ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The College and Universities’ students from Rawalpindi and Islamabad took part in a ‘Mehfil-e-Mushaira’ held at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) in Islamabad in connection with 140th birth anniversary of Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal, a great Muslim poet and philosopher.
This was the part of country-wide Iqbal’s day celebrations arranged by the university through their regional offices to spread the message of Iqbal among the youth.
Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Shahid Siddiqui while presiding over the event said that such literary activities motivate the youth to follow his intellectual thoughts to get a respectable and dignified place in the comity of nations.
Prominent columnist Muhammad Izharul Haq was the chief guest who on the occasion also recited his poetry, paying glowing tributes to the leading scholar of the Muslim World.
Besides remembering Allama Iqbal, the Mushaira was aimed to promote literary culture of Pakistan as well as reinvigorate a sense of pride, belonging and hope among the youth.
Dr Shahid deliberated upon various dimensions of Iqbal’s poetry and philosophy, especially Iqbal’s universality and his message for youth.
He noted that Allama Iqbal raised awareness among the youth about their responsibilities through his poetry and intellectual thoughts.
Youth were Iqbal’s hope for the revival of Muslim glory and a bright future. He further said Dr Iqbal through his poetry, stressed the youth to establish strong link with education to promote their civilized character.
The message of Dr Muhammad Iqbal for Muslims was to forge unity among them and the youth should keep their vision high to achieve their goals, he added. He also read some verses from the poetry of Allama Iqbal.
At the end, he also distributed cash awards and commendation certificates among the students, while praising their talents and impressive narration of Iqbal’s poetic verses.
Homa Batool of Anglo Arabic College, Rawalpindi, Mohammad Ali and Ziaul Hasan, International Islamic University secured first, second and third positions respectively.
While Abdul Basid of Rawalpindi Asghar Mall College won special commendation prize.
Earlier, Rana Tariq Javed, Director Students’ Advisory Cell, Dr Tuqeer Ahmed Director Rawalpindi region highlighted the activities, arranged by the university during the month of November on the life and work of Dr Iqbal.
Dean Social Sciences Dr Samina Awan, Director regional services Dr Arif Saleem Arif and Director Islamabad Region Shah Farakh were also present on the occasion.
