NPC organizes seminar on Iqbal Day
Iqbal termed a restless soul, remained always concerned for Muslims’ future: Fateh Malik
AllamaIqbal, the Poet of the East, was a great visionary thinker who remained concerned about the future and welfare of the people, particularly the youngsters living in the subcontinent.
His poetry also reflects hope and optimism he cherished and gave the Muslims of India a sense of pride and self-realization.
These views were expressed by eminent writer, scholar and educationist Prof Fateh Muhammad Malik while addressing as chief guest a seminar titled “IqbalkaNaujawan” or “Iqbal’s youth” on the eve of the Iqbal Day organized by the Nazriya Pakistan Council (NPC) at the Aiwan-e-Quaid, Fatima Jinnah Park.
The seminar was presided over by Chairman of the NPC, Mian Muhammad Javed and addressed by Chairman of National Rahmatul Lil Aalameen Authority, Khurshid Ahmad Nadeem, Senator RazinaAlam Khan, Member of the NPC Executive Committee NargisNasir, scholars, intellectuals and educationists.
Prof Fateh Muhammad Malik paid rich tributes to AllamaIqbal for supporting the Founder of Pakistan Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in the early days of the struggle for Pakistan and for convincing him to take the command of the Muslims in his own hands and unite them for the single cause i.e., a separate homeland for the Muslims of India.
Iqbal remained concerned for his land, his people, particularly the Muslims and did his best to awaken them from the slumber of sluggishness and lethargy. In his poetry too, Iqbal urged them to stand up for their rights, said Prof Fateh Malik.
Khurshid Ahmad Nadeem while speaking on ‘AllamaIqbal’s Youth’ urged the youth to become true preachers and promoters of Iqbal’s message.
In his Allahabad Address too, Iqbal highlights the burning issues and the problems faced by the Muslims of India. Later the address proved to be a turning point in the history and movement for a separate homeland of the Muslims, he said.
He also referred to Iqbal’s poem ‘JavedNaama’ which he apparently wrote for his son JavedIqbal but in fact is meant for the youth of the undivided India. Iqbal considered the youth a driving force and a catalyst of change in society, said Khurshid Ahmad Nadeem in his address.
Mian Muhammad Javed, the Chairman of the NPC, said Iqbal was a multi-dimensional personality and it is the youth he addresses in his poems and articles and urges them to realize their potential.
Prof DrArif Khan was of the view that certain dimensions of Iqbal’s poetry were still not fully comprehended and researchers and scholars continued to carry out research on Iqbal. He suggested the youth’s access to Iqbal through digital books.
DrSajidKhakwani also paid glowing tribute to AllamaIqbal’s philosophy and particularly mentioned the qualities of ‘Shaheen’ or ‘Eagle’ as a role model and symbol for the youth of the subcontinent.
Abdullah Yousaf called Iqbal a great poet and thinker. KhizarSaleem said Iqbal’s poetry has deep meaning and philosophy.
SalahuddinChaudhry, ImtiazQureshi, FarkhandaShamim and Muhammad Irfan Khan also participated in the discussion and shared their thoughts about Iqbal’s poetry and philosophy. Director Media of the NPC, HameedQaiser conducted the proceedings of the seminar.