Personal Projects & Hobbies

Beyond academia, I believe in contributing to society through knowledge sharing and intellectual discourse. Here are some personal initiatives I have been involved in.

Projection Debate Club

A very small contribution to this beautiful world that I can make is to invite others to think!

For that purpose, since 2005 I have been running a small Projection Debate Club, first in France during my PhD studies, and now in Pakistan.

How It Works

  1. Film Screening: A thought-provoking film or documentary is projected
  2. Discussion: An hour-long debate/discussion is conducted with a moderator on the film
  3. Expert Involvement: If the film deals with psychology or astronomy, a psychologist or astronomer can be invited respectively

Previous Discussions

Le Destin (The Destiny)

A movie on the life of 12th century Muslim polymath Ibn-Rushd (Averroes) in Spain. This film sparked discussions on the Golden Age of Islamic civilization, the relationship between science and religion, and the legacy of Muslim scholars.

A Beautiful Mind

The life of John Nash, Nobel prize winner in economics. We discussed mental health, genius, and the pursuit of knowledge against all odds. This screening was held in 2006 during my time in France.

Metropolis (1927)

The amazing German science fiction masterpiece directed by Fritz Lang. This silent film about technology, class struggle, and humanity prompted discussions on the relationship between technology and society that remain relevant today.

Mission

The goal is simple: to create a space for intellectual discourse outside the formal academic setting. By combining entertainment with education, we aim to engage participants who might not attend traditional lectures or seminars. The discussions often touch on philosophy, science, history, and current events.

"Don't pray for easy tasks, pray for the strength to rise to your challenges and become the miracle."

— Dr. Sohail Iqbal

Community Outreach

Throughout my career, I have tried to give back to society through various initiatives:

  • Robotics workshops for underprivileged students
  • Free tutoring and mentoring for students from rural areas
  • Inviting guest speakers from diverse fields to share their knowledge
  • Organizing educational events at Al-Qadir University where students from poor backgrounds can study