Iqbal’s message key to prosperity of Muslims: diplomat
Calls for friendly ties between Iran and Pakistan.
“Iqbal’s poetry is a great contribution towards understanding the true essence of Islam,” says Iran's deputy ambessador. PHOTO: IQBAL ACADEMY PAKISTAN
The work of Allama Iqbal should be understood and promoted to allay the negative perceptions about Islam.
This was stated by Iran’s deputy Ambassador Hussain Rawish while addressing a ceremony at National University of Modern Languages (NUML) on Thursday, according to a press release.
He also stressed the need for unity among Muslim states and understanding of Islam’s true message.
“Iqbal’s poetry is a great contribution towards understanding the true essence of Islam,” stated Rawish while addressing the Persian language speech contest’s prize distribution ceremony at NUML.
Rawish said anti-Islam forces were creating a negative image of Islam and they could be countered by merely following the teachings of Quran and Allah. He added that Iqbal’s poetry had the same message and anyone fluent in Urdu and Persian could understand it.
He said Iran and Pakistan are neighbouring brother Islamic countries who share deep cultural, social and religious bonds. “Such academic events help to remove barriers and materialise the dream of one Muslim Ummah,” he said.
NUML Director General Brig (retd) Azam Jamal said that learning Persian would help the future generation get acquainted with the region’s history and culture. Persian language department and Iranology Centre at NUML offer a unique opportunity for students to study the great works of Persian literature such as the Shahnama-e-Firdousi, Rubayat-e-Omer Khayam, Masnavi-e-Ma’navi-e-Maaulavi Gulistan-e-Sa’dai and Dewan-e-Hafiz, he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 31st, 2013.