Call for disseminating Iqbal’s message to tackle growing despair among youth

A wave of despair and uncertainty has gripped the youth of the country, and it is this sense of hopelessness that is driving young people to risk their lives and flee the country. In such circumstances, promoting the philosophy of Allama Iqbal through his poetry can help alleviate the growing sense of despair among the youth and offer them the much-required hope.

These thoughts were expressed by speakers during the launch ceremony of a book, Raaz-e-Sukhan, by Iqbal’s eldest grandson Azad Iqbal. The speakers noted that Azad had carried forward Iqbal’s philosophy as Iqbal’s influence was evident in his poetry.

It was said that Iqbal’s poetry awakened a new sense of ambition, yearning and spirit in the youth, and Azad’s poetry also conveyed a message of hope to today’s generation. The event, titled ‘Payam-e-Iqbal Ba Zaban-e-Iqbal’ (The message of Iqbal in the words of Iqbal), was organised by the Jahan-e-Masiha Literary Forum at the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi.

Azad also recited poetry of his grandfather during the ceremony, which was appreciated by the audience. The event was addressed by Azad, Syed Jamshed Ahmed, deputy CEO of pharmaceutical company PharmEvo, Fareeda Iqbal, Dr Zubair and Shakeel Ahmed.

In his address, Jamshed emphasised that Iqbal not only envisioned the creation of Pakistan but also awakened a new spirit among the youth through his poetry, eliminating despair. He believed that the prevailing sense of hopelessness in today’s era could also be overcome through Iqbal’s thought and poetry.

He praised Iqbal for advancing his grandfather’s philosophy, noting that Iqbal’s spirit was reflected in Azad’s verses. Azad shared that he took pride in being the grandson of Iqbal, and although he felt an immense sense of responsibility, he never considered it an accomplishment. He viewed it as his duty to carry forward the message of his grandfather.

Shakeel discussed the growing sense of despair among the youth, leading many talented young Pakistanis to seek better opportunities abroad. He warned that if this trend continued, the country could face a mass exodus of its skilled workforce.

To counter this, he suggested that not only should strategic measures be taken, but also Iqbal’s poetry more widely disseminated in society. He concluded by noting that Iqbal was no ordinary poet as his focus was not on the tales of flowers and nightingales, but rather on awakening the Muslims to a renewed sense of life and awareness.