II ULUSLARARASI ÇOCUK VE GENÇLİK EDEBİYATI SEMPOZYUMU

for children of different ages. Effective moral training comes not only from sermons, advice and
instructions but also through good literature.
The Children Literature Department (CLD) with its inception focused on the objectives which
were set for the department. In 1987 the first National Seminar of its nature organized by the
department at Islamabad. The Theme of the seminar was “Developing Islamic Literature for
Children”. Renowned scholars and writers of children literature from all over Pakistan participated
in this seminar and presented their papers on the theme. This seminar became the foundation
stone of the future of children literature in Pakistan. The topics of the seminar were very
diverse and dynamic. Keeping in view this motive, CLD works in three dimensions; training,
research and publications.
Training
The Children Literature Department organizes and coordinates training programs, workshops
and seminars for the writers of children, editors of children magazines, scout leaders and for
youth. In the following lines, a brief introduction of these programs is presented.
Islamic Orientation Program for Young Writers
CLD organizes every year a unique training program for young writers. This training program
comprises of Islamic topics like introduction to Quran, Hadith, Sirah and contemporary issues.
Moreover lectures and discussion on technical aspects of writing are also delivered to the participants
of the program. Most of the writers who participate in these programs are of the age of
18 to 28 years. Most of the programs comprises of seven to ten days of training. This program is
offered normally in June every year. Highly qualified teaching staff give their presentations on
the prescribed topics. The participants are also given the chance to visit the vast libraries of the
International Islamic University to complete their assignments. Study and recreational tours are
also part of this program. It is worth mentioning that there is no registration fee to attend the
program. Free boarding and lodging facility in full furnished guest house of Da’wah Academy
is provided to the participants. Further, transportation facility is also provided to the participants.
The training program comprises of the topics like; Islamic concept of a good writer, Purpose
of life, How to produce an impressive written work, Challenges for young generation,
Good communication skills, Importance of social media in Islamic Da’wah, Impact of early
education on young minds, Deviant thoughts and Islam, Role of a literary person in nation building,
Islam and western civilization, Creative writing, and many others.
Islamic Orientation Program for Scout Leaders
Scouts is a very vibrant part of the society. They participate in the relief and development works
whenever the nation faces an emergency like floods or any other. Most of the scouts are youth
in Pakistan. CLD organizes seven to ten days Islamic orientation programs for the scout leaders
of Pakistan. The selection of topics is with accordance of the scouts, for instance: Introduction
of Quran; Introduction of Hadith; Purpose of life; Salat & character building; Da’wah & Khidmah;
Good communication skills; Importance of social media in Islamic Da’wah; Muslim Ummah
& Youth; Concept of volunteer work in Islam; Importance of Din ;Present situation & future
of Pakistan; Sirah of the Prophet; Religious Counceling; Leadership Qualities; Productive
Use of Internet; Islam and western civilization. This program normally offered in April/May
every year and nominations are sought through Pakistan Boy Scouts Association (PBSA). Therefore
interested scouts should be in close contact with PBSA one month prior to the dates of
program to participate in the program.
Islamic Orientation Program for Talented Students
Children literature department (CLD), Da’wah Academy has been arranging Islamic orientation
programs for talented students. These programs have everlasting effects on youth of the nation
and it helps in building community leadership of Pakistan. The objectives of this training program
is: to reshape the young minds according to Islamic teachings; to train them to serve as
guardians of ideological and geographical boarders of Pakistan ; to enhance skills of youth lea-
176 II. Uluslararası Çocuk ve Gençlik Edebiyatı Sempozyumu