IIUI Urdu workshop: ‘Affection for Iqbal is meaningless unless his message is understood’

Teachers should understand the core message of Iqbal and disseminate it to students and to the society at large.

Our affection for Allama Iqbal will remain meaningless unless we understand his message, put aside our differences, and stand united for progress of the country.

This was said by International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) Rector Dr Masoom Yasinzai while addressing the concluding ceremony of a workshop titled “Towards Understanding Iqbal in the 21st century” was organised by the IIUI Iqbal International Institute for Research and Dialogue (IIIRD). The workshop was attended by Urdu language teachers of Islamabad Model Colleges, said a press release issued on Sunday.

“Iqbal was not only an intellectual but also a philosopher and champion of ‘Islamic universalism’,” Dr Yasinzai said.

He said that nations cannot be built without good teachers. “Societies with racism and sectarianism face decline,” he said. The rector said that teachers can give a new life to the nation, they are the real builders, they should first study and understand the core message of Iqbal and disseminate it to students and to the society at large.

He lauded the efforts of Dr Mumtaz Ahmed and Dr Talib Hussain Sial for conducting the workshop on Iqbal.

Dr Ahmed said that the IIRD will organise such workshops in the future. “Educational institutions and society have a close link, and educational institutions can pave the way to progress of society,” he said.

Samina of the Islamabad Model College for Girls F-7/2, and Sher Ali, a lecturer at Islamabad Model College for Boys F-10/4, termed the workshop a precious opportunity to understand the Iqbal’s message.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 2^nd, 2013.