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ISLAMABAD, Nov 14 (APP):Pakistan Academy of Letters hosted a virtual symposium titled “Celebrating Iqbal Across Languages” to mark Iqbal Day.
The special gathering was held to celebrate the Portuguese translation of the works and thought of the Poet of the East, Allama Muhammad Iqbal, carried out by Dr. Marco Lucchesi (President, National Library of Brazil; Former President, Brazilian Academy of Letters). Dr. Lucchesi, who is proficient in 22 languages, has translated Iqbal’s Persian poetry and his PhD dissertation into Portuguese. He also presided over this landmark online international session, said a press release issued here on Friday.
The event was attended by Olyntho Vieira, Ambassador of Brazil, and Frederico Silva, Ambassador of Portugal, as chief guests. Scholars from Iran, including Dr. Vafa Yazdanmanesh (Professor, University of Tehran), and from Pakistan, including Dr. Saleem Mazhar (Director General, National Language Promotion Department), Dr. Abdul Rauf Rafiqi (Director, Iqbal Academy, Lahore), and Dr. Jamil Asghar Jami (Dean, Faculty of Languages, NUST), participated as speakers. Muneer Fayyaz served as the session moderator, Dr. Sher Ali Khan provided technical support, and Dr. Bibi Ameena, Deputy Director (Academics), managed the program.
In her inaugural address, President of the Academy, Prof. Dr. Najeeba Arif, stated that the symposium marked a special occasion as it celebrated the Portuguese translation of Iqbal’s thought and poetry, which conveys his universal message to a new linguistic and cultural world.
She emphasized that Iqbal’s vision—recognition of the self, spiritual freedom, and human unity—has inspired generations, and that this translation extends that message across time, geography, and cultures. She welcomed all participants individually and expressed special gratitude to Dr. Marco Lucchesi for introducing Iqbal’s thought to the global stage.
Dr. Vafa Yazdanmanesh spoke on “Iqbal’s Thought on Tradition and Religion: In the Context of Modernity and Enlightenment,” highlighting that Iqbal’s intellectual contributions blend religion and tradition while remaining progressive and enlightened. He noted that Iqbal’s message is timeless, emphasizing love, faith, self-realization, and freedom from Western imitation.
Dr. Jamil Asghar Jami shared his experience of translating selected works of Iqbal, describing it as a profoundly joyous and spiritually enriching endeavor. He noted that translation was not for everyone; it required passion, dedication, and perseverance. Translating Iqbal, he said, was as challenging as translating Milton or Homer, as it demanded the full energy and imagination of the translator, serving as a vital bridge between languages and civilizations.
Dr. Abdul Rauf Rafiqi emphasized that Iqbal’s message was not limited to a specific region but addressed all humanity, promoting selfhood, freedom, and spiritual awakening.
He called the Portuguese translation a historic step that establishes an intellectual and cultural bridge between Brazilian and Urdu language and culture, opening a new world of thought through Dr. Lucchesi’s scholarly efforts. He reiterated that the Pakistan Academy of Letters and the Iqbal Academy remain committed to promoting Iqbal’s ideas globally through all possible scholarly and literary initiatives.
Prof. Dr. Saleem Mazhar praised the initiative of Prof. Dr. Najeeba Arif and highlighted the importance of intellectual, cultural, and artistic exchange among individuals, communities, and nations. He noted that sustained dialogue strengthens relationships across sectors and expressed hope that cultural and linguistic ties between China, Uttar Pradesh, and Pakistan could grow further. He congratulated Dr. Lucchesi on his work and invited collaboration with Pakistani literary and linguistic institutions.
Frederico Silva, Ambassador of Portugal, stated that Allama Iqbal was a global thinker whose poetry, philosophy, and political thought provide guidance for all eras. His message promotes human dignity, self-awareness, empathy, and human excellence. He noted that Iqbal’s philosophical work, deeply connected with Islamic scholarship, has influenced the intellectual community in Portugal and that his ideas are well suited to fostering tolerance, dialogue, and intercultural exchange.
Olyntho Vieira, Ambassador of Brazil, remarked that Iqbal is a significant poet and global thinker whose philosophical and literary contributions have profoundly impacted human thought. He appreciated Dr. Marco Lucchesi’s scholarly work, noting that his translations strengthen intellectual and cultural ties between Brazil and Pakistan.
In his presidential address, Dr. Marco Lucchesi expressed his honor at being invited by Prof. Dr. Najeeba Arif—a distinguished scholar, poet, writer, historian, and the first female head of the PAL. He recalled the “living river” metaphor from Javid Nama, symbolizing the continuous dialogue between spirit, thought, and the universe. Though physically distant in Porto Velho, Brazil, he said he felt connected with the same eternal energy reflected in nature.
Dr. Lucchesi reflected on Pakistan as a land of poetry, music, and spirituality, praising its cultural heritage, the voice of Abida Parveen, the qawwali of the Sabri Brothers, and Iqbal’s intellectual legacy. He described discovering Iqbal as an eternal friend through his studies of Urdu and Persian. As an expression of this bond, he sent flowers to Iqbal’s mausoleum in Lahore through the collaboration of the Pakistani embassy in Brazil.
He elaborated that Iqbal’s Persian metaphysical works were not merely academic studies but represented a new map of thought and poetry, integrating intuition, reason, and experience.
According to Dr. Lucchesi, “Iran is the homeland of thought and intuition for Iqbal. While rooted in the tradition of Rumi, Sanai, Saadi, Attar, and Hafez, Iqbal is particularly drawn to Rumi’s pure and celestial spirituality. His Persian poetic metaphors—flowers, nightingales, lamentations, and melodies—come alive with new meanings. Iqbal views the poet as a creator, not merely an observer, who gives the universe new language, consciousness, and dreams. He transforms the dialogue between East and West into intellectual harmony, acknowledging the knowledge, science, and organization of the West while encouraging the younger generation to recognize their selfhood and creative potential.”
During the journey of the “living river” in Javid Nama, Iqbal redefines the relationship between human, spirit, and history, giving space even to Western figures such as Nietzsche, reflecting his intellectual breadth. He presents poetry as a spiritual act that creates an aesthetic bridge between this world and the beyond.
Like Dante glimpsing heaven from earth, Iqbal perceived humanity in its spiritual expanse. In this sense, Iqbal is like a living river connecting civilizations, languages, and ideas across East and West. His thought reminds us that a true poet unites the scattered corners of humanity through love, imagination, and intuition.
The international symposium concluded with expressions of gratitude from the Academy’s president and active participation from hundreds of viewers and attendees via Facebook.