الأصول الجامعة بين كبرى الفرق الإسلامية

The Muslim nation shows great diversity in many ways: Ethnical, lingual, tribal, racial, colour, cultural, etc. Nevertheless, such differences have never been supposed to impede their way to their unity. The Muslim nation has far more reasons and mutual foundations to be united. But unfortunately, the Muslim history witnesses squabbles and skirmishes between different sects of this otherwise one Ummah. These disputes led us to the recesses of ignorance and intolerance, which in turn left us lagging behind the world and advancement, and now, we are called the third world, which is not an honour any way. We need to work on the similarities between different sects of the Muslim nation and let them learn how to live together keeping their differences. So that they may get united. All the Muslims sects fundamentally believe in the same set of beliefs, practices, and rituals. The differences in these areas are the differences of diversity and extensions, not of contradiction. This diversity is the beauty of deliberation and discussion, hence a reason for knowledge to grow, it should not be a matter of contentions. We need to highlight the mutual common grounds of Islamic beliefs and religiosity among the sects to unite this nation. We need to teach how to tolerate and respect each other with difference of opinions. We should encourage constructive dialogues between the Muslims sects and let them understand point of views of each other and thus remove the misconception about; each other. We should curb the contentious and discordant voices and build up an atmosphere where a healthy, tolerant and heterogeneous society may emerge and pave the way to Muslim unity and thence to success in this life and the life to come after death. In this perspective, the author of his present study explores to find the teachings and guidance of Islam. This is the theme of the present study.

A Survey to Find out Competencies for Teaching Biology at Secondary School Level in Punjab

Title: “A survey to find out competencies for teaching biology at secondary level in Punjab” Pages: 165 Researcher: Zakia Khatoon Supervisor: Dr. Muhammad Tayyab Alam Bukhari Co-supervisor: Dr. Muhammad Maqsood Alam Bukhari University: Foundation University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences(Islamabad) Year: 2012 Level: PhD. Biology teachers occupy an important position in the entire spectrum of education.We can equip our future generation with the latest techniques of problem solving, by investigating biology teachers’ competencies in the teaching of biology at secondary school level. It is at secondary school level, that students shift their reading abilities of narrative texts, to complex expository material. This study was based on biology teachers’ competencies in preparing biology students to enable them to face challenges of the 21st century. This study was aimed to investigate the required teaching competencies for biology teachers. This study also aimed to find out the existing level of teaching competencies ofbiology teachers through teachers’ perception. The objectives of the study were to determine gaps between existing and required competencies of biology teachers, and recommend remedial steps to fill these gaps. Population of this study comprised of all the teachers teaching biology in F.G. Secondary Schools in Punjab. The sample of the study consisted of all science teachers teaching biology, in fifty percent randomly selected F.G. Secondary Schools in Punjab. Stratified sampling technique was used for sample selection. A questionnaire for biology teachers was prepared. To ensure the reliability of the questionnaire, Cronbach’s alpha was used. The instrument was also revised in the light of feedback received from pilot testing. Data was collected through the questionnaire by personal visits and personal contacts. Data collected through questionnaires were analyzed with the help of mean, percentage, and chi-square. Major findings of the study indicated that most of the teachers were well qualified academically and professionally. They were aware of specific teaching skills and innovative student-centered teaching methodology, and its importance for producing creative thinking and problem solving abilities in students, but they were not implementing these teaching skills and methodologies in the classroom. Majority of the teachers were not fully aware how to use Computer and Internet. They were not competent in using problem solving method, and innovative teaching methods in the classroom. Major implications of the study were to prepare competentbiology teachers by enhancing their specific teaching skills, for producing creative thinking and problem solving abilities in science students and to prepare the coming generation to meet the challenges of the future.