2nd International Islamic Tourism Conference
Halal Tourism, Religious Tourism, Heritage and Cultural Tradition
Lahore, Pakistan
16th- 19th September 2026
The 2nd International Islamic Tourism Conference is jointly organised by the Journal of Islamic Tourism (JIT) in collaboration with Necmettin Erbakan University (Turkey), Leeds Beckett University (United Kingdom), Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (Malaysia), Circle International (United Kingdom), European Tourism and Events training Academy (Malta) and Lahore Leads University.
Islamic Heritage represents a burgeoning field encompassing various activities engaged in by Muslims, ranging from visits to Islamic sites to both leisure and business travel. With Islam being the second largest religion globally, boasting an estimated 1.8 billion followers worldwide.
The primary objective of the conference is to provide a platform for academics, professionals, policymakers, researchers, and postgraduate students to present and discuss management issues and innovative practices from a global perspective.
CONFERENCE PROGRAMME
*** Upload the Programme with word format ***
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CONFERENCE PROGRAMME
Opening Session
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Day 1 Thursday September 17, 2026
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09.00 -09.30
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Registration
Lahore Leads University
Kamahan Road, Near DHA Phase V, Lahore, Pakistan.
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09.30 -09.50
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Opening of Ceremony
Guests to be Seated at 9:30 am
Tilawat: 9:40 am
National Anthem: 9:45 am
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09.50 -09.55
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Conference Opening: Dr. Abdus Sattar Abbasi
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09:55
10:05
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Welcome Address: 9: 50 am Professor. Dr. M. Nadeem Bhatti (VC LLU)
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10.05 -10.10
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Introduction of Conference: Professor. Dr. Ahmad Albattat, Jordan
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10.10- 10.35
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Keynote Speech: Professor. Dr. Kashif Hussain, APU University, Malaysia
Topic: Halal Tourism as an Economic Engine: Global Trends, Strategic Frameworks,
and Market Opportunities
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10.35 - 10.40
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Consulate General of Kazakhstan, Mr. Rao Khalid Mustafa Khan
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10:40 -
10:50
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Prof. Dr. Uzma Qureshi, VC (LCW University)
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10:50 – 11:00
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Guest of Honour: Mr. Hafeez Ullah Niazi, President TV Today
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11.00 - 11.15
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Chief Guest: Mr. Saleem Haider Khan, Governor of Punjab
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11.15 - 11.25
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Presidential Address: Mr. Zahoor Ahmad Wattoo
Chairman, Lahore Leads University
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11.25 -11.35
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Vote of Thanks: Professor. Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmad Gondal, (PVC, LLU)
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11.35 -11.45
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Souvenir Presentation and Group Photo:
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11.45 -12.15
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Networking Tea/ Coffee
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12.15 -12.45
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Keynote Speech: Professor. Dr. Yasin Bilim, Necmettin Erbakan University, Turkiya
Topic: Let’s ask to AI “Which countries would you recommend for Islamic tourism?”
Chair: Professor. Professor. Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmad Gondal, (PVC, LLU)
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12.45- 14.00
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Networking and Lunch
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Session Two
Programme for Paper Presentations
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Thursday 17 September 2026
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14.00 – 15.30 Paper Presentations Session 1
Chair: Dr. Jamil Anwar – COMSATS University Islamabad Abbottabad Campus
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Paper Title
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Author(s)
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Sustainable Halal Tourism and Islamic Heritage Preservation: A Strategic Framework for Cultural Identity and Economic Development in Muslim Countries
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Iqra Sialkot & Hafiz Mohsin Zia Qazi
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Maimunah Binti Abdul Aziz
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Beyond the Destination: Representing Islamic Heritage as a Catalyst for Sustainable Halal Tourism
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Abdul Rehman Sajid
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Pakistan's Readiness for the Global Halal Tourism Market: Opportunities, Challenges, and Policy Recommendations
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Abu Zafar Sadiq
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Building Trust in Halal Tourism: Governance Frameworks for Certification, Inclusion and Sustainability
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Muhammad Abubakar
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15.30 – 15.45 Tea / Coffee
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15.45 – 17.15 Paper Presentations Session 2
Chair: Razaq Raj – Leeds Beckett University, UK
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Paper Title
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Author(s)
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Enhancing the Muslim Traveler Experience: A Shariah-Compliant AI App to fulfill their religious requirements
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Hassan Usmani
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Emerging Motivations of Halal Tourists: Trends, Drivers and
Implications For Sustainable Global Tourism
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Tayyaba Razzaq
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Purpose-Oriented Tourism in Islam: Reframing Travel Beyond Leisure and Consumption
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Muhammad Imran Mirza
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Evaluating Halal Service Quality and Its Influence on Hotel Pricing Strategies
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Ahmad Albattat
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Islamic Identity in Hotel Design and Operations: A Conceptual Framework
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Mohammad Alam
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Friday 18 September 2026
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09.30 – 10.30: Invited Speakers Session
Chair: Professor. Dr. Yasin Bilim
Professor. Dr. Shin Yasuda, Takasaki City University of Economics
Topic : Rethinking Islamic Tourism through Ta‘awun (Mutual Cooperation): Sociability and Community
Development for Muslim Societies
Professor. Dr. Razaq Raj, Leeds Beckett University, UK
Topic : International Perspectives on Safeguarding Cultural and Religious Heritage Sites
Professor. Dr. Ahmed Jamal, Cardiff University, UK
Topic : Rediscovering Islamic Civilisation : The Role of Islamic Heritage in Shaping Muslim Tourists'
Identity and Travel Intentions
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10.30 – 11.30 Expert Discussion Panel
Chair: Professor. Dr. Ahmad Albattat
Topic: Islamic Tourism: A Potential Segment for Pakistan’s Economy
Dr. Shin Yasuda - Takasaki City University of Economics, Japan
Dr. Adeel Anjum - Director Meezab Group
Dr. Abeera Babur - Tourism Development Corporation Punjab
Dr. Muhammad Kamran - Head Department of Tourism University of Punjab
Khalid Usman - Member of Lahore Chamber of Commerce
Najmus Saqib - Director General, PWCA
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11.30 – 11.45 Tea / Coffee
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11. 45 – 12.45 Paper Presentations Session 3
Chair: Dr. Muhammad Kamran – University of Punjab
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Paper Title
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Author(s)
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Islamic Faith with AI: An Artificial Intelligence Based Halal Travel Supporting Model for Muslim Tourists Globally
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Hamza Khalid Ibn-e-Battuta
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Muses from Past: Personal Memory of Collective Heritage
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Urooj Waheed
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AI-Driven Statistical Analysis of the Saudi Arabian Tourism Market During Hajj and Umrah Seasons
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Anum Ali & Noreen Aamir
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Building Resilient Halal Tourism Ecosystems through
Integrated Risk Management Approaches
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Munir Hussain & Huzaifa Shabbir
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12.45 – 14.00 Networking Lunch / Friday Pray
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14.00 – 15.00 Paper Presentations Session 4
Chair: Dr. Kashif Hussain – APU Malaysia
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Paper Title
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Author(s)
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Exploring the Role of Internet of Things (IoT) in Enhancing Sustainable Performance: A Case Study of the Hotel Industry in Pakistan
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Muhammad Faisal Majeed & Amer Hussain
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Beyond the Plate: Expanding Halal Certification to Full-Spectrum Islamic Tourism and Hospitality
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Salman Saeed, Khurram Shahzad, Yasar Saleem, Abdul Ahid & Shaista Nawaz
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Fading Signals: The Declining Digital Footprint of Sufi Shrine Urs Commemorations in Pakistan. Evidence from Google Trends
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Rafi Amir-ud-Din, Abdus Sattar Abbasi & Abdul Wahid
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Sustainable Halal Tourism: Integrating Islamic Principles with Responsible and Eco-Friendly Travel
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Muhammad Sarwar
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Faith-Informed Sustainability: Perspectives of Indonesian Muslim Tourists
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Hera Oktadiana
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15.00 – 16.00 Paper Presentations Session 5
Chair: Dr. Shin Yasuda – Japan
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Paper Title
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Interfaith Heritage and Islamic Tourism: Reinterpreting Mughal-Jain Sacred Landscapes in South Asia
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Sidrah Shoaib
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Religious Tourism: The Role of Islamic Movement Parties — A Case Study of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan (JIP)
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Jamil Anwar & Abdus Sattar Abbasi
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Preserving the Sacred: The Contribution and Representation of Islamic Heritage in Global Halal Tourism
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Hafiz Muhammad Ammar
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A Comparative Study of the Memoirs "Lahore: A Sentimental Journey" and "Istanbul: Memories and the City": The Significance of Melancholic Inflection in Celebrating Culture
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Aiman Amjad, Mahmood Ahmad Azhar, & Faisal Majeed
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16.00 – 16.15 Tea / Coffee
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16.15 – 17.30 Paper Presentations Session 6
Chair: Dr. Ahmad Jamal – Cardiff University, UK
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Paper Title
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Author(s)
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Blockchain Technology as a Framework for Authenticating, Protecting, and Monetizing Islamic Cultural Heritage: Challenges and Opportunities
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Zafar Iqbal & Qaisar Bilal
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From Monuments to Metadata: Reconstructing Pakistan’s Legal Framework for Technology-Enabled Heritage Conservation through Comparative Lessons from Japan
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Muhammad Imran Ali
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Environmental Sustainability Challenges in Abbottabad: Assessing the Impact of Tourism on Urbanization
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Sultan Mahmood
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Trust in Treatment: Governance and Accreditation Frameworks for Halal Medical Tourism
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Muhammad Abubakar
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17.30 – 18.00 Closing Ceremony
Closing Address: Mr. Hamza Zahoor Wattoo, President Lahore Leads University and
Professor. Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmad Gondal, (PVC, LLU)
Abdus Sattar Abbasi, Yasin Bilim, Ahmad Albattat, Razaq Raj
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19.30 Gala Dinner
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19.09.2026 Saturday
Field Trip
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UPLOAD THE CONFERENCE CALL FOR PAPER
/ckfinder/userfiles/files/Call%20for%20Papers%202nd%20Islamic%20Tourism%20conference%202026%20Lahore.pdf