Karachi : On the occasion of Allama Iqbal Day, Quaid-e-Azam Mazar Management Board, National Heritage and Cultural Division-Government of Pakistan organized “Inter-University Speech Contest” in collaboration with Pakistan Women Foundation for Peace. The program was held at the Audio Visual Hall of Mazar-e-Quaid, Karachi. The text of the speech was “Is Allama Iqbal’s advice to the youth to develop courage and self-reliance relevant in today’s era?” Students of 11 universities participated in the competition.
The chief guest of the program was Mr. Azad Aftab Iqbal, the grandson of Allama Iqbal, while the program was presided over by Justice (R) Wajihauddin Ahmed.
Starting his speech, Mr. Azad Aftab Iqbal said that the universities that participated in the debates were very impressive. The students presented very interesting speeches.
He said that we called Allama Sahib as our spiritual elder. The people of Iran call him Iqbal Lahori, the people of the West call him the Philosopher of the East, and all the Urdu speakers and those who live here know him as the poet of the East.
Chief Guest Azad Sahib said that when we look at Allama Sahib’s philosophy, the most prominent and shining pearl in this vast sea is Iqbal’s message itself and this message rightly belongs to all his philosophy and a summary of it too.
Azad Aftab Iqbal made some meaningful poems of Allama Iqbal the focus of his conversation and said that it is very instructive for our youth. He said Iqbal’s poetry is not for entertainment but we have to think and look over what is the true context of this.
Highlighting the importance of oneself, he said that know oneself, know oneself, choose one’s own goal, because in the eyes of Iqbal, life itself is the beginning, self-preservation is the protection of life, and stability of oneself. Life is stable.
Expressing his thoughts, Azad Sahib said that we are getting closer to Iqbal, the reason being that what he saw and felt through his poetic and philosophical thinking, we still need to feel our individual and national feelings. Happening in life
He said that he came into the world before his time and left at a time when he was most needed-
He added that there is an urgent need for us to know the various aspects of Allama Sahib’s perfect personality and to start a lesson-oriented development by thoroughly studying his political, social and moral conditions.
Iqbal was a great thinker and a fearless person, he not only faced the opposition of his enemies with fortitude on the front of religious, political and social reforms, but also faced the opposition of the people from whom he sought help and the moral support of the people on whom he had full faith. There was a time that he was left alone.
At the end of the conversation, Azad Aftab Iqbal recited a poem written by himself to the audience.
Azad Iqbal paid homage to Quaid-i-Azam at his grave. He also visited the memorial hall of Mazar-e-Quaid while also recording his thoughts in a diary.
He also distributed prizes to the winners of the competition at the event.
Quaid-e-Azam Mazar Management Board, Resident Engineer of National Heritage and Cultural Division Mr. Aleem Sheikh and Chairperson of Pakistan Women Foundation for Peace Nargis Rahmani were also present in the ceremony.
