Majlis-e-Iqbal remembers the Poet of the East

The Majlis-e-Iqbal held its monthly gathering at a local Jeddah restaurant with special reference to Allama Muhammad Iqbal’s birthday.

Mansoor Shivani, a known community figure, presided over the event. Pakistan International School Jeddah teacher Azhar Ilyas Chishty was the chief guest who read out his keynote lecture. Majlis-e-Iqbal Chairman Amir Khurshid anchored the proceedings. Athar Abbasi, president of Aalami Urdu Markaz, welcomed the guests. 

The function started with recitation from the Holy Qur’an by Khalid Qidwai while Muhammad Sher Afzal presented a Na’at written by Allama Iqbal. Ahmad Zubair, a student of Pakistan International School, also recited a melodious poem of the great poet. 

Hamid Islam Khan, secretary general of Aalami Urdu Markaz, read out the famous ghazal of Iqbal ‘Yeh payam dey gai hai mujhey baad-e-subh gahi’ to the audience and went on to explain each couplet in detail.

Azhar Chishty’s address encompassed various aspects of Iqbal’s concept of Khudi (the inner self). Chishty noted that Khudi is the pivotal thought of Iqbal’s poetry and philosophy that is originally derived from the teachings of Quran. He validated his argument with the help of examples in his detailed lecture.

Mansoor Shivani said that Iqbal was a true representative of the Eastern thought and had a thorough knowledge of the Western philosophy as well. He appreciated the organizers for their relentless efforts toward popularizing Iqbal’s message and considered it a national service.

At the end, Athar Abbasi thanked the guests. Through his poetry that echoed the rhymes of Iqbal, Abbasi also paid tribute to the Poet of the East. It was widely appreciated by the audience that comprised literati from the subcontinent.

“Majlis-e-Iqbal is a part of Aalami Urdu Markaz that focuses on Iqbal’s poetry, philosophy and life. The society meets every month to read and understand a selected piece from the poet’s works while a keynote speaker is invited to enlighten the audience on a specific topic. The Majlis has to its credit over 50 literary gatherings,” Amir Khurshid said.