The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a seminar said yesterday poet-philosopher Allama Iqbal's poems could be a source of inspiration to Muslim nations for overcoming their present miseries.

"Allama Iqbal was the vanguard of the Muslims of the sub-continent in protecting them from the evils and ignorance," they said at the seminar marking the 131 st birth anniversary of Allama Iqbal at the auditorium of the Jatiya Press Club.

Advocate Mujibur Rahman, president of the Iqbal Sangshad presided over the seminar.

Allama Iqbal Sangsad organised the seminar on "Iqbal's Philosophy and Contemporary Issues",

Hassan Farazandeh, Iranian Ambassador and Charge de' Afaires of Pakistan Iyaz Muhammad Khan were present as chief guest and special guest respectively.

Paying glowing tributes to poet Iqbal, speakers laid emphasis on greater unity of the Muslims across the world for overcoming their socio-political problems.

They underscored the need for including Allama's poems and literary works in the syllabus at all educational levels.

Iranian Ambassador said Iqbal's poems are marked with aesthetic beauty and philosophical depth. His message was salvation and victory.

Charge de' affaires of Pakistan said writings of the great poet helped break all western influence - economic, political, social, cultural - for relieving the Muslim community. His contributions are the source of emancipation of human beings.

Mir Quasem Ali said Allama Iqbal was a humanitarian who fought for the cause of the Muslim Ummah.

Dr Mahfuz Parvez in his keynote paper pointed to the untold miseries of the Palestinians perpetrated by the Jews and viewed the situation as the outcome of the lack of solidarity among Muslims across the world.

Prof Askar Ibne Shaikh, Dr Hasan Muhammad, Prof Sukomal Borua, Prof Zubaida Gulshan Ara, among others, took part in the discussion.