JEDDAH – The poetry of Allama Muhammad Iqbal deeply reflects classical Arabic traditions, according to a Pakistani scholar. "Iqbal's similes and metaphors show that his poetry has roots in ancient Arabic poetry. Studies on Iqbal can play a vital role in connecting the young generation with the Holy Qur'an and biography of the Prophet (peace be upon him)," said Dr. Khurshid Rizvi, an eminent Pakistani poet and a distinguished scholar. Rizvi, who is in the Kingdom on a private visit, was addressing a reception in his honor at Star Restaurant in Al-Aziziyah district of Jeddah. The reception was organized by Majlis-e-Iqbal, a subsidiary of Aalami Urdu Markaz, Jeddah. In his interesting but scholarly speech, Rizvi gave several examples of the similarities between Iqbal's poetry and the classical tradition of the Muallaqat (the Hanging Odes), a collection of seven long poems that used to be hung on the walls of Kaaba and considered to be the finest works of poetry in pre-Islamic Arabia. Rizvi thanked leaders of Majlis-e-Iqbal and Urdu Markaz for promoting Iqbal's thoughts and lauded their efforts to serve Urdu language and literature. Syed Shehabuddin recited and explained a poem by Iqbal. Amir Khurshid, chairman of the Majlis-e-Iqbal in his brief address, remembered Dr. Irfan Hashmi, his predecessor, and highlighted Majlis's efforts to popularize Allama Iqbal's poetry and thoughts. Athar Abbasi, president of Aalami Urdu Markaz, thanked Hamid Islam Khan who introduced Rizvi and conducted the program, Syed Shehabuddin, Amir Khurshid and other office-bearers of the Markaz, for their valuable support. The program began with the recitation of the Holy Qur'an by Qari Muhammad Asif. Iqbal's poetry was recited by Muhammad Nawaz Janjua and Sher Afzal. In the second session, a mushairah was chaired by Rizvi. Altaf Shahryar, Faisal Tufail, Zamurrad Saifi, Irfan Barabankwi, Ahmad Ataullah Farooqui, Mujahid Syed, Athar Abbasi and Dr. Rizvi read their poems at the mushaira. Dr. Abdul Karim Beebani recited a few humorous and satirical quatrains in which there were glimpses of the daily life of the expatriates in the Kingdom.
