ISLAMABAD - Rector of the International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI), Prof Fateh Muhammad Malik has said that Iqbal has advised us to learn Arabic therefore, Urdu poets should follow the instructions of the great poet in order to enhance the effectiveness of the poetry.  He was speaking in a Mushaira arranged by Urdu Department of IIUI under titled “Ba-yad-e-Iqbal”. He said hundred years ago Iqbal advised Urdu poets to learn Arabic and study Arabic literature.
 to be equipped with Arabic thoughts, culture and literature but its a matter of sorrow that our poets did not respond to the said advice of Iqbal till date and most of the poets are not familiar with Arabic.
He said that mystic poetry is an effective source of Islamic preaching therefore our poets should give full attention towards this poetry and create such a poetry, which can prove helpful in propagation of Islamic values and thoughts.
Vice President IIUI, Prof Dr Sahibzada Sajid ur Rehman has said that Iqbal has given us the ideology of Pakistan. He enlightened our minds with the ideology of self. He said that Iqbal is the thinker who awoke the Muslims of sub-continent to struggle for independence. He said that if we want to come out of the present situation we would have to look forward, Iqbal for proper guidance.
Renowned poet of the country, Iftikhar Arif, was the chief guest while Prof Dr Khurshid Rizvi was also participating as Meer-e-Mehfil and Sajjad Babar was the guest of honour on the occasion. Chairperson Department of Urdu, Dr Sadia Tahir and Student Advisor (Female) were the host of the event.
Jalil Aali, Nazir Tabassum, Ehsan Akbar, Touseef Tabassum, Rawish Nadeem, Arshad Meraj, Noreen Talat Arooba, Dur-e-Shehwar Feroz, Per To Roheela, Muhammad Naseer Ehsan, Rashid Salim including other poets participated in the Mushaira. Raja Khalid Mehmood, Director Administration, IIUI, Dr Safeer Awan, Student Advisor (Male) and a large number of male and female students also attended the ceremony. At the end, Prof Fateh Muhammad Malik and Sahibzada Sajid ur Rehman presented university crests to distinguish guests and organisers of the event.