Muhammad Iqbal Lahori, great Muslim philosopher and Poet: Experts

They were speaking at a conference on ‘influence of Allama Iqbal and Maulana Rumi’s poetic thoughts on contemporary mysticism’ at National University of Modern Languages (NUML) Islamabad organized in collaboration with Khana-e-Farhang Iran Embassy.

The Ambassador of Iran to Pakistan Mehdi Honardoost was the chief guest at the conference.

Speaking on the occasion, Director General Khana-e-Farhang Iran In Rawalpindi Ali Aghanouri said Iqbal Lahori and Maulavi are two great figures of Muslims who were born in different eras

He added that Iqbal Lahori was the follower of Maulavi and considered him (Maulavi) his teacher and mentor. The diplomat noted that Iqbal Lahori in his works always stressed upon the greatness of Islam and Muslims. “He also gave immense importance to the self-confidence in Muslims,” said Ali Aghanouri.

Aghanouri regretted that some groups in the world are damaging the real face of Islam. “We have to extend thoughts of Maulavi and Iqbal Lahori among Muslims,” he said. The diplomat said that Iqbal lahori always shows his love for Holy Prophet Mohammad in his verses.

Expressing his views, Rector NUML Major General Zia Uddin Najam said that Muslims have best of the guidance available in form of great thinkers like Maulvi and Iqbal Lahori. He said that unfortunately the Muslims are divided now and they are fighting with each other.

“We the Muslims are in state of confusion,” he said. Major General Najam noted that Maulavi and Iqbal Lahori were the ambassadors of peace.

Zia Uddin Najam noted that peace of Libya, Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan has been disturbed through a conspiracy and nobody knows that which will be the next Islamic country.

He also called for more collaboration between the universities of Pakistan with the cultural center of Islamic Republic of Iran in Pakistan.

Director General of the National Language Promotion Department, Iftikhar Arif, in his remarks said that Maulavi and Iqbal Lahori both were great thinkers of Muslim world whose source of knowledge was holy Quran.

He gave many examples of the poetic versus to explain the similarities between the works of Mauavi and Iqbal Lahori. Arif said that Iqbal Lahori always described Maulavi as his spiritual guide.

He said Iqbal Lahori was the conceiver of idea of Pakistan. Arif urged the students to utilize their capabilities for achieving the national goals in the light of teachings of Muhammad Iqbal Lahori.

Head of Persian Department NUML, Dr. Muhammad Safeer in his speech said that Iqbal Lahori is famous in Iran because most of his work is in Persian language. He added that Iqbal Lahori was not only a poet, but philosopher, Islamic thinker, politician and legal expert.

The educationist said the Persian language was the official language of the subcontinent for many years later it was replaced by English when British took over the region.

He said that Muslims must follow the teachings of Iqbal Lahori to counter the challenges they are facing today.

At the conclusion of the conference souvenirs were exchanged while the books of Maulavi and Iqbal Lahori were also displayed on the occasion. Large number of students and professors attended the conference.

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