JEDDAH — Renowned writer and ex-diplomat Dr. Ali Al-Ghamdi said, "Allama Iqbal was not limited to Muslims of the subcontinent but in fact for whole Muslim world in particular and the whole humanity. Hence he is considered Universal Poet." Dr. Ghamdi made this statement on the 139th birth anniversary of Pakistan's thinker, poet and philosopher. The anniversary was celebrated by the Pakistan Repatriation Council (PRC) with a seminar on Iqbal at the VIP Hall of Mehran restaurant, Azizia. Dr. Ghamdi, while thanking PRC for organizing the event, said that other poets, especially Arab poets and philosophers acknowledged Iqbal's contribution. He referred to those who acknowledged Iqbal's contribution, and said in message to Arabs, Allama Iqbal mentioned how things changed from fighting tribes to Muslims of high character; Attitude and bravery after advent of Islam under Prophet Muhammad, pbuh. "Renowned Indian scholar Abul Hassan Nadawi paid tribute to Iqbal and wrote a book on him, while Egyptian scholar Dr. Usman Ameen of Cairo University compared him to three great reformers — Jamaluddin Afghani; Abdul Rahman Kawkabi of Syria and Mohammad Abdou of Egypt and said that Iqbal was a much stronger reformer than them," Dr. Ghamdi said, adding, Iqbal's message created Pakistan following an uprising by Muslims of India. Saeed Farah Al-Ghamdi, former director general Airways Engineering — Presidency of Civil Aviation Ministry of Defense Aviation (PCA-MODA), was the chief guest. The program started with recitation of verses from Holy Qur'an by Qari Mohammed Asif, a Naat was rendered by Sher Afzal and poem on Iqbal by Syed Mohsin Alvi. Hamid-ul-Islam Khan, deputy convener PRC, welcomed all guests. He revived PRC's mission of helping stranded Pakistanis, stating, "Pakistan is not complete until Kashmir's joining and repatriation of stranded Pakistanis." Chief Guest Farah said, "Iqbal was a legend in philosophy and poetry, which is recognized worldwide. His message can benefit the whole Muslim world at this crucial time, but unfortunately we have not seriously taken the educational development for this generation." He said Pakistanis are intelligent; hard working and honest and they played a very strong role in the development of Kingdom. Amir Khurshid, president Majlis-e-Iqbal, said, "Iqbal was not a conventionalist but a revolutionary poet whose message awakened the Muslims of the subcontinent thus resulting in the creation of Pakistan under leadership of Quad-e-Azam. His message elevates thought of Muslims to achieve goal in the light of Qur'an." Mohammad Ashfaq Badayaouni said, Iqbal's poems along with the Qur'an and Sunnah presented a guideline to Muslims in life." Choudhry Riaz Ghumman praised PRC for organizing an event on Allama Iqbal and thanked Dr. Ghamdi for advocating the case of Kashmiris and stranded Pakistanis. He said if "we had adhered to Iqbal's message issues such as Kashmir; stranded Pakistanis and others faced by the Muslim Ummah would have been resolved much earlier." Syed Neaz Ahmed said, "Allama Iqbal was not just a poet and philosopher but a strong leader with a vision to lead the Muslim Ummah toward a life with pride and honor." Ahmed Bashir leader of PTI said that he was one of the greatest poet, philosopher and reformer of the last century, who successfully guided the Muslims of the subcontinent toward a homeland and helped establish an Islamic Welfare state. Tayyab Mosani, general secretary Pakistan Memon Welfare Society (MWS), said that because of Iqbal and Quaid we got an identity in form of Pakistan and we can stand with pride in the world today. He condemned the repeated stymieing of the repatriation of stranded Pakistanis thus negating mission of Quaid and Iqbal. Maqbool-ur-Rahman Abbasi, member Pakistan Journalist Forum (PJF), praised PRC for organizing the event on the national poet. He said, "We have not tried to understand Iqbal's message on national level." Shamsuddin Altaf thanked Dr. Ali Al-Ghamdi and Saeed Farah for joining the PRC event on Allama Iqbal. Professor Waseem Shahid Bukhari (PISJ-Azizia) said, "It is our duty to educate our young generation about Iqbal's achievement and the purpose of Pakistan." Mohammad Amanatullah, Urdu writer, paid tribute to Allama Iqbal and presented his write up as well. Tariq Lateef, president Pak-Saudi Friendship Society, paid rich tribute to Allama Iqbal and said that without his vision the realization of Pakistan would not have been possible. Mohammad Akram Agha spoke about Allama Iqbal's life. "Iqbal was born in Sialkot and learned Arabic and Persian and went to Germany for higher education." Relating an interesting aside, he said, Allama Iqbal declined to accept title of ‘Sir' from the British government until his teacher too was given an award in recognition of his dedication to educate Iqbal. Tariq Mahmood, a scholar, said that very few of us know that Allama Iqbal wrote about Islamic economy, which was very much appreciated by economists. He then read out his deeply-researched document on Iqbal. Zareen Khan, member Kashmir Committee Jeddah, thanked PRC and paid rich tribute to Allama Iqbal, who was a Kashmiri and wrote about Kashmir. He urged Pakistani government to press India for the right of self-determination of Kashmiri people. Saleem Siddiqui, senior community member, thanked PRC and paid tribute to Allama Iqbal. Syed Ehsanul Haque, convener thanked Dr. Ali Ghamdi and Saeed Farah Al-Ghamdi for participating in the Allama Iqbal Day's program. He urged Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to give due acknowledgement to Iqbal's contribution for Pakistan. He also condemned cancelation of the national holiday on Iqbal day, saying "it will give negative impression to our new generation about him. We appeal to make comprehensive educational program about Iqbal's mission to be taught to our new generation." The meeting also adopted a series of resolutions, among them: A demand for the government to establish "Allama Iqbal Research University" to offer research/advance knowledge on Iqbal's poetry and philosophy and the objective and mission of creating Pakistan. A demand the UN organize plebiscite in Kashmir according to its resolution and Kashmiri leadership must be included in all negotiations between India and Pakistan. A thanks for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for the creation of special committee by Senate under Foreign Secretary Sartaj Aziz for the repatriation of stranded Pakistanis. At the end supplication was made by Qari Abdul Majeed for Azeez Ahmed and Haider Hashmi, both of whom having died recently. The meet also prayed for the solidarity, peace and harmony in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
