Presided over by Prof Aminul Islam of the Philosophy Department and chairman of the Centre, the seminar was held at the Lecture Theatre of the university.

The key-note paper on 'Modernism, Secularism and Islam: A Discourse on Mutuality and Compatibility' was presented by Prof Syed Anwar Hussein of the History Department. Prof A N M Abdul Mannan Khan of the Arabic Department and writer and researcher Syed Abul Maksud took part in the discussion. Dr Kazi Nurul Islam, director of the Centre also spoke on the occasion.

Prof Anwar in his paper said faced with an unprecedented challenge at the beginning of the 21st century Islam has to change from within with the solemn purpose of retrieving its progressive and dynamic character.

Syed Abul Maksud said Muslim powers dominated several centuries in the world and Islam flourished until it created scholars, but now a section of Muslim leaders and focusing on ritualistic aspect of Islam ignoring the essence of religion.

Dr Aminul Islam said Islam is a modern religion and played a great role in the world civilisation, but deviation from the true spirit of religion has become one of the reasons of downfall of the Muslims across the world.