ISLAMABAD - An International Commemoration Conference on Allama Iqbal was held at the National University of Modern Languages in connection with the 134th birth anniversary of the great poet. The moot was organised by the Persian Department in collaboration with the cultural consulate of Islamic Republic of Iran. Justice (Retd) Nasira Iqbal, was the chief guest on the occasion while Mashaallah Shakeri, Ambassador of Islamic Republic of Iran, presided over the conference. Rector NUML, Aziz Ahmad Khan also attended the moot. Nasira Iqbal, the daughter-in-law of Allama Iqbal, said that her father-in-law never thought about making properties, but always spent his time thinking of the common future of the Muslim nation in the sub-continent. He was quite inspired by his teacher Rumi about whom he has mentioned several time in his writings and poetry, she said. She was of the view that we need to interpret Iqbals poetry and philosophy according to the contemporary challenges confronting the Muslim ummah. Justice (Retd) Nasira Iqbal said Iqbal tried to rectify the image of Islam and made it relevant to the problems of today. In his vision Iqbal boosted the ego of human beings as an independent free entity and therefore he advocated the concept of 'Khudi, which is the very essence of our existence, she added. Mashaallah Shakeri stressed the need for Muslims to understand the philosophy of Iqbal to compete with the world. Muslims unity and brotherhood was Iqbals dream and we being Muslims should respect and fulfil his dream, he said. Allama Iqbals philosophy of peace can bring the nations closer, said the Iranian Ambassador Mashaallah Shakeri. Mashaallah Shakeri while tracing out the commonalities between Iqbal and the Persian legendry poets said that Iqbals thoughts are exactly the same what the ancient Persian scholars and poets have expressed in their writings and verses. Iqbal is most difficult as well as quite easy to understand, he said adding, and perhaps that is why a lot has been written on his philosophy of human ego, humanism and unity. He also recited prominent poem Talu-e-Islam of Dr Iqbal. It was fascinating to listen to the Ambassador reciting Iqbals famous poem Talu-e-Islam; and some Persian poetry in his husky voice with instrumental music played in the background. The audience lauded his recitation and the style. The universal brotherhood is possible, according to Allama Muhammad Iqbal, if religious experience is accepted as a vital fact of life, he further added. The NUML Rector urged the young generation to read and understand Iqbal. Dr Allah Baksh, speaking on the occasion, said Allama Iqbal reminded the Muslims of the erstwhile achievements of the forefathers in the domains of life. Iqbal tried to remove the prejudiced viewpoints of the adversaries about Islam. Dr Allah Bukhsh Malik while speaking about the Iqbals message of peace said that this aspect of the Iqbals philosophy is somewhat neglected and most of the writers and students of Iqbaliat are unfamiliar to. He was a revolutionary and orientlist who believed in the empowerment of weaker, and brotherhood that leads to caring of others resulting peace in the society, Malik said while adding that Iqbal has always pointed out the prejudices and selfishness as the elements that lead to vested interests. Dr Syed Muhammad Ikram Shah, Head of Iqbaliat Department, Punjab University and Dr Arshad Shakeri Awan, Head Department of Urdu, Hazara University also presented their papers in the conference. Earlier, children from the Iranian Embassy loudly recited the National Anthem of Pakistan in their beautiful voices.