OUR STAFF REPORTER
SHEIKHUPURA
In connection with Iqbal Day, a function was held under the aegis of Union of Writers Pakistan at Sheikhupura Press Club on Tuesday to pay rich tributes to Dr Muhammad Iqbal (RA), the Poet of the East.
Speaking on the occasion, UWP Chairman Fazal Mahmood said that Allama Iqbal was a multi-dimensional personality. “Although he was a poet, politician, philosopher and lawyer, his core contribution is reminding the Muslims living in India of their glorious past. Iqbal not only elucidated the Two-Nation Theory but also convinced Muhammad Ali Jinnah to end his self-imposed exile in London and come to India as Muslim League could succeed only on account of his dynamic leadership,” Fazal added.
Kamran Rasheed and Muhammad Saeed Shakir were present as chief guests. He said that Iqbal in his presidential address at Allahabad in December, 1930 envisaged that a separate federation of Muslim provinces was the only course by which peace in India and salvation of the Muslims from domination of Hindu majority could be secured.
Commenting on Allama Iqbal’s concept of ‘Khudi’, Saeed Shakir said that the idea of ‘Khudi’ was unmatched in the history of philosophy and it meant spirit or self and not ego as was generally misunderstood by some intellectuals. In order to attain individual perfection, there was a need to sacrifice personal ambitions for the well being of society because individual is nothing without community, he added.
Aziz Batalwi said that as per Muhammad Iqbal, Islam is the complete code of life and the companions of the Prophet (SAW) are the role models for the Muslims. Muhammad Munir Sherwani, Amjad Javed and Abrar Ahmed Goraya also threw light on the life, views and achievements of Iqbal whereas Muhammad Younas Gul, Badr Mohayyuddin paid homage to the philosopher in poetry.