30 pm)
Venue: Sasketchwan Room, Exeter College, Oxford (TBC)
Entry: Free for all
Julius Salik, a nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize and Former Federal Minister, will be joining the Oxford University Pakistan Society for a talk and Q & A session. His talk will be on Pakistani politics in general and issues of governance with reference to the present setup in Pakistan.
Julius Salik, a nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize, founded the World Minorities Alliance thirty years ago. The World Minorities Assembly is being established comprising outstanding and bona fide spokesmen of religious minorities living in various countries along the globe. In recognition of his meritorious services and ceaseless struggle for the cause of peace, human rights and devotion to the cause of the down trodden, Mr. J.Salik has lately been recommended by the Government of Pakistan for award of Nobel Peace Prize for the year 1996, the first time in the history of Pakistan to any Cabinet member.
He was a former Federal Minister and has been elected to Parliament five times in a row. He polled the highest number of votes, the record yet to be beaten in Pakistan, individually in each province namely Punjab, Sindh, N.W.F.P, Balochistan and federal capital. His election was without any investment which too is a record in Pakistan history.
Please note that the talk will be in Urdu/Hindi.
Facebook link: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=121176697906577&ref=mf
"Rock & Roll Jihad" with Salman Ahmad
Date and Time: 21st May 2010 (6:30 pm)
Venue: Sasketchwan Room, Exeter College, Oxford
Entry: Free for All
Salman Ahmad will be joining the Oxford University Pakistan Society to talk about his newly published book "Rock & Roll Jihad: A Muslim Rock Star's Revolution."
Salman Ahmad is a Pakistani musician and former actor, who used to be a member of Vital Signs but left after their debut album due to creative differences. He went on to form Junoon, South Asia's biggest and longest-lasting rock band. While still enjoying the success of Junoon, he was involved in two documentaries with the BBC and is also a UN Goodwill Ambassador for HIV/AIDS.
Ahmad offers a fascinating glimpse into the complicated existence of a Pakistani whose unconventional life bridges the Muslim world and the West. As a teenager living in a New York City suburb, he fell in love with rock, dreamed of playing guitar in a band, and though his parents looked down upon what they thought was a ridiculous fantasy, determined to wage “a rock and roll jihad.” He formed bands in both America and Pakistan, eventually transforming himself into a Pakistani national icon. He played the first-ever rock concert in war-torn Kashmir and, in December 2007, became the first Pakistani musician to perform at a Nobel Peace Prize ceremony
Salman Ahmad may be available for a couple of performances on request after the talk if time allows.
Facebook Event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=115373065170008&ref=ts
OUPakSoc Potluck Recipe Contest
A cooking competition in which every contestant will bring a dish which will be shared amongst everyone at the event. There will be prizes for the best dishes.
Rules: - Entrants in the competition will have to make their dishes for at least three people. - Dishes will be put in the Starters, Main Dishes and Desserts category. - Winners will be chosen by voting amongst the participants and the attendees of the event (Subject to Change) - There will be a couple of prizes for each category (winner and runner-up). The best prize will be for the "Main Dish" category.
If you are interested in taking part, please email Mehak Mumtaz at secretary@oupaksoc.org with your dish type and name and your contact details.
This is your chance to experience various sub-continental dishes and also to display your cooking skills and *secret recipes* so make sure you all attend. Participants from all countries are encourages to participate. You are all highly encouraged to do try your hand at cooking at participate in the event instead of just coming to try the dishes!
Facebook Link: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=372385823526&ref=ts
Date and Time: 23rd May 2010, 6:30 pm
Venue: To Be Announced
Entry: FREE for participants, £5 for others
Ziauddin Sardar: "Islam, Secularism and Pakistan"
Date and Time: 30th May 2010 (6:30 pm)
Venue: Harris Lecture Theatre, Oriel College, Oxford
Entry: Free for all
Ziauddin Sardar has kindly agreed to join the Oxford University Pakistan Society for a talk and Q & A session.
Ziauddin Sardar (born October 31, 1951 in northern Pakistan) is a London-based Muslim scholar, critic, futurist, journalist and a prolific writer.Considered a pioneering thinker on contemporary Islam, Prospect magazine has named him as one of Britain's top 100 public intellectuals while he has been described by the Independent newspaper as ‘Britain’s own Muslim polymath.'
His intellectual output, published in some 45 books, ranges from the future of Islam to critiques of postmodernism, science policy, contemporary aspects of science in Muslim societies, colonialism, cultural relations, literary criticism, travel and autobiography. He was worked as a science correspondent for Nature and New Scientist and in the early 1980’s he became a television reporter for the London Weekend Television. He has made numerous television programmes, including Battle for Islam, a 90-minute documentary for BBC2 and Dispatches for Channel 4 on Pakistan. In 1999, he became the editor of Futures, the monthly journal of policy, planning and future studies. He co-edited edited Third Text, the critical journal of visual art and culture, from to 1999 to 2008. In 2006 he was appointed a Commissioner of the Equality and Human Rights Commission of Britain.
Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=111312122234335&ref=ts
OUPakSoc Cricket Season 2010
Date and Time: 20th June 2010 (1:00 pm)
Venue: Oxford Cricket Grounds (To Be Confirmed)
The Oxford cricketing season has begun:
OUPakSoc vs OUHumSoc - 1st May 2010 (Match Drawn)
OUPakSoc vs Sri Lanka Soc - 22nd May 2010
OUPakSoc vs Oxford Indian Society - 20th June 2010
OUPakSoc, Sri Lanka Soc and OIS 20-20 Tri Series - To Be Announced
If you are interested in playing for the society, please contact Ayyaz Mallick at ayyaz.mallick@oriel.ox.ac.uk
OUPakSoc Debate: "This House Believes That There Should Be No State Religion in Pakistan"
Format: 3 speakers per side (7-8 mins each), followed by a discussion session (around 30-60 mins) and closing statements (2-3 mins). Voting on the motion to be conducted before and after the debate.
Chair: Professor Iftikhar H. Malik, a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, teaches International History at Bath Spa University, Bath. Earlier, from 1989 to 1994, he was the Quaid-i-Azam Fellow at St. Antony's College, Oxford. Dr. Malik has published 14 books, several monographs, 75 scholarly papers and more than 200 review articles. His areas of research are mainly U.S. history, Asian history and politics with special reference to Modern South and Southwest Asia, Muslim communities in the West, and the U.S.-Muslim world relationship.
Seminar on UK Immigration Laws
OUPakSoc is taking part in a panel discussion hosted by the Nawai-Waqt Group at Oxford University. The event is an initiative of the Nawai-Waqt Group and is being supported by NUPSA and the Oxford University Pakistan Society.
The discussion will centre on current affairs issues including UK visas, radicalisation, foreign policy, education, governance and economics. There will be other distinguished guests (Amjad Malik, Lord Nazir, etc) on the panel that will include senior government official (Pakistani origin) and key stakeholders of the present situation in Pakistan and of Pakistanis living abroad.
Pakistan Stall at the Oxford International Festival 2010
OUPakSoc will be showcasing its cultural heritage, selling handicrafts, and offering cultural services - e.g. sale of Pakistan shoes, shawls, handicrafts, henna artists, etc
Pakistani food items will be available for sale at the stall.
OUPakSoc Annual Mushaira 2010
A Cultural Evening of Ghazal and Poetry organised by Oxford University Pakistan Society. The PakSoc Annual Mushaira has been held with great success for the past few years and this year we are looking forward to making it even more special! It promises to be an entertaining evening and one of the best PakSoc events of the year. Refreshments/snacks will be served.
The event will take place at Harris Lecture Room on Saturday, 20th February 2010 and we aim to invite renowned Urdu/Punjabi poets from all over the UK like Akbar Hyderabadi, Saaqi Farooqi, Ayub Sanghia, Yashab Tamana, Faizan Arif and Dr Safih Hasan among others.
Panel Discussion - Live with Talat
The joint committee session of Pakistan Young Leaders Conference will be held at the Oxford Union on Sunday afternoon which will be followed by a panel discussion conducted by Talat Hussain for his TV program "Live With Talat"
Guests: Talat Hussain (AAJ TV), Muhammad Anwar (MQM Rabta Committee), Mansur Raja (PPP Central Executive Committee), Khursheed Ahmed (Political Analyst), Amjad Malik (Legal Advisor to Nawaz Sharif).
Pakistan Young Leaders Conference 2010
PYLC is an initiative of the National Union of Pakistani Students and Alumni (NUPSA), a student run body that connects Pakistan societies of major universities across the UK. It is our utmost pleasure to invite you to the Pakistan Young Leaders Conference (PYLC) 2010 which is a joint collaboration between National Union for Pakistani Students and Alumni (NUPSA) and the Oxford University Pakistan Society.
The objective of this Conference is to provide a forum to the youth to discuss the challenges confronting the country at this point of time. PYLC is a leadership development program that aims to bring together outstanding young people from around the country and help them build critical leadership skills that will help them groom into successful leaders of the future. This program will give the participants a greater understanding of their roles as national ambassadors and will educate them about the problems faced by Pakistan. The conference will serve as a platform for the youth to think about these problems and propose possible solutions. PYLC, aims to foster leadership skills among the participants, the two day Conference held in Oxford will be attended by notable politicians, senior bureaucrats and renowned journalists. The interactive student discussions will be centered on suggesting resolutions for Pakistan’s problems and thus inculcating the spirit of problem-solving among the youth which is crucial for our country in the current turmoil.
OUPakSoc hosts Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi
The Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Shah Mahmood Qureshi shall be joining us in Oxford on the invitation of the Oxford University Pakistan Society for a talk and Q & A session.
Shah Mehmood Hussain Qureshi is the current Foreign Minister of Pakistan. He is a senior leader of Pakistan Peoples Party, where he was the president of PPP Punjab. Qureshi got his early education from Aitchison College, Lahore and did his bachelors from FC college, Lahore. He continued to receive a Master's degree in law from the University of Cambridge. Following the February 2008 elections, Qureshi was also a candidate to be the next Prime Minister of Pakistan, until Yousaf Raza Gillani was sworn in on March 25, 2008. On March 31, 2008, Qureshi became the Foreign Minister in the cabinet of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani.
Quilliam Foundation: Challenging Extremism
Maajid Nawaz has kindly agreed to join us for a talk and Q & A session at Oxford. He will talk about challenging extremism in general, as well as taking Pakistan as a case study and will also talk about his personal experience and transformation.
Maajid Nawaz, Co-Founder and Co-Director of Quilliam and formerly on the UK national leadership for the global Islamist party Hizb ut-Tahrir (HT), was involved in HT for almost 14 years. He was a founding member of HT in Denmark and Pakistan and eventually served four years in an Egyptian prison as an Amnesty International ‘prisoner of conscience’. In prison, Maajid gradually began changing his views until finally renouncing the Islamist Ideology for traditional Islam and inclusive politics. He now engages in counter-Islamist thought-generating, writing, debating and media appearances. He has spoken at various fora internationally ranging from the grassroots at City Circle London, to addressing the US Senate in Washington DC and regularly comments on national and international news and newspapers. Maajid holds a BA (Hons) from SOAS in Arabic and Law and an MSc in Political Theory from the London School of Economics
OUPakSoc hosts Imran Khan
Imran Khan read Politics, Philosophy and Economics from Keble College, Oxford. He joined Pakistan's national cricket team and in 1992 won the World Cup under his captaincy. In 1996, Mr Khan founded and became the chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (Movement for Justice), a small and marginal political party which has now become the fastest growing political party in Pakistan. Imran Khan, through worldwide fundraising, established the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre in Lahore and the Mianwali's Namal University. He also serves as the Chancellor of Bradford University.
OU PakSoc Stall at the Oxford International Festival (OIF)
Oxford University Pakistan Society will be setting up an item sales stall on the Oxford International Festival organized by OUSU. Details of the festival can be found at http://festival.oxfordisc.com/
We will be selling traditional items such as ladies khusas (a traditional footwear item), embroidered bags and mobile covers, jewelry, wall hangings, shawls and other delicate handicrafts. All items have been imported from Pakistan and thus are genuinely traditional.
Mehndi tattoos will also be available at the stall so its worth giving our stall a visit.
Roots of Extremism
Dr. Yunus Samad (Bradford University) and Mrs. Ayesha Ijaz Khan (distinguished political analyst, lawyer and freelance journalist) will be speaking on the real causes behind the rise of extremism among Pakistanis.
Dr. Samad's talk will be based on the topic 'Theorising Transnational Militancy: The Case of Pakistan' while Mrs. Ayesha Ijaz Khan will be speaking on 'Citizen Empowerment: An Antidote to Pakistan's Rising Extremism.'
Dr. Yunus Samad is Senior lecturer in Sociology and director of the Ethnicity and Social Policy Research Centre (ESPR) at Bradford University. His research interests include Race, ethnicity and multiculturalism in Britain and identity politics. Among many others, he is also the author of the book 'A Nation in Turmoil: Nationalism and Ethnicity in Pakistan 1937-58' and forthcoming titles include 'Fatal Attraction: Pakistan and the War on Terror, Hurst & Co, London.' Further information about Dr. Samad can be found at: http://www.brad.ac.uk/acad/ssh/staff/departmental/samad_y/index.php and http://www.brad.ac.uk/acad/ssh/research/espr/index.php
Miss Ayesha Ijaz Khan began her career as a lawyer, working for both Pakistani and American law firms in the fields of banking and finance law. In 2002, she wrote a fictional piece on Saudi women that won an Economist-sponsored competition. Through her writing and broadcasting efforts, she speaks vocally against racial profiling of Muslims in the post 9/11 western world, and equally argues for greater women’s rights in the Muslim world. Her particular area of interest is Pakistan. A list of Ayesha's publications can be found here: http://www.ayeshaijazkhan.com/articles.htm
We are endeavouring to attract more distinguished speakers for this event. Keep watching this space for more details!
Gallup: Muslim integration in Europe
Mr. Salman Sheikh from the Brookings Institution will be speaking on 'Muslim integration in Europe and the Co-exist Index 2009 - a global study of interfaith relations.'
Mr. Shaikh, apart from his other numerous preoccupations, is a consultant for Gallup, disseminating the famous book "Who Speaks For Islam? What a Billion Muslims Really Think", which is a dispassionate and objective study summarising years of collected data. The data are answers to questions put to Muslims from every walk of life and location and the book therefore reflects facts, as opposed to conjecture or supposition, which public opinion and prevailing views in the the media are often based upon. (http://www.brookings.edu/experts/shaikhs.aspx)
Pakistan at the Crossroads
Prof. Athar Hussain (Director Asia Research Centre, LSE) and Mr. Irfan Husain (leading columnist for DAWN) will be talking about the current political situation in Pakistan and how it translates to world peace. Mr. Irfan Hussain will be speaking on 'Why Pakistan is where it is?' and the exact topic of Prof. Athar's talk will be confirmed soon
Professor Athar Hussain is Director of the Asia Research Centre at the London School of Economics. His research interests include Pakistan, foreign relation social security and regional integration. More information about Prof. Athar can be found at: http://www2.lse.ac.uk/researchAndExpertise/Experts/a.hussain@lse.ac.uk
Mr. Irfan Hussain is a regular columnist for Pakistan's leading English news daily, DAWN. Over the years, he has established himself as one of the most respected and insightful political analysts in Pakistan. His articles can be read on the DAWN website (www.dawn.com) and a list of his previously published articles can be found at: http://www.dawn.com/weekly/mazdak/arc-mazdak.htm
Keep watching this space for more details. Hope to see you all there!
Mushaira 2009
The Oxford Pakistan Society is organizing a cultural evening of ghazal and poetry which will be held at Harris Lecture Room on Saturday, 7th February. The event will be graced with the presence of renowned Urdu/Punjabi poets like Akbar Hyderabadi, Khalid Yousaf, Ayub Sanghia, Yashab Tamana, Faizan Arif and Dr Safih Hasan among others. The PakSoc Annual Mushaira has been held with great success for the past few years and it promises to be even more special this year.Details of the event are given below and can also be found on
facebook. http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/event.php?eid=71821628008&ref=ts
Date: Saturday, February 7, 2009
Time: 5:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: Harris Lecture Theatre, Oriel College
Street: Oriel Street (just off High Street)
City/Town: Oxford, United Kingdom