Saudi Gazette JEDDAH – "Iqbal's book ‘Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam' should be read by people who have the urge to understand his thought and poetry," asserted Arshad Munir, consul welfare Pakistani Consulate, Jeddah, while chairing a literary meeting organized by Majlis-e-Iqbal, a subsidiary of Aalami Urdu Markaz, Jeddah. Although Munir admitted, "To understand the above said book is not so easy," yet he insisted, "without its study one would not be able to understand Iqbal's thought." He advised Majlis-e-Iqbal to train young children of Pakistani School for writing articles on the contribution of Allama Iqbal and the recitation of Iqbal's poetry. "The Pakistani Consulate here would lend its support in the valuable effort of the Majlis-e-Iqbal and Aalami Urdu Markaz, in the field of the promotion of Urdu language and literature," he added and thanked Chairman of Majlis-e-Iqbal Amir Khurshid and President of Aalami Urdu Markaz Jeddah Athar Abbasi for organizing such important literary gatherings. Majlis-e-Iqbal in its monthly program concentrates on the philosophy and message of Allama Iqbal. In this literary meeting the lectures, articles and poetry presented by the participants educate the audience regarding the contribution of Allama Iqbal in the realm of Urdu, Persian poetry and the Islamic thought. Recently, Majlis-e-Iqbal organized such a meeting in Fine Grill Restaurant Aziziyah, in which a large number of Urdu lovers, intellectuals and fans of Iqbal's poetry were present. "Iqbal's poetry reminds us of the golden days of the Islamic Ummah. His Islamic thought paves the way for the unity and integrity of the mankind. Iqbal's philosophy of introspection (Khudi) elevates human soul. To understand Iqbal's philosophy one should read and understand the Holy Qur'an," said Navidur Rahman Abbasi, a professor of English language and chief guest of the event. His article was in Urdu language. It dealt with the poetry and philosophy of Allama Iqbal and was well taken by the audience. "I want to be remembered as a humble servant of the Pakistani community and as a long-time resident of Jeddah not a former federal minister," said former Pakistani Federal Minister Chaudhry Shahbaz Hussain, the guest of honor. "Aalami Urdu Markaz and Majlis-e-Iqbal are doing a great service to the community and the Urdu language and literature. I am always at their service in this regard," he assured Aalami Urdu Markaz officials. Khalid Kathuria, a founder member of Aalami Urdu Markaz, in his article gave some suggestions to Majlis-e-Iqbal for the promotion and execution of Iqbal's thought in one's practical life. He highlighted its practical value. Amir Khurshid and Athar Abbasi shed light on the obstacles in this regard. They thanked Kathuria for his valuable suggestions and said that they believed more in "quality" than "quantity". "Earlier for such thought-provoking literary sessions there were a selected-few persons available but today's big gathering bears testimony to the fact that now within a span of 2 1/2 years, the people's interest has grown in this regard," Khurshid said. On this eve of Iqbal's death anniversary on April 21, 2017, Athar Abbasi and Khurshid jointly issued a statement that Aalami Urdu Markaz would arrange lectures in the Arabic language delivered by Saudi intellectuals. "We are in contact with Editor in Chief of Urdu News Tariq Mishkhes and the Pakistani Consulate for the emergence of a joint platform for such event." The program began with the recitation of a few verses from the Holy Qur'an by Qari Muhammad Asif. The Naat was presented by Ahmad ibn Zuber, a student of Pakistani International School, Aziziyah, Jeddah. Muhammad Nawaz Janjua in his melodious voice recited Iqbal's poetry. The audience applauded the glowing tribute to Allama Iqbal paid by Jeddah-based poets Zamurrad Saifi, Faisal Tufail, Mohsin Alawi, Mujahid Syed and Athar Abbasi. Athar Abbasi's following couplet received lavish praise: Shayeri men, mera rahbar, meri manzil Iqbal Mere her lafz ki dhadkan men hai, shamil Iqbal Khurshid was master of the event. The vote of thanks was proposed by Athar Abbasi, who thanked Naushad Usman, Hifzur Rahman, Fizaur Rahman, Nushad Usman, Dr. Abdul Karim Bibani, Mujahid Syed, Amir Khurshid, Professor Navidur Rahman Abbasi, Chaudhary Shahbaz Hussain and Arshad Munir and the officials of Urdu Markaz for their support in successfully organizing this literary gathering.
