Pakistan Writers Club (PWC) members pose for a photo with the Pakistan Ambassador Muhammad Naeem Khan at a function recently held in Riyadh to commemorate the birth anniversary of Allama Iqbal. — Courtesy photo Aymen Zaheer
JEDDAH — Pakistan Ambassador Muhammad Naeem Khan urged his compatriots to respect law, stay calm in the wake of the raids on illegal workers and not to engage in unlawful activities. He was speaking at an event organized by Pakistan Writers Club (PWC) to commemorate the 136th birthday of poet philosopher Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal. He also added that the Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah were doing what they can to extend help to those who have failed to document and regularize their status during the amnesty. "We have devised a new form to register all such workers. The idea is to know about the number of such cases and the nature of their status," he said, adding that after the data has been compiled he will then take up the issue with the Saudi officials to help these people. "I therefore urge all such workers to register themselves, without any further delay, by filling out the forms that are available at more than 80 locations throughout the Kingdom." The ambassador said that Iqbal was the poet of the entire Islamic world. "His poetry, writings and philosophy are still a source of inspiration to all Muslims, especially the youths. We must try to understand and benefit from them," Khan said paying rich tributes to Iqbal. He also commended Iqbal's contribution toward the concept of a new homeland for the Muslims of the then British India. "Based on this very concept and idea our father of the nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was able to win a separate homeland or us." Iqbal, according to Khan, was a proponent of modernization although he disliked westernization. "In his book in English titled "Reconstruction of religious thoughts in Islam," Iqbal has categorically stated that the need of the hour for the Muslim is to adopt & attain learning and understanding of modern science and technology." PWC president Faiz Al-Najdi chaired the event. Al-Najdi also praised Iqbal's achievements in the fields of poetry, philosophy and politics. He said it is not justified to give him titles like “Poet of the East” and the “Pakistani National Poet.” “He was far beyond all of these as his works and teachings have reached the heights beyond these boundaries that we have set for him,” he said. The program was moderated by PWC General Secretary Ashiq Hussain. The event comprised two segments: speeches focusing on the teachings and messages of Iqbal, and Mushaira (poetry recitation session) in praise of Iqbal. Javed Akhter Javed, a poet and writer, said that Iqbal changed the focus toward Muslim renaissance. He also presented his poetry lines in Punjabi for Iqbal. Another writer and critic Yunus Abu Ghalib said that Iqbal's poetry could be divided into three important eras. The first era is up to 1908, the second from 1908 till 1920 and the third were from 1920 till his death in 1938. He said during the first era his poetry encompassed the traditional appreciations for romance and romanticism. In the second era his works reflected his appreciation for Sufism. In the third era, he is seen to be influenced with Rumi, Raazi, Hafiz and Khayyam — all of whom are epic writers, poets and thinkers in Persian. Syed Khawaja Nehaluddin, vice president PWC, read out a beautiful satirical commentary on the teachings of Iqbal. Ruhul Amin Nayab, a Pushto writer, drew comparisons between Iqbal and Pushto poet Khushhaal Khan Khattak, concluding that the latter was deeply nspired by Iqbal's thoughts and ideas. Poet/writer Hesham Syed and professors Iqbal Ijaz Beg and Javed Iqbal presented an overview on the life, works and teachings of Iqbal. During the second session Abdul Razzak Tabassum, Aymen Zaheer, Waqar Nasim Wamiq, Khalid Rana, Rana Khadim Hussain, Shaukat Jamal, Sadaf Faridee, Salim Kavish and Yusuf Ali Yusuf read out their eulogy in praise of Iqbal. At the end of the program an "Iqbal Memorial Shield" was awarded to Prof. Javed Iqbal. PWC also announced that it planned to award shields to each and every Pakistani poet, writer and journalist in Saudi Arabia who have contributed toward promotion of literature. Khan was presented with a recently published book authored by Kamal Qadri and two published books by Syed. — SG
