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Al-Qamar Islamic Research Institute

Department of Comparative Religion and Interfaith Studies

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Academic Focus

The Department of Comparative Religion and Interfaith Studies promotes respectful academic study of world religions, religious traditions, comparative theology, religious communities, interfaith relations, and religion in contemporary society.

Its areas include Islam and other faiths, Abrahamic and Eastern religions, comparative method, sacred texts, theology, ethics, religious pluralism, interfaith dialogue, peacebuilding, religious conflict, tolerance, and the public role of religion.

The department offers certificate courses, diploma programs, dialogue workshops, seminars, field-study discussions, academic writing support, and publication mentoring for students, teachers, researchers, and community leaders.

Dialogue and Peacebuilding Guidance

Contemporary guidance focuses on religious literacy, peaceful coexistence, respectful disagreement, shared values, community relations, conflict prevention, and ethical engagement between people of different faiths.

The department encourages research that is fair, well-sourced, and careful in language. Learners are guided to avoid polemical shortcuts, understand each tradition on its own terms, and present Islamic perspectives with clarity, dignity, and scholarly balance.

Research may address interfaith collaboration, religious freedom, minority relations, peace education, dialogue models, Islam and Christianity, Islam and Eastern traditions, public theology, and the role of faith communities in social harmony.

Department Course Offerings

Each course listing includes eligibility, duration, study mode, assessment method, and the certificate or diploma awarded after successful completion.

Certificate in Comparative Religion

A structured course introducing major world religions, comparative method, religious texts, and academic study of belief and practice.

Eligibility: Intermediate or equivalent; suitable for students, teachers, researchers, and community workers.Duration: 3 months / 12 weeksMode: Online, onsite, or hybridAssessment: Reading notes, comparison worksheets, participation, and final short paperAward: Certificate in Comparative Religion
  • Comparative method, major traditions, ethical issues, and respectful academic analysis.
  • Guided readings, class discussion, and supervised assignments.
  • Applicants submit qualification details through the Admissions Portal.
Apply Now

Certificate in Interfaith Dialogue and Peace Studies

A practical course on dialogue ethics, community relations, peacebuilding, conflict sensitivity, and respectful communication.

Eligibility: Open to educators, students, social workers, religious leaders, and interested learners.Duration: 3 months / 12 weeksMode: Online, onsite, or hybridAssessment: Scenario exercises, reflection notes, discussion participation, and final planAward: Certificate in Interfaith Dialogue and Peace Studies
  • Dialogue skills, peace ethics, community engagement, and responsible communication.
  • Guided readings, class discussion, and supervised assignments.
  • Applicants submit qualification details through the Admissions Portal.
Apply Now

Diploma in Comparative Religion and Interfaith Studies

A diploma pathway combining comparative religion, interfaith engagement, religious literacy, plural societies, and peace studies.

Eligibility: Intermediate/bachelor level learners with interest in religions, dialogue, and society.Duration: 6 months / 24 weeksMode: Online, onsite, or hybridAssessment: Module assignments, presentation, reading portfolio, and final analytical paperAward: Diploma in Comparative Religion and Interfaith Studies
  • Religious literacy, comparative readings, interfaith ethics, and social harmony.
  • Guided readings, class discussion, and supervised assignments.
  • Applicants submit qualification details through the Admissions Portal.
Apply Now

Advanced Diploma in Peacebuilding and Religious Studies

Advanced training in religion and conflict, peacebuilding frameworks, field-sensitive research, and policy-oriented writing.

Eligibility: Bachelor/master level preferred; prior religion, social sciences, or Islamic studies background recommended.Duration: 9 months / 36 weeksMode: Hybrid research supervision, seminars, and applied workshopsAssessment: Research proposal, case study, source review, and final projectAward: Advanced Diploma in Peacebuilding and Religious Studies
  • Peacebuilding, religion and society, conflict-sensitive research, and applied academic writing.
  • Guided readings, class discussion, and supervised assignments.
  • Applicants submit qualification details through the Admissions Portal.
Apply Now

Departmental Faculty

Scholars are listed by appointment level and placed according to their thesis or research focus. Duplicate scholar records are consolidated into one profile, with the highest academic appointment retained.

9 faculty appointments
Research Fellow
Dr. Kāmil Nawāz

Research Focus: Jewish Protocols: A Study in Context of Quran, History and Contemporary World

Research Fellow
Dr. Khālid Mahmood

Research Focus: Exegetical Literature of Subcontinent and the Bible: A Study of Tafsir-al-Qur’ān, Tafsir-e-Haqqānī and Tafsir-e-Mājidī

Associate Research Fellow / PhD Scholar
Kishwar Jilāni

Research Focus: Study of Semitic Religions and Islamic Schools of Thought in the light of Tafsir Rūh al-Maʻānī

Research Associate
Muhammad Abbas

Research Focus: Moulānā Ahmad Dīn Gakharvī and Study of Christianity: A critical Analysis

Research Associate
Hafiz Muhammad Shabbir Husain

Research Focus: Pīr Muhammad Karam Shah’s Study of religions

Research Associate
Naila Firdows

Research Focus: A Study of Urdu Books on Interfaith harmony in Sīrah Perspective

Research Associate
Riffat Abbas

Research Focus: Rights of Minorities in Semitic Religions: A Comparison with Islamic teachings

Research Associate
Sobia Farooq

Research Focus: Teachings of Peace in Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam

Research Associate
Tariq Azez

Research Focus: Robert Spencer’s book “Did Muhammad Exist? An Enquiry Into Islam’s Obscure Origin”: A Critical Review

Comparative Religion and Interfaith Studies Contact

For course admissions guidance, registration, workshops, seminar collaboration, supervision requests, research support, and academic correspondence, contact this department through the most relevant channel.

Email Department

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Please mention your name, current qualification, phone or WhatsApp number, city and country, area of interest, proposed topic if any, preferred program, and the type of request you are sending.

For faster routing, write one clear subject such as course admission, research supervision, seminar invitation, workshop request, publication support, institutional collaboration, or general academic guidance.

The department will review the request and direct it to the relevant academic lead, research fellow, training coordinator, events coordinator, publication desk, or program assistant.