Iqbal’s poetry needs to be explored, says Shafi

Islamabad
Iqbal Day was celebrated with zeal and enthusiasm at Sir Syed Memorial Society here. Students of CASE and Sir Syed Lisum School, Bhara Kahu, attended the ceremony in which the speakers spoke about the vision of Allama Iqbal and his message to the younger generation for their flawless character-building. The students who had come from CASE spoke about the vision of Allama Iqbal in his poetry.
Sir Syed Memorial Society President Brigadier (r) Iqbal M. Shafi, while speaking on the occasion, said that Allama Iqbal’s message motivated millions of Muslims to struggle for emancipation from colonial rulers and ages old stagnant norms of thinking and acting. The integrity of the world of Islam and the universality of the message of Islam was under threat due to the fearful attitude of Muslims towards all knowledge and philosophies that did not originate in their own traditions and conventions. Ignorance bred fear and fear bred oppression at all levels. Iqbal was frustrated by the lack of movement in the intellectual and spiritual life of Muslims. If he were alive today, Iqbal would be filled with dismay over the same lack of movement in the intellectual and spiritual spheres of present day Muslims. Although he was able to influence millions of Muslims to rise up against colonial oppressors, the depth of his message and its manifold implications have yet to be realised by the Muslims. His burning ambition was to rekindle the fire of the unique human personality to put it on the path of creative evolution, renovation and renewal.
Iqbal M. Shafi said that Allama Iqbal did not compose poetry for the sake of poetry, and hence he could not be attracted by themes, which did not harmonise with the main line of his thought. He wanted to restore education just like Islam emphasised to seek knowledge. But seeking education does not merely mean academic education but it also means character-building and developing the trait of self-respect. He also explained the background behind Iqbal’s famous poem 'Iblis ki Majlis-e-Shura'.
Brigadier Dr. Shoaib A. Khan, chief executive of the CASE University, said Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal gave the vision of an independent state for the Muslims of the sub-continent that led to the creation of Pakistan. Iqbal was a strong proponent of the political and spiritual revival of the Islamic civilisation across the world, specifically in South Asia. In the wake of increasing fundamentalism, violence and social chaos of today, it is this hidden face of Iqbal’s progressive thought, poetry and philosophy that needs to be extensively explored and researched. He stressed on the need for spread the principles and vision defined in Iqbal’s poetry in the youth of the country to inculcate the ideology and spirit of courage and self-reliance.
Begum Majeda Iqbal Shafi, vice president of the SSMS, said one needs more to understand the poetry and philosophy of Iqbal than just read it. “Iqbal is a role-model for the young generation and inspires them into action.
Students from CASE also spoke on Iqbal’s poetry. Young students of Sir Syed School, Bhara Kahu, recited Allama Iqbal’s poems. Students also presented a tableau based on Iqbal’s 'Iblis ki Majlis-e-Shura.' Ms. Nighat Mirza, director of the Sir Syed Academy, conducted the proceedings.