our staff reporters
ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI - Calling for reviving the concept of ijtihad, Justice (Retd) Dr Javed Iqbal recommended the formation of a national level body of scholars to find solutions of contemporary problems being faced by the country and Muslim world.
He was speaking at an event held in connection with 135th birth anniversary of Allama Iqbal. Commemorating 9th November as Iqbal Day, Rabaat organised an elegant function at Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad. Rabaat-e-Iqbal is a national organisation devoted for the promulgation and promotion of the teachings and thought of Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
Justice (Retd) Dr Javed Iqbal and Justice (Retd) Nasira Iqbal were the chief guest on the occasion. Speaking on the ‘concept of state in Islam’ Dr Javed Iqbal said it’s a duty of the state to form a national level body consisting of scholars and intellectuals where different issues could be discussed and where people can go to resolve their queries.
He said Iqbal was a great supporter of rephrasing and rethinking the issues in the light of Islam and we need to revive the concept of ijtihad so that issues being faced by the country and Muslim Ummah can be resolved. He stressed the need to revive the process of interpretation of Islamic law and recognise it as an Islamic science to enable Muslims of the 21st century to preserve their faith and apply the true tenets of Islam to their present-day needs.
He was of the view that the Muslims need to find solutions to contemporary problems that did not exist in the past and to confront the new challenges and energize the process of ijtihad, we need to conduct Shari’ah studies, encourage scholars, reform the educational system and upgrade academic Muslim councils. Only then can a more educated interpretation be adopted to effectively serve the needs of the contemporary Muslim society.
Justice (R) Nasira Iqbal also spoke on the event and threw light on the status of women in Islam. Allama Iqbal Open University officials, professors and students attend the event.
Meanwhile, Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC) celebrated the 135th birth anniversary of great philosopher and national poet Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal with national zeal and fervor here on Friday.
In this connection, a speech and tableau competition among the students and a photographic exhibition based on life and political struggle for Pakistan of Dr Allama Iqbal were also organised to pay homage to the great poet who envisioned the idea of a separate homeland for the Muslims of Sub-Continent.
The aim was to highlight role and service of Dr Allama Iqbal for Muslims of Sub -Continent and getting separate homeland. RAC Former Resident Director Naheed Manzoor and Resident Director Waqar Ahmed were the guests of honor while Iqbal Tabassum and Salman Tahir Shah were the judges for the competitions. Besides other notables, the office bearers of All Pakistan Private Schools Association also attended the ceremony.
In speech competition, Savera from Morning Star School got first position, Javeria Khurshid from Iqra School secured second, Saif Ullah from DXL Public School clinched third.
Ali Farooq from Leads Public School was awarded with fourth consolation prize.
Similarly, in tableau competition which was based on poetry of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, Bright Public School remained first; Wish Academy got second, MC Boys High School secured third while CRM Public School succeeded to get fourth position.
Later, a photographic Exhibition based on life and struggle of Allama Muhammad Iqbal was also arranged which was inaugurated by Naheed Manzoor along with Waqar Ahmed RAC Resident Director.
The ceremony was witnessed by a large number of school children and general public who thronged arts council on the eve of his birth anniversary.
The collection of photographs provided an opportunity to the young generation to watch the struggle of the poet of east for the separate homeland for Muslims of Sub-continent.
Paying glowing tribute to national poet Dr Allama Iqbal, Naheed Manzoor said that Dr Iqbal based his thoughts on the Holy Quran and promoted humanity in his interpretations. She said he aroused the Muslim from disillusionment and reminded them about their future.
Speaking on the occasion, RAC RD Waqar Ahmed said that the vision of Dr Allama Iqbal and his thoughts were instrumental in awakening the Muslims from deep slumber which was coupled with the sustained efforts of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah that led to the birth of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
He said that the function was organized to convey the message of Dr Allama Iqbal to the young generation in a practical way. At the end, the participants offered fateh for the departed soul of Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
APP adds: The 135th birth anniversary of poet philosopher Dr Allama Mohammad Iqbal was celebrated in twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Friday with national zeal, fervor and enthusiasm. Cultural, educational and literary programmes were held to pay homage to the great poet who envisioned the idea of a separate homeland for the Muslims of the subcontinent. As a gift on Iqbal Day, the government launched “Waseela-e-Taleem” programme to provide free primary education to children of poor families, across the country.
The initiative is being launched under Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) to encourage its beneficiary families to send their children to primary schools to become literate and economically self-reliant in future.