The inaugural lecture of the Two Cultures Initiative, titled "The Garden of Secrets and The New Garden of Secrets: A Poetic Dialogue on Philosophy's 'Big Questions' Across the Ages," took off with the opening address of Dr. Abubakr as he set the stage by introducing the initiative, drawing a metaphorical parallel between the convergence of two seas to underscore the imperative of dialogue between distinct intellectual realms. The spotlight then turned to Hafiz Rehman-ur-Rauf, who captivated the audience with an analysis of Gulshan-i Raz and its modern counterpart by Allama Muhammad Iqbal, Gulshan-i Raz-i Jadīd.

Rehman-ur-Rauf, drawing inspiration from Iqbal's poetry, shared poignant verses from Gulshan-i Raz-i Jadīd, emphasizing the connection between modern thought and the questions that philosophy grapples with. He talked about the duplicitous character of human thought in its point of departure, having the ability to both illuminate or delude, which may be witnessed more prominently in extraordinary minds. In this context, he also made interesting references to the movie "A Beautiful Mind.”

His talk was followed up by Dr. Fatima who emphasized the importance of staying connected with our tradition and the wisdom that comes with it, which we are sadly no more in touch with. She highlighted the importance of questions raised by Gulshan-i Raz such as what human thought is, what 'tafakkur' and 'tadabbur' are, what the ego is and in what capacity it may be related to its maker. She also talked about the need for maintaining respect in scholarly disagreements. Dr. Basit Bilal Koshul added another layer to the conversation, referencing the disagreement between Iqbal and Ibn Arabi, highlighting Iqbal's reverence for Sheikh Akbar Ibn Arabi even in their differing views.

Dr. Basit expanded the scope of the dialogue by introducing C. P. Snow's concept of two cultures, expressing concern over the wide gap between hard and soft sciences. He expressed disappointment at the state of contemporary university and the lack of platforms to address critical issues of mutual concern. He then introduced The Two Cultures Initiative as an interdisciplinary forum designed for scholars from diverse backgrounds—natural sciences, social sciences, engineering, and humanities—to collaboratively explore points of intersection between science, society, and culture. The initiative aims to fill the void, fostering a space for nuanced and important conversations that transcend disciplinary boundaries and address the core concerns and direction of the university. The event served as a rallying call for scholars to engage in collaborative inquiry, navigating the complex intersections of poetry, philosophy, tradition, and modernity for a holistic understanding of the intellectual landscape.