AIOU holds seminar on Allama Iqbal

Islamabad

Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) on Wednesday held a national seminar on ‘Post-Dr. Allama Muhamad Iqbal’s studies and questions,’ highlighting his concepts and philosophies regarding a true Islamic welfare state that serves as a model for the rest of the world.

The seminar was addressed by prominent poets and scholars, including Raja Zahoor Akhtar Kiyani, Professor Dr. Khalid Masood, Professor Fateh Muhammad Malik and AIOU’s Department of Iqbal Studies Chairman Professor Dr. Shahid Iqbal Kamran.

Barrister Muneeb Iqbal, grandson of Dr. Allama Iqbal, was the chief guest on the occasion.  He noted that his father late Dr. Javed Iqbal was a frequent visitor of AIOU, recognising its leading role in projecting Iqbal’s life and work.

The seminar was a part of the dialogue series arranged on the initiative of Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Shahid Sidiqui to keep the youth well-versed about the messages of and teachings of great Muslim scholars like Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal.

Barrister Muneeb said Iqbal’s thoughts will remain valid for all times to come, since he was a universal poet who wanted to develop a civilized society, based on human values and Islamic ideology. Iqbal is widely studied and followed world over, particularly in Central Asian States and Iran, he added.

He said Iqbal was a strong supporter of democratic form of government that could also be in accordance with Islamic characteristic and human values. He regretted that the nation could not see true democracy after death of former Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan. However, he was the view a true peoples’ government could emerge by continuing the process of elections.

Muneeb referred to Allama’s iqbal’s letters written to Muhammad Ali Jinnah showing confidence in his leadership for translating his dream of an independent homeland and true Islamic welfare state into reality.

He regretted that some vested groups are engaged in undermining the thoughts of Dr. Iqbal to de-rail the country from true path. The new world order and the American’s hegemony are in contradiction to the ground human realities, projected by Iqbal.

Other speakers also paid rich tributes to Iqbal and underlined the need for bringing his thoughts into practice for a better life and to serve the cause humanity.